I’ve been working on a rewrite of the Constitution. Several writers have plowed the ground, outlining the issues and some paths forward. I had to think the problem through.
We are at the point with our Constitution that the Founders were at as the Articles of Confederation were breaking down. Our Constitution is breaking down. Those brilliant men in convention in Philadelphia put together a solution that held for over 200 years (with the assist of the savior of the union). Where are we going to find brilliant men- and women- like that?
I’ve been reading the Federalist Papers. Three of the conventioneers– Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay– wrote a series of articles explaining the defects of the confederation and urging the benefits of a federal republic. Their arguments still ring true. And now we have almost two and a half centuries of experience to inform our understanding of the situation we are in.
We know the defects of our Constitution on a very practical level. But we also know the sound foundation on which the defects have wreaked their havoc. We don’t have to start over completely. It’s an interesting challenge.
I can’t resist. I want to give it a try. I want to design a structure to function without the defects. That’s what I’m trying to do- write a first draft of the new constitution. I’m already on draft five, but when I let it out, that will be the first draft. Ideas welcome.
Robin Cravey
RobinCravey 