| 2/16/2008 6:16:42 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
terentius
Apex, NC
age: 53
| A lot of Americans are dissatisfied with the way our political process works. If we could change the constitution, could we make the process work better? What changes would you like to see?
Some problems I see are:
-- It's very difficult to call a president to account if he is a scofflaw. Whenever Congress passes a law President Bush doesn't like, he adds a signing statement that says, more or less, that he can ignore it, and he does. And if Congress subpoenas administration officials to find out what is going on and if laws are being broken, the subpoenas are defied. And as the president controls the Attorney General, there is no enforcement process to correct these problems other than impeachment.
-- polarization. The logic of the American electoral process produces ever sharper divisions.
-- pork. Each congressperson represents his/her district and steering more government dollars to the district is a good way to get reelected, even when it's bad for the country as a whole.
-- Gerrymandering. In the house of representatives, almost none of the contests are competitive, because the districts are packed with one party or another to protect incumbents. Also, the district lines can be redrawn to benefit one party or another, as recently happened in Texas.
-- Congress can declare war by a simple majority, but it takes 2/3 of the Senate to ratify a peace treaty.
-- Overrepresentation of states with low populations. 17% of the population of the country, if they are located in the least populous states, can elect a majority of the senate.
-- The electoral college can throw the election to a candidate who received fewer votes.
[Edited 2/16/2008 6:18:53 PM]
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| 2/16/2008 6:43:11 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
mbk1961
Farmington, IL
age: 46
| Welcome to Democracy.....Any better ideas?
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| 2/16/2008 6:50:04 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
curiousone2
Springfield, IL
age: 42 online now!
| Huckabee said he wants to change the Constitution to be " in line" with the bible. It is a dangerous thing to start toying with the constitution.
The supreme court have already said they WILL NOT hear anything about abortion,
but the Commerce clause has caused major problems. Brought us the DEA, the Rico laws, and all of the infrastructure built around drugs, when the reality of it is, they only want to pick and choose WHICH drugs are profitable,
They have Ritalin lines in some schools. Marijuana works just as well, and doesn't have the side effects that Ritalin does. Im not saying we should give kids pot, but I would rather my kid smoke pot than take ritalin, or methamphetamine, which is another way they treat Hyperactivity.
John Roberts eluded in his hearings, that it is up to the STATES to fight the commerce clause. so far they havent, it seems like such a simple fight, DEA, get the hell out of our states. The Dea should be finding the Meth Labs anyway, but my point is, as soon as you start tinkering you get trouble.
alot of things need to change, and I think one of them is transparency in government, we need some. in fact I think we should not allow them to have any secret info. we expect everyone else to open their countries up, but then we don't do the same?
and Don't forget, there are NO Constitutionally set number of Justices, we can always add more.
You can feel that things are going to be radically different in the near future, The Immigration laws cause more trouble than they are worth, they have allowed us to be more isolationist, so less compassionate to our neighbors. The founding fathers were right about that one I think. The answer to the immigration problem is NOT a fence.
In what way would YOU change the Constitution?
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| 2/16/2008 6:55:47 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
mbk1961
Farmington, IL
age: 46
| You need to take one of those pills that you were raving about.....
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| 2/16/2008 7:05:08 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
curiousone2
Springfield, IL
age: 42 online now!
| MBK> who are you talking to? and what pills? are you telling me I need Ritalin? forgive me If I ignore your medical advice, since you cannot even grasp evolution, I think I will stick to my DR.
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| 2/16/2008 9:28:33 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
allyours4now
Glendale, AZ
age: 36
| i think the poster is framing the question wrong. i believe the constitution is absolutely fine the way it is. what is not fine is the legislation that has, over the course of many years and administrations, diminished the power of that constitution and bill of rights. it does not matter which party was in control when but more that all parties have usurped what are considered our "natural rights" as human individuals.
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| 2/16/2008 9:43:43 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
curiousone2
Springfield, IL
age: 42 online now!
| All Yours
I definitely agree with that.
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| 2/16/2008 9:56:55 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
1pinkstar
Omaha, NE
age: 54
| America needs to stop being the lifeboat for illegal Immigration. 
None of our presidential candidates have proposed a change!
However, there is a proposal by a South Carolina Senator to enforce the Constitution's Artivle V provision for a convention of state delegates to propose constitutional amendments.
SC Republican Glenn McConnell has stated, "The danger facing our country is unprecedented. We need to act now. …Congress has refused or is incapable of acting, thereby leaving the states in the position of burning while Congress fiddles. …the problem of illegal immigration is one that has reached a boiling point." 
We should use the Constitution’s Article V provision for a convention of state delegates to propose constitutional amendments.
If so, in implementing the provisions of this article, each state shall have the authority to prescribe civil and criminal penalties in addition to any provided by federal law for entering the United States illegally.
No provision of this Constitution, or any amendment thereto, would restrict any state from enforcing federal law in regard to immigration violations. In the absence of proof of legal citizenship status, a state may decide what governmental services funded in whole or in part by the state may be provided to or denied from any ILLEGAL located in that state.
A state would have the power to apprehend and expel those in violation of federal immigration law. The federal government would provide assistance to the state.
We have had more than enough talk, lies and spin 
[Edited 2/16/2008 9:57:42 PM]
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| 2/16/2008 10:07:40 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
jewelz5
Monteagle, TN
age: 53 online now!
| pinkstar: None of our presidential candidates have proposed a change!
You are right and they are not going to because they are breaking the united states apart into the north american union, the new world order. The US is going out the door so that is why they are not going to address the illegal immingration issue or do anything about it.
The candidates are playing the american people like a finely tuned violin until they can get enough things in place, so they can pull the rug out from underneath everyone and it will be to late. We did not speak up in time along time ago, so they are steam rolling right over us with a dog and pony show to passify us until they get all their shit together before they hit the switch. Then you can kiss your ass goodbye. Head for the hills sister, otherwise you need to learn to speak spanish.
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| 2/16/2008 10:13:00 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
1pinkstar
Omaha, NE
age: 54
| My thought is the reason none of the candidates have proposed any changes is because it is election year and they want the Hispanic votes.
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| 2/16/2008 10:34:30 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
jewelz5
Monteagle, TN
age: 53 online now!
| Well its a thought, though don't you wonder why no one else in our 300 million population is screaming at the candidates besides you about why they don't bring up the issue. Like any of the media for example? There is an obvious lid on the subject, though they are no doubt after the votes once they get them they still aren't going to do anything about the immigration issue because of their long range plans to open up the borders for the NWO anyway. I don't know about you though its pretty clear to me when I see something like this. They are putting it in your face.
[Edited 2/16/2008 10:39:23 PM]
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| 2/16/2008 11:33:21 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
barbaque
Marble Falls, TX
age: 58
| Tear up the amendments start fresh with the original one and update it to meet and deal with todays problems .NO 1.being bleeding heart liberals!!!Who won't allow enforcment of the existing laws!!!
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| 2/16/2008 11:41:21 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
jyfranca
Brooklyn, NY
age: 30
| Yeah changes of constitution is necessary.Ban abortion,same sex marriage,allowing prayers in public schools.
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| 2/17/2008 12:36:39 AM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
barbaque
Marble Falls, TX
age: 58
| welcome aboard Jfranka !!!Phil
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| 2/17/2008 2:41:33 PM | Constitutional Changes that Might Make the US Better? | |
curiousone2
Springfield, IL
age: 42 online now!
| prayers are NOT banned in public schools, OR against the LAw, they just may NOT be led by a teacher, or school official, and may not be FORCED on any one, and thank GOD for that.
so if your kid goes to Public school it will be fine with you, if your child is forced to pray to Allah every day????
Yah somehow I didn't think so,
and furthermore, WHO do yo think you are, that YOU get to decide what I put in or take out of MY body?????? then we get to pick and choose what men get sterilized OK, because as a rape victim, I damned sure will die f before I let anyone tell me I HAVE TO GIVE BIRTH< leave it to a MAN to think he has a RIGHT.
What in the hell do you care what GAY people do, arent YOU a Christian????
Jesus said, WHy do you point out the speck in your brothers eye when you have a LOG?
tell us all why?? what makes you think you are so free of SIN< and KNOW so well what is right or wrong. thay YOU get to decide it for all of us?????????
[Edited 2/17/2008 2:45:43 PM]
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