Our Biggest Failure - Our Constitution.


Yes, our constitution is a failure.  And no, I don't want to move to Russia.

Following the Connecticut shooting, we heard suggestions that the second amendment was no longer relevant – and then came the outrage from those who cannot accept any thought that our constitution may not be perfect.  Well guess what, it isn’t! 

The central principal of our founding document is the separation of powers.  While this may make certain forms of tyranny impossible, it also impedes problem solving. In the 20th century, when it came time for new republics to draft a constitution, they copied the parliamentary model, not our peculiar form of government.  Our founders may have guessed right with the bill of rights and an independent judiciary – but their guesses about the rest were just that, guesses.        

Starting with the administration of George Washington, the process of securing  senatorial approval for appointments turned out to be a nightmare, as was the same approval process for treaties.  The biggest problem in our first eight decades was slavery, but congress was unable to consider slavery rationally until secession left congress in the hands of abolitionist Republicans.    Similarly, the building of the transcontinental railroad, establishment of land grant colleges, and the settlement of the west via cheap land (the homestead acts) had to wait for the same civil war to clear away most opposition to these three popular measures.

In the 20th century, one of the largest challenges was the fate of urban workers who had little bargaining power when it came to wages, and no resources when times were hard.  The problem was recognized early on, but congress took no action until the Great Depression gave Democrats the unbeatable congressional majorities necessary to pass the New Deal.

In recent decades, we continue to see presidential appointment stalled by the very same Senatorial oversight that vexed Washington.  And in the last few years, even simple issues like the gasoline tax and highway construction are bogged down by  our divided government. 

The solution for me is both simple and impossible.  We need to consider moving to a parliamentary system, but any reconsideration of our founding document is thwarted by those who pretend that our constitution is a sacred document.  No, it is not that at all.  And the very nature of a divided government makes progress impossible. 

Fortunately, no one reads my blog.  If they did, I would get lots of hateful comments from those (mainly on the right) who cannot stand any challenge to the notion that America is perfect.  But with few readers, I can rest in safe anonymity.  

Comments

  1. Justin CredibleJanuary 6, 2013 at 6:30 PM

    Terry:
    Instead of throwing the Constitution onto the trash heap, how about a baby step towards reform by repealing the 17th amendment?

    Cordially,
    Justin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terry McKennaJanuary 7, 2013 at 2:06 AM

      i don't mind baby steps, but don't see them as happening.

      Delete

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