Changes

==2016 Election==

==2016 Election==

During the [[2016 presidential election]], Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], one of the most outspoken critics of the concept of a ''living constitution'', passed away.  His passing placed a debate about a "''living constitution''" front and center on the national stage.  The two candidates leading the field of contenders in the [[Republican Party]] discussed the role of the Constitution, the Courts, as well as Scalia's effectiveness as a jurist.  [[Donald Trump]] was critical of the role of the judiciary in deciding non-judicial, legislative matters; stating that the court case [[Roe v. Wade]] "was wrongly decided".<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/18/trump-vows-defund-planned-parenthood-overturn-roe/ Trump Vows to Defund Planned Parenthood, Overturn Roe], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>  [[Ted Cruz]] noted that the United States is only "one liberal justice away" from the end of the right to keep and bear arms.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/25/ted-cruz-u-s-one-liberal-justice-away-end-gun-rights/ Ted Cruz: U.S. Is One Liberal Justice Away from End of Gun Rights], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>

During the [[2016 presidential election]], Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], one of the most outspoken critics of the concept of a ''living constitution'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=That Rascal Scalia! |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/52625/rascal-scalia-matthew-j-franck |publisher=[[National Review]]|quote=That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to change with society, like a living organism, or it will become brittle and break.}}</ref> passed away.  His passing placed a debate about a "''living constitution''" front and center on the national stage.  The two candidates leading the field of contenders in the [[Republican Party]] discussed the role of the Constitution, the Courts, as well as Scalia's effectiveness as a jurist.  [[Donald Trump]] was critical of the role of the judiciary in deciding non-judicial, legislative matters; stating that the court case [[Roe v. Wade]] "was wrongly decided".<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/18/trump-vows-defund-planned-parenthood-overturn-roe/ Trump Vows to Defund Planned Parenthood, Overturn Roe], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>  [[Ted Cruz]] noted that the United States is only "one liberal justice away" from the end of the right to keep and bear arms.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/25/ted-cruz-u-s-one-liberal-justice-away-end-gun-rights/ Ted Cruz: U.S. Is One Liberal Justice Away from End of Gun Rights], [[Breitbart.com]]</ref>

These arguments highlight the fact that the courts have provided an end-run-around the amendment process, which is the proper way these changes should be handled.

These arguments highlight the fact that the courts have provided an end-run-around the amendment process, which is the proper way these changes should be handled.