Declaration of Independence: Does it state that if the present government is corrupt, we should relace it?

Question

Any government back then up to now that isn't running the USA "of the people,by the people AND, for the people", where the government is hiding things from the people, where the government is corrupt, must or should be replaced by another, "of, by, and for the people". If this is true, why hasn't this been done back in the middle to late 1960s after JFK was killed? Does anyone notice this in that great document?

And, even check the Constitution of the USA. Who really runs our country? Are the "untouchable"?

Answer 1

Our document does indeed give people the right to replace any corrupt government. But, the term "people" means many many individual people. As each group has different interests and believes, the idea becomes fuzzy in practice. By "replace," should we mean a revolutionary process? Are we to take arms against our leaders? The beauty of our constitution is that it's not so easy for a demogogue to incite haive people with simple message of hatred for its leaders to take arms against them or even vote them out of the office without fair hearing. Drastic change in leadership has a dramatic effect on the foreign relations and our position as the leader of the free world.

THe matters surrounding JFK is very delicate and divulging all the truth and implementing outright justice could have thrown the US off balance. Our government has been through many trials and it did well in some while failing others, but due to the system, we are still the richest country in the world and the people of many nations envy us. I think, a big part of it because we have the checks and balances in place and the press that goes after the truth while the discretionary handlers allows the matters to be exposed and digested without knocking us off our feet.

Besides, the politicians need to be reelected every so often, so that's kind of replacing the leadership if they really screw up. :)

Answer 2

Violent revolution outside of the system never works. read the history of the French Revolution, where institutions collapsed and chaos reigned supreme. And at the end of all that, another absolute dictator came to power (Napolean Bonaparte) when absolute rule was the whole purpose for it,

Revolutions work for real change when worked from within the system. America's own revolutionary were mostly led by lawyers. The DOI was a letter addressing aggrevance. It's like writing a letter to make your complaints to the boss about his/her treatment of you before deciding to quit.

With that in mind elections are definately the way to go. When choices are bad, run for office. but wait, here's the snag. When it costs millions and millions to get elected to a truley country-changing position, how does the normal citizen win?

Answer 3

To answer your question, it does say that not only should we replace a bad government, but that noble men are obliged to act in that way.

However, comparing a tyrants grip on a colony with basic policy differences between parties is hardly a fair comparison.

I would say "be careful what you wish for." There is no benevolent conspiracy waiting in the wings to save us from the wretched existence we are all suffering in right now (think of the people who can't get high speed DSL!)

A revolution in America right now would result in special interests and drug lords seizing power, rather than another Constitutional Congress of progressive free thinkers.

Answer 4

The DOI is one thing, it was for another purpose and has no legal binding. But here is an example of the administration not giving a **** about the contitution:

Article 4 Section 1
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. (our reason for going to war with Iraq is?)

Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. (wire tapping anyone?)

Answer 5

I agree with the poster that explained the purpose of the DoI v/s the Constitution - one is more of a "mission statement" and the other is how we will accomplish our "mission statement".

Also, there is a quote that says:

“We get the government we deserve. When we improve, the government is also bound to improve.”

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi

There is also another quote (though I can't remember who it's by) that says :

In a democracy, for better or worst, the people get the government they deserve.

In other words - if you don't like the government we have, then be proactive to change it - vote - if you don't like your choices, get involved in the primaries - campaign for those you like - write letters to your current elected officials - run for office yourself, etc...

Answer 6

Our state Constitution says it is our "DUTY" to replace it!

The Constitution says in Article 10 "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"

Given the way we threw the British out, they would be hard pressed to say we don't have the right. I know the South failed!

Answer 7

Yes, it says that. And we are given the opportunity periodically to replace the government through voting. In order for that to be effective, those of us who are elligible to vote must do so. The problem is getting enough elligible people to give a crap. You only seem to be able to do so when you scream "the gays are coming, the gays are coming! They're gonna take the word God off the dollar bill!"

That gets Bubba to record the NASCAR race and get off the couch every time.

Answer 8

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

This is quoted from the American Declaration of Independence.

Answer 9

im not sure if its in the Declaration of Independence, but our nation wouldn't be a democracy of we couldn't do it. Which i believe is what we should do, but i highly doubt it will ever end up happening, because soo many ppl in this country believe all the corrupt things our "officials" say

Answer 10

The declaration of independence is not a legally binding document. The DOI was to gain independence from Britan. You need to read the Constitution.
THATS the one that is legally binding.