Most Important Function of The United States Constitution; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

[xfire]

What do you think is the most important function of The United States Constitution, to limit the power of the Federal Government or to protect the rights of American Citizens? These two goals aren't mutually exclusive and can really reflect conflicting priorities.

 

[sean miguel]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

To ensure the power of the federal government protects the rights of it's citizens, e.g., single payer healthcare. At least that'd be my answer if you were my college professor and I wanted to pass your class.

 

[xfire]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

To ensure the power of the federal government protects the rights of it's citizens, e.g., single payer healthcare. At least that'd be my answer if you were my college professor and I wanted to pass your class.

I wouldn't flunk anyone for having an opposing view. And I'm aware of how horribly I massacred the word Constitution in the title of the thread and reported myself hoping to have it auto-corrected. lol Nah, I'm serious, I want your thoughts, and I think it's basic to the differences between liberals and conservatives.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

I voted to protect, AND preserve the rights of the American citizens. But in reality, you just asked which eye is more important, your left one, or your right one. Both of it's functions are so important, it's hard for me to understand how our politicians get away with all of the B.S. they do.

 

[sean miguel]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

These two goals aren't mutually exclusive and can really reflect conflicting priorities.

Maybe in some cases, but overall, our founding fathers had it right. "Inalienable rights" is the starting point and is irrespective of the United States or any other form of government. It's between man and his "creator." Everything else is meant to secure those rights or is secondary which includes limiting the power of the federal government - separation of powers, checks and balances, and what not.



I'm still amazed/thankful at the perception, wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers. The human condition being what it is, governments will always trend towards tyranny, no matter how well-intentioned and benevolent they start out (or become).

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

I didn't want to start another thread of the same old tired arguments, but I just saw this on Yahoo, and thought it might be of interest to a few people, seeing as it is a Constitutional subject.

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[ThatRedWing]

They are one and the same. The goal was to limit the powers of the federal government in order to ensure the rights of American citizens.

 

[Rattrap]

I didn't want to start another thread of the same old tired arguments, but I just saw this on Yahoo, and thought it might be of interest to a few people, seeing as it is a Constitutional subject.

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Golinkin’s piece does sum up why millions of Americans passionately resist and revile any erosion of their fundamental civil right.

I think my biggest problem with this position now is that these same passionate people often raise but the briefest eyebrows as the rest of their fundamental civil rights go down the drain (ironic, considering one of the functions and common argument for the 2nd Amendment - and yet what has it done for the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, just to name a few with very clear-cut examples?). Libertarian voters aside, I see too often examples of single-issue voters happy to vote for a candidate who promises not to touch guns all the while supporting the huge security complex that ******** most of the other amendments I just listed. Premium Link Upgrade

They are one and the same. The goal was to limit the powers of the federal government in order to ensure the rights of American citizens.

This is exactly what I wanted to say. It's too bad we the people do such a terrible job for our part.

 

[xfire]

Some rights can only be protected by expanding government (legislative), consensus interpretation of the constitution (judicial), or adding new amendments (we the people). The idea of limited government to protect the rights of American citizens from the government is, without question, an essential and important role of The Constitution, protecting the rights of American citizens from ***** by other citizens, I think is the far more important role.

 

[Jagger69]

Re: Most Important Function of The United States Constitiion; Limit Power or Protect Citizens?

I voted to protect, AND preserve the rights of the American citizens. But in reality, you just asked which eye is more important, your left one, or your right one. Both of it's functions are so important, it's hard for me to understand how our politicians get away with all of the B.S. they do.

This. :goodpost: