Reply #26: Really we need a Constitutional Convention

[Yupster]

The Constitution was ratified by the states, not by the people.

Therefore, many safeguards were put in to protect the rights of the several states. These powers have been whittled away to the point where the state powers left don't make much sense.

We got rid of the major power of the states, but there are still some remnant powers that don't really fit in our revised system. Therefore, a pretty thorough rewriting is in order.

BTW - the biggest change in my opinion was not the Civil War, but was the 17th Amendment. Most people just pass over the Direct Election of Senators, but it was a huge change to our system of government. Before the 17th Amendment, the state legislatures elected their senators. This was the way the states were able to make sure nothing happened against their interests in Washington. Not only did they have a house of congress, but it was the house that could filibuster legislation they didn't like. It was a real power the states enjoyed and it gave the legislatures control not only of their own states, but a big chunk of control of Washington too. Once the 17th Amednment was ratified that balance flipped. Not only did Washington control the capital, but it could now exert its influence more into the states.