DECEMBER 30, 2010 7:40PM

WaPo's Ezra Klein: The Constitution Is Confusing and Hard to Understand

Rate: 0 Flag


I'm confused by Washington Post's Ezra Klein's contention that the Constitution, "written over 100 years ago," is confusing and hard to understand.

For starters, I thought it was written long before the Civil War. But even more perplexing is the notion that it is confusing. I'll give you the meaning behind the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights is open to some debate. But what's confusing about this?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Could it be Sections 8, 9 and 10 that is confusing some? It does seem to be a problem for many inside the Beltway. Those three sections define the powers of Congress, the limits on Congress and the powers of the states.

Maybe it's just that Klein can't understand old documents. It's that four score and seven type of prose that is so tough to digest in the 21st Century.

The only people who have trouble understanding this wonderful document are those working to undermind it. There are some inside the Beltway who need to listen to it when it is read.

Your tags:

TIP:

Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Recipient's email address:
Personal message (optional):

Your email address:

Comments

Type your comment below:
You need to check his update - he says that's not what he meant but concedes that's what many people heard, and clarifies what he really meant to say.
The Constitution is a document that lays broad strokes. It is general and abstract enough so that it leaves lots of room for people to base their agendas on it. Someone on the right can claim a certain meaning for a section of the Constitution so that it supports what they want in law. Someone on the left can interpret the very same section another way.

The Constitution and religious documents like the Bible, Torah and Koran are alike in that respect. You can base any reasoning you want by interpreting some section of one of these document to fit your preconceived conclusion -- and people do! Always have, always will.

The Tea party has been claiming that it's interpretation of the Constitution is the "true" interpretation. That contention will get some votes for now, but I'm not sure for how long that will fly.