How to Stop Leftists' 'Living Constitution' Lie

[rangerrebew]

April 15, 2017
How to Stop Leftists' 'Living Constitution' Lie
By Bruce Walker

In opposing Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, Senator Dianne Feinstein pontificated: "I firmly believe the American Constitution is a living document intended to evolve as our nation evolves."  Well, Senator Feinstein, conservatives agree with you.

We think the Constitution ought to be changed when circumstances create a compelling reason for that change.  Conservatives, however, believe that the process for changing the Constitution is the process clearly described in Article V.

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/04/the_left_and_the_constitution.html#ixzz4eJhV8jQc
Follow us: @AmericanThinker on Twitter | AmericanThinker on Facebook

[goatprairie]

The problem isn't this or that amendment or the need for a change in one or a new one....it's the interpretation of existing amendments that is the problem.  Liberals can take any amendment and drastically change the original intent made by the Founders.  A "living constitution" simply means interpreting a particular amendment for the liberal cause du jour.
That is why conservatives try to stick to "strict constructionism" and not necessarily create new amendments or alter existing ones.

[TomSea]

The problem isn't this or that amendment or the need for a change in one or a new one....it's the interpretation of existing amendments that is the problem.  Liberals can take any amendment and drastically change the original intent made by the Founders.  A "living constitution" simply means interpreting a particular amendment for the liberal cause du jour.
That is why conservatives try to stick to "strict constructionism" and not necessarily create new amendments or alter existing ones.

Well summarized, well stated.

[EasyAce]

From the article:

Conservatives could pack the Supreme Court by adding enough seats to allow a clear conservative majority.  A
single statute could add six or eight or ten justices, and the nuclear option could get them on the Supreme Court in
days.  When leftists yelp, conservatives should simply note that they are following the advice of Senator Feinstein and
"evolving" the Constitution in ways they think best.

Uh, no. Try to remember how that hair-brained scheme worked out for FDR. The last thing the right needs is
yet another instance of trying to mimic the left.

[geronl]

The problem isn't this or that amendment or the need for a change in one or a new one....it's the interpretation of existing amendments that is the problem.  Liberals can take any amendment and drastically change the original intent made by the Founders.  A "living constitution" simply means interpreting a particular amendment for the liberal cause du jour.
That is why conservatives try to stick to "strict constructionism" and not necessarily create new amendments or alter existing ones.

and even most conservatives would see this new court as illegitimate if that was done

[Fishrrman]

I proffer that at least half of the existing amendments that are hanging on the Constitution have not improved either it or America, and that they have actually proved destructive to same.

[EasyAce]

I proffer that at least half of the existing amendments that are hanging on the Constitution have not improved either it or America, and that they have actually proved destructive to same.

At least two of them have: the Sixteenth and the Seventeenth Amendments.

[Hondo69]

At least two of them have: the Sixteenth and the Seventeenth Amendments.

 

[Hondo69]

The reason Lefties talk about a Living Constitution is that in their hearts they believe rules are for suckers.

We make the rules up as we go, you follow them, and in the mean time we'll do whatever the hell we feel like doing.  So sit down and shut up suckers.

[goatprairie]

The reason Lefties talk about a Living Constitution is that in their hearts they believe rules are for suckers.

We make the rules up as we go, you follow them, and in the mean time we'll do whatever the hell we feel like doing.  So sit down and shut up suckers.

"We make the rules up as we go, you follow them, and in the mean time we'll do whatever the hell we feel like doing.  So sit down and shut up sucker"

Yes, "living constitution" to liberals means exactly that....making it up as they go along. In short, there are no rules except for what liberals say they are at the moment.

[Cripplecreek]

Personally I think the argument is a waste of time at this point.

One of the signals that it was time for me to leave TOS was the number of "conservative" posters declaring that the constitution will just have to wait because we need a president who gets things done.

Fact is that neither side is doing the constitution any favors.

[goatprairie]

Personally I think the argument is a waste of time at this point.

One of the signals that it was time for me to leave TOS was the number of "conservative" posters declaring that the constitution will just have to wait because we need a president who gets things done.

Fact is that neither side is doing the constitution any favors.

I noticed there was more than a tinge of nihilism with many Trump supporters. I don't know how many times I read where one of them shouted "burn it down" or "tear it/burn it all down." They think simply by erasing everything, good and bad, that's happened in the last fifty years they will achieve their own idea of nirvana. Instead they're liable to suck everybody into a nihilistic maelstrom.

[EasyAce]

I noticed there was more than a tinge of nihilism with many Trump supporters. I don't know how many times I read where one of them shouted "burn it down" or "tear it/burn it all down."

Oh, God, how many of them hollered variations on "The house is burning down!"

So we got stuck with a choice of arsonists to put out the fire, one using blowtorches and
the other throwing Molotov cocktails.

[Hondo69]

While it is true Trump supporters span the entire spectrum of viewpoints not all of us are willing to use the argument that the ends justifies the means.  Don't make the mistake of lumping us all in the same basket.  I, for one, don't believe any special powers need be granted or make use of the War Powers Act such as the Obama administration abused.

-----

Oh, God, how many of them hollered variations on "The house is burning down!"

The house is burning down by the way, and I can prove it.

[EasyAce]

Oh, God, how many of them hollered variations on "The house is burning down!"

The house is burning down by the way, and I can prove it.

We all knew the house was burning down. What we couldn't believe was that this country was fool enough
to give us nothing better than a choice of arsonists to fight the fire.