Should we ever consider re-writing or revising our Constitution? (interstate, compared, rating)

[MrMarbles]

Article 1, Section 8:
1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Article 16:
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

So let's stop throwing wild claims of things that are "unconstitutional".

Back to topic, I wouldn't rewrite the Constitution but there are a few amendments I'd like to see. I doubt you could find many people who will say that our political system is optimal.

[nxtrms]

Originally Posted by MrMarbles

Article 1, Section 8:
1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Article 16:
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

So let's stop throwing wild claims of things that are "unconstitutional".

Back to topic, I wouldn't rewrite the Constitution but there are a few amendments I'd like to see. I doubt you could find many people who will say that our political system is optimal.

I am aware of nobody that doubts the constitutionality of the government collecting taxes. However, the power to collect taxes, is only that. What those taxes can be spent on is provide for in other provisions of Article 1, Section 8, such as establishing post offices and roads, raising the army and navy, etc.

[cpsTN]

They did add them after four years, but they were planned to be added before the signing.

[cpsTN]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

You know you should be named the King of Thread Hijackers.

To answer your question, a different generation. Many of those same progressives who enacted Civil Rights legislation supported the Viet Nam War, as you know.

Many of the people who voted AGAINST the civil rights amendment were liberals. It is thought that the libs were so wonderful on this issue because a democratic President signed it. He (Johnson) said this would have n*****s voting democrat for 200 years. And now they are ignoring the Constitution and making us socialists, while demonizing the rich, whites and Christians.

Goodbye to all of the Great American success over the last 150 years!

[MrMarbles]

Originally Posted by nxtrms

I am aware of nobody that doubts the constitutionality of the government collecting taxes. However, the power to collect taxes, is only that. What those taxes can be spent on is provide for in other provisions of Article 1, Section 8, such as establishing post offices and roads, raising the army and navy, etc.

You want the constitution to enumerate every single thing that the gov't can spend money on? The concise "general Welfare" is enough IMO.

[jertheber]

I'd agree with the contention that some have landed on this forum with a terrible political party bias. That said however, I'd guess that most people would love to have some form of constitutional-change drive thru that could accomodate their personal beliefs if only for a minute or two. With all the evidence of the growing political polarity that is demonstrated in a lot of this forums debates I'd have to say that the US is in for some real challenges to it's constitution, mostly from the rising tide of the neo Brownshirts who can't abide by the will of an elected government. I personally have gotten beyond the party adherence that seems to be a sticking point for most American's.

[nxtrms]

Originally Posted by MrMarbles

You want the constitution to enumerate every single thing that the gov't can spend money on? The concise "general Welfare" is enough IMO.

General Welfare is NOT an enumerated power, and yes, I want the Congress to follow the Constitution. They haven't and that's why we have things upside down (Centralized government instead of decentralized)

[nxtrms]

Originally Posted by jertheber

I'd agree with the contention that some have landed on this forum with a terrible political party bias. That said however, I'd guess that most people would love to have some form of constitutional-change drive thru that could accomodate their personal beliefs if only for a minute or two. With all the evidence of the growing political polarity that is demonstrated in a lot of this forums debates I'd have to say that the US is in for some real challenges to it's constitution, mostly from the rising tide of the neo Brownshirts who can't abide by the will of an elected government. I personally have gotten beyond the party adherence that seems to be a sticking point for most American's.

It is an astute observance of yours to take note of the division in this country as a bunch of ulta-leftist attempt to shred what is left of the Constitution in their quest for power. And when America falls, freedom falls.

What good is a Constitution when the Speaker of the House, when asked what provision of the Constitution authorized the Health Care takeover, remarked "are you serious, are you serious". She cares not one wit about the USC except when she can find stuff that isn't in it to justify things like abortion.

[danielj72]

The constitution has become a piece of worthless paper. The goverment took over the banks, the auto industry, the health care industry and when cap and tax finaly gets passed they will have thier hands in everything. Goverment has FAR exceeded the confines of the constitution, and we are now a socialist nation. ONly something radical can restore anything resembling the America our founding fathers envisioned.

[MrMarbles]

Originally Posted by nxtrms

General Welfare is NOT an enumerated power, and yes, I want the Congress to follow the Constitution. They haven't and that's why we have things upside down (Centralized government instead of decentralized)

You are free to sue the government and hope that your case won't be thrown out. I doubt that even Scalia would agree with you though.