The Constitution

[Peter Parka]

Forgive me here if I'm incorrect about some things but what's so great about it? From what I've seen of it, it seems hopelessly out of date. I also find it strange how Americans seem to view it as so sacred and must be right. It's like if it's in the constitution then it must be right! Thoughts, explanations?

 

[wednesday]

OOOOOhh peter...i got ya back bud...:unsure:

 

[Peter Parka]

Thanks, think I'm going to need it!
*Dons tin hat*

 

[dt3]

What's so great about the Magna Carta?

 

[Peter Parka]

What's so great about the Magna Carta?

Nothing in itself but it paved the way to the reason why we haven't got an absolute monrchy and the Queen cant do as she pleases, but back to my question please.

 

[dt3]

Nothing in itself but it paved the way to the reason why we haven't got an absolute monrchy and the Queen cant do as she pleases, but back to my question please.

And the Constitution paved the way for everything we have in America. Our legal system, political system, and personal freedoms are all governed by the document. You call it outdated, but it's been amended dozens of times. It is the basis of our country.

If I'm not mistaken, you guys were ruled by the Magna Carta for what? Around 600 years or so? Well, ours is hardly 200 years old. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

 

[Peter Parka]

Get what you're saying but the contitution dosent seem to be primarily about controlling the President. It does seem hopelesly out of date though, take it's view on the gun laws. as you are aware I think they are too soft in the USA anyway so I aprove that the law in your country breaks the constitution.Even if you're a bit of a gun nut, would you like the laws you already have abolished so it dosen't break the constitution?

 

[dt3]

Get what you're saying but the contitution dosent seem to be primarily about controlling the President. It does seem hopelesly out of date though, take it's view on the gun laws. as you are aware I think they are too soft in the USA anyway so I aprove that the law in your country breaks the constitution.Even if you're a bit of a gun nut, would you like the laws you already have abolished so it dosen't break the constitution?

It's always about guns with you Pete :smiley24: I don't know which laws specifically you're saying violate the Constitution. Give me a law, and I'll tell you what I think.

Have you ever read the Constitution? It's ALL about controlling the President. Our founding fathers didn't want any possibility of a monarch-type figure. There's an entire system of checks-and-balances. Here's a quick summary of how each of the 3 branches keep the other branches in check:

Separation of powers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[333halfabeast]

The Constitution was a great idea that has been changed into something that is unrecognizable from it's original intent by our litigious society.

 

[Peter Parka]

I'm talking about the second amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

There's no mention of any age limit or typesof weapons in this. I appreciate that there are amendments in any constitution as there should be which is why I wonder why so many people seem to think if its in the constitution it must be right. None of anyones freedoms today were achieved without someonechallenging the laws.

 

[dt3]

I'm talking about the second amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.


There's no mention of any age limit or typesof weapons in this. I appreciate that there are amendments in any constitution as there should be which is why I wonder why so many people seem to think if its in the constitution it must be right. None of anyones freedoms today were achieved without someonechallenging the laws.

You're right, it doesn't say who can and can't have guns. But check this out, the 10th Amendment (and my personal favorite):

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The 2nd Amendment does not give the federal government the power to limit who has guns. Therefore, by the 10th Amendment, each individual state is allowed to make that decision. That's the reason so many states have different requirements.

 

[Peter Parka]

Oh tah, I still think the country should have one pretty much standard law though because it's a lot harder to control things if the state next door has a different law. Take guns for instance (sorry to harp on about it, it's just an example, not tryingto turn this into a gun debate), how difficult is it to get gunsfrom one statewhereit'slegal andtake them into a statewhere it's banned?

 

[dt3]

Oh tah, I still think the country should have one pretty much standard law though because it's a lot harder to control things if the state next door has a different law. Take guns for instance (sorry to harp on about it, it's just an example, not tryingto turn this into a gun debate), how difficult is it to get gunsfrom one statewhereit'slegal andtake them into a statewhere it's banned?

There is one standard law: anyone can have a gun. Plain and simple. It's up to the states to decide what they want to do beyond that. Even then, there are common themes. For example, I don't know of any state that allows felons to purchase a firearm.

Of course you could take a gun across state lines. Just like guns can be illegally brought into England, despite the strict controls.

 

[Peter Parka]

Yeah but border controls are easier to enforce than state lines, it's not like you need a passport and will get stopped and searched every time you cross a state line, is it?

 

[Tim]

I think you miss the point of the constitution Peter. It's the bases for all of our laws and freedoms here in the US. It is not the full and complete details, but an outline to be followed. It is the constitution that created the 3 branches of government which work very well together as a system. And when new laws are created by the legislature it is the job of the Judiciary to make sure they fall within the confines of the constitution. It is the basis for all laws and freedoms. And since it is the foundation, it will never be outdated.
Just read the Preamble to see why it will never be outdated...

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 

[Wookiegirl]

you know im thinking if we went back to the prinicpals of the original constitution, the world i live in would be a better place.

i'm just sayin

 

[dt3]

Yeah but border controls are easier to enforce than state lines, it's not like you need a passport and will get stopped and searched every time you cross a state line, is it?

No, you don't get searched crossing state lines. But when you cross state lines, you fall under the laws of the state you are in. Gun owners are responsible for knowing the laws where they intend to travel. Which is exactly the reason James didn't bring his pistol to Florida.

 

[Peter Parka]

I think you miss the point of the constitution Peter. It's the bases for all of our laws and freedoms here in the US. It is not the full and complete details, but an outline to be followed. It is the constitution that created the 3 branches of government which work very well together as a system. And when new laws are created by the legislature it is the job of the Judiciary to make sure they fall within the confines of the constitution. It is the basis for all laws and freedoms. And since it is the foundation, it will never be outdated.
Just read the Preamble to see why it will never be outdated...

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I guess, i did say sorry if I've got things wrong. My main point was how that some people seem to view it as infalliable while i see that things need to evolve and change with time, I dont see why if something is in the constitution, it must always be right.

 

[Peter Parka]

No, you don't get searched crossing state lines. But when you cross state lines, you fall under the laws of the state you are in. Gun owners are responsible for knowing the laws where they intend to travel. Which is exactly the reason James didn't bring his pistol to Florida.

But if he did, it would have been far easier to get away with than if he took it to another country.

 

[dt3]

But if he did, it would have been far easier to get away with than if he took it to another country.

Yes, of course it would. But I really fail to see your point here. Hell, you could do it in 90% of Europe too.

Schengen Agreement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia