how is treason illegal if in the constitution it says you can overthrow the government if they don't do their

Question

job? i'm not sure if i have it right, please explain what that is saying the the constitution and if i'm right or not

yea i'm talking about what gebril said, if that is true then how is treason illegal

Answer 1

There is no Constitutional mechanism for overthrowing the government by force, nor should there be. If the time ever comes when there's a legitimate need to do so, by all means do it! But it ain't legal and you'd better be prepared to face the consequences if you fail. Consider: as bad as you can conceive of our government going astray, how much worse would things get if the government were toppled and the resulting power vacuum allowed the rise of another Hitler, or Pol Pot, or Bush? Not a pretty picture...

Answer 2

No, there is nothing in the Constitution about over throwing the government. I think you are confusing it with a statement by Thomas Jefferson.

I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people, which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions, as not to discourage them too much. It is medicine necessary for the sound health of government." --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1787. ME 6:65

"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [i.e., securing inherent and inalienable rights, with powers derived from the consent of the governed], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315

Answer 3

You are confusing the U.S. CONstitution with the "unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America," where it reads thus:

2nd paragraph: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain un-a-lien-able Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness ... "

The Atheists, Catholics, Deists, and Protestants who signed this document were all accused of "treason" by the British Crown.

"Treason" in the U.S. CONstitution is found at Article 3, Section 3.

Answer 4

Actually a big part of the thinking in the right to bear arms was making sure the public would have the means for an armed insurrection if the situation called for it. It is a double edged sword in that Treason is a crime punishable by death.

The founders were very smart men that expected the power of a prosperous nation to attract despots to its highest positions.

Answer 5

I think there is something about leaving the union or changing the government in a lawful manner. Clearly, overthrowing the elected government would require force and installing a non elected one which wouldn't be constitutional.

Answer 6

Abraham Lincoln expressed the belief that we are allowed, and even required, to overthrow the government if it fails to uphold the Constitution, by force if necessary, in his second inaugural address.

Answer 7

The constitution allows us to change the government with our votes...nowhere does it allow us to overthrow it