What about the Constitution? Is it relevant? Still?

?...........

 

If you are asking me then yes it is absolutely relevant, but if you were to ask Obama, Biden, Pelosi or any other member of the US Government.... doubtful at best.

 

I guess you didn't read Barack Obama's book did you?

He clearly states that the constitution is a "living document" and is supposed to change with the times. That's exactly where I stopped reading.

You ask, why would I read it? a very liberal friend gave it to me to help me understand their ways. Guess what, I still don't understand the mindset of a liberal.

PS and the Constitution is not a living document. (that's so absurd)

 

Agreed, at least you didn't pay for the book.

 

Constitution? What's that? I'm guessing the majority of people in this country don't know what it is.

As a nation, we and our three branches of government still give lip service to parts of the Constitution.

And parts of our contsitutional protections, though now greatly restricted, actually still apply in some instances.

So yes, it's still 'relevant'. Barely.

Just like the Model T is still 'relevant' in a world of government owned car companies, because the Model T was a stepping stone on the path to the current system.

But the trend toward practical irrelevance for the Constituion is pretty clearly established at this point.

The present centralization of power to Washington DC is painful enough, but it saddens me deeply for the future.



If we get national health care (probably will be passed later this year) and give DC carte blanche to control all aspects of our lives in the name of saving money on health care costs....Be afraid. Be very afraid.

 

can u imagine government running healthcare??.. just imagine the chaos.

 

In a word, YES. I understand the Liberal mind. I listen objectively and normally side Constitutionally.

It has to change with the time so they can vote a non natural citizen, President.

FYI, instead of just showing the Birth Certificate, Obama has spent around $1.2 million fighting lawsuits to keep it hidden.

 

Freedom means having choices. When you remove choices, you remove freedom. I understand removing choices on things like highway/road speeds, where YOU and your decision to not use your brain will impact others lives. But when our government decides to control each of us in a very direct, no-choice, manner.....the constitution is eroding.

I know this is minor to the point of silly, but something as small as a seat belt law, IMO, is just a brick on the wall between each of us and the Constitution. Dont get me wrong, I, 100% back the idea that a seat belt will save my life in more crash scenarios than not, but FORCING me to wear it is another matter altogether. I wear mine ALWAYS. The idea that I can get a ticket for simply rolling down the road without one on, impacting no other life around me.....really irritates me.

The liberals in this country are really going to change America, in a very, very, very bad way. My next door neighbor came to me and said the following (I REALLY wish I were joking about this, but I am not):

"I think it is time for our government to regulate EVERYTHING."

The discussion was prompted by the bailout (and eventual failure) of GM. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOkay......so something, seemingly VERY important within the foundation of our nations economy, fails and now you think our governemnt should take control of EVERY aspect of EVERYthing?

OMG....now THAT, my friends, is how we lose our Constitution and eventually every piece of freedom we currently experience.

Personally, I feel that Republicans in this country have gone limp and slack with debating the liberal position and opinions, to the point that Democrats' complete and utter trash ideas are gaining (have gained) mass support. It is time for the Republicans to make stronger, more vocal arguments for why we want to remain a free people. I realize that "W" did us no favors in making the Republicans appear smarter than your average snow pea, but damnit......all Republicans are not idiots.

 

So you are saying the Constituion is relevant to YOU, but not to the President and the executive branch. Or the legislature or judiciary that are supposed to balance the powers of the executive branch. Or to the people who elect the executive and legislative branches (who then appoint the judiciary).

That about sums up my position.

I'm feeling a little outnumbered and a little underpowered compared to the other side.

Using the analogy of a sporting event, I take the rules (aka the The Constition) seriously. The opposition feels they can change the rules anytime they want, as they deem fit, without going through the proper channels which are required to ammend the rules. The referees feel the same way as my opponents, and work for the other team. The fans (most US residents) are barely interested in the game, and don't know the rules. They just know my team is getting it's *** kicked, and a majority of the fans are front runners who want to back the winning team.

 

Um, huh? yes it is relevant to me. If you understand the thought process and the way that document was conceived and try to apply it to today's issues, You will see how brilliant the founding fathers of America were.

What part do you feel is unrelevant Dave?

 

What is a constitootion?

 

HAve a read:

http://capitolhillcoffeehouse.com/ar...h_news_037.htm

TSC

 

Ahh, the difficulties in communicating via the internet!

For me, the Constitution is one of the greatest documents every written! It is brilliant! So many of our problems would be improved if the federal government returned the rights it has stolen/bought from the states and the people. So I think we totally agree on most points.

My point is I want the Constitution to be MORE relevant to the people in our government who are supposed to abide by it!

The fact the Constituion is important to you and me is nice and all, but our fellow citizens don't hold their representatives accountable. How can the Constituion be relevant if we keep electing governments who ignore it?! The contstant weakening of the Constitution is KILLING OUR COUNTRY! We better save what is left of it before it becomes nothing more than a museum piece!

 

The phrase 'living document' is loaded and means different things to different people.

Yes, as the article clearly concludes, the Constitution can be legally ammended, so in that sense it is 'living' to us all. I don't think any Constitutionalist would argue with that.

The problem is the phrase 'living document' has become a code word for those that would like to re-fit the Constitution to our modern times, illegally expanding government powers without going through the prescribed amendment process.

The 'living document' crowd explains they are justified in expanding government powers, because the founders could not have anticpated the changes we have gone through. They say if the founders only could have known the future, they would have wisely endorsed the government power grab. No amendments necessary; all the government power they could ever want can be justified by their reasoning.

FWIW, I used to be represented by Ellen Tauscher, D- Walnut Creek. She explained (my paraphrase) "The Constituion is like my pretty blue dress I had when I was 5 years old. It sure is pretty, but it just does not fit anymore". This statement epitomizes the 'living document' crowd in my opinion. The Constituion is basically an impediment to big government, so it must be ignored, because modern times require better (unconsitutional?) solutions.

BTW, Tausher was characterized as a MODERATE, 20 years ago. Far to the right of where Pelosi, Reid and Obama are today. I'd love to hear what those three REALLY think about the Constitution (they are too smart to say it in public).

 

Dave, I think we are agreeing and thinking we were disagreeing. Anyway, Your sentence
is spot on. I dont believe it is a question of relevance by liberals as much as it is ACCEPTANCE. They think If they choose not to accept it, they do not have to abide by it. By not abiding by it, they can infringe on it. By infringing they can get votes (Steal from rich give to poor, illegal immigrant amnesty) and progress their beliefs amongst us all.