What would a Liberal written Constitution look like?

Question

Well we know there would be no freedom of religion, no right to bear arms, and the words "right to privacy" would appear in there even though they do NOT in our Constitution. What else would be different?

Yes the founding fathers were considered 'liberal' in their day. BUT as you seem to hint, the FACT is that the founding fathers would be considered extremely conservative by TODAY'S standards. So my question is, What would the Constitution look like if it were written by today's liberals?

Answer 1

What would a Liberal written Constitution look like?

Freedom of religion would be clarified. It wouldn't have any practical differences from what we currently have, but it might spell out that we also have freedom From religion; we have the right not to have your religion imposed upon us.

The right to bear arms. Actually, we do not have arms like they had when the Constitution was written. They had muskets, which fired 1 shot at a time, it took about a minute to reload each shot, and the accuracy was about 50 feet. So as a country we do not have arms anymore, we have dangerous weapons. There is a big difference, and if we can regulate who can and cannot drive automobiles, then I'm sure we should be able to regulate who can own weapons and what types of weapons are available to be bought.

Right to privacy. This is an interpretation by the judicial system, that the way the constitution was written and the philosophy of our founding fathers implied that we have a right to privacy. Why you would want to argue this point is beyond me, perhaps you would prefer a fascist regime.

What else would be different? Equality of gender (currently NOT in our Constitution), equality of race, the right of persons to marry who they wish (not too long ago inter-racial marriage was widely illegal), etc. All rights that we hope that as individuals we are entitled to.

Answer 2

Actually in their day the Framers were considered liberal for their views. The Conservatives were the Tories who wanted to remain a part of the British Empire. The problem is that we are talking about classic liberalism which in no way resembles the modern flavor.

However, just for the sake of fun. They would add the Separation of church and state amendment which would forbid religious beliefs, displays, or icons of any type from all governments buildings, functions and activities.

Edit: Actually if today's liberals were framing the country I doubt if we would have a constitution at all. We act like all liberals believe the same things, but in reality they are like little warring tribes fighting for their own agendas. In short I doubt if they could agree with each other long enough to draft a comprehensive document and if they did manage it, it would read like a socialist manifesto when they were done appeasing all the different factions.

Answer 3

The constitution is a liberal document. It was written in response to the monarchy of England..... It is a liberalizing of law, etjics, and social systems in the exact definition of the term.... Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Are you insane? That brainwashed that you can't even see???

Do you even know what "liberal" means? It means extendision of rights and opportunities (including freedom) to those disenfranchised under a status quo! That's precsely what the revolutionaries did for themselves!

Yet, you have the current manifestation of the ideals of the founding fathers all over Y/A and so-called conservatives don't even recognize that they are playing the role of the Monarchy by attacking "libs!"! Holding on to old, non-responsive, outdated, at-conflict-with-enlightenment belief systems!!!!

You have no idea what Thomas Jefferson was about, and would probably hang him for treason!

Answer 4

I agree with those who claim ours IS a liberal Constitution. However, you make a good point that they were 18th Century liberals, and as different from the liberals of today as today's Republicans are from the Nazis or the Communists! I think a modern (neo-com) Constitution would look much more like Nazi or Communist law than the Constitution we all take for granted today.

Answer 5

There would be no consitution, the main fundemental democratic way is socialism/communism. So there will be no constitution, just a f'd up system of government that has no chance to survive (ex. USSR, Nazi Germany, Italy (1940's), Spain).

Answer 6

It would look like the one that was written by our founders but without the Patriot Act, or the Military Commissions Act or all the secret NSA spying. Like the one they had before Guantanamo Bay Prison, and the torture of prisoners.

Neo-cons are taking away your basic freedoms and you can't see it.

Answer 7

Public education would receive more funding and more respect, and the educated would occupy a higher place in government. Conversely, the Pentagon, the so-called "intelligence" agencies, and the corporate lobbyists would have their say in governmental affairs reduced considerably. Bright, qualified people would be encouraged to participate in public service, while war mongers, rich-but-dumb children of privilege, and people who have no clue as to our system of government would find it tougher to gain power.

Answer 8

Hello...., any Brain activity at all in there, Liberals did write the constitution fool, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Washington, Monroe, were all Liberals this was the first liberal democratic republic on earth( which is the planet that we are on now, in case you missed it)

Answer 9

Actually it would be as it is now. Maybe you suffer from selective memory, but the founding fathers were considered quite liberal in their day.

***EDIT***
Do you honestly believe that the founding fathers would stand for what the current Republican party represents? If so you may want to take an American history course

Answer 10

I agree with The Immortal One.