Groove Jams: We're Throwing Out the US Constitution!
Oct 31, 2024
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AJ Jacobs, an author and journalist celebrated for his humorous takes on serious topics, joins Kurt and Tim to discuss a playful makeover for the U.S. Constitution. They debate potential changes, like Supreme Court justices’ term limits and clarifying the Second Amendment. The conversation also touches on making the amendment process more accessible and learning from global governance practices. Finally, they explore how community engagement can usher in collective happiness, emphasizing the importance of unity in diversity.
The challenge of amending the U.S. Constitution highlights a need for reform to adapt to contemporary societal demands and governance issues.
The increasing concentration of power in the presidency calls for stronger safeguards and potential structural changes to maintain governmental balance.
Deep dives
Revising the Amendment Process
The difficulty of amending the Constitution is highlighted as a significant flaw in the original design. The framers intended for it to be challenging to prevent frivolous changes, yet the current political climate renders it nearly impossible to achieve the required two-thirds support from Congress and three-quarters from state legislatures. This rigidity hampers progress and adaptation to modern societal needs, suggesting that the amendment process should be simplified to allow for necessary updates. A proposed solution includes taking inspiration from other countries whose constitutions are more amendable, thereby addressing evolving governance challenges more effectively.
Expanding Presidential Limits
The concentration of power in the presidency has grown beyond what the framers envisioned, with current presidents wielding considerably more authority compared to George Washington's era. The discussion suggests implementing stronger safeguards to limit presidential power, arguing that the original intention to avoid a monarchy was compromised by the establishment of a single president. Historical proposals, such as a council of presidents or a cabinet with veto power, are presented as potential solutions to curb this expansion of authority. The rapid increase in executive orders, especially under recent administrations, exemplifies the need for these guardrails to maintain a balanced government.
Rethinking Supreme Court Influence
The power of the Supreme Court has evolved into a dominant force in governance, diverging from the original framers' vision of it being the least powerful branch. Current concerns are raised about the lack of term limits for justices, which can lead to disproportionate influence by a few individuals over long periods. Advocating for fixed terms and rotational appointments could democratize the judicial process and encourage more diverse perspectives. Additionally, the unintentional shift towards judicial activism has sparked a debate about the need for a balanced approach, allowing other branches of government to participate in constitutional interpretation.
What if you could give the U.S. Constitution a makeover?
Ahead of the 2024 U.S. election, AJ Jacobs joins Kurt and Tim to dive into the lighter side of politics, taking a playful look at what really needs fixing in America’s founding documents (hint: it starts with grammar).
While the spelling of Pennsylvania is no longer up for debate, the trio tackles plenty of other things that could — and maybe should — be changed for the better. What does the 2nd Amendment really mean? Should cabinet members have veto power? Are we missing out on some much-needed retirement parties for Supreme Court justices? Tune in to Groove Jams for a lively conversation and share your thoughts!
After all, it’s a free country!
Want to watch along? Check out the video version on YouTube
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