Posted on Apr 17, 2014
Does our current government take too much away from the citizens it supposedly serves?
9.03K
30
30
2
2
0
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.
Constitution
Bill of Rights
United States
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
10
10
0
<span class="st"><em>"All governments suffer</em> a recurring problem:
Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts
but that it is magnetic to the corruptible." ~ Frank Herbert "Dune"<br><br>The United States suffers from three aspects of our society that guarantee our demise as a nation.<br>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<br>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.<br>3. Manifest Destiny: The thought that God has ordained our success (or failure) regardless of our actions and choices.<br><br>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.<br><br>You want to make a difference? Think. <br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br></span>
Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts
but that it is magnetic to the corruptible." ~ Frank Herbert "Dune"<br><br>The United States suffers from three aspects of our society that guarantee our demise as a nation.<br>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<br>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.<br>3. Manifest Destiny: The thought that God has ordained our success (or failure) regardless of our actions and choices.<br><br>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.<br><br>You want to make a difference? Think. <br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br></span>
(10)
(0)
SPC Charles Brown
When I first read your response I thought it was an attempt to slam someone who didn't hold with your opinions. However, after reading it again I have to say thank you for your response. Yes there are some of us who have become weak minded followers. Term limits are a great idea, however, there is already a system set up for getting the dead weight out of office, it is called election time. The problem here is again that the voters have become apathetic about our leadership. I think I would rather have Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney characters run the country than the leadership we have now. I say we vote none of the above and just write in our choices. I would like to submit this for your consideration http://www.veteranspartyofamerica.org/#. Check it out, it is very interesting, and could be the future of American politics. Let me know what you think.
The Veterans Party of America' Mission is to place Veterans and other great Americans that will not forget their oath to the Constitution into political office.
(2)
(0)
CW2 Joseph Evans
I have a great deal of respect for anyone with a history of volunteerism and sacrifice like these veterans who decide to pursue service to their nation as a civilian. Unfortunately there are patriots (these people are compared to the militias that so loosely use the term) from both sides of the aisle that have swallowed the party hook, line, and sinker.
It comes down to doing the meet and greets with local representatives. Know that what they want to do, are trying to do is based on a solid, well thought out agenda with the best interest of their fellow citizens in mind. We have extremists on both the right and the left expediting our descent into fascism while the moderates are going "WTF?"
We have spent the last 225 years trying to overcome cultural failings of our fathers. Slavery, universal suffrage, apathy, bias and bigotry. We have people living in America today that were born before women were allowed to vote. The concept of American Democracy saw it's first true breath 94 years ago...
I love my fellow veterans, but there are some I just can't get behind and I'm not going to vote for them just because they served.
(0)
(0)
SGT Mark Sullivan
I'd vote for ya Chief, you strike me as the statesman we need, and not the politician we have gotten.
(1)
(0)
SSG William Patton
Chief, you nailed it. We are a pitiful people anymore and deserve what the elitists in DC and our state houses are doing to us. I encounter people everyday who are the dregs of society and perfectly happy to be a ward of the state and not contribute. As long as they get their welfare check, food stamps, medical needs, and housing paid for, they are happy. The money they earn they use to self indulge. This philosophy is not only present in the lower socieoeconomic strata of society, but it goes up through each economic level and can be manifested in many different ways, including bailouts of our largest industries because of piss poor management. We can only change this me society by doing away with the give away programs and make people earn what they make. If they do not work, they do not eat. It sounds cruel, but we must turn this entitlement philosophy around. Nearly half of us are receiving government benefits and those who work cannot sustain paying taxes to support the rest. Charity should be administered by churches, not government. And, if a company goes belly up because it is poorly managed or sucked dry by the unions, then so be it. Survival of the fittest. Many will suffer, but that is the only way I see us turning our plight around. It will be painful, but we can do it. Like you said, our grandparents who made up the Greatest Generation are rolling over in their graves at what we have created.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
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!!
(2)
(0)
1SG Robert Branch
I can remember 75 years ago very we'll and what has taken place since. The main problem I see today is we are morally bankrupt, unless we turn back to the ordnance's of God this nation is on its way to disaster. Calling people names just want get the job done.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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
Until we as a nation can turn back to the constitution, then we continue down the same path and become a shadow of ourselves
(1)
(0)
MSG Jose Colon
The original thought of the Founding Fathers was that you would go to Washington, serve for a few years, and then, come back home to have a real live. Those elected by us have perverted that idea and made it a cash cow. Since they do and will not come back to their previous life's, they are not so much worried about the consequences of the laws they pass.
This brings me to the need to have term limits for legislators. If you haven't done what you intended to do in 2 terms, you are out of there, and just in case, after two terms, you should still be out of there.
(2)
(0)
SSG William Patton
We have term limits in Louisiana where our legislators can only serve two four year terms and then they are gone. It has worked well and slowed down political machines from becoming so entrenched that they have free rein over all citizens in the state. I am for term limits for federal legislators for the same reasons. I would also like to see special interest groups lose their ability to influence outcomes for how our elected leaders lead the nation. Corporate America only has their agenda in mind and that often is counter to what is good for we the people.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Sounds like the same old Oath Keeper nonsense. No place in the military for it
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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
SGT. James J. Korman, 15th Arty, 2ID
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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 ???????????
(0)
(0)
SPC Charles Brown
Skit back an wait, we are going to end up under martial law under the current form of government. Washington DC has far too much power and has slowly become corrupted. When did the states gain the independent power to govern themselves without having to bow down to the fat cats in the Nations Capital? If states had to power to legalize marijuana without interference from DC then each state would most likely have done so already. Yet the states which have attempted to legalize marijuana are getting stomped on by the Federal system, in essence usurping the states rights to govern themselves freely.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
LCpl Jonathan Frierson
Are you serious, I bet your one of those people that think we have a democratic government too aren't you? Oh wait doesn't it say in the pledge of allegiance to the the republic for which it stands, oh wait it does. Oh and didn't the founding fathers talk about how they were forming a republic, yeah that's right they did. The only extremist are the idiotic liberals that will not be happy until it is the Socialist states of America. As far as I'm concerned you have forgot that little oath you that you gave when you enlisted to defend the constitution from enemies foreign and domestic. The liberal extremist are the domestic terrorist that is spoken of in that oath. Your president and fellow liberal politicians don't remember taking it either so I guess I should not hold it against you.
(0)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
None of your accusations are accurate. I'm a fiscal conservative, and try to remain apolitical, as I don't like Republicans or Democrats..and I especially don't like that all have seem to have forgotten that reasonable people can disagree reasonably.
All I'm saying is that too many people would love to see me and everyone that looks like me back in chains and treated as sub-human again. Racism is not over, merely because we have a mediocre black President.
That's what I mean by the 13th Amendment comment. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, and there are plenty of people in this nation who would love to see it come back. THAT is why I thank God for the 2nd Amendment, so I can defend myself against those people.
I never said anything about what form of Government I believe we have, and I never advocated for socialism. I forgot NOTHING, and since you've got that little V next to your name here, I can come straight out and say that if you want to dare to come spew your hateful diatribe to my face, I will quickly make you see the error of your ways. Home address given upon request.
All I'm saying is that too many people would love to see me and everyone that looks like me back in chains and treated as sub-human again. Racism is not over, merely because we have a mediocre black President.
That's what I mean by the 13th Amendment comment. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, and there are plenty of people in this nation who would love to see it come back. THAT is why I thank God for the 2nd Amendment, so I can defend myself against those people.
I never said anything about what form of Government I believe we have, and I never advocated for socialism. I forgot NOTHING, and since you've got that little V next to your name here, I can come straight out and say that if you want to dare to come spew your hateful diatribe to my face, I will quickly make you see the error of your ways. Home address given upon request.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google