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Re: Beto ORourke has stunningly suggested that the United States should ditch its own Constitution.

By: kathy_s16 in CONSTITUTION | Recommend this post (0)
Sat, 19 Jan 19 5:33 AM | 211 view(s)
Boardmark this board | Constitutional Corner 		Msg. 21913 of 21975
(This msg. is a reply to 21911 by Zimbler0)
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Why did the founders write the Constitution in the fashion that they did?

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The Constitution was a delicate balance between the needs of the states and the need for more power for the federal government. The Founding Fathers were aware of the need for a stronger federal government and military after Shays' Rebellion of 1786-1787. However, the states and people were wary of a government that was too powerful, as they had just broken away from what they considered to be the dictatorial powers of the English crown.

To forge a compromise, the Founding Fathers gave some powers to the federal government to provide for a more efficient functioning of government, while leaving other powers to the states. For example, only the Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce and make treaties with foreign powers. Relegating these powers to the federal government makes the relationship of states with other states and the relationship between the federal government and foreign countries smoother and more efficient.

In addition, the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution with the idea of checks and balances in mind. For example, each branch of government has the ability to check the other branches (the President, for example, can veto a bill from Congress, and Congress can override that veto). These ideas came from Montesquieu's idea of the separation of powers.

Finally, the Founding Fathers had to forge several other kinds of compromises. For example, the Congress was divided into two houses (the Senate and House of Representatives) to allow for a compromise between small and big states (small states receive equal representation in the Senate, but larger states have more representation in the House). Slavery was also a contentious issue, and the Founding Fathers allowed slaves to be counted for 3/5 of a person to satisfy the southern states, who wanted to count slaves for representation but not for taxation. In addition, the Constitution stated that the slave trade could not be stopped until 1808, twenty years after the writing of the document.

http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-did-founders-write-constitution-fashion-that-955257


If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.


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The above is a reply to the following message:
Beto O’Rourke has stunningly suggested that the United States should ditch its own Constitution.
By: Zimbler0 in CONSTITUTION
Fri, 18 Jan 19 9:30 PM 		Msg. 21911 of 21975

>>>
Potential presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has stunningly suggested that the United States should ditch its own Constitution.
>>>

Comments? Thoughts?

I believe the United States Constitution is still
relevant. In spite of Obama using it like toilet
paper.

I personally think 'We The People' need to re-read
the Constitution, and ask "Why the Founding Fathers
Wrote It The Way They Wrote It?" And then with
those insights in mind 'We' should be looking at each
and every law, agency, policy, and be asking, "Would
this be Considered Constitutional?" (In light of why
the forefathers wrote things the way they wrote them.)

I believe a LOT of what the federal government is
spending money on is NOT Constitutional. And needs
to be stopped.

Your thoughts?

Zim.

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