It gives us the power to amend and add to it as necessary. This was wise on the part of our founders; they had the foresight to know that times, people, and knowledge all change. Time brings new relationships inside and outside the United States. For example, in the original Constitution it is explained how the number of representatives in Congress is determined by population, "excluding untaxed Indians, three-fifths of all other persons" ("all other persons") referring to slaves). The population consisted of all whites and Native Americans who were not taxed. This has changed dramatically, as relationships with these groups have changed. This was properly amended in the Thirteenth Amendment, as ideas about the equality of all men have surfaced since then. People change too; beliefs come and go, morals and norms change, and cultures emerge and re-emerge. Again, at the time of the Constitution, blacks were slaves and given little importance, but eventually civil rights were recognized, and African Americans, as well as women, through the Fourteenth amendment, can now vote. Changes in knowledge have been accompanied by new times and new men. In turn, technology has advanced, and should the need arise to make an amendment on this subject, we have the capacity to do so (US Const.