Is it time for a Constitutional Congress ?

[jaysunb]

It seems we have reached a point in this country that we are truly "grownups (or teenagers in terms of time) trying to wear a child's clothing. ( I'm trying to paraphrase a Jefferson quote)

The founders could not have foreseen the changes that have taken place, not just here , but, throughout the world. One would think the evolving nature of humankind would call for constant re-evaluation of the rules by which we govern ourselves.

Although ideas of either dividing California up into two or more states have been floated and debated for many years, the idea of seceding from the Union has mostly been bandied about in jest or angry satire, but the attached web site offers compelling logic for succession and a provocative look at the possibilities of what the North American Continent may look like in 50 or 100 years from now--in political terms. If nothing else, the basic premise of the the vast majority being ruled by a religion based minority,-- by virtue of the current electoral setup-- is a good place to begin a dialog on representative government based on 21st century realities. http://www.newcaliforniarepublic.org/index.html

Just this morning I read where there is a movement afoot for Vermont to also go it alone. While I don't think any of this will fly, it certainly presents an opportunity to explore other ways to solve the problems that have come with growth and diversity.

[Initech]

1. Isnt there also that group in South Carolina that wants to...

Take all the right-wing Bible-thumpers in the country and move them to the state so they can secede from the union and form a "Christian" country?

[mmonk]

2. Wow

Secessation is definitely the new craze. Says quite a bit about the "state" of things.

[lildreamer316]

3. Interesting ideas

but I predict many here will jump you on this because they don't see the underlying discussion is more valuable than the actual seceding.
Something to think about...
I personally agree that we are very much the teenage nation in terms of political maturity as a whole.

[jaysunb]

6. Well...

I'm glad you saw it--the underlying discussion, that is. LOL !
After 4 years here at DU, I've come to expect just about anything.

Actually, I'd like to see more discussion about this here and at other progressive sites. And while we're at it, maybe people on the other side (freeps) might like to have the same dialog.

[HereSince1628]

4. Well this talk is all well and good for young turks,

but I don't think folks over 50 are going to think much of it.

Just consider the 10s of billions to be lost from social security.

[jaysunb]

7. I'm 62

and consider myself a "seasoned Turk." LOL !

I think you'd be surprised at how many of us boomers would like to see some progress in our life time.

Cheers....

[HereSince1628]

8. But how many would throw away tens of thousands of dollars a year?

Realistically, many, way more than the minimum needed to say a significant number, baby boomers are in a poor financial position to do that.

I can see lots of seniors being forced by financial concerns to leave a state that does this.

[LSparkle]

5. I'm sick of the RWNJs telling ME to leave the country if I don't like it

Maybe cessation (or division of the nation) is the answer. I don't see the polarization of this country lessening at any time soon -- maybe the solution is to become, in fact, the "two Americas" that we are.

[MN ChimpH8R]

9. There's nothing really wrong with the Constitution

It should be read the way that progressives have always read it - as a blueprint that should be applied to new problems and issues. The problem is that the people charged with protecting the Constitution are instead trying to dismantle it.

A couple of amendments are all that is needed - one allowing specifically for the control of spending and fund-raising activities in political campaigns and one guaranteeing citizens an explicit right to privacy. No need to redesign all of the things Madison and Jefferson got right.

[jaysunb]

10. well shouldn't we be talking about

amending it where needed ?

[MN ChimpH8R]

11. My pernt exactly. nt

[AintIgreat]

12. we need to fire congress bunch of pansies except for Boxer