- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
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- Very Conservative
The founders set up a flawed system. That's why we need to change it from time to time. Remember setting it up so that women couldn't vote? Good job founders. Or the vice president being the person who got the second most amount of votes? That part was a keeper. I don't get why people have this idea "the founders set it up, so that's always the best way to do it" mentality.
1. There was nothing in the Constitution regarding women not being able to vote. That was a result of State laws, not the Constitution.
2. In theory, the VP provision was plausible. George Washington, among others, warned of the dangers of forming political parties -- a process that was already underway at the time he gave his Farewell Address. Without the formation of political parties, it would have worked, but with the formation of parties, the situation of 1800 was inevitable.
I have to wonder if the anti 17th amendment people ever looked at what happened back then. Most of the time, the senate seat would just become a bargaining chip for political maneuvering in the state house. Deadlock would lead senate seats unfilled for months at a time. They'd almost always be some of the biggest political insiders you've ever seen. And you think having senators be chosen by politicians would be good for this country? weird.
I am still undecided on this one. The point that the States need representatives to protect their rights is a powerful one and one consistant with the actual foundation of the country. However, in most states, there wouldn't be a big political issue of appointing Senators as in most states, one political party has a clear advantage over the other in the lower house of the legislature.