Summary: September 17 was the 230th Anniversary of the Constitution’s signing. By now many Americans realize that it no longer works well. Here are some of the reasons why it broke, and paths — fake and real — to fix it. “Every country has the government it deserves” — Joseph-Marie, Comte de Maistre. From Lettres et Opuscules (1811). …
Summary: Many people seek changes to the Constitution as a palliative to our problems. Disappointment awaits them, especially if they succeed. Proper treatment requires accurate diagnosis, and even a cursory look at America shows that our problems have a simple cause. Us. Tinkering with the Constitution will not make us neither more active citizens nor ones more protective of our liberties. This is a …
Could a new Constitutional Convention help reform America? Is it worth the risk? Read More »
Summary: In 1787 we had a runaway Convention. But the Founders had good reasons for their actions, clearly stated in the Federalist Papers. The words have the same meaning and power today, and give the same hope and peril for any future efforts to change the Constitution. This is the second in a series: (1) …
Was the Constitutional Convention a runaway, a second (but peaceful) revolution? Read More »
Summary: Drastic times call for drastic measures. After 2 centuries it may be time for another convention. Or do we seek an easy alternative to the hard work of making our Constitutional machinery run? Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Dr. Franklin “What have we got, a republic or a monarchy” “A republic, if you can keep …
Is it time to take the drastic step of calling a Constitutional Convention? Read More »
Summary: Why don’t we have the leaders we deserve? Perhaps we do. America’s institutions, our political machinery, work just fine. We’re the broken link in the machinery. Visit McDonald’s for proof. This is the third in a series about the American people’s struggle to adjust to the new century; links to the other chapters appear at …
We have the leaders we deserve. Visit McDonald’s to learn why. Read More »
