Does our current government take too much away from the citizens it supposedly serves?

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:12:01 -0400

For the past 200 years + this country has been slowly out of control, our current federal government has begun slowly stripping its citizens of their rights as they are guaranteed in the Constitution. My questions are these; does our current government take too much away from the citizens it supposedly serves? Are they intentionally trying to do away with the Bill of Rights? and finally Would reverting to the Articles of Confederation under which this country began be better for the citizens of America. To elaborate for those who are unfamiliar with the Articles of Confederation, this form of government proposed a weak central government with the states having the power to govern themselves with little interference from the federal government. With this being said I expect to get slammed for it. So lets hear it folks.

Response by MSG Jose Colon made Apr 18 at 2014 12:18 AM

MSG Jose Colon — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 00:18:01 -0400

Some are calling for a Constitutional Convention.

Both parties, republicans and democrats, have grown the government to untenable size and reach. Both parties are run by the ideals of the early twentieth century progressives using the same tricks; one goes left, and the other one goes right, but both aim at increasing the power of the government and by proxy, have increase our debt, thus weakening our Nation.

Whether they are weakening our Nation on purpose or just by virtue of sheer ignorance, that is debatable. Either way, it is not good for our Nation.

Until we get people in power that understand how to balance a checkbook and the real meaning of the Constitution that they swore to uphold, like you and me did, we will continue to be in serious trouble.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 18 at 2014 3:17 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 03:17:54 -0400

"All governments suffer a recurring problem:
Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts
but that it is magnetic to the corruptible." ~ Frank Herbert "Dune" The United States suffers from three aspects of our society that guarantee our demise as a nation. 1. A culture of ignorance: The belief that the opinion of an ignorant man carries equal weight as the opinion of an educated man - or in some cases, more weight than the opinion of an educated woman 2. Elitism: There is a growing sense of entitlement in this nation with no sense of responsibility or obligation. Whether rich or poor, we have become a nation of takers and give very little back to the community which raised us. This is compounded by the feeling of many Americans that they are not poor, but "temporarily disadvantaged millionaires" on the verge of making it big. 3. Manifest Destiny: The thought that God has ordained our success (or failure) regardless of our actions and choices. At the end of the day, the Constitution or the articles of confederation make no difference if the will of the people are weak. If the people are weak of mind and spirit, they in turn elect leaders that are representative of their weakness, and foolish men in charge are even more dangerous to our freedoms than most men with malice aforethought. The current status of our government is our own doing. It is a symptom of the lowest common denominator. No  intelligent man can long listen to the monologues of many of our senators and congressmen without wincing at the damage their IQ suffers at the words they utter. You want to make a difference? Think. Our founding fathers, with the Constitution of the United States, not the Articles of Confederation... built a nation who's government withstood the ravages of the powerful elite for over 200 years before McCarthy brought us an irrational fear of something that did not exist. We defeated the English not just once, but twice. There is not a nation state power that has existed since our founding that we, as a nation, have not risen to the challenge and defeated. Our mobilization during WW I and WW II brought nations to their knees. We go where we will, when we will and none prevent us or our corporations from raping and pillaging resources to satisfy our national interests in any corner of the globe. There is a corruption in America, but it is not because our government is corrupt (although it is), it is because we as Americans, have become the fools that allowed American power to become corrupt. We have "patriots" that rally to the defense of an entitled rancher that has stolen resources from the people, while they let school children go hungry. Greed robs our schools of resources for education while fundamentalists preach psuedoscience and perpetuate their ignorance for yet another generation. There is a way to fix America, but its going to require work, intelligence, education and sacrifice. Four things that very few mother fuckers in this god forsaken country fucking understand any more. Our Grandfathers and Grandmothers from the Greatest Generation are rolling over in their graves.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Apr 18 at 2014 9:19 AM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 09:19:31 -0400

We as a country have let this happen, by voting in people that do not have the good of the nation in mind. They are to worried about the next election and we are to worried about our little petty issues.
Until we as a nation can turn back to the constitution, then we continue down the same path and become a shadow of ourselves

Response by CPT Jason Torpy made Apr 20 at 2014 6:45 AM

CPT Jason Torpy — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 06:45:36 -0400

No no no. You really need to stop lapping up right wing propaganda. This country is in every way better than 200 years ago. The Articles weren't government. It was a treaty between 13 different counties. States' rights is a great principle but in many cases, like this, i lt just means someone didn't get their way.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2014 4:52 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 16:52:53 -0400

I fear a Constitutional Convention. There are too many extreme right-wingers who would repeal the 13th Amendment. This is why I thank the Grand Architect of the Universe for the 2nd.

Response by 1SG Robert Branch made May 28 at 2014 1:10 PM

1SG Robert Branch — Wed, 28 May 2014 13:10:59 -0400

Charles I think you are right on. We must not be intimidated. I am in my 80's but I am ready to stand and be counted. I had rather die on my feet than lives on my knees, and I think there are many like me. Thank you for service!!

Response by SGT Nathan Huff made May 30 at 2014 1:43 AM

SGT Nathan Huff — Fri, 30 May 2014 01:43:53 -0400

Reverting to the Articles of the Confederation would only weaken our government and give more power to Congress, though it would return the power to the states. If the power was returned to the states and the national government shrank to its original level, we would not have the strength we have today. (I could add to this if people desire for me to expand on why I am against reverting back to the articles)

Our current government situation can be fixed, but we as Americans must get out and make our voices heard and vote. Get others to vote and remind them they work for us. Use our right of free speech, right to petition and force things upon a ballot, and much more. We can sit back and complain with our buddies about the woes of America, but if we don't do something, then nothing will change. Get out there and fire your Congress man/woman, remind them they work for us.

Response by LCpl Charles Ross made Jun 2 at 2014 2:06 AM

LCpl Charles Ross — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 02:06:44 -0400

Where to start? Yes to most of it. However under the Articles of Confederation, We all wouldn't be close to the destructive meanings of each state having different rules to live by. America sure isn't perfect for everyone. We each have the choice to leave, and go somewhere else, that you believe will give you all the Freedoms that have survived for 239 years the way it is now. Think of all the Personal Freedom's, Service Members, and Civilians, have given their Own Lives on the line to protect our ways of life. What you seem to believe about a Weak Central Government, And each state having the power to govern themselves is already happening.How'd you like the Idea of total Martial Law ???????????

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 12:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:38:40 -0400

I don't think we need to return to the articles of confederation, they were weak. Yes every state had more power but they used that power that undermined the purpose of joining together. If there were still an articles of confederation we would not be sitting here on rally point talking about it because there was no way to maintain a standing military. On to the constitution I firmly believe that it is the greatest piece of work to date. The framers understood that what they put in place was not perfect but it was the best they could do and they hoped that us future generations would continue to improve on it. Thus article 5 of the constitution to amend it. Now to everyone saying they fear a "constitutional convention" first that would be a revolution on our current constitution, but a convention of the states is what the framers had in mind. This convention would have the power for 2/3rd of the states to "propose" amendments to the constitution. Still has to be ratified by 3/4ths of the states to become law. To Chief Walker I firmly believe that there are way more than 13 states that would block the repeal of the 13th amendment. If not then we are doomed as a nation and I'll get your address to stand beside you. Back to the discussion, you can tell me all day long that I am drinking the right wing kool-aid or whatever but for the past 100 years we have been going downward thanks to both dems and republicans. To talk about state power the 17th amendment that changed the senate from state legislature appointed to direct elect is horrendous. What is the point of a bicameral legislature? For example with the ACA, I believe it was virginia both senators voted for it while the state government fought against it even trying to go through the supermen court. So yes I do support a convention of the states and in fact it is in the process right now, although the states are only going for a balanced budget amendment. With that convention though the application by the states have to be about the same thing. One state can't just jump in and say "oh well let's repeal term limits for the president"( using that or as an example because it's the least to draw flak). The states have to stick to their agenda that was filed with the federal congress. Furthermore let's say the delegates do start going crazy the state legislature ( the most answerable to the people) would have the power to yank their delegates. So in closing yes I believe in the constitution, I believe in a republic, and I believe that us as military members the only thing we can do is influence as many people as we can to love their country and what it is supposed to stand for so they can take the fight because unless I don't understand the DOD directive the only thing we can really do is vote.

Response by SGT James Korman made Jun 5 at 2014 12:32 PM

SGT James Korman — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:32:43 -0400

Correct, the powers that be after the Revolution quickly came to realize the limiting power of 'A of C' and the financial wizards in the country overthrew the 'A of C'; what we have today is a result of that decision, sad so sad.

SGT. James J. Korman, 15th Arty, 2ID

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 9 at 2017 10:02 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 10:02:08 -0400

Sounds like the same old Oath Keeper nonsense. No place in the military for it