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When did the United States as its Constitution wanted it to be, end?

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Doubtus posted on Sun, Mar 22 2009 9:22 PM

Same as title. When was our Constitution killed definitively?

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I am increasingly of the view that the Constitution was a flawed document forced on the American people by a cabal of deist Yankees.  So basically, the die was cast in 1788.

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Mark B. replied on Sun, Mar 22 2009 11:13 PM

I agree with the first two posters, insofar as the Constitution was flawed from the very beginning and Hamiiltonianism started it on its road to ruin.  However, if you wanted a specific date of death, I would go with 1868 and the fraudulent adoption of the 14th Amendment.  That was truly the end of the Federalist system envisioned by the Constitution and the beginning of the Nationalist system envisioned by Lincoln.

If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
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bbnet replied on Sun, Mar 22 2009 11:45 PM

Mark B.:

... I would go with 1868 and the fraudulent adoption of the 14th Amendment. ...

Ditto, specifically sections 3,4, & 5

 

You've had all night and day to
Consider and pray
You've brought fire on my head and
Now you must pay.

Babylon makes the rules where my people suffer

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What is wrong with the 14th amendment?

Yes, I am a huge Dodgers fan.

Anti-state since I learned about the Cuban Revolution and why my dad had to flee the country.

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bbnet replied on Mon, Mar 23 2009 9:52 AM

Section 3 limited southrern state's leaders from regaining federal powers.

Section 4 wiped all obligations of the federal government to reimburse the southern states for the horrific damage caused during the war.

Section 5 reinforced congress's power to create and enforce laws.

The 14th amendment was a big step forward in centralizing power federally at the expense of the states.

further critique is avaialable here: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/healy1.html

You've had all night and day to
Consider and pray
You've brought fire on my head and
Now you must pay.

Babylon makes the rules where my people suffer

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To the previous post, I will also add that the 14th Amendment was adopted under duress.  When the southern states initially rejected the amendment, the Congress enacted radical reconstruction, overthrew the lawful governments of the southern states and installed puppet carpetbagger regimes which proceeded to ratify the amendment.

The 14th Amendment is clearly invalid and should not be considered part of the Constitution.

If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
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fuman replied on Fri, Apr 3 2009 10:11 PM

Lincoln started the final killing of the Constitution before the 14th Amendment. When he was running for President and possibly before then he was pushing the first part of the Declaration of Independence (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness...) over the Constitution and the second part of the Declaration of Independence (the charges against King George). Before him people looked to the Constitution, not the Declaration as the prime document on how America should work. When they did look at the Declaration the charges against King George was the most important part.

Any hope for the Constitution went away between Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson with Wilson cremating it, burying it, and then pouring cement over top.

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Don't forget the elastic clause.

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