Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution

The Constitution of the United States is a complex idea, adopted at a fragile time in American history and is the framework for our government systems. There are different ways to view this document and different ways to interpret it, which can cause debate over the proper and correct way to go about interpretation. Justice Antonin Scalia and former Justice William Brennan, are two intellectuals with different methods and ideas about the correct way to interpret and enforce the Constitution. To understand how the Constitution works for the people of America, one must first understand about the Justices of the Supreme Court who have the power of enforcing the rules and regulations of Americas most prized document.

Unlike the other branches of government, the Supreme Court does not have the same rules for appointing its members. The Constitution doesn’t go into lengthy detail about the Supreme Court; therefore the people in power have had to invent a process for “electing” Justices. Currently, the United States holds nine Justices at one time. This number has changed over the years, but since 1869 there have been nine seats (Greenhouse). It is up to the President and the Senate to appoint members to these nine seats. First the President nominates someone who he or she thinks will be best for the position and that person must secure a majority vote from the Senate to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. There are no other rules to adhere by; no certain professional background is necessary, no age limit requirements, or even citizenship status regulations as with the legislative and executive branched of government. Basically, anyone can be appointed as long as the President nominates and the Senate approves, although hi...

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... If the Supreme Court fails to grow with the American population, the growth of the United States is therefore hindered. If other judiciary systems rely on the majority thought of the jury, then why would the Supreme Court not also at least attempt to intrepret how the majority of the American people would in any given circumstance?

Works Cited

Chicago, The Oyez Project at IIT. William J. Brennan, Jr. 23 February 2014 .

Greenhouse, Linda. The U.S. Supreme Court. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2012.

Scalia, Justice Antonin. "Originalist: The Lesser Evil." Cincinnati, 16 September 1988.

Supreme Court of the United States. 2014. 22 February 2014.

William J. Brennan, Jr. "The Constitution of the United States: Contemporary Ratification." Washington, DC: Georgetown University, 12 October 1985.