The Path to True American Greatness Lies in Constitutional Reform

Image Credit, Geralt

America’s greatness has always been a topic of heated debate, but if we’re honest, the foundations upon which this nation was built are riddled with cracks. At the heart of this is the Constitution, a document revered by many as the ultimate blueprint for democracy, but one that, in truth, is an outdated relic. Crafted in 1787, the Constitution was the product of old white men, whose ideas of freedom and governance were tainted by the colonial, racist times in which they lived. There were no African Americans, Indigenous people, or women involved in its creation, and the values embedded within it reflect that exclusion.

Despite being a starting point for a new nation, the Constitution has not evolved sufficiently to meet the demands of modern America. It is a framework that has failed to keep pace with the changing realities of a diverse and dynamic society. Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to ratify certain sections, to introduce amendments that address some of its inherent flaws, but these efforts have only scratched the surface. The rhetoric and messages of the 18th century still echo hollowly in the halls of power, and the document that once laid out the foundation for centuries now hinders progress.

The truth is that too many of the Constitution’s provisions are detrimental to too many people, interpreted differently depending on the state or the court. This variability in interpretation leads to inconsistency in justice, often to the detriment of marginalized communities. And while some may argue that the Constitution is a good starting point, it is undeniable that it is also a deeply flawed one. The process of making significant changes is so cumbersome, so bogged down by bureaucracy and division, that real change seems nearly impossible.

The reality is that America’s divisions are too deep, its special interests too entrenched, for the kind of constitutional reform that is needed. The process to ratify meaningful changes typically requires two-thirds of Congress or a majority of states—an almost insurmountable barrier given the current political landscape. The states are steeped in racism, and special interests benefit from maintaining the status quo. Gerrymandering laws further entrench this system, ensuring that candidates who might push for real change are kept out of office.

In a country that updates its prescription medications and vehicle safety measures yearly, it is absurd that the Constitution remains stagnant, governing a 21st-century nation by the rules of the 18th century. The very idea of making America great again implies that it was once great for everyone—a notion that is fundamentally false. True greatness requires boldness, a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and to overhaul a system that no longer serves its people.

Is America brave and bold enough to take a fine-tooth comb to the Constitution and make the changes necessary to truly be great? Because without such courage, any talk of greatness is just that—talk, with no real substance to back it up.