Who said it was perfect? Not me, and not the Founders. The point, which you seem to have missed, is that the phrase "a more perfect Union" is a statement of continuity with the union that existed under the Articles of Confederation.
They got rid of them because they did not work. Those quote prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the union did not, I repeat did not, exist before the Constitution.
A completely incorrect statement. While (as you've noted) the rules governing the operation of the union were what changed, the Union of states for which those rules were made, was the same.
The states created the union, not the other way around. To read that the union existed before the states is to ignore history and the numerous quotes that many here have posted.
Sigh. "The Union" created the states, in the sense that the Constitutional Convention, acting as a congress of representatives from the Union of states, created the constitution.
I truly wish I could understand the fantasy world that Lincoln idolators live in.
With therapy and psychotropic drugs you may yet be capable of rejoining those of us who inhabit the real world.... ;-)
The point, which you seem to have missed, is that the two unions were distinct and separate entities. The first union, formed under the Articles of Confederation, consisted of 13 member States, and the unanimous agreement of all 13 States was required to modify the terms of the Articles. That unanimity of agreement was not achieved until May 29, 1790. The second union , formed under the Constitution, was established upon the mutual agreement of only 9 States – which occurred June 21, 1788. Note the difference in dates: the initial establishment of the second union violated the specific terms of the first. Furthermore, one of the 13 States in the first union was not even represented at the convention which produced the second compact. Several of the States existed as independent countries outside of the second union for extended periods of time before they eventually ratified the Constitution – and that ratification was by no means guaranteed. The fact that all 13 States were at different times members of both unions no more suggests “continuity” than Ronald Reagan’s membership in the D*mocrat Party, followed by his membership in the Republican Party, suggests “continuity” between those two parties.
While (as you've noted) the rules governing the operation of the union were what changed, the Union of states for which those rules were made, was the same.
Utter nonsense. Several of the non-ratifying States (including New York and North Carolina) considered forming their own confederation – and there was nothing the constitutional union could have done to prevent it, apart from declaring war. Rhode Island existed as an independent country for nearly two years before belatedly ratifying the Constitution. During that time, Rhode Island was not bound by any of the terms of the Constitution – while each of the ratifying States were bound by all of them. Are you suggesting that Rhode Island nevertheless was a member of the union at that time?
"The Union" created the states, in the sense that the Constitutional Convention, acting as a congress of representatives from the Union of states, created the constitution.
The convention delegates were not “representatives from the Union of states” – the delegates from each State represented that State alone. One State was not even represented. And because the new Constitution was ratified by the States, each acting (in James Madison’s words) “as a sovereign body independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary act,” it would be ridiculous to suggest that "'the Union” created the states.”
With therapy and psychotropic drugs you may yet be capable of rejoining those of us who inhabit the real world.... ;-
I hate to put a dent in your “real world,” but perhaps you should read An Analysis of President Lincoln’s Legal Arguments Against Secession before you recommend “therapy and psychotropic drugs” for anyone.
If you choose to respond, please do so with historical fact...
;>)