Is the U.S. Constitution One Day Going to Mean Nothing?

[SallyA]

It seems to me like the U.S. Constitution doesn't mean much to our political leaders any more. Clearly, the right for citizens to keep and bear arms is guaranteed in the Constitution, yet some of our leaders are advocating gun control. There have even been some citizens who have voiced concerns that gun confiscation might occur. Other issues have arisen, too.

Is the U.S. Constitution one day going to be just a piece of paper with some writing on it?

[Don]

I sincerely hope not, and not just the 2nd Amendment. I'm a strict constructionist when it comes to the Constitution. We, the citizenry that the Constitution is there to protect have to be always vigilant to protect it.

Welcome to the board. Please post an introduction here Introduce Yourself as a new thread.

Where are you from?

[Syph]

It seems to me like the U.S. Constitution doesn't mean much to our political leaders any more. Clearly, the right for citizens to keep and bear arms is guaranteed in the Constitution, yet some of our leaders are advocating gun control. There have even been some citizens who have voiced concerns that gun confiscation might occur. Other issues have arisen, too.

Is the U.S. Constitution one day going to be just a piece of paper with some writing on it?

Welcome Sally, (Are you an Elephant or Donkey?)

The Constitution was a revolutionary document for about 200 years while the rest of the world caught up. Now it is close to meaningless. However, as it is amended and subsequently evolves (here I go again...) then it should improve and keep US lawmaking ahead of other countries. It is a curious document that seems more focussed on maintaining an army to fight a re-invading British and fashioning a deep separation between both countries.

Well that's my opinion anyway. I'm fascinated by early American politics, there is something very romantic about declaring independence and nation building.

[Tantal]

The Constitution was a revolutionary document for about 200 years while the rest of the world caught up.

It is STILL revolutionary in its original form and the rest of the world STILL hasn't caught up.

Now it is close to meaningless.

Agreed. Activist judges who believe that the Constitution 'evolves' are making it that way. The Constitution was never supposed to 'evolve' except through the amendment process, which the Founding Fathers made extremely difficult for a reason.

However, as it is amended and subsequently evolves (here I go again...) then it should improve and keep US lawmaking ahead of other countries.

Hogwash. The amendment process is very difficult. The Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments), are supposed to be limitations to government power.

It is a curious document that seems more focussed on maintaining an army to fight a re-invading British and fashioning a deep separation between both countries.

Huh? I keep up with politics and Constitutional issues pretty closely. At the time it was written there was the threat of Britain sending an army to reclaim the colonies, but that hasn't been an issue for a few centuries now. I don't think that you could find a single American that fears the return of the "redcoats". The purpose of the Constitution is to recognise and codify the God-given rights of American citizens while simultaneously assigning "powers" to government so that we can maintain a functional society.

Well that's my opinion anyway.

In that case you need to study the Constitution and early American history a little more closely. Start with the Federalist Papers. Then try reading some of the personal writings of the Founders, particularly Thomas Jefferson. You'll find that we were originally intended to function in a political state just slighly to the left of anarchy with only minimal governmental intrusion into the lives of the citizenry.

[Syph]

It is STILL revolutionary in its original form and the rest of the world STILL hasn't caught up. Agreed. Activist judges who believe that the Constitution 'evolves' are making it that way. The Constitution was never supposed to 'evolve' except through the amendment process, which the Founding Fathers made extremely difficult for a reason.

I have once pondered whether information can reach a pinnacle. I'm still not convinced it is the best Constitution it can be, largely due to the relative infancy of democracy, but I suppose with the flood of "progressive politics" (a nice word for the destruction of the individual and state-worship) that the US Constitution is still revolutionary. I wish we had a centuries old written constitution in a museum, but what do we have instead... a Queen and a couple of palaces.

At the time it was written there was the threat of Britain sending an army to reclaim the colonies, but that hasn't been an issue for a few centuries now. I don't think that you could find a single American that fears the return of the "redcoats".

Yes, this is my interpretation of the "right to bear arms" etc. that we seem to have a lack of want or need for them in the UK. This difference is purely due to your reason stated above.

I also don't expect any American to fear us Limeys. Clinton and Hague (the great man) seem to be having a ball of a time.

The purpose of the Constitution is to recognise and codify the God-given rights of American citizens while simultaneously assigning "powers" to government so that we can maintain a functional society. In that case you need to study the Constitution and early American history a little more closely. Start with the Federalist Papers. Then try reading some of the personal writings of the Founders, particularly Thomas Jefferson. You'll find that we were originally intended to function in a political state just slighly to the left of anarchy with only minimal governmental intrusion into the lives of the citizenry.

I will certainly read some of those documents. I believe that night watchman states are the paramount of government, however, without any sort of regulation for a country's economy I don't see how such a state could survive an economic meltdown.

[DC]

I think the Constitution has pros and cons, it protects the rights and values of America, and acts as a link to its founding ideals, but on the other hand it is a barrier to progression. What strikes me as odd is how many law makers simply ignore the Constitution, rather than seeking to change it.

[claire]

let's throw some examples out there.

[Tantal]

let's throw some examples out there.

Assault Weapons Ban
Fairness Doctrine
Regulations enacted by bureaucrats that were never approved by the Congress
Health Care Law (Forcing someone to purchase a good or service whether they want it or not)
Government takeovers of certain sectors of the economy
So many violations of the 10th Amendment that to list them all would crash Steve's servers.

That's just for starters.

[The Silver Eagle]

That would be highly disturbing if in time to come it did.
That is History in the making of our very country. I see
your point exactly, but whats really going on is people
are trying to find ways or going around what IS and NOT
restricted because the idea of changing the document is
a nightmare that would be suggested and is for TRUE
Americans to be a controversal subject.

The Comnstitution is the Bible to America and it's own commandments.
That document has changed History and enlightened History. Famous
figures in our past have refered to it as well as our past presidents.
To change this peice of golden History is to change the idea of the
importance for Freedom, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

My favroite part of that document has always been "All Men are created
Equal. "Why? Just see how many refered back to it. In the Civil Rights
activism it was used frequently to consider that all were considered
Equal. Yes, this document is what led to all of how we live now.

This document is a precious gift of our History. If we ignore those who
try to defy it then we will in some time loose it. Any person who wishes
to change it must be despicable if not disgraceful. That On the outside
it is a streaked yellowpaper that has salvaged, but on the inside it is a
silver and golden emerald that shines brighter than the sun and stars
combined.

[uncon]

In the UK we are resisting a written constitution. How would you recommend it?

[Don]

Any person who wishes to change it must be despicable if not disgraceful.

Given that I consider our Constitution to be the most sacred of secular documents, bear in mind that the Founding Fathers foresaw that a times and circumstances would require changes and modifications. For that reason they laid down a procedure to make those changes (amendments). They also had the wisdom to ensure that the procedure is difficult enough to force those who would do so, to not act in haste or rashly. There is nothing despicable nor disgraceful in wanting to change the Constitution in accordance with the rules, only to disregard it on whim or to read into it things that it does not say.

Amendments, because of the process, should of necessity, reflect the will of the people.

[Don]

In the UK we are resisting a written constitution. How would you recommend it?

If I may, I can't seem to wrap my mind around the concept of an 'unwritten' constitution.

At minimum, a constitution should lay out the rights, duties and responsibilities of the branches of government and of the people. It codifies them. If these things are not committed to 'paper' how do the entities involved know what these things are? What restrains one segment of government from overstepping it's bounds if it's limits are not firmly defined and available to anyone? More importantly, what defines and guarantees the rights of the people?

[The Silver Eagle]

Given that I consider our Constitution to be the most sacred of secular documents, bear in mind that the Founding Fathers foresaw that a times and circumstances would require changes and modifications. For that reason they laid down a procedure to make those changes (amendments). They also had the wisdom to ensure that the procedure is difficult enough to force those who would do so, to not act in haste or rashly. There is nothing despicable nor disgraceful in wanting to change the Constitution in accordance with the rules, only to disregard it on whim or to read into it things that it does not say.

Amendments, because of the process, should of necessity, reflect the will of the people.

I believe to implicate the process they can decide to reverse the rights of the people or the rights of government.
If we wished we could (although our Founding Father's and many more sacrificed for) change almost everything if
willing to go through this entire process.

Who's here up for changing the Declaration of Independance to?

Hell, let's impress Chavez and say we don't want Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.
We could gain a friendship by doing this and even impress China even more with making
greater and genuine products imported and exported. Yeah we might upset the S Koreans,
but hey, we can change the Constitution!


In fact, let's rewrite it all together since we're not impressed. Let's change History everyone!
Let's take down this government and replace it with a system they want! After all, we can CHANGE it.

I'm glad they made it absolutely difficult to try and reratify and change our peice of History.
I'm impressed with it and believe it tests positive with no such virus detected. I am happy
with my rights and I do not wish to live like China or North Korea thank you.

[Don]

I believe to implicate the process they can decide to reverse the rights of the people or the rights of government.
If we wished we could (although our Founding Father's and many more sacrificed for) change almost everything if
willing to go through this entire process.

Who's here up for changing the Declaration of Independance to?

Hell, let's impress Chavez and say we don't want Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.
We could gain a friendship by doing this and even impress China even more with making
greater and genuine products imported and exported. Yeah we might upset the S Koreans,
but hey, we can change the Constitution!
In fact, let's rewrite it all together since we're not impressed. Let's change History everyone!
Let's take down this government and replace it with a system they want! After all, we can CHANGE it.

I'm glad they made it absolutely difficult to try and reratify and change our
peice of History.
I'm impressed with it and believe it tests positive with no such virus detected. I am happy
with my rights and I do not wish to live like China or North Korea thank you.

Apparently you need a course in reading comphrension, and possibly to develop a belief in the rule of law, it is after all what the U.S. Constitution is all about.