The Constitution is a dead letter; window dressing kept around for the sake of tradition and appearances as was the Roman Senate in the Imperial era. As a practical matter, the federal government has grown so large and so pervasive into every facet of American life that it no longer recognizes any restraint in its power over the states or the people. There is no bigger gorilla to act as a check on that power.
It has also become so large and massive that it has in effect fragmented into a feudal-like collection of independent political power units. None of those bureaucratic entities recognize any checks and balances on their power as against each other. They certainly have no accountability to anyone, not even Congress. It has also not escaped my notice that every one of those units, like feudal duchies, has its own army.
I couldn't agree more. If the intent of the authors was taken as supreme law of the land, as we old timers were taught 60 years ago (in public schools no less) 21st Century American society and government would be radically changed, and changed for the better in almost every area AFAIC.
Only the forms, the outer shell of our republic remains. We still have congress, courts, president, electoral college, and other hard features.
Yes, the guts of our republic have been ripped out. It began with the 17th Amendment. Since then, no limiting clause has survived.
The hard tyranny is here, and to condone it, we are expected to dutifully vote every two years.