(Eighth in a series of ten, For other articles in this series, click on ''View all articles by John Armor,'' and "Blogs by this author.") In the short run, one could offer several provisions in the Constitution as the most critical. In the long run, one provision stands out. Without Article V, the amendment provision, the Constitution would have long since failed and been abandoned. Consider the early history of America. Our first government under the Articles of Confederation failed precisely because of its amendment clause. Under Article 13 of the Confederation, Congress could propose amendments which had to be...