NY Times Opinion Writer: ‘Give Up’ On The ‘Archaic, Idiosyncratic’ And ‘Evil’ Constitution

Mediate ^ | 12/31/12 | Noah Rothman

[Nachum]

Georgetown University constitutional law professor Louis Michael Seidman has just about had it with the focus of his 40 years of academic study. As he writes in the New York Times on Monday, it is the Constitution itself which has allowed for the series of legislative follies that finally resulted in the “fiscal cliff.” Seidman says that it is time for Americans to realize what lawmakers have known since the constitution’s inception – it is okay to ignore it.

“As the nation teeters at the edge of fiscal chaos, observers are reaching the conclusion that the American system of government is broken. But almost no one blames the culprit: our insistence on obedience to the Constitution, with all its archaic, idiosyncratic and downrght evil provisions,” Seidman writes.

Our obsession with the Constitution has saddled us with a dysfunctional political system, kept us from debating the merits of divisive issues and inflamed our public discourse. Instead of arguing about what is to be done, we argue about what James Madison might have wanted done 225 years ago.

He goes on to detail the number of American politicians who have used every opportunity to sideline the Constitution; from John Adams to Abraham Lincoln to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

[Nachum]

Mr. Banks (from Mary Poppins): '....It turns out, with due respect, when all is said and done, that there's no such thing as YOU!'

[Enterprise]

Sounds like a plan to me. The Government should shut down the New York Times.

[mrs9x]

What are these “evil” provisions in the constitution according to this professor?

[G Larry]

The problems in America are directly proportional to our distance from our faith, and it’s priory in our lives.

Our Constitution is fine.

[golfisnr1]

AWE - TOO BAD. TOUGH, TOUGH. I DON’T FEEL YOUR PAIN.

Go to Cuba and see what it gets you.

[muawiyah]

Or better yet invited in the militia to burn them out ~

[Buckeye McFrog]

In other words, pretty much the same view Obama was expressing on Chicago Public Radio a decade ago.

[Chainmail]

A "Constitutional Law Professor"? How about traitor...

The Constitution is our country and our country is the Constitution.

[tomkat]

As a public service, the traitor in question:

             

Contact via: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/seidman-louis-michael.cfm

[y6162]

seidman@law.georgetown.edu

[raybbr]

What the hell is wrong with these Jews? Are they begging for a return to the Holocaust?

[Yaelle]

Look, he’s a Jew who threw out the Torah years ago. So why not toss out the Constitution?

The Torah IS Judaism. The Constitution IS the United States of America.

[Rennes Templar]

Overspending has nothing to do with the Constitution. It’s simple math.

[freeangel]

The Constitution is fine—but there ARE evil people—take a look in the mirror, Seidman.

[CORedneck]

This traitorous a-hole should be disbarred and run out of town on a rail. Interesting thing, these leftist are really to show their true colors and what they think of this country and the people who want freedom over an “efficient” government which can do whatever it wants.

[DTogo]

This guy argues against himself: it’s adherence to the Constitution that causes all the disfunction, yet he sites politicians who ignore and sideline the Constitution.

[RoosterRedux]

Seidman is sticking closely to the plan of CPUSA...and that is try to destroy the free enterprise system and America and when it shows the effects of their efforts to destroy it, scream that it doesn't work.

As Obama has said (I paraphrase), the free market system "doesn't work now...never has." (source)

[Loud Mime]

Pride has consumed this man to an extent where he no longer makes sense.

One thing about liberals, they love to think they are smarter than others.

[Badabing Badablonde]

It’s the Constitution that allows u to spout such spittle criticizing your government and still keep your job, you over privileged idealistic attention whore.

[PubliusMM]

“Seidman says that it is time for Americans to realize what lawmakers have known since the constitution’s inception – it is okay to ignore it.

Well, professor, you are wrong, even after all these years of study and teaching. The problem is not the Constitution, or even simply ignoring it.
The very REAL problem is that that American sheeple have let it happen. They’ve allowed elected officials at all levels to hoodwink, scam, and game them with NO significant repercussions. In fact, in many cases, these same carpet baggers are re-elected to office over and over again.

The solution may be some manner of major overhaul of voting...something drastic. Perhaps, allowing to vote only those people of age who are NOT drawing some form of government (read that “taxpayer”) subsidy for their existence, with the exception of Social Security. Another would be proportional allocation of electoral college votes based on the popular vote in each congressional district.