The right to bear arms...is it a necessary change?

In response to "Guns!" from "Habanero's Government!!"

It is true that the 2nd Amendment was originally meant for the militia and not every citizen in the United States. I agree with your outlook on how more and more people will carry guns because of this new "right to bear arms" law. People, to feel safe, now that actual criminals can carry more guns, will want to keep a gun in their houses for emergencies. This, however, like you said, will lead to more gun-related tragedies. You never know when a child will get a hold of the family's gun and commit an accident of some sort. That's what worries me more than actual gun-related crimes. I guess America can only wait and leave it to time to see what will happen to society with this new law.

What do you think about changing society, though? Do you think this law was passed because, though the Framers meant the 2nd Amendment to be geared towards the militia, times are changing. Does that give everyone else, such as, the ordinary citizens to bear arms as well? Is this a necessary change to the Constitution?

Save America - she needs all the help

The United States is said to be a melting pot of various cultures from all over the world. This nation, called the “Land of the Free” attracted people from all kinds of backgrounds because they were seeking a place where they can freely express themselves. The oppressed, the ignored, the hurt… Everyone came to the land where “dreams come true” with high hopes. America and its freedom, however, did not extend to all the people who came. As many have already experienced and seen throughout history, the people who sought equality experienced the same cruelty and harshness in this land. The exact opposite of the people’s hopes… Who takes care of these poor and oppressed? Who takes care of these minorities? Who is there to look after the cruelty and inequality of this world?

All the corruptions in the national government do not give much hope to the people of this nation either. With the Bush administration trying to live above the law, the congressmen trying to seek glory for themselves, and all the ignorant citizens, one can easily and surely lose hope. We were once certain that African Americans could be considered equal to the dominant white majority when the Civil Rights movement took place. The “separate but equal” policies showed us otherwise. We were once certain that these unfair laws were eliminated with the ruling from Brown v. Board of Education. Now the women were crying for equality. Then the nineteenth amendment, then the eighteen-year-olds… the list goes on and on. Today’s issues revolve under gay and lesbian rights. When does it all end?

We live in a country where so many cultures surround us. Yet people are still ignorant about the world and all its differences. The national government has to step up and fix these problems. We cannot truly be “united” if we cannot even understand the cultures of our neighbors. Maybe, just maybe, this presidential election will be a point in history when things turn for the better.

A change in the system... Finally!

After reading "Would James Madison Be Happy?" from Government of the People? LOL

Our system of voting has definitely evolved over time. As you state in your entry, the “maturity of the few” can definitely be worth more than the majority’s “whim.” If there were no reasonable evidence that proves the effectiveness of this kind of system, America would not be using it in the first place. I agree with what you pointed out with the selection of the presidential nominee from the Democratic Party as well. For once, the people in power, in this case, the superdelegates, acted on their own free will, instead of listening blindfolded to the constituents.

Sometimes, I believe, it is necessary for a disagreement to occur between the constituents and the delegates, even as a reassurance that they are actually thinking about who they are voting for, rather than listening to what other people want. However, a problem definitely occurs when the superdelegates do not heed to the majority state decisions. People might question the superdelegate’s faithfulness to the state. The public might even feel as though their own voice is not being heard through the representative, which angers and discourages them.

Overall, like you stated, the representatives have the duty to watch over the public. They need to keep everything in check so that nothing really goes out of control.

Trouble and its true source

As a way to prevent a unitary rule over the United States of America, the Framers designed the U.S. Government with a three-way division between the powers. These three powers include (1) the legislative power, (2) the executive power, and (3) the judicial power. Each of the separated powers provides a checking system toward the other two branches in order to maintain a balance between all three of the branches. The U.S. Government prides itself as a unique system designed solely for this nation.

This system evolved throughout history, experiencing tough times as the Constitution was observed under much scrutiny. Clarifications of each branch’s power were made through Supreme Court cases, historical events, changes in politics, etc. As the nation grew, so did the system in which the nation was rooted in.Though the system seems to work well with the nation and the freedom that it stands for, in more recent times, the once praised system brings more trouble than benefits. Congressmen use gerrymandering and earmarks to satisfy own local constituencies in order to win the reelection process instead of considering what the nation as a whole needs. The presidents of this nation get involved in scandals and begin unnecessary wars, killing thousands of innocent people across the world. The court system seeks their own interests in each state and creates different rules accordingly, creating confusion for the public. Disregard for the original meaning behind the Constitution and the national government have increased. The public is well aware of these shortcomings of the system it once relied heavily on.

It is true that the nation has gone through ups and downs throughout history. Each time, the Framers’ exceptional masterpiece has prevailed. In due time, the problems we face now will definitely find a solution. No matter how much despair the nation falls into, the system seems to find a solution each time. The government can mold and evolve itself to fit the needs of the nation even in times of trouble. However, unless the people involved in this government change for the better, the system, which the people built, will see an ugly ending.

Are we truly free?

The Constitution in which America bases her roots on rests on a major unalienable right that all Americans consider paramount – the right to equality. Under the supreme law of the land, these equal rights matured and grew into an innate value that Americans possess. The emphasis of equality extends into the freedom rights, such as, the freedom to express oneself and not be prosecuted by what you believe. In the United States, one can freely share one’s own beliefs because everyone can equally claim their rights as a citizen of a free country.

Nonetheless, in Saree Makdisi’s “Banned in the U.S.A. (Almost),” a violation to this God-given right becomes evident. The commentary that Makdisi makes gives an uncanny feeling of distrust toward the events occurring in this so-called “Land of the Free.” If individuals are denied the opportunity to speak their own thoughts in public based on its content, how is this any different from not being able to speak at all? How can America call itself a truly free nation when discrimination of ideas and opinions takes place? Events like these definitely “[suggest] that the civic culture on which our country was founded has broken down.”

Although Makdisi limits his doubts about the civic culture to issues with Israel and Palestine, if the culture was broken once, it can undoubtedly break again. What starts small can grow into something much bigger if it is left alone. Though over two hundred years have passed since the birth of the Constitution, it is still just as fragile as when it was first written. The American people regard the Constitution at an utmost level of importance. In order to keep this foundation of the United States safe, the people must protect the contents of the Constitution and the idea of freedom that it was based on.

Corruption of the system

Robert Fantina’s criticism on the U.S. Congress reveals a common sentiment of displeasure that many Americans feel right now. Yes, the public was devastated when the tragic collapse of the Twin Towers and the heartbreaking deaths of beloved Americans suddenly took place. However, the war that resulted from this disaster keeps millions of people disheartened. Fantina, in his commentary, “When Truth is the Casualty,” he makes it clear that the Congress and President George W. Bush are to blame for this “unnecessary war.” According to the commentary, the war in Iraq against terrorism merely bases itself on lies of President Bush and the ignorance of the U.S. Congress. This claim disturbs various Americans and also confirms the belief of many others. Fantina also emphasizes the obviousness of his claim when he writes, “[if] this comes as a surprise to anyone it can only be a result of their being comatose for the last five years, and only awakening today and reading the report.”

If all of Fantina’s comments represent truth beyond any doubt, the public falls in utter despair of the system called the American Government that they have long believed in since the days of the Framers. The Congress, out of “patriotism” brought the deaths of over 4,000 of the nation’s very own soldiers. On top of this unthinkable act, the man elected by the people to serve the interests of the many acted upon his own concoction of lies to fulfill his own interests. When the legislative and the executive powers act upon corrupted desires, how can Americans even trust the judicial powers of this nation? A great change must take place under some kind of authority to correct these wrongs that resulted from within the United States and not by any external factor.

Although both presidential candidates Obama and McCain, according to the commentary, are “frightening” choices, the public cannot lose hope. Whatever change either of the candidates bring to this nation after the elections, if the people do not believe in the healing of corruption for this country, the American system of government may not survive this period of turmoil. Fantina views America through the eyes of a pessimist. Americans, however, out of true patriotism, will find light in the darkest of situations.

As one ends, a new one begins

The long, intensive, and “grueling battle” between Clinton and Obama came to an end when the latter accepted his nomination to run as the Democratic representative to run for president of the United States.

The article, “Obama Claims Nomination; First Black Candidate to Lead a Major Party Ticket,” emphasizes the fact that this election represents a historically memorable event in the lives of Americans. When the Framers created the first Constitution for this nation, neither the African Americans nor the women of this nation fully received equal opportunities, let alone rights.

However, as displayed in this article, times have definitely changed to where America “[marked] the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another.” One significant political battle has reached its end; however, the war is yet to begin between Democratic Obama and Republican McCain. With Clinton at Obama’s side as a faithful Democrat, it is important that the public tune into the continuing presidential campaigns yet to unfold as history writes a new chapter in the United States' government.