U.S. Constitution or another?

[scottwww]

For the nation you live in, given the hypothetical choice to vote Yes to ratify the US Constitution for your nation, or No to deny it, how would you vote? If voting No, then what nation's constitution would you support?

Same question for the Bill of Rights.
Same question for the Additional Amendments.

Read the US Constitution.
Read the Bill of Rights.
Read the Additonal Amendments.

[ganeil]

Yes to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

No to the 16th and 17th Amendments.

[scottwww]

Originally Posted by ganeil

Yes to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

No to the 16th and 17th Amendments.

I think I am with you on the 16th. I don't know what is wrong with the 17th?

[ganeil]

Originally Posted by scottwww

I think I am with you on the 16th. I don't know what is wrong with the 17th?

The 17th Amendment removed the most effective check the states had on the power of the central government. The states created the central government and in doing so did not intend to completely subordinate themselves to it. They gave the central government specific powers and made the Senate answerable to the states as a way to prevent expansion of those powers at the expense of the states.

IMHO, the direct election of the Senate has been a major contributing factor in the proliferation of federal agencies with responsibilities that overlap state-level agencies and the attendant waste of tax dollars.

I would also argue that if we repealed the 16th Amendment and taxes were apportioned among the states, the states would require a seat at the table.

[scottwww]

Originally Posted by ganeil

The 17th Amendment removed the most effective check the states had on the power of the central government. The states created the central government and in doing so did not intend to completely subordinate themselves to it. They gave the central government specific powers and made the Senate answerable to the states as a way to prevent expansion of those powers at the expense of the states.

IMHO, the direct election of the Senate has been a major contributing factor in the proliferation of federal agencies with responsibilities that overlap state-level agencies and the attendant waste of tax dollars.

I would also argue that if we repealed the 16th Amendment and taxes were apportioned among the states, the states would require a seat at the table.

I don't understand the 17th amendment. What was the difference between before the amendment and after?

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by scottwww

I don't understand the 17th amendment. What was the difference between before the amendment and after?

Before the senators were appointed by the state legislatures. (or govenors, I forget)

Should get rid of the 19th Ammendment though.

j/k obviously.

[scottwww]

Originally Posted by FirstClass

Before the senators were appointed by the state legislatures. (or govenors, I forget)

Should get rid of the 19th Ammendment though.

j/k obviously.

That's a huge change. Why did congress decide to make this change?

[ganeil]

Originally Posted by FirstClass

Before the senators were appointed by the state legislatures. (or govenors, I forget)

Should get rid of the 19th Ammendment though.

j/k obviously.

They were appointed by the state legislatures.

[ganeil]

Originally Posted by scottwww

That's a huge change. Why did congress decide to make this change?

Wiki has a fairly good entry.