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In reply to the discussion: America's Constitution is terrible. Let's throw it out and start over. [View all]jimmy the one
(2,776 posts)76. the dead should not rule the quick
The American Constitution is an outdated, malfunctioning piece of junk and it's only getting worse.
I think this a valid observation. It is outdated. Thomas Jefferson thought the constitution should be rewritten every 19 and a half years:
Thomas Jefferson believed that a countrys constitution should be rewritten every 19 years. Instead, the U.S. Constitution, which Jefferson did not help to write (he was in Paris serving as U.S. minister to France when the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia), has prevailed since 1789.
Jefferson thought the dead should not rule the living, thus constitutions should expire frequently, but the fact is that the U.S. Constitution quickly became enshrined by the public and is the oldest constitution in the world, said Zachary Elkins, a professor of political science at Illinois.
https://fantasticfacts.net/117/
This was not a one time flippant opinion from jefferson. He restated it at intervals during his life; Iirc at least 20 years apart did he reiterate this, as well as surely in between.
So many things have changed since 1789 & the bill of rights 1791. If the election process was in effect as it was then, in 2016 Hillary Clinton would've been elected vice president to a president (cough) trump, since she recieved the second most electoral votes.
I think Jefferson's reasons for wanting a 20 year rewrite were somewhat financially based, but it is what it is.
I think this a valid observation. It is outdated. Thomas Jefferson thought the constitution should be rewritten every 19 and a half years:
Thomas Jefferson believed that a countrys constitution should be rewritten every 19 years. Instead, the U.S. Constitution, which Jefferson did not help to write (he was in Paris serving as U.S. minister to France when the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia), has prevailed since 1789.
Jefferson thought the dead should not rule the living, thus constitutions should expire frequently, but the fact is that the U.S. Constitution quickly became enshrined by the public and is the oldest constitution in the world, said Zachary Elkins, a professor of political science at Illinois.
https://fantasticfacts.net/117/
This was not a one time flippant opinion from jefferson. He restated it at intervals during his life; Iirc at least 20 years apart did he reiterate this, as well as surely in between.
So many things have changed since 1789 & the bill of rights 1791. If the election process was in effect as it was then, in 2016 Hillary Clinton would've been elected vice president to a president (cough) trump, since she recieved the second most electoral votes.
I think Jefferson's reasons for wanting a 20 year rewrite were somewhat financially based, but it is what it is.
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America's Constitution is terrible. Let's throw it out and start over. [View all]
XacerbatedDem
Mar 2022
OP
I wouldn't call it a piece of junk, I think that historically it's a pretty remarkable document, but
Gaugamela
Mar 2022
#8
Actually you said it should be thrown out & started over. What do you mean when you say that?
Hekate
Mar 2022
#53
I cited an article I read and brought it up here to see what people thought about it.
XacerbatedDem
Mar 2022
#61
I think, in my initial post, I asked what people thought of the article...
XacerbatedDem
Mar 2022
#77
Let me think...hmm well NO NO and NO...in case you missed my answer NONONONO.
Demsrule86
Mar 2022
#14
From my point of view you are not "asking for help," but being deliberately provocative...
Hekate
Mar 2022
#54
Take people's comments to heart. Most of all, recognize WHO really wants a Constitutional Convention
Hekate
Mar 2022
#45
I believe America is the second oldest country in the world as measured by Government.
cinematicdiversions
Mar 2022
#46
This is the last point in time that I would want to see the constitution redone
iemanja
Mar 2022
#47
My original thought was that some of these laws should be set before the voting public.
XacerbatedDem
Mar 2022
#52