Former Granby teacher offers thoughts on the Constitution

In his latest op-ed piece, former Granby Junior High teacher Curtis Tanner addresses what the Constitution includes and what it doesn't include:

The Constitution says, "All men are created equal", right?  Wrong.  That phrase is from the "Declaration of Independence", not the Constitution.  Constitutionalist, as they like to be called, wants the Constitution to be used, if it doesn't say it in the Constitution, "throw is out."  The Constitution was adopted Sept. 17, 1787.  There were no amendment to the Constitution as it was written, therefore, according to Constitutionalist "throw out all of the amendments that have been added."  That would end the argument about the right to have fire arms.  Black males, women and eighteen year olds could no longer vote.  There could be government sponsored religions.

So how did these amendments come about?  Well it seems the framers of the Constitution had the foresight in that, as time goes on circumstances will and must change.  To that end, Article Five, Section 1 of the Constitution provides for amending the supreme law of the land.

In 1791 the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments) was added to the Constitution.  At that time the U.S. Army consisted of 625 troops (who were not paid regularly and often deserted).  Therefore, the Second Amendment was to address that fact.  This amendment is always stated as the right to "bear arms".  What does this Amendment really say?  Amendment Two says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."  So the people's right to bear Arms was so that  a necessary, well regulated Militia, could provide security to the State.

What does the Constitution say about who can vote?  Does it say anything about age, gender or race?  No. It says nothing regarding these questions.  It does say the those governing shall be picked by the PEOPLE.  In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment was added giving Black males the right to vote.  In 1920, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.  Why did white males ONLY have the right to vote before these Amendments were passed?  Then the 27th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.  Again, why was 21 the voting age before this Amendment?

The First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law "establishing a religion"--was ratified by the States before all States had, of their own accord, DISESTABLISHED their OFFICIAL CHURCHES.  Before this Amendment, States had STATE churches.  A question that I have no answer for, "How can having a prayer be construes as "Establishing a Religion"?

Last, here is what the Constitution has to say regarding marriage be it, man/woman, same sex or any other..........................................................................................