The U.S. Constitution,........

[DinoTX]

the foundation of American life. I am a Police Officer, sworn to uphold and defend it...with my life if the necessity arises. But I also have my opinions. I have no problems protecting it and I have no problems enforcing the laws that stem from it. I will always do whats right be it Constitutionally, morally or ethically. But sometimes I have my doubts. Doubts that the Constitution is still working the way it was meant to. Doubts that if I died in the line of duty, the Constitution would even defend one of it's own defenders and seek true justice.

It seems like every day people are using the Constitution to find loopholes and justifications for doing the wrong thing. The Constitution was written over 200 years ago. Before cars, before fully automatic weapons, before over-crowded prisons and jails, before plea bargains and before un-ethical, serpentine, selfish defense attorneys. I think it's a little out-dated.

I believe the Constitution needs to be revisited and revised. If not for me, then for my children and grandchildren. I believe, for this day and age the Constitution is a little too lenient. It seems to serve the wrong doers more than it serves the people who choose to live respectable, ethical lives.

If you could have a part in changing the Constitution, what would you change or add? I'm not saying I won't do my job the way it is supposed to be done. I had these views long before I became a Cop. I'm not saying I'm against the freedom that every American values, but is it too much to say maybe we have too much freedom?

I'm not trying to pick any fights, I'm just trying to get your honest thoughts and opinions on this matter. Surely theres at least one thing you would change in the Constitution. I can't see someone agreeing with every aspect of it, I don't think it's possible. I think if it were to be revised, if the right people were chosen, truly by the people, to carry out this daunting task, it would make this country a stronger, happier, safer country.

So come on, let me hear your ideas.

[itnstalln]

I'm not saying I'm against the freedom that every American values, but is it too much to say maybe we have too much freedom?

I think that was exactly what they intended to do. Freedom was (and still should be) viewed as so valuable and necessary that I think the founders would be willing to accept all of the negative consequences that come with such freedom.

Sure, sometimes it works against the good, or is abused. But but freedom is priority 1, which is why as an American I am so proud of my country.

[LA DEP]

I dont consider the Constitution to be a 'living document' subject to revision........

Its been working just fine 'as is' for over 200 years......

[Chit2001]

The solution is actually very simple..... and that is to simply FOLLOW the laws which were penned in the Constitution.

Sadly, there are too many lawyers.... and law-makers who think the Constitution is wrong and that THEY know better than the Founding Fathers... so they try to change it or to circumvent it to their liking. The more ground these whacks gain, the more clearly it will become to the masses that there are those whose main goal is to spit on our sacred document(s) at every chance they get.

Follow the Constitution. It is NOT a "living document."

[Group 29]

I think a lot of people look at the Constitution as the list of what they should be given out of life, without any though as to what the responsibilities are that go along with such great freedom and with so many rights.

It probably never dawned on the founding fathers, who gave and risked so much out of love of this country, that such responsiblity would have needed to be spelled out.

[DinoTX]

I think that was exactly what they intended to do. Freedom was (and still should be) viewed as so valuable and necessary that I think the founders would be willing to accept all of the negative consequences that come with such freedom.

Sure, sometimes it works against the good, or is abused. But but freedom is priority 1, which is why as an American I am so proud of my country.

I completely agree with you. BUT, were finding much more frequently these days, freedom in the wrong hands. And freedom can be very dangerous in the wrong hands.

Don't get me wrong, I love my freedoms, and I love my country just as much as you. But it seems like these days we are facing a multitude of seemingly un-fixable problems. And I refuse to sit back and watch the scum of the Earth destroy this country because the Constitution is considered not to be a "living document". Something needs to be done. If I, as one man, could make a difference, I would love to. It's seems to me that as a country, we are on the verge of chaos. Drastic time call for drastic measures. And this my friends is just one idea.

Do you have any other ideas? I know there are some pretty strong minds on these forums. Someone's got to have some good ideas.

[equinox137]

The solution is actually very simple..... and that is to simply FOLLOW the laws which were penned in the Constitution.

The only trouble is this - there are no laws penned in the Constitution/BOR, there are only restrictions on what kind of laws can be passed.

Sadly, there are too many lawyers.... and law-makers who think the Constitution is wrong and that THEY know better than the Founding Fathers... so they try to change it or to circumvent it to their liking. The more ground these whacks gain, the more clearly it will become to the masses that there are those whose main goal is to spit on our sacred document(s) at every chance they get.

Follow the Constitution. It is NOT a "living document."

+1

[equinox137]

To answer the question at hand, I'd eliminate the Tenth Amendment. I believe the states have too much power as it stands right now.

[DinoTX]

Follow the Constitution. It is NOT a "living document."

I have every intention to do so, no matter what it says. I'm just looking for ideas that might help solve some of the issues you yourself just mentioned.

Okay people, this isn't working the way I planned.

Just make believe you are one of the founding fathers. There is no Constitution yet. With knowledge of the state of things these days, what would you contribute to writing a brand new, never before seen (or even heard of) Constitution of the United States of America?

[insomniac]

I dont consider the Constitution to be a 'living document' subject to revision........

I agree. The Constitution is fairly simple in of itself. One of the problems is we have judges writing hundreds upon hundreds of pages "interpreting the intention of the constitution". Within those hundreds of pages you might very well find a loophole in their logic and use that for abuse. Another problem is lawmakers are sometimes the abuser...

[Monty Ealerman]

I have every intention to do so, no matter what it says. I'm just looking for ideas that might help solve some of the issues you yourself just mentioned.

Okay people, this isn't working the way I planned.

Just make believe you are one of the founding fathers. There is no Constitution yet. With knowledge of the state of things these days, what would you contribute to writing a brand new, never before seen (or even heard of) Constitution of the United States of America?

Very tough question. I hope I get some time. I for one will try to answer it later.

[Smurfette_76]

I completely agree with you. BUT, were finding much more frequently these days, freedom in the wrong hands. And freedom can be very dangerous in the wrong hands.

I understand where you are coming from and often feel the same thing; however, I also know that in order to have freedom you will always have to deal with the unpleasant side because it's the greater good that you look to.

I even understand the point of your post. I've actually never thought of it before so I'd have to do some thinking about that one. I think often that its not the Constitution but the interpretation of it that is the issue (add a bunch of lawyers to anything and its going to get slippery). I've always considered the Constitution an amazing document and far beyond its years.

[Chit2001]

The only trouble is this - there are no laws penned in the Constitution/BOR, there are only restrictions on what kind of laws can be passed.



+1

You are correct, sir. I chose the wrong word(s). ^That is what I meant, however. Either way... follow the Constitution.

[katseiye]

The problem doesn't lie within the Constitution or Bill of Rights as much as it does in the hands of the lawmakers, judges and attorney's for both sides and their interpretation of the law, i.e. intent. The ability is there to write a law you can't wiggle out of, but where would that leave the judicial system ?. Bogged down even more or attorney's hunting new forms of employment I think. Laws evolve from their original draft more from prior case law and and evolving needs of society more than anything else and the criminal mind can be just as inventive on ways to get around it. Its still the best system I know but your not going to fix it as long as you have human involvement.

[ElmerJr]

I dont consider the Constitution to be a 'living document' subject to revision........

Its been working just fine 'as is' for over 200 years......

Let me state that while I am not an American, I think that the document as originally written, and given the times it was written in, was very far-reaching and insightful. But, to say it's is NOT a living document goes against the lessons learned as the US grew up. To have it not be a living document and to be followed 'as is' would mean:

- The United States would still have slavery nor protection for those same previous slaves (the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments)
- Women could not vote (yes, this mean you Smurfette) (the 19th Amendment)
- the lessons learned from prohibition (18th) would not have been made (21st) (the lesson being IMHO that some ideas, while maybe heartfelt AND proper, may not be what is best for the whole and could, and probably will have, unforeseen consequences)
et. al.

This so reminds me of an old Chinese proverb: "Be careful what you wish for - you just may get it."