Is there Anything Unconstitutional In Regards To Grover Norquist Pledge?????

[rsmith6621]

And if there is why hasn't any progressive/liberal PAC/group filed a complaint/lawsuit.


I would say since the pledge may not represent the will of the voters in a particular district/state it could be.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Not really, although it's totally stupid.

If it doesn't represent the will of the majority of the voters, the remedy is to vote for somebody else.

[KittyWampus]

2. No. And it certainly isn't binding.

[MineralMan]

3. No!!!11

What would be unconstitutional about it? There's nothing in the Constitution about anything of the sort. It's stupid, but covered by the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech.

It might be helpful for you to read the Constitution of The United States and become familiar with it. To help you with that, here's a link to a very good site, where you can read it in its original form, along with all Amendments and the history of changes to the Constitution through those Amendments. It's a worthwhile thing for all US Citizens to do:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. It's a bit disheartening

that so many people get exercised over something they think may be unconstitutional, but they've never actually read the Constitution. Not saying the OP is one of them, and the teabagger contingent are by far the worst offenders, but the country would be done a big favor if teaching the Constitution to all kids in all high schools were mandatory. There is an enormous amount of misinformation and confusion regarding what is and isn't in it.

[MineralMan]

5. I think they still teach the Constitution in schools, but it's forgotten

as soon as it's learned in most cases. Personally, I can't imagine anyone who is serious about politics in the USA has not read it several times as an adult. Since it forms the basis of how our government works, I can't see how anyone can not study it if they proclaim to be interested in politics.

But, that's just me, I guess...I'm always the odd person out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I used to teach it.

And I just want to bang my head against a wall when I read some rant about something being unconstitutional when it clearly isn't, or vice-versa. Read the damn thing, people. And then make a little effort to find out how the Supreme Court has interpreted it.

[MineralMan]

9. Yes, that bothers me too, especially on a forum where

politics is the main topic. I'm pretty used to it, though, now. I don't expect knowledge of our system of government any longer.

[trayfoot]

10. AMEN!

[white_wolf]

12. It wasn't at my high school. You could take a U.S. government class, but weren't required too.

I graduated high school in 2008, for references sake.

[MineralMan]

14. OK, thanks. I don't actually know anyone with a kid in HS

right now. I have a nephew who has just started his freshman year, though. If I can get more than a sullen grunt out of him, I'll ask him if he's learning about it. It may take a couple of years, though. Right now, he's in a grunting phase when adults are around. :rofl:

[white_wolf]

15. I remember that stage. He'll grew out of it. Trust me Freshman year is one of the worst years.

At least for me.

[Recovered Repug]

6. Just for the sake of argument,

let's say that the pledge was Unconstitutional. What would be the proper corrective action?

Should the pledge simply be tossed out and no longer be used as an excuse not to raise taxes? If that's the case, what benefit is there?
Should anyone who signed the pledge be expelled from Congress? If that's the case should not the same apply to any congressman and president who pass an Unconstitutional law?

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Nothing in the Constitution that mandates how representatives and senators

are supposed to vote. Can be for the sake of a majority of their constituents, their major donors, the party leadership, or the voices in their heads.

The only thing the Constitution allows is a process to change representatives and senators for future votes by their term limits and elections.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. The Constitution is ALL process.

The Constitution itself defines the power of the three branches and the processes by which those powers are exercised. The Bill of Rights, which are subsequent amendments, defines the rights of the the people that the Constitution protects. Some of the original writers didn't think the Bill of Rights was necessary, arguing that those powers that were not enumerated in the main body of the document did not exist and therefore could not impinge on rights, but others felt that it was important to spell out specific rights. I think they were correct.

[loyalsister]

11. It's no different from me asking for confirmation

that a legislator will vote my way on family planning or health care bills. "Lobbying" has gotten a smeared reputation.
We should be careful to avoid allowing the general principal to be trashed just because there are paid lobbyists and interest groups that get a lot of attention. We don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to our right to influence government.