How much power and liberty did the constitution give to “the people?”
The constitution is the document that has framed and shaped the United States from inception. It is the document that is defended by all new presidents and also the document which affords the citizens of the United States freedoms and rights that cannot be removed. In its drafting it shaped the formation of a new country and a new style of governance. It is a ‘bottom up’ as opposed to established ways of government which are ‘top down’. However for all its virtues the Constitution is somewhat ambiguous and there is some debate of the intent of the drafters, did they intend to
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It cannot be thought of, as a great democratic institution representing the peoples will.
At the time of drafting the constitution, the rules on the senate were to be two senators for each state, which were appointed by the state legislatures, rather than directly elected by the people. “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof”. This is somewhat of an oxymoron for a country that states ‘we hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal’. The power in the Senate does not lie with the people, but of the people they elected for their State legislatures. There is no direct link here between the people and congress, the power is appointed rather like the house of Lords in the mother country, which was meant to be a bridge between the monarch and the house of commons, if you will a middle ground between two opposing factions. The way the Senate was comprised is of a political appointee system, which inevitably favours the wealthy and influential elite’s. It is the power of the people by proxy, which is hardly democratic.
The Congress had the discretion whether to publish its proceedings, so if they so chose the public who put them there could never know what they are doing on their
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Get AccessThink of the word tyrant. Now just imagine that there was a simple and easy way to stop him or her. That’s what the constitution has done for the U.S.A. Our Constitution has protected us against tyranny since the day it was drafted. The constitution is an official document that was written in May 1787 in the city of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The purpose of the constitution is to form a central federal government, to form a separation between federal and state rights, and to give personal liberties to its citizens.
A constitution is a written document that sets forth the fundamental rules by which a society is governed. Throughout the course of history the United States has lived under two Constitutions since the British-American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. First in line was the Articles of Confederation (1789-1789) followed by the Constitution of United States of America (1789-present). The Articles of Confederation was the first formal written Constitution of America that specified how the national government was to operate. Unfortunately, the Articles did not last long. Under the words of the Article’s power was limited; Congress could make decisions, but had no power to enforce them. Also the articles stated
“The Constitution devotes the national domain to union, to justice, to defense, to welfare and to liberty” (Maier 154). This quote, stated by William Henry Seward, displays the strength and stability that the Constitution had over the nation, and the liberty and justice it supplied for all of its citizens. Although the Constitution and the Articles of Confederation have similarities, they have many differences, which proved that the Articles of Confederation were a weaker document in comparison. It can be said that the Articles were the “rough draft” to the final living document, which significantly influenced and “ruled” our government, as it still does today.
The constitution is the document that has framed and shaped the United States from inception. It is the document that is defended by all new presidents and also the document which affords the citizens of the United States freedoms and rights that cannot be removed. In its drafting it shaped the formation of a new country and a new style of governance. It is a bottom up' as opposed to established ways of government which are top down'. However for all its virtues the Constitution is somewhat ambiguous and there is some debate of the intent of the drafters, did they intend to give as much power or did they intend to give less power to the people?
However, Wilson, for instance, claims that the processes carried by committees are secret in nature and “as mean of legislation, dangerous and unwholesome” (p. 188). He argues that this nature does not resemble a structure where problems are taken care of efficiently, but allows decisions to be highly influenced by just one individual. Nevertheless, Connelly counterarguments that regardless of the claims that congress is broken because it involves partisanship, special interests, among others “[p]artisanship is also rooted in the Constitution” (p.197). Seemly, the Founders were looking to create an institution that would be able to contemplate as many prospects as possible before passing a legislature and possible to law. In fact, Connelly mentions this when he says the separation of powers promotes “innovation and deliberation because [it] both humbles and empowers Democrats and Republicans, majority and minority parties, presidents and Congress, though at different times and on different issues” (p.
I find “The people” to have the most power in the Constitution.For if you think the president has the most power you’re wrong.The people vote for what they want and then the congress works on it to pass.also even new laws can happen by the people voting on it.This is why i believe The people have the most power.
The U.S Constitution was created to help and protect people. Although there were positive aspects of the constitution it greatly limited democracy for all the people. If you were a slave, women or Native American at this time, the U.S Constitution was not created to help you, it had protected slaves, women, and Natives Americans from being having rights that were protected by the Constitution .
The basic premise of laws in America is known as the Constitution. It’s a social contract between the people and the federal government, in which it expresses core values that we govern ourselves by. Composed by some of the founding fathers James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, etc. The Constitution was established to regulate our nation’s frontier issues. It sets forth the foundation of the national government. We the people of this great country have a civic duty to comprehend and accept the U. S. Constitution. In which it acts as the source for the Federal Government, and is the primary law of the land.
The Constitution has one main pillar that has supported it for the last 2 centuries. This is its precise balance of the power held by the government. To accomplish this, the Constitution specifically states what powers Congress and the president have. The government may not exceed these
Our flags have been raised from half-staff to full-staff since the terrorist attacks in the New York area and most of us Americans seem to be increasingly aware of our protecting freedoms. In 1787, our founding fathers created the greatest contract or agreement for freedom ever known to mankind. My "Brief American Pageant" history book lists two fundamental principles that directed them to the establishment of our Constitution. These guidelines were that, "the only legitimate government was one based on the consent of the governed and that the powers of the government should be limited" (117). Our Constitution clearly states that the power rests first in the people,
This is a document designed to protect our freedom by imposing law on those who wield political power. Then also Americans would be under the under constant treat of tyranny. Then in the 1776 the continental congress began to draft our first national constitution. After several failed attempts at creating a government, a 1787 convention is called to draft a new legal system for the United States. This new constitution provides for increased federal authority while still protecting the basic rights of the citizens.
Our founding fathers created a constitution to prevent intrusive government. The founding fathers did not want a two percent tax King George was implementing and moved, to what is now America, and continued to fight him on that, as well as other oppressive tactics, before they decided to break away from Great Britain and establish the United States of America. The founding fathers were a wise and moral group of people who advocated for individual liberties and the right to embrace natural freedom. Our constitution was made with the intent to limit government power and have it be a tool to strengthen and create a central government. It was meant to be a continuous living document for as long as this country was around. Although at the time of the founding, not everyone was on board for the creation of the constitution. However, people eventually came around and it was established. It is not an extreme document but rather a moderate one that ensures the basic rights for the
The role of the constitution plays an important part of the everyday life in the United States. It is a part of every person’s life even if they do not realize it. It usually has impacted your life in the past or even at every moment in someone’s life. “Although the Constitution created a new federal government, it took a courageous, brilliant, and farseeing Supreme Court chief justice to help realize the framers’ vision.” (Microsoft, 2007) The Constitution itself provides that it may be amended to address social and economic changes.
“We the people” were the first three words of the constitution which prevents one person from having most of the power or all of it. The power is split into three branches which are the Judicial, Executive, and two Legislative branches. That prevents one of the groups or people to have all the power. These branches are still used to this day which is called The constitution. The Constitution splits up the power between people, which stops tyranny and makes it the people, Theirs checks and balances between the branches, and their is a bicameral 2 house congress.
The Constitution is the building blocks of the United States of America. Formed from independence, created for the rights and welfare of the citizens of the United States. Forming an equal government, and equal rights for its inhabitants. America has grown off of this platform and has evolved into a country, equal for all, but many politicians and beliefs along the years have shaped the foundation of our country. We’ve grown for the citizens of all races, cultures, and genders, males and females alike, to be free and equal. Today’s culture of feminism, PC culture, Islam, and Racism have forced America into chaos. First being a free country for everyone, turning into a country of war, collectivism, and hatred.