Our second-rate Constitution

[finnbow]

In 1987, on the Constitution’s bicentennial, Time magazine calculated that “of the 170 countries that exist today, more than 160 have written charters modeled directly or indirectly on the U.S. version.”

A quarter-century later, the picture looks very different. “The U.S. Constitution appears to be losing its appeal as a model for constitutional drafters elsewhere,” according to a new study by David S. Law of Washington University in St. Louis and Mila Versteeg of the University of Virginia.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/07/us...the-world.html

I was flipping through radio channels in the car this morning and heard some right-wing blowhard freaking out and hurling invective about this article.

[Charles]

Does this mean that everyone's new and improved version of our constitution will be obsolete in 19 yrs as well?

Chas

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Charles

Does this mean that everyone's new and improved version of our constitution will be obsolete in 19 yrs as well?

Chas

Not necessarily, but the article does seem to make the point that our 225 year old one is getting a bit long in the tooth. I cannot imagine, however, that our current political class is up to the task of trying to write and pass a new one. Hell, they can't even pass a budget.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Not necessarily, but the article does seem to make the point that our 225 year old one is getting a bit long in the tooth. I cannot imagine, however, that our current political class is up to the task of trying to write and pass a new one. Hell, they can't even pass a budget.

Long in the tooth???

You're dealing with a guy who will drive a vehicle for 15 yrs and whose idea of of nirvana is going to a moth eat fishing camp which was built in 1953.

Besides, I don't see the constitution as the problem. I see the political class as the problem.

Chas

[Oerets]

You think the current state of politics in the US might have something to do with the drop in the Constitutions appeal?




Barney

[JCricket]

Originally Posted by Oerets

You think the current state of politics in the US might have something to do with the drop in the Constitutions appeal.




Barney

IF that is a question the answer is no. The state of politics has nothing to do with our consititution. Our political climate has to do with people willing to let go of common sense, and to let go of ethics. They are willing to replace "is it ethical" with "is it legal".

Just my emotional knee jerk response of course.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JCricket

IF that is a question the answer is no. The state of politics has nothing to do with our consititution. Our political climate has to do with people willing to let go of common sense, and to let go of ethics. They are willing to replace "is it ethical" with "is it legal".

Just my emotional knee jerk response of course.

I concur.

We don't have a justice system, we have a legal system.

Chas

[Oerets]

Yes it was a question, fixed that. Thanks.

The point I was trying to get at is, maybe there are other countries that see our system is flawed. Just looking at the grid lock and failure to get our own house in order.

Seeing the imprisonment of people still in Guantanamo with trials to be held in a Military courts. The torture of personnel by the U.S. all could be making other then a U.S. Constitution look more favorable to base theirs on.




Barney

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Oerets

Yes it was a question, fixed that. Thanks.

The point I was trying to get at is, maybe there are other countries that see our system is flawed. Just looking at the grid lock and failure to get our own house in order.

Seeing the imprisonment of people still in Guantanamo with trials to be held in a Military courts. The torture of personnel by the U.S. all could be making other then a U.S. Constitution look more favorable to base theirs on.

Barney

Most other countries view the 2nd Amendment with a great deal of skepticism, if not outright hostility.

[Oerets]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Most other countries view the 2nd Amendment with a great deal of skepticism, if not outright hostility.

Another good point I forgot about.



Barney