General Question

Sorceren's avatar

Was Jefferson right?

Asked by Sorceren (674points) February 2nd, 2009

Nobody disagrees with Patrick Henry, that “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” But how do we do that, exactly, when politicians can mess with the Constitution and, for example, give themselves more power, retirement pay after one year, and a raise every year?

If you hate all that, then do you think Jefferson was onto something when he said, “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”?

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5 Answers

Sorceren's avatar

This was a real, honest debate question, posed in hopes of finding a few fellow Libertarians — or even thinking Liberals. Guys, I set you up! Guess you don’t hang out here. Or maybe I asked it wrong. Maybe I shoulda asked, “Do you think taxes should pay to keep abortion clinics open?” or “Do you think taxpayers who object should have to pay for gay-marriage — or anti-gay-marriage — special elections?”

OTOH, the question about whether flies crap every 30 seconds actually has 11 responses. I don’t know what they are, but 11 people cared enough about that burning question to take the time to respond.

fireside's avatar

Yeah, I don’t know how often flies crap either.

AstroChuck's avatar

I do think George Jefferson was right when he moved the hell outta Queens.

laureth's avatar

The politicians can’t mess with the actual Constitution without a lot of the people consenting. It’s a major procedure to amend the Constitution.

Now, if you just mean “disregard” the Constitution, well, sure, they might do that. However, if a case comes up in court, it’s the Judicial branch’s job to interpret whether or not a law is in violation of the Constitution, and if it is, the law is no longer valid. A case has to make it into court before this can happen, though.

Just sayin’.

timeand_distance's avatar

Jefferson was right about everything, in my opinion.
well, maybe not everything, but almost.

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