"It turns out that our founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change than I would like sometimes...”
President Obama
If one studies the foundation our nation was built upon they’ll discover a reputable union meant to function for the best interest of the “people.” Our government was meant to be one where the people have the power more than the leaders whom they choose. Section 2 of the United States Constitution says “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People…” If positive change in America today is being hindered then are the political leaders, voted in by us to blame? Is the system designed by our founding fathers to blame?
We’ve had hypocritical politicians for generations, those who didn’t place the people first. Every organization on this earth will have corruption, because every organization has human beings. If we see someone we voted into congress is corrupt we have a right to demand he or she is brought to court so justice could be served. The political leaders work for us, we don’t work for them. At least this is how the system was meant to function. In our nations history there have been horrible tragedies; shameful acts like slavery and the genocide of the Native American culture; the system is not to blame for these acts. Even though these embarrassing stains will remain on our nation, these horrific actions were against the spirit of the Constitution of the United States of America. Such atrocities were contrary to how the constitution defines our freedom; “to secure the blessings of liberty, which were to be enjoyed by not only the first generation, but for all who came after, “our posterity”. Yes, we had leaders even back during the birth of our nation who lived in hypocrisy, and turned a blind eye to what they knew to be wrong. They had flaws, and some of them lived contrary to what our government, our system teaches. Like how some people claim a faith birthed from a pacifist loving teacher, yet they ironically murder those who don’t support their faith; the system our founding fathers put into place can’t be blamed for hindering positive change anymore than the Nazarene Christ can be blamed for murders done by Christians during the Crusades. The people and the leaders may hinder progress but the foundation our government was built upon doesn't.
Because of the liberty our Constitution supports those who stood witness to the error of their ways, (multiple times in our nation’s history), could not rightly justify themselves. The Emancipation Proclamation came into being, initiated by the people who voted for a leader who recognized the hypocrisy. President Lincoln saw the need for change; the government should not be operating contrarily to the very laws she was built upon. The best way to win any debate is to use the opponents own teachings against them, and the people in our nation have won great victories by attributing this strategy. The minorities in our nation demanded change during the Human Rights Movement, and because of the system our founding fathers put into place the people had the right to demand change. Just this year the federal court of appeals declared that gay marriage is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Our founding fathers' system protected their rights, despite the leaders who opposed the demands of those in the gay community. In America every person has a right to the same liberties, and they have a right to demand these liberties, because of the "system". Article XV of the Constitution says, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” The system our founding fathers created does not hinder change, corrupt humans hinder change. Even when our leaders are faulty the people can stand on their inalienable rights and demand a change. They can do this because our government is meant to function in such a manner that the leaders should not be able to overpower the people. If our president has a problem with the constitution of the United States of America, and the foundation our founding fathers built for us, then he has chosen the wrong occupation. We need to start teaching on the history of America again in our schools so that the next generation has more pride in their nation, and so that they may not make the same mistakes those before them have.
Our government may be corrupt today and full of people who have their own selfish agendas but when our government was created it was the best there was. We need to go back to the roots of our nation, and remember what America was supposed to be about. To blame our founding fathers is pretty pathetic. The Commander and Chief can’t rightfully blame George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, or any of our founders - (men far more brilliant then our leaders today) - because he’s unable to fulfill his promises. Perhaps he should have studied American Government before he gave the impression he’d have the power to bring about change by himself. Let’s be thankful we don’t have dictators ruling over us, preventing us from positive change, and let’s remember the power we have under the system our founding fathers created. The United States Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, which is to say we the people helped create the congress we have today. The system is not to blame for his unfulfilled promises, he should have known better than to make them in recognizing how those in congress had the final say.
The only reason it is “more difficult to bring about change” today in America is because our political leaders on both sides can’t come to an agreement on any issues, even the most important ones. They may be the worst congress our nation has ever had, but what does this say about our generation? Why do we the people allow this?
Article II Section 1 Line 8 of the Constitution of the United States of America;“Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Our government is supposed to be “for the people and by the people.” I suppose this could be “a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change,” but I for one am thankful for our liberties. If the cost of freedom is the hindrance of positive change for humanity, well then we never had hope despite whatever system helps govern our nation. The President and our political leaders’ should always stand in the defense of the Constitution of the United States, or in the least they better remember that we (the people) will. Because the day we don’t stand for our Constitution is the day our nation falls, and there will be no one to blame but the people.
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