I agree with the idea that the 17th needs to be repealed and that the power of the Senate needs to be returned to the States.
The original idea of balancing the will of the people with the will of States is still a viable idea.
Additionally, I would like to have clause 1 of Art. I, sect 8, clarified (e.g.
provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States). As it now stands, this clause has been determined to mean a general and limitless legislative power with all the remaining clauses of this section, relegated to the status of mere (non-exhaustive) examples.
Those two things would do much to curtail this federal beast.
Redworm said:
Waitone said:
Don't like where the state draws a line? Fine, pack up and leave going to a state more to your liking.
Not everyone has that option, though.
Au Contraire, mon dieu! You simply choose not to exercise that freedom.
HKuser said:
Hkmp5sd said:
Prior to Mr. Lincoln's invasion of the South, the states operated pretty much as independent countries. They had a great deal of power.
You mean they had power to determine who was master and slave, citizen and subject, man or chattel property. Probably not the best situation to which to return.
A rather disingenuous statement, considering we are not talking of doing away with the affected amendments (13th, 14th and 15th).
The idea of returning this country to its core concepts is always intriguing, but not without many pitfalls, and should be viewed in a critical manner. Many of the Federal programs and departments can be taken over by the States, yet, many could not be, without cooperation amongst the individual States. Some, would still be best supervised by the fed.gov.
Too, it can be observed that some States are indeed abusive of its citizens civil rights, hence the need for the 14th to remain in place. However, I would posit that the P&I clause needs to be recognized as part of this amendment and selective incorporation needs to die an ignoble death.