After all, they're all dead. The government serves the needs and desires of the living with consideration for future generations. Why do some arguments arise about the intention of the founding fathers whenever change is considered?
If change is considered in our country, shouldn't the only factor be whether or not it's a good or bad idea? Why should the thoughts of dead people be a factor in the process?
2007-12-24 02:11:12 · 10 answers · asked by Overt Operative 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
It is really difficult to know what exactly the founding fathers intended. Even amongst themselves, they've had difficulty agreeing of what provisions should be specifically outlined and how they should be implemented. The political climate then was just as divisive and heated then as it is now. This is why original intent is a dangerous standard to interpret the Constitution by. It presumes that there is a single, unified intent behind a text where none existed.
Standards and morals change over time regardless of what laws and decrees are implemented in order to specifically resist such change in the social fabric. Interpreting the Constitution in accordance with long outdated views is often unacceptable as a policy matter.
2007-12-24 02:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the government that I agreed to support is based on certain eternal principles which are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
You do not have the right to change my government, except through the mechanism included in the Constitution.
Any attempt to do so would breach the implied contract with me and give me the moral right to oppose any such change with every fiber of my being.
8-)
2007-12-24 02:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by Spock (rhp) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
b/c when they made the constitution they had been through a lot of bad experiences , over taxation religious persecution ,and didn't want this for future generations , a lot of care and thought form a lot of people went into it , only 9 people will decide if there should be an amendment to laws that are hundreds of years old .its almost like saying who cares what Gandhi thought , well apparently a lot of people
2007-12-24 02:19:41 · answer #3 · answered by vlacey50 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the constitution, it was made to protect its citizens. It was so well thought out I am actually very impressed.
Once you go away from the constitution the government will grow too strong and will govern for itself and not the people like it was intended to. It is slowly getting to that point.
2007-12-24 02:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by Edge Caliber 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously the founding fathers were alot smarter than anyone in political office today. They have wrote a document that has stood the test of centuries of legal challanges. Yes it matters.
2007-12-24 02:19:00 · answer #5 · answered by Mark B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it matters absolutely. The basis of all laws in the US is the Constitution. There is a mechanism for changing the Constitution. Amendments have been added over the years to bring our basic laws up to date.
If you don't like something in our laws, please feel free to start to change it.
Interpreting all of our laws is an on-going process. It happens every day in courts.
2007-12-24 02:19:02 · answer #6 · answered by regerugged 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because our Government is based on Constitutional law. Every Nation has a document in which it justifies or bases it decisions by. Democracy is not something you play by ear.
2007-12-24 02:13:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
True, needed change is important, but we should always be aware of where the first principals and ideas came from at least.
2007-12-24 02:15:08 · answer #8 · answered by Special K 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It matters because they were a group of rich men trying to take control of the country, and keep it that way. They succeeded in that.
2007-12-24 02:15:10 · answer #9 · answered by . 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Not to liberals.
2007-12-24 02:13:21 · answer #10 · answered by Jack_Scar_Action_Hero 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋