What would you have proposed (or opposed) at the Constitutional Convention?

[Anarchist420]

I think having the executive power be divided by Congress would've been a good idea because that was what the Antifederalists proposed. I think it would've been a good idea, because it would've stopped Lincoln.

I think they also should've gone with a unicameral legislature and 1 representative per state, selected by the state legislature and their vote be weighted based upon the state's population. The State legislatures could remove and appoint at will.

The Constitution is one f***ed-up document. They also should've incorporated the 2nd of the Articles of Confederation into the main body and also required unanimous consent from the States for Amendments and not had Congress have to approve amendments. Rather, the states could call a ratifying convention, and if all of them approved, then the Constitution would be amended.

they also should've limited Federal war powers (no conscripts shall be required to leave the republic; 2/3 majority required to declare war and raise an army, and the Executive power prohibited from sending troops out of the republic,), made tariffs for revenue only, included some kind of anti-mercantilist separation of state and business clause, not had the gen. welfare clause, no necessary and proper clause, and no commerce clause, but rather a clause saying that the Federal Legislature shall be required to remove interstate trade barriers set up by state legislatures.

They should also not have protected slavery.

Finally, there should've been a clause asserting the supremacy of the states, rather than the National govt, Congress should've had no power to issue copyrights and more limited census powers.

 

[Patranus]

I would have made an 11th Amendment saying that the 10th Amendment actually means what it says.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

IMO theres nothing wrong with the commerce clause as its written. The courts have just taken a ridiculous interpretation of it.

 

[chucky2]

Term limits for all:

2 lifetime for POTUS
2 lifetime for Senator
3 lifetime for Congressperson

Chuck

 

[JEDIYoda]

I think having the executive power be divided by Congress would've been a good idea because that was what the Antifederalists proposed. I think it would've been a good idea, because it would've stopped Lincoln.

I think they also should've gone with a unicameral legislature and 1 representative per state, selected by the state legislature and their vote be weighted based upon the state's population. The State legislatures could remove and appoint at will.

The Constitution is one f***ed-up document. They also should've incorporated the 2nd of the Articles of Confederation into the main body and also required unanimous consent from the States for Amendments and not had Congress have to approve amendments. Rather, the states could call a ratifying convention, and if all of them approved, then the Constitution would be amended.

they also should've limited Federal war powers (no conscripts shall be required to leave the republic; 2/3 majority required to declare war and raise an army, and the Executive power prohibited from sending troops out of the republic,), made tariffs for revenue only, included some kind of anti-mercantilist separation of state and business clause, not had the gen. welfare clause, no necessary and proper clause, and no commerce clause, but rather a clause saying that the Federal Legislature shall be required to remove interstate trade barriers set up by state legislatures.

They should also not have protected slavery.

Finally, there should've been a clause asserting the supremacy of the states, rather than the National govt, Congress should've had no power to issue copyrights and more limited census powers.
__________________

You need to post the link and give credit for the article that you are using and adding a few of your own words...thank You!!

 

[wuliheron]

I admire Jim Rough's proposed Wisdom Council amendment.

Essentially every year you pick 24 registered voters at random and have them create a unanimous statement about US politics. No doubt you'd have to provide professional facilitation, but the idea is that if 24 random Americans can agree on a formal statement to the highest levels of government its worth listening to. One simple statement every year.

 

[rudder]

Seeing as it took place in the summer in Philadelphia... I would have proposed that men have the right to bare their arms. I know there is a decorum to be followed... but those suits they wore looked so stuffy.

 

[Kirby]

Every Thursday should be Free Ice Cream Day.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Codified the right to self defense, specific limits on military spending/formation, defined people (corporations are not entities), specifically limited the classification system, prohibited deficit spending (except in EXTREME and VERY limited ways), prohibited parties (or barring that instilled a requirement for 4-12 differing ones), established the right and process to withdraw from the union, created an accessible method of judicial removal, recognition of TOTAL equality of humans in the eyes of law and within systems (including obviously the prohibition of slavery), established strong usury protections...might come up with others later.

 

[ichy]

In hindsight I think that the prohibition on cruel & unusual punishment was a mistake.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I would have taken the Founding Fathers in my time machine BACK to 2011, let them live here in DC for about 6 months in secret and shown them the shit-hole government that exists today and then finally sent them back to re-think it all.

 

[ebaycj]

Term limits for all:

2 lifetime for POTUS
2 lifetime for Senator
3 lifetime for Congressperson

Chuck

Personally I think in addition to that, the Supreme Court should be a One-Time-Only term of 15 years (after appointment).

 

[ichy]

Personally I think in addition to that, the Supreme Court should be a One-Time-Only term of 15 years (after appointment).

There should also be an age limit for Supreme Court justices. I thought it was unseemly how William Rehnquist was clinging to the bench even as he was dying.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Congress can't make any laws that apply to the people that do not equally apply to themselves and vise versa.

 

[Jadow]

Looking back it would have been better if the founders had put in:

End slavery

Anyone crossing the border illegally, will be shot on site if found

Government must have a balanced budget except during wartime (wartime being real wars, not some expedition)

Total Government Spending must be less than 10% of GDP

 

[Tom]

In hindsight I think that the prohibition on cruel & unusual punishment was a mistake.

I'd leave cruel in there, but unusual should be ok.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Congress can't make any laws that apply to the people that do not equally apply to themselves and vise versa.

Another good one.