This quarter I took a more direct non-traditional, innovative approach in writing my American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) article. As you can guess from reading the articles title: A U.S. Constitution: Volume II… I offer a number of strategic updates and thereby recommend an expansion of the Founding Fathers original document rather than a series of amendments.

In the article, I briefly share my purpose and rationale for the need for A U.S. Constitution: Volume II and the target areas I believe require the most significant upgrades. Do I get political… some would say “kind of”. Instead, I would say that as a career, long public servant, I believe a restatement or a New Century’s Declaration of Responsibilities for the US government was more my professional goal for the article. 

I will admit the topic is “heavier” than most of my ASPA contributed articles. However, our times and positioning as a country… easily drive my idea. 

As a career-long public administration/public service professional, the U.S. Constitution has been a consistent point of reference and organizational stability.  Even prior to assuming the role of community college American Government & Politics course instructor, my relationship with the Constitution was one of continuous respect and righteous rule making whenever needed.  And although the initial document has understandably been amended twenty-seven (27) times over the last 250 years, its principles have honorably “stood-the-test-of-time” no matter the challenges.

Now it is the year 2025 and it has been only recently that I have felt that the country needs “A U.S. Constitution:  Volume II”.  I believe this need is driven by the ever-growing number of non-traditional interpretations of what the Founding Fathers meant and believed.  These mis-interpretations have negatively impacted States rights, the true role of the federal government and caused the highest level of political division our country has experienced.  Additionally on an international level, foreign neighbors have been placed in an unnecessary “competition” position where money…not peaceful existence is the operational priority.

The balance of this American Society for Public Administration article will be dedicated to discussing some of the most appropriate and timely U.S. Constitution:  Volume II review and upgrades.  The intent of the improvements would be to assist in maintaining a quality Checks & Balance/Separation of Powers operational system within our government as envisioned by the Founding Fathers and assumed by the citizens of the United States.  These upgrades would not take the form of an Amendment to the Constitution.  Rather it would be prepared as a Volume II document…as an “expansion” of the original.  Driven by the many geographic, technological, historical, scientific and humanitarian accomplished changes in our world.

First let’s consider the upgrades that would be appropriate to forbid the U.S. from ever allowing the country to accumulate over $30 trillion dollars of debt.  This situation would never have been perceived nor allowed by our Founding Fathers.  Fiscal integrity and minimal/simple federal expenditures would have been the presumption.  Hence, one Constitution:  Volume II upgrades (which would not require any retractions from the original document) should target qualified improvements that would downsize U.S. government spending and hopefully slowly decrease the national debt we have encumbered.  Painful…yes…possible…yes.  Additionally Constitution:  Volume II adjustments would indicate that no single branch of government could take action that would impact more than 10% of any Department’s service activity.  Fiscal integrity would require a more integrated decision-making practice and thereby limit over-action by a single person or single branch.

A review and upgrade of the Constitution’s current language regarding separation of States rights and the rights assigned to the federal government would also be a priority.  Although the Constitution goes to great lengths to ensure “who can do what”…we have had a Civil War and current challenging times seem to almost encourage some form of similar action in the future.  Minutia-style interpretation of the Constitution’s assignment of power and responsibilities has in so many ways weakened the historic principles of the Founding Father’s hopes for continuous collaboration of government at all levels.  Whether the challenge is police powers or international trade…a common sense, interpretation-resistant Constitution:  Volume II upgrade seems to be a correct systems improvement action.

Immigration is another national policy area that is in immediate need of Constitutional “re-writes”.  I don’t believe our Founding Fathers could have ever envisioned our country’s expansion, diversification and honor from other country’s citizens to want to be part of our United States!  These “growing-pains” have again left our Constitutional system open to periodic “re-interpretations” of what the best laws/policies should be…without modern-day upgrades.  A Constitution:  Volume II upgrade would/could provide the necessary commonization of immigration advancements to be made and then be enforced in a strong limited fashion.

Technology and science in general are two additional major reasons to engage in “A.U.S. Constitution Volume II review and upgrade!  I can’t nor couldn’t identify all of the various factors that in some way appropriately accentuate the need to pause and modernize our Constitution.  The technological advances that are occurring not only in the United States but all over the world is a progressive continuous improvement reason to review and upgrade segments of our Constitution.  Simple communication processes are no longer simple nor “saddled” with multiple delays.  As a result, adjustments to the Constitution that reflects technology as an ever-improving tool for governmental operation, would improve/modernize our country’s position world-wide.

Unlike so many governmental reform actions that are/have been taken across the United States, this Constitution:  Volume II concept in no way recommends “erasing” any part of our past.  Instead it is intended to progressively recognize our growth.  One-by-one Amendments to our Constitution would not perform the necessary strengthening upgrades we need to make as a whole.  Population growth and diversity, technological advancements in every field of service, strengthening of fiscal responsibility and correct reinforcement of our shared governance between the three branches of our democracy…all are factors that would demonstrate:  A U.S. Constitution:  Volume II as a great step forward.