A U.S. Constitution: Volume II

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Marvin N. Pichla
November 7, 2025

As a career-long public administration and 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 and Politics course instructor, my relationship with the Constitution was one of continuous respect and righteous rule making whenever needed. Although the initial document has understandably been amended twenty-seven 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 only recently have I felt that the country needs “A U.S. Constitution: Volume II.” I believe this need is driven by the ever-growing number of nontraditional interpretations of what the Founding Fathers meant and believed. These misinterpretations 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 reviews and upgrades. The intent of the improvements would be to assist in maintaining a quality checks and balances/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, they would be prepared as a Volume II document, an “expansion” of the original, driven by the many geographic, technological, historical, scientific and humanitarian changes accomplished 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 of debt. This situation would never have been perceived nor allowed by our Founding Fathers. Fiscal integrity and minimal federal expenditures would have been the presumption. Hence, one Constitution: Volume II upgrade (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 percent of any department’s service activity. Fiscal integrity would require a more integrated decision-making practice and thereby limit overaction by a single person or single branch.

A review and upgrade of the Constitution’s current language regarding the 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 many ways weakened the historic principles of the Founding Fathers’ hopes for continuous collaboration of government at all levels. Whether the challenge is police powers or international trade, a commonsense, interpretation-resistant Constitution: Volume II upgrade seems to be a correct systems improvement action.

Immigration is another national policy area in immediate need of Constitutional rewrites. I don’t believe our Founding Fathers could have ever envisioned our country’s expansion, diversification and the honor of other countries’ citizens wanting to be part of our United States. These growing pains have again left our Constitutional system open to periodic reinterpretations of what the best laws and policies should be, without modern-day upgrades. A Constitution: Volume II upgrade could provide the necessary commonization of immigration advancements to be made and then 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 identify all the various factors that in some way appropriately accentuate the need to pause and modernize our Constitution. The technological advances occurring not only in the United States but all over the world are a progressive reason to review and upgrade segments of our Constitution. Simple communication processes are no longer simple or “saddled” with multiple delays. As a result, adjustments to the Constitution that reflect technology as an ever-improving tool for governmental operation would improve and modernize our country’s position worldwide.

Unlike so many governmental reform actions that 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 fiscal responsibility and correct reinforcement of our shared governance between the three branches of our democracy are all factors that would demonstrate A U.S. Constitution: Volume II as a great step forward.

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Author: Marvin N. Pichla, Ph.D., is the owner and creative adviser of Inspiring Innovations Inc. Sharing his unique entrepreneurship and innovation in public service experience, Marv consults with public and private business, education and community organizations to develop new and different problem-solving methods through real-life, example-based learning.

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