Posted by
ByGeorge on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 6:36:11 PM
The
basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and
to alter their constitutions of government. But the Constitution which
at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the
power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes
the duty of every individual to obey the established government.
George Washington's Farewell Address 1796
The procedure for changing the Constitution is set forth in Article V of the Constitution.
The
Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application
of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a
Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be
valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when
ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or
by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode
of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress;
(US Constitution, Article V)