The following describes the basics of a constitution. The points listed here apply to the US Constitution, all State Constitutions, and all city charters.
All of these points come from Thomas Paine. I have merely tried to summarize his concepts.
1. A Constitution is first and foremost a contract.
2. A Constitution is an agreement between the people and themselves.
3. A Constitution is the creation of a new government.
4. A Constitution describes the organizational structure of the government.
5. A Constitution limits the powers of the government.
2. A Constitution is an agreement between the people and themselves.
3. A Constitution is the creation of a new government.
4. A Constitution describes the organizational structure of the government.
5. A Constitution limits the powers of the government.
6. A Constitution protects the rights of the people.
7. A Constitution is approved by the people.
7. A Constitution is approved by the people.
8. A Constitution must have a method of being Amended.
9. No body of the government can itself change a constitution.
10. The people are the final authority on what is or is not Constitutional.
11. All constitutions should have a statement of rights.
12. All constitutions should have a statement of responsibilities.
12. All constitutions should have a statement of responsibilities.
