Describe two informal methods that have been used to change the meaning of Constitution?

There are many ways to informally change the Constitution since the founders left many elements of our government open to interpretation. One method is via the elastic clause found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution. This clause gives Congress the ability to pass any law deemed "necessary and proper" for carrying out it's expressed powers. For example, nowhere in the Constitution did it specify that the federal government had the power to establish a national bank but it did any way. When this action was challenged by the in the federal courts in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the U.S. Supreme Court had to determine if this action by Congress was legal under the Constitution. The government argued that since it had the powers to tax, borrow, coin money, and spend it is implied that they have the right to establish a national bank since this would make their job related to these areas much easier. The Court agreed and the Constitution was informally changed.

Another informal method of changing the Constitution is through the development of political custom or tradition. For example, nowhere in the Constitution does it mention anything about a President having a cabinet to assist him in making decisions. This was developed over the years by president's themselves as the need for assistance and advice arose. The most famous is Andrew Jackson's so called "kitchen cabinet" and once this custom was set this form of meeting has become a regular fixture for presidents present and future.