Ever wonder why newly-liberated nations no longer use our constitution as a model for their first venture into self-government? Or what if George W. had had to defend his policies before Congress every week as the British prime minister does? Would there have been a war in Iraq?
The system that served us well during the post-colonial period and beyond is essentially rooted in its 18th century origins. Over time, it has become unwieldy, unrepresentative, undemocratic, divisive and disenfranchising in many cases. Its “winner-take-all” politics and shameless gerrymandering leaves substantial portions of the electorate underrepresented.
Is our legislative system broke?
Indeed it is.
We send our representatives to Washington to introduce, debate and vote on legislation, not to block bills from ever being debated or from ever coming to a vote. In the U.S. Senate, there have been more filibusters since 2006 than between 1920-80. More than 400 bills passed by the House now await Senate action, and more than 50 federal judicial benches are awaiting appointment approvals, while untold important government posts sit vacant because the Senate refuses to do what it is mandated to do.
The U.S. Constitution provides for Congress to periodically review and amend its rules and procedures.
That will happen six weeks after hell freezes over.
We need radical, systemic change, and we need it now. But the mere rewriting of some rules will not change a thing. Several constitutional amendments are necessary, and they will not come easy. But they will have to come from grass-roots initiatives, and not from Congress.
Are we up to the task?
George B. Reed, Jr., Rossville
I don't believe the fault is the Constitution. The fault lies with the people and how we, yes I definitely include me, have failed in our due diligence concerning the actions of our elected. Benjamin Franklin replied when ask what we had been given, "A republic, if you can keep it". It is the "keeping" we have failed at.
We have become lazy and whine about everything yet expect "government" to solve all problems. We have allowed government into every aspect of our lives so that we can concentrate on "me". We don't want to give up our precious time to protect the liberties that our founding fathers fought and died for. We have turned our back on the simple truth of that our God blessed this country and with eyes on God, our countries citizens prospered and our country prospered. Now that we have turned our backs on God, we are reaping a different blessing.
Just look around at how the political process is conducted. There are no respectful idea exchanges or debates conducted as gentlemen and women. There is no concern about the movement of radical Muslims to impose their way of life on our nation. There is no concern among those we elect to adhere to the Constitution, reducing government, getting out of our children's education, taking our money and using it to promote abortion, etc, etc. There is hatred so palpable that you could cut it with a knife. How much does one have to see to understand that when you take God out of the picture the moral foundation on which this nation was built will crumble like a house built of sand? How much does one have to see before they wake up and realize that we are seeing the cost of our sin?
No, it is not the fault of our Constitution, which is one of the world's greatest document. It is our fault, my generation's to be precise. I am 65 years old and my generation, for the first time is handing over the country in worse shape than it was when we received it.
Dennis Laman, Chickamauga
Liberalism is just as oppressive as any socialist or communist country where religious freedom is stymied and individual progress is frowned upon. Taxes and regulations are oppressive and are a drain to our society. I am sick of paying for everyone else. We are the most charitable nation on earth and we do not need the government to steal our money to give to the needy and take their "handling fee"
Our country was functioning well when senators and representatives only spent a few weeks or a couple of months meeting together by volunteering their time without pay. The more time they spend in Washington, the more laws and regulations are written.
More government is the problem. Less government encourages individual expression and innovation.
I say we start paying law-makers to stay home and keep their mouths shut and this country will be far better off.