What is the Constitution?

1. 69

   SparklingJewelposted 15 years ago

   A view point sure to rankle all sides of the issue
   
   what say you?
   
   
   
   http://www.voteronpaul.com/newsDetail.p … ution-2940

   replyreport
   1. 61

      Mrs. Moneypantsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Constitutions are the supreme umbrella law of any country.  The US has had a constitution for hundreds of years.  Canada has had a constitution for a few decades.  It's best for a country that constitutions remain very stable and rarely changed.  The formula required for a constitutional amendment is much more onerous than the formula required to change other pieces of legislation.
      
      Countries with new or fragile democracies change their constitutions like they change underpants.  There have been constitutional amendments or attempts to amend in Nicaragua, Honduras, Venezuela, Bolivia in the past 12 months.

      replyreport
      1. 69

         rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I think that while the Constitution is the basis of our understandings of freedom and individual rights, I also believe that the framers of it allowed for improvements through the amendments on purpose.
         
         To think that we don't have the intelligence or judgement to change it to make a few things better is something that the congress is counting on.  How could we enact term limits or eliminate lobbyist influence if there were to be no changes.
         
         I don't remember where it was said but if Franklin were to visit us in current times and see that we were still operating with virtually the same document he would remark that he could not believe we have limited the American democratic experiment so severely.

         replyreport
   2. 59

      CrystalSingletonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Soon simply only a myth

      replyreport
   3. 0

      Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Great article! It's amazing how this administrations has decided to trash the constitution particularly with the mandate to force citizens to buy health insurance, while at the same time granting constitutional protections to terrorists that have declared war upon those same citizens! It's a disgrace! While this administration is not alone in trashing the constitution it has made remarkable inroads to the destruction of the freedom it was created to protect. Anger is building and I fear the seeds of a new revolution have been sown!

      replyreport
      1. 66

         Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Poppa Blues  There was a lot of the same kind of anger in 1993 and we know what happened at the polls in 94.  Somehow just typing 1994 brings me back to the sweetness of a Democrat President working with a conservative congress true bipartisanship.  (Bill I know I criticized you when you were President but bubba I miss you now.) What I wouldn't give for a nice conservative in office again like Bill Clinton.

         replyreport
2. 64

   Mishaposted 15 years ago

   a piece of paper

   replyreport
   1. 59

      double_frickposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      isn't that what george w. said?! lol
      
      anyways: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
      
      i think this says it perfectly clear, and even proves your statement correct, misha. it IS just a piece of paper, some people mistakenly believe that the constitution gives americans these rights when its only purpose was to assert them. everyone in the world SHOULD have these rights, in fact, i live my life as if i have all of my human rights regardless of what any government or being "suggests."
      
      nobody can take my human rights away, or anyone else's for that matter. but a minority have deceived the masses in believing that they can...and this is what gives them so much power.

      replyreport
   2. 75

      starme77posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Um .. according to George Bush , he said it was just a "God Damned" pice of paper a few years back right on television for the entire world to hear, Our own prez said that, though I'm not inclined to go along with that , the consitution was written by the people and for the people , only problem is the people do nothing. In France, when their government got to big and corrupt the eople took the king and queen to the center of town and beheaded them and today the government of france works for the good of the people rather than themselves, Americans sit idely by and allow the constitution to be ignored by their own government and I really think that is a bad thing. Right now we have people loading up bullets and guns and food, whats that saying to our government , well its saying we're scared of em , and don't think for one minute they don't know who bought the bullets with that debit card and who has what in their house , dosn't matter , one man can't fight off the Japanese army allready in place here in America. Problem is not banning together as Americans and thinking we can shack up by ourselves  hord our bullets and win , need to get together like the French did and deal with this corrupt government of ours , take back our constitutional rights and live free like we were supposed to in the first place

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Ummmmmmmmm 

         replyreport
3. 0

   L. Andrew Marrposted 15 years ago

   American

   replyreport
4. 69

   SparklingJewelposted 15 years ago

   ok guys, those single word answers don't say anything...
   
   come on, spill it !

   replyreport
5. 75

   Richieb799posted 15 years ago

   Freedom of Speech! Im not American so I can't remember all of them

   replyreport
6. 60

   dave272727posted 15 years ago

   As much as it pains me to say, I found myself agreeing with the author of that article.  The Constitution is great in theory, but with all the laws passed and closed door meetings to get around or through loopholes, it has turned into something that the government doesn't abide by anymore.  Which is horrible considering the "Oath of Enlistment" that men and women who enlist in the armed forces recite.  "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America."

   replyreport
   1. 69

      SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      that is exactly why it is important that US citizens further enlighten themselves to what is in the Constitution and read what the Founding Fathers had to say about their creation of it...
      
      people have lost sense of what are their natural rights and responsibilities in life...their too busy seeing what so and so entertainer or video game or movie is all about...and have totally lost touch with who they really are as a human being living in a society in a world...life has responsibilities

      replyreport
      1. 56

         wesleyacarterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         America lacks true national identity. The Constitution is a ruse mainly, a ploy by Western European settlers to create a civilized body of law to govern other races. The Constitution did not apply to every race until about the 1960's and 70s.
         
         Without the current national identity set forth a defined, and without a clear and concise set of characteristics to describe what we call an "American", the Constitution loses its bearing and has become diluted by the worlds of Finance and Business.
         
         It is nothing more than an allusion to political correctness.
         
         The wealthiest Americans care nothing for the Constitution. the poorest of Americans often fail to exercise it.
         
         The Constitution, if applied to a national identity - American - and that national identity were clarified, then it would be the perfect manuscript for social revolution.

         replyreport
         1. 69

            SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            could be...I'll give that more thought...
            
            but it still seems that the majority of US citizens don't have their mind and hearts in who they are at all.
            
            on some level, I think the the ideals of the Constitution are for everyone in the world...freedom and liberty is for everyone. America is the "grand experiment" for souls to have an example to figure out what that means to them...what freedom and liberty means.
            
            Mainly, that participation is the KEY. Citizens are acting like the governed instead of looking upon the government as acting from their directives to maintain freedom and liberty...Citiznes have abdicated their own freedoms and liberty by not participating.

            replyreport
            1. 68

               Hmrjmr1posted 15 years agoin reply to this

               I think your last thought has nailed it ! It's a shame more don't follow your advice in that regard.

               replyreport
               1. 69

                  SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  you know, I think too many aren't aware of how close we are to the tipping point...of losing our Republic. I really don't see how they can not see...it is happening all around them and has been for decades...I course, I'm not one to talk...its only been in the last decade that I have gradually awakened to the point I am now. we"ve been mesmerized by all the media. drunk and drugged, video gamed, tved, rocked and rolled right into a ditch of consciousness...in the mean time government has lost all sense of who works for who and has taken the matter into their own hands...right into our pockets

                  replyreport
               2. 56

                  wesleyacarterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  second that one. get involved!

                  replyreport
      2. 69

         rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I would more or less blame a lot of the deterioration of the knowledge of the Constitution to our school system.  What a ridiculous thing it is to allow the NEA administer to this basic declaration of our rights. 
         
         When Hitler took power in Germany the first few things he did was confiscate the weapons from the citizenry and take over the newspapers by filling them with propoganda about the Nazi party and Germanic superiority.  Keep them defenseless and stupid is a good tactic to manage the masses.
         
         While we still have the right to possess firearms the education system is making our children more stupid as time goes by.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            So to sum up: Stupid people are acceptable as long as they're well-armed.

            replyreport
            1. 69

               rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               Or maybe we are still smart enough to remain armed.

               replyreport
7. 64

   Mishaposted 15 years ago

   Welcome to the USSA

   replyreport
8. 56

   wesleyacarterposted 15 years ago

   we live in a society now, where the common man does not have to harm a single person in order to be imprisoned and his rights taken away. Is this the will of the Constitution? The vision of the Fore Fathers?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Mitch Rappposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      What society is that?

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Kick back, smoke some dope, it will come to you

         replyreport
         1. 69

            SparklingJewelposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            attitudes like yours have gotten us where we are...
            
            i'm glad for those that aren't as blind as you

            replyreport
9. 69

   SparklingJewelposted 15 years ago

   www.givemeliberty.org for a groups that has done and is doing some big things to hold government accountable

   replyreport
10. 71

    livewithrichardposted 15 years ago

    I think we have all forgotten that it is the constiution that grants power to the government and that the government cannot become greater than the granting power. If we continue to vote the same lawmakers in time and time again, forever allowing them to usurp more power through unnecessary laws, then we are just sheeple. 
    
         We the Sheeple of the former United States, in Order to form the North American Union, turn our eye to Justice, insure domestic Slavery, provide common defence to the World, insure Welfare for everyone, and secure the Blessings of Terrorists to bring in the New World Order, do ordain and abolish this Constitution for the United States of America.
    
    LOL sorry I'm a little tired.

    replyreport
11. 60

    logic,commonsenseposted 15 years ago

    The Constitution is a series of principles written on a piece of paper.  These principles were supported by the willing sacrifices of life, limb, position, and treasure.  When we are no longer willing to make these sacrifices to support these principles, when we no longer have the courage to stand up and speak out against the loss of these principles, we have denigrated the sacrifice and courage of those who have supported them unconditionally in the past.   
    We have diluted the ideals and principles of the Constitution by allowing judges to bastardize the true meaning of the words written by the founding fathers.  It was meant to be a guide, a force for protection of life, liberty and individualism.  It was not meant to be a precise formula for every person's life.  Lawyers have corrupted the document and its intentions.  Federal politicians have ursurped the powers granted to states, in order to procure more power for themselves, in order to get reelected and line the pockets of themselves and their cronies. 
    They assume the electorate is too ignorant and too lazy to do anything about it.  As long as we sit back and do and say nothing, they will be correct!

    replyreport
12. 64

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    I think you have a few illusions about France. Ask Mark, he will explain to you how exactly government of France works for the good of people nowadays

    replyreport
    1. 75

       starme77posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       well damn maybe that pbs show was made a long time ago , but it did happen they beheadedthe king and queen and it may not be true as of today but at least for awhile the french gov was decent after that

       replyreport
       1. 66

          Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          The French Revolution led to Napolean one of the greatest warmongers in modern history.

          replyreport
13. 66

    Arthur Fontesposted 15 years ago

    The Constitution is a contract!!  50 seperate entities agreed to abide by and create a union for the enforcement of this contract!

    replyreport
    1. 64

       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       May be it was this way back then. Not anymore for about a century already...

       replyreport
       1. 66

          Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          You cannot just tear up a contract if that were true then we would no longer have a union it would be each state for itself and complete anarchy.
          
          The constititution is the foundation that the entire United States of America stands upon.

          replyreport
          1. 64

             Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I guess you are up for some nasty disillusionment in the near future

             replyreport
             1. 66

                Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                I am not prone to disillusion.  I am not alone.  We are the PEOPLE.  We are waking up and educating ourselves.  Never doubt the strength of character of the American people.  We are and will remain the beacon of freedom for the world to see.

                replyreport
                1. 64

                   Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   A beacon of gullibility and arrogance rather. Your freedom is long gone, but you are still unaware

                   replyreport
                   1. 66

                      Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      Yet here you are enjoying the freedoms provided by the constitution.  I seem to still have my constitutional rights and the Bill of Rights still seems to be relevant.  Watch me patiently exercise my first amendment right of speech.  If I wanted too I could go home get my guns and ammo and go fire it at will.  I have freedom and will die before it is taken from me!!!

                      replyreport
                   2. 75

                      starme77posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      exactly, the constitution has been being quietly ammended for several years in favor of the government , freedom my *ss - its long been gone , gee when are people gonna wake up and smell the coffee?

                      replyreport
          2. 69

             rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             John Adams did not have as much faith as you do.
             
             "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other."
             John Adams
             
             There is a much wider base of people in our country and the ambition and greed that is in control is the cancer.  If we continue down the same avenue without any changes how will the country look with regards to the Constitution?

             replyreport
             1. 66

                Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                rhamson We cannot continue down the same path I agree.  There is a lot of political debate going on right now and people that normally would never be heard are shouting at the top of their lungs.  We are transforming as a society and if the constitution is irrelevant so is the United States Federal Government.  This country would be divided up into sections and not remain a union. Either that or this will be a country ruled by a tyrannical central government and the revolution will be huge.

                replyreport
                1. 69

                   rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   I agree that there is a lot of political debate going on but who is the debate directed at? Us, as if we have any say in it.  The division has been another made up battle to keep us from the truths we must address. 
                   
                   The Federal Government is out of our control and in the hands of Big Business.  The transformation you are talking about is in essense a transfer of wealth to the rich without exception.  The lawyers have successfully taken it away by thwarting the Constitution in mire.
                   
                   The ground work for a tyranical Government has been well layed by the Patriot act and other recinded rights that set the whole thing up.  I hate the idea of civil war again but this time if it happens it will be the government against the people and the larger the army the government can raise will be to our undoing.

                   replyreport
14. 64

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    Oh, they definitely did! But that did not help much. New rulers started to behead each other, and it all became pretty nasty blood bath for a while. And nowadays their government prolly is even more selfish than American one, only now it is called democracy instead of monarchy.

    replyreport
    1. 75

       starme77posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       guess that pbs show left alot out lol , but I like the beheadding thing , and still I think Americans need to stop hiding and whining and get up and do something about this corrupt government of ours

       replyreport
15. 60

    logic,commonsenseposted 15 years ago

    Right ON!
    The politicians in my state already don't like me questioning their votes, but they better get used to it!

    replyreport
16. 66

    Arthur Fontesposted 15 years ago

    rhamson I agree with you Bilderbergers CFR and the Trilateral commission is the real government.  My hope is that we see them now.  We know them now.  We can stop them now. I support and believe in my men and woman in uniform to uphold their oath.  Not just those currently enlisted but all our soldiers police officers even our firefighters will not forget that this is their country and they are sworn to defend it.
    
    "I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)

    replyreport
    1. 64

       Mishaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       As soon as police chief says you, Arthur, is the domestic enemy of The Constitution, all those forces including firefighters are there to get you LOL. That is what this is about.

       replyreport
17. 66

    Arthur Fontesposted 15 years ago

    Misha  Do not think I am unaware of the tyranny being forced upon us I am a student of history and I see the same things happening here that have happened to other societies that have turned into dictatorships.  I fear for my country and my constitution yet I have hope that the American people will never sit by idly while everything they hold dear is taken away from them.  We are a force to be reckoned with "The American People" we will never abdicate our freedoms.  You are right possibly dissenters will be euthanized in the future but until then the struggle to hold onto the American dream will still remain strong.

    replyreport
18. 64

    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    Well, frankly I too hope that long tradition of freedom, independence and self reliance will manage to stop it this time, and that's why I am shouting from every corner I can. Yet I don't hold my breath...

    replyreport
    1. 66

       Arthur Fontesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Misha I believe we are in agreement.  I have faith yes i said faith in the American people,  I love my country and would do anything to protect it.  At this time in my life I have come to fear centralized government,  I stil respect my State and local governments even though I totally disagree with it I do not fear it.  I talk to hundreds of patriots a day so it helps keep me optimistic.

       replyreport
19. 69

    SparklingJewelposted 15 years ago

    again I post www.givemeliberty.org and http://www.cc2009.us/aof for you to check out.
    
    this is a well organized group that has accomplished a lot since the early nineties. currently a Continental Congress has prepared a Redress of Grievances called "The Articles of Freedom" to be presented to the government after signatures from citizens. a Redress as per the Constitution said to do when government has lost its way

    replyreport
20. 60

    Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years ago

    

    replyreport
21. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

    A boat in Boston?

    replyreport