Quote Originally Posted by MrShrike View Post
You do realise that the original role has expanded exponentially because the people have voted for governments based on the expansionist policies they promoted (or opposed). It's not arbitrary at all.
I didn't say the changes were arbitrary, I said their valuation as "good" or "bad" was arbitrary.

Sure, but Benjamin Franklin and other framers also held any number of views which most people would consider fringe now. So what? Benjamin Franklin and other recognized that times change as does the opinions of the people; hence they created a Constitution which allowed laws to be created, modified and revoked, as well as which allowed itself to be modified.
Again, you miss my point. Syme already explained it pretty well.