LeoByte

Katrina is a good reflection of the United States under Republicans. The levee's only broke in a few places, but it was enough to flood the city, destroying 2/3rds. The Constitution only broke in a few places, but it was enough to flood the country, destroying 2/3rds.

This does not mean the entire Constitution must be re-written. The parts that broke should be repaired and reinforced. The rest should be reinforced, but not replaced.

P/N

Mary had a little lamb, it's fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went....

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"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." - Ronald Reagan

DeeJayH

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These days it seems that the deadliest place on earth for an American to be is inside the womb. - Joshua P. Allem

rightwinghour

I think your title should be changed to "the condition of our republic". Also, the Constitution has been spit on for decades by both parties, not just the Republicans.

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American

The Constitution isn't broken. It's the honor of men that is broken.

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It's Obama's fault!

Mach

**** women right?

-Mach

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Let teachers and priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and I am content.- Conan

tlmorg02

The Constitution works as it should. Each generation is able to define it for itself. Many would rather we interpret it exactly as written, but if any would simply read the words of the Federalist Papers, one would find that the founders left the Constitution vague for one simple reason, if there is doubt as to a particular matter, the federal government trumps the states.

Hamilton and Madison, each on opposite ends of the spectrum as one Federalist (Big Government) and Republican, both agreed that if the Constitution too finely defined the limits of the federal government's power, the infant democracy would not survive. Coupled with the forsight to understand new challenges would arise to future generations, the founders created a liquid document that left enough room for the evolution of society and changing needs of the country.

Harshaw

How does it follow that the federal government trumps the states because the Constitution is vague?

(Besides, things like "shall make no law" and "shall not be infringed" are only "vague" to those looking to ignore them.)

A Constitution which means whatever the person reading it wants it to mean means nothing at all. One man's "constitutional violation" is another man's "reinterpretation" to fit the times. When the words mean little, who's to say which is correct?

It's the Left which most often barks about a "living constitution." Who are they to say that the Constitution didn't need a little reinterpretation based on the realities which came to light on 9/11/01?

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tlmorg02

In Constitutional Law, areas of gray between states and federal jurisdiction, federal authority takes precedent. If you have read the federalist then you know Hamilton said that certain areas of the Constitution were left vague in order to allow the federal government to grow in power and develop. The whole reason the Federalist Papers were written was to pursuade people that a powerful central government was needed in order to maintain the union. Ever since the Federal Governement has grown.

Your last statment only serves partisan banter, as you contradict your whole premise by admitting that the right attempts to reinterpret the Constitution for their own purposes, like neocon foreign policy.

tlmorg02

To further the discussion, you insinuate that if the Constitution is not able to evolve, because by being so it means nothing. Yet if it were not flexible, blacks nor women would have the right to vote. Do you think we should return to the original text and reestablish slavery?

Such actions are what I mean by the adaptability of the Constitution to the times. It must allow for change or society would fall apart as issues that may develop which the Constitution does not address would be unable to be met.