Have you read the U.S. Constitution?

Question

If yes, how well do you think the U.S. government is adhering to it?

Birdseed: Excellent warning about those who want to do away with the Constitution. But I hear of a similar desires being cherished by a fairly highly placed Republican:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bush+constitution+damned&tab=Web&ei=UTF-8&fr=my-vert-web-top

Cambion: Right. It's not specific to one party.

Answer 1

Yes, I have, but just reading the Constitution doesn't tell the whole story. It's written in a dialect that really isn't used, it's legalese, it's intentionally vague in some areas, and it's the result of months, if not years, of discussions, compromises and arguments.

In order to understand the Constitution, one has to understand the times, the participants and the history that went into the making of that document.

That being said, I think the US government is doing a poor job simply by these standards - our government was structured to have three co-equal branches to check and balance the others. Manipulation by political parties means that the Judiciary is hopelessly tainted by politics, instead of being a more objective arbiter of the law, and the Congress, in desire to hold and enhance party power, has completely abdicated it's responsibility to reign in extra-legal claims to power by the Executive branch. Furthermore, while the three branches are co-equals, the Legislature (Congress) was intentionally listed first, and is often referred to as "first amongst equals".

For Congress to so abjectly defer to the concept of the "Unitary Executive" essentially cedes monarchical powers to the President, which was clearly the opposite of what our government was supposed to be.

The influence of lobbying (legalized bribery) and money into the races has circumvented original intent, as well. The Founding Fathers knew that this kind of experiment in government would take much hard work and vigilance, and we've simply become complacent, spoiled and lazy. Furthermore, a truly democratic and liberated society has to put personal, petty considerations aside at times for the greater good, and that doesn't mesh with a materialistic, self-centered, consumerist mind-set.

Our goverment is doing a horrible job, but we can't be bothered to be informed and active enough to hold them accountable, which is the #1 requirement of a system like ours. If "We the People" can't be bothered, we deserve what we get.

Answer 2

Not that great. I think the government has assumed many powers not specified in the Constitution. The 9th and 10th Amendments are pretty clear that unless specifically given a job in the constitution, the federal gov't is supposed to butt out.

Answer 3

Yes, I have read it. Anybody who passed the 8th grade should answer yes to this.

I guess the 2nd part of your question could best be answered by another question: in what way(s) do you think the government is NOT adhering to it?

In other words, dear.... What are you getting at?

I♥♫→mia☼☺†

Answer 4

Yes. Every word.

I do feel that for the most part, the Government does adhere to it, except for the Judicial Branch that fails to base its decisions on original intent. They like to play with it way to much for my tastes.

Answer 5

Yes I have, and always refer to it whenever I have questions. Our government is strictly following it to the letter. What's happening today is no different than the warrantless interceptions of E-mails conducted by Clinton for eight years under project Echelon.

Edit: Thank you miraclewhip for recognizing the point I wanted to make. Politicians lie, regardless to their party affiliation. And both parties want to over-ride the Constitution to one degree or another.

Answer 6

I have 2 copies.

I think we could do a much better job at keeping the government smaller to allow for the maximum liberty of our citizens.

we should repeal the 16th amendment.

Answer 7

Yes, we are following it perfectly.
BUT, look out for the Democrats! They say "disregard the Constitution, because it is living and breathing and changing".
IN OTHER WORDS, the Democrats want to do away with it and install their own New Constitution.
That would be the end of our country.

Answer 8

Yes, I have.

I think they are doing a wonderful job of adhering to the Third Amendment, and should be commended for doing so. Perhaps it would encourage them to follow the rest of it more closely.

Answer 9

Not well, according to Keith Olbermann. On a show last week he took out a copy of the Bill of Rights and crossed out all the ones congress and Bush disregarded by passing the Military Commissions Act. They all got crossed out except for #3 lol.

Answer 10

Yes. I have a framed copy of it hanging on my office wall, and I read it almost everyday.
The Bush administration has totally abandoned our U.S. Constitution, forsaking it for a law of its own. This is the most appalling, grotesque and treasonable act ever committed in the entire history of the United States of America.
Bush & Company should be tried for treason, and - if convicted - should face a public firing squad. -RKO-