Should the Constitution be regularly revised?

jayem

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The Constitution already builds in such adjustments. When there is a sufficient call or need for change, the provision exists for amending the document--just as we have done over 20 times in our history. But to throw the whole thing open for change on an arbitrary schedule, regardless of what is happening in the world or nation, is not a good idea.

This is a thought experiment. Why wait till there's a major breakdown? We get our cars inspected regularly for the safety of ourselves and others. We get ourselves inspected. It's sensible to get a physical exam on a regular basis. To make sure we're healthy and no problems are brewing. At most jobs, don't we get regular performance reviews? Other than being non-traditional, what's wrong with periodically examining our laws? Just to make sure our government is working fairly, and beneficially for everyone. A once every 19 year performance review, and a sensible procedure to correct deficiencies does not seem to me to be reckless. Provided of course, that we act wisely, reasonably, and fairly. And that's the rub. It's obviously much easier said than done.
 
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Albion

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This is a thought experiment. Why wait till there's a major breakdown?
Major breakdown? Your plan foresees up to a 19 year wait between scheduled Constitutional conventions, so that doesn't sound very timely to me if there really were some major breakdown.
 
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TRVL ONE

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Again, which version of the Bible and which doctrinal interpretation of that chosen Bible version?

You say you are a Christian. Well what version do you support and what doctrinal interpretation do you like?
 
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TRVL ONE

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I can see it now... Christians from all over America having it out over which version of Christianity will be the top dog in the federal government. Catholics having it out with Protestants. Protestants having it out with other Protestants. But wait... here comes the Orthodox and all the other Christians who feel they don't belong with either the Catholics or the Orthodox or they've been ostracized by some other Protestants. And then comes the accusations that this Christian or that Christian aren't true Christians because they don't believe in this or that favored doctrine of this or that other Christians believe in.

I want a Christian government and I will get one when Jesus reigns.

If anyone loves this world, they don't love God.

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
 
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TLK Valentine

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I want a Christian government and I will get one when Jesus reigns.

If anyone loves this world, they don't love God.

And yet in the meantime, here you are.

For what purpose?
 
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jayem

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Major breakdown? Your plan foresees up to a 19 year wait between scheduled Constitutional conventions, so that doesn't sound very timely to me if there really were some major breakdown.

I never said this should replace the amendment process. It would be an addition. A regular review of how well the Constitution is serving the needs of the nation. Which we don't have now in any systematic way.
 
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Albion

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I never said this should replace the amendment process. It would be an addition.
All right, but then why would you have raised the issue of a "major breakdown," knowing that the current system has a provision for handling it?

jayem said:
Why wait till there's a major breakdown?
 
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Pommer

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You say you are a Christian. Well what version do you support and what doctrinal interpretation do you like?
I don’t think that Shiloh wants a Christian-based theocracy.
 
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jayem

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All right, but then why would you have raised the issue of a "major breakdown," knowing that the current system has a provision for handling it?

If there is a mechanism to periodically review the Constitution, and adapt it to changing times, then maybe a breakdown that would require an amendment can be avoided. That's the point of this exercise. If the Constitution can be regularly updated (wisely and with foresight--admittedly a very tall order) then perhaps it can deal with future situations without the difficulty of being amended.
 
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Pavel Mosko

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T , and no longer. Every constitution then, and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years. If it be enforced longer, it is an act of force, and not of right." (Emphasis mine.)

This doesn't mean a complete rewrite. Whatever still works should be maintained. But as times change, some parts become no longer valid, and this allows outdated or unworkable provisions to be regularly revised. Just like computer software is regularly updated. The logic is pretty solid. But given our serious ideological divisions, the execution would be a nightmare.

Any thoughts?

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison | The Papers of Thomas Jefferson

I don't really want the Constitution to be regularly amended that way. The way we have it I think is best. My biggest fears are we are going to change it and do so accordingly to what is fashionable in Europe. And on that front, the most important aspect of our Constitution are inalienable rights. These are rights that actually come from theistic beliefs of our forefathers. These rights are important because they are not deemed granted by the state, and therefore cannot be revoked by the state. Because they are presumed to be given by God etc.


This is an important issue especially in recent times concerning free speech and other civil rights. In recent times there have been various moves to limit free speech in the Western World especially when it comes to offending people etc.
 
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Albion

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If there is a mechanism to periodically review the Constitution, and adapt it to changing times, then maybe a breakdown that would require an amendment can be avoided.
Isn't what you are suggesting even more sweeping or extensive than an amendment to the Constitution ratified in the way that currently is in effect?

That's the point of this exercise. If the Constitution can be regularly updated (wisely and with foresight--admittedly a very tall order) then perhaps it can deal with future situations without the difficulty of being amended.
Its a question for speculation, of course, but my view is that it is shortsighted to think that a periodic throwing of the whole Constitution up for grabs, whether or not there is a real need or the major breakdown you referred to. And it could be disastrous. That is because at any one of those times a temporary majority could make a shambles of the good parts of the Constitution as well as change the problem area(s) that you have in mind.
 
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TLK Valentine

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Major breakdown? Your plan foresees up to a 19 year wait between scheduled Constitutional conventions, so that doesn't sound very timely to me if there really were some major breakdown.

The idea is to prevent a major breakdown. Just like you car, the Constitution should be regularly inspected -- pop the hood, change the oil, rotate the tires -- so that any small problems can be caught and fixed before they become major breakdowns.
 
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TLK Valentine

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Why am I in the world? God has me here, that is why. God's will be done on earth as it is in HEAVEN.

As long as you're here, what would you like?
 
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As I posted earlier, several state constitutions require that a constitutional convention question appear on the ballot every so many years. None of these states have ever called a convention based on this vote, but the possibility exists. Wouldn’t that be a better option than automatically calling a convention? Remember that a convention would be a very expensive thing. You would have to pay travel, salary, staff, etc. it will not be 55 delegates locked in an unauiconditioned building.
 
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Pommer

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The idea is to prevent a major breakdown. Just like you car, the Constitution should be regularly inspected -- pop the hood, change the oil, rotate the tires -- so that any small problems can be caught and fixed before they become major breakdowns.
I’d rather we wait for a more...(oh), “civil”, (I guess) political climate, before we begin tinkering with the innards of our Republic.
 
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