Posted on 05/11/2010 6:18:55 AM PDT by Brittany Pounders
I have a big problem. It shadows me daily and I think I might need help. It seems that I can’t ever walk away from a debate, specifically on a political issue that I believe strongly in… and those are numerous. One debate that particularly continues to get under my skin happens when a liberal gets backed into the corner and is forced to confront his belief against the Constitution and all that it covers and he immediately reverts to the old line, “Well, the Constitution is a living document and is meant to grow with the times.” Yet, I’ve always found it amazing that it only seems to grow towards a liberal idealogy.
That sounds so simple and logical to the average non-thinker and uninformed citizen, doesn’t it? I mean, how can you argue the fact that we live in such a different, industrial and intelligent age and that those old-fashioned Neanderthals couldn’t possibly understand the problems that are currently facing us?
For the sake of argument, let’s set aside the average American and not even delve into the lack of education, both historic and current, that we see on display everyday. I know that while I watch in utter disgust, most people get a good laugh watching Jay Leno intercept and interview the common American on the streets.
I know that as he confronts person after person with questions like, “Who is the current Vice President?” or “Who is the Speaker of the House?” or asks them to identify pictures of people like Ronald Reagan or George Washington that the audience dissolves in laughter at the empty expression or idiotic responses we hear each and every time.
While they know nothing of their heritage and current events that affect their lives on a daily basis, each one of them knows by memory the current MTV schedule and who is appearing on Big Brother and American Idol. They can tell you that Brad’s and Angelina’s relationship is on the rocks and Jennifer Aniston has been pregnant for at least six years now.
On the other hand, we have a group of men who were some of the most superior and intelligent human beings whose daily diets consisted of reading from some of the greatest minds that have ever walked our planet. Despite their class and their careers, whether they were lawyers or farmers, their daily reading diets consisted of books by men like Cicero, Plato, Aristotle, Adam Smith, and the Bible.
They understood the natural laws of men in a way that even the most forward-thinking men of today have no concept. They lived a life under tyranny and understood what a gigantic leap of faith it would take to strike out on their own and attempt to structure a new frame of government that the world had never seen.
They studied the governments of the world and dissected them in ways that were unbelievably intelligent. They understood firsthand what can happen to a person when they obtain power, how it can corrupt their hearts and lead to all manners of abuse and evilness.
Together, they debated for months at the Constitutional Convention and in the Constitution and it’s 10 Amendments, otherwise known as The Bill of Rights, came to a conclusion that every single one of them could agree on, which when dealing with human nature is an incredible feat all on it’s own. John Adams said, “The Constitution is the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen.”
As they built this framework of government for this new and budding country, they established it around human nature and its overwhelming desire for life, liberty and security and these are qualities that are everlasting and do NOT change with times. This document was honed to precision to prevent abuse by any future form of power. Human nature in both its best and most wicked forms have not changed over the last 200 years, nor will it.
For as James Madison said, “The happy union of these states is a wonder; their Constitution is a miracle; their example the hope of liberty throughout the world. Woe to the ambition that meditate the destruction of either!”
www.LibertyJuice.com
‘the Constitution must change with the times...’
But who gets to decide what the changes are? Who gets to decide if it is changed or not? Just the powerful people at the top? What’s the process?
They never ask themselves that question.
Welcome to FR!
Article 5 of the constitution covers it though.
Article 5 of the constitution covers it though.
A constitution that is a living document is worthless!!!
The "progressives" who gathered at the New York Historical Society that evening to honor James Madison the "forgotten Founding Father" roared with approval.
Unbelievable.
Well, one way would be to point out that, while science and technology may progress, and the beliefs and surface values of people may change (for the better OR for the worse) over time, basic human nature NEVER changes. And the United States Constitution was written and adopted by some VERY wise and thoughful men, who took great pains to build in to it protections against certain of the WORST aspects of human nature.
Those who say this are 100% correct, and the Founding Fathers anticipated this need:
Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
The founding fathers also anticipated the possibility that government would creep out of the limits set by its enumerated powers without following the lawful process for amendments:
A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."
When people say “Well, the Constitution is a living document and is meant to grow with the times.”, I truly believe it is because they don’t know what to do with the Constitution or what it really means. It also doesn’t fit into their agenda for the country.
Not that it will do any good (when trying to reason with a liberal), but the Constitution is NOT a “living document”, it is a CONTRACT. Period. When viewed like that, it changes everything and just MAY make the liberal think.
***Well, one way would be to point out that, while science and technology may progress, and the beliefs and surface values of people may change (for the better OR for the worse) over time, basic human nature NEVER changes. And the United States Constitution was written and adopted by some VERY wise and thoughful men, who took great pains to build in to it protections against certain of the WORST aspects of human nature. ***
To add to your thought above, even John Kennedy, a true liberal, said the following:
“There has never been a greater concentration of intellectual power here at the White House since Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
President John F. Kennedy, in his remarks to a White House dinner attended by every living American Nobel laureate.
Well said, a ‘contract’ with the people!
“They understood the natural laws of men in a way that even the most forward-thinking men of today have no concept.”
The above, understanding ‘the natural laws of man’ is the key to the timelessness of the Constitution.
The individual’s entitlement to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is something no previous form of government guaranteed.
It is this entitlement which is eroding and will continue to erode as the government continues to legislate itself more and more power.
For the average Liberal on the street, you are most likely correct. For the Liberal in Washingtion, I don’t think it makes any difference to them. It’s their control of the country that counts to them.
I find it interesting that most of our politicians are absent these days. We never see or hear from them. It’s always the same ones in front of the camera, day after day after day. Where are our leaders? Especially since there are only six months left until November.
My response would be something like..."You could be right.The Founding Fathers set forth a specific mechanism by which the Constitution can be amended.First Amendment...Second Amendment...Fifth Amendment....*every* word of it is subject to change if "the people" truly want it".
Words have meaning. Our Constitution is far more than letters assembled on paper. It is our essence.
If the Founding Fathers wanted a “Living Constitution” they would NOT have made it so hard to amend.
But they didn't mean for it to be static either, or they wouldn't have made it so easy to amend. After all, we've done it 17 times thus far.
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