They tell us that the only reason it was ever created was out of a fear of the stupidity of uniformed voters. In fact, the framers did not fear stupid voters as much as they feared the wiles of overly ambitious politicians who could mislead large segments of the population by promising bread and circuses in exchange for their votes. The Constitution is designed to stand as bedrock in times of great change and turmoil. It reflects a rational and considered opinion of the American people. If the rule of law prevails in our hearts and minds, we will respect it as the representation of our solemn will.
Opinions change and fluctuate for all kinds of reasons and with great speed.
But our respect for fundamental opinion the Constitution can and should guide us through these tempests. America s Founders understood that a nation is composed of more than individual citizens. The United States is not now, nor has ever been, a simple democracy. That may work in small, homogeneous communities. But even in the Founders time, the United States was considered too diverse for such a simplistic plan.