tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post8709188029501353426..comments2024-03-14T13:25:20.613-05:00Comments on Boston 1775: The Big ConConConUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-73283342728314946242011-08-31T21:05:39.484-05:002011-08-31T21:05:39.484-05:00The orginal constitutional convention was held in ...The orginal constitutional convention was held in secret, without leaks to the press, so that debate and compromise within the convention would be unhindered. Does anyone think that level of media silence could occur or be tolerated by the public today? The smoky back rooms of politics do serve the useful purpose of fostering compromise. That atmosphere, and compromise in politics, is endangered today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-12318762626837662302011-08-28T07:46:53.747-05:002011-08-28T07:46:53.747-05:00Just saw this post, so forgive the late comment. ...Just saw this post, so forgive the late comment. For a good review of the history of the enactment of the Seventeenth Amendment and discussion of why repeal should be considered, see <a href="http://mason.gmu.edu/~tzywick2/Cleveland%20State%20Senators.pdf" rel="nofollow">this article by George Mason Lawprof Todd Zywicki</a>. It's a 70-page pdf, so be warned!Elektratighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703096671081292287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-60960076469783152692011-08-23T15:41:26.476-05:002011-08-23T15:41:26.476-05:00Presumably those are questions this pre-Convention...Presumably those are questions this pre-Convention conference would discuss.<br /><br />Based on the one and only precedent, state governments would choose delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Back in 1787, the state legislatures chose those men, I believe. (Some went home when they thought the convention exceeded its mandate.) As the Seventeenth Amendment shows, however, Americans have largely moved away from having their state legislatures choose their representatives. So there might have to be special elections.<br /><br />States also determined how they discussed ratifying the Constitution way back when, as I recall. Some held special conventions, and some ratified through their regular legislatures.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-56836577741626486412011-08-23T13:58:59.766-05:002011-08-23T13:58:59.766-05:00Gridlocked, perhaps, but immensely entertaining.
...Gridlocked, perhaps, but immensely entertaining.<br /><br />However, since we're on the topic, could you help me understand who, exactly, would attend the Constitutional Convention and how many delegates would be sent from the states? Also, who would make up the convention in the ratification alternative described as "or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress".<br /><br />Good post. Thanks.Waldo4mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07577350666062651359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-87232247649042591412011-08-23T12:38:13.185-05:002011-08-23T12:38:13.185-05:00For the brief period of the 1780s that culminated ...For the brief period of the 1780s that culminated in the writing of the Constitution, American Whigs seem to have genuinely believed their republic wouldn’t develop parties. <br /><br />Yet within another decade, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were sitting down with Aaron Burr to form a political alliance against John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and others. <br /><br />The original U.S. Constitution would have been different if its drafters had imagined a system with political parties and worked around their strengths and weaknesses. I’m not sure it would have been better, but it would certainly have been more realistic.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-61237111068923984692011-08-23T10:46:01.041-05:002011-08-23T10:46:01.041-05:00A new Constitutional Convention would be as gridlo...A new Constitutional Convention would be as gridlocked as the soon-to-meet Budgetary "Super Committee" (dumb name) will be when they meet. That's why 6 out of 10 congressmen aren't holding town hall meetings this month. People are tired of infighting and gridlock. One of many things George Washington saw forthcoming with political parties. *sigh*.John L. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14827783825431694038noreply@blogger.com