Commentary: The Constitution is working, but Congress isn’t

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)The current debate over the border wall and the associated government shutdown is complex politically and constitutionally. Scholars are debating what the president can and cannot do, and partisan divides are on full display.

We the people can learn from this, and the lessons can empower us as citizens and inform our actions as voters.

First, we must remember the basics of the Constitution, and second, assign accountability (or blame, if you prefer) through that lens.

The Constitution works. We may fail to understand and recognize its protections – a frequent error at a time when many voices doubt the…