The Founding Fathers made a genuine effort to frame a set of rules that our infant democracy could use as a foundation for future years. And–in its day–it provided sound ethical principles for daily life and behaviors in America. Throughout the years, a number of Amendments have been adopted to “modernize” language or to address new issues on a foundation basis. But even now a number of failings are coming to light and should be addressed. (1) First, it must be understood that the US Constitution is useless unless it addresses today’s circumstances. The 1770’s is not the 2020’s and applying 250 year old rules to today’s issues is sometimes ridiculous. A healthy dose of common sense is more relevant than trying to cling to the Constitution’s words in some cases. (2) Apart from common sense, we have specific outdated provisions like the requirement that all legal debts be repaid in gold or silver. That doesn’t happen. Another provision–any trial involving more than $20 must be a trial by jury (we don’t follow that one either). Another: President’s are not supposed to receive any “emoluments” of any kind during their term of office. Trump actually overcharged foreign emissaries for staying at his hotels during his term. And the biggest gaffe we could find is this little “gem”….In 1870–after the Civil War, the right to vote could not be denied based on race, color or previous condition of servitude. BUT, women were not granted the right to vote UNTIL 1920 WITH THE NINETEENTH AMENDMENT. Former slaves could vote for up to 50 years prior to women earning the same right. And, yes, we think all these abnormalities suggest it’s time to look at the Second Amendment too. The right to bear arms should be protected but not to the extent that society is jeopardized. It’s called compromise, middle ground and, more to the point, COMMON SENSE. Firearms have their place but not to the extent that unarmed citizens need to be afraid of schools, supermarkets, concerts or other public spaces. Background checks, assault rifle bans, red flag laws and more are needed to achieve a balance between what we have now and a total weapons ban. Ironically, the GOP, at the urging of the National Rifle Association and their millions of campaign dollars, is heading us in the opposite direction. COMMON SENSE IS CALLING US TO REVISE AND REFORM THE SECOND AMENDMENT. The vast majority of the population wants this change badly and every gun massacre reminds us of our failure to act. Think about this the next time a school massacre occurs.
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