Donald Trump is frustrated in his inability to move legislation. He said in a recent interview that the form and function of the US Constitution are "archaic" and should be restructured so that it would be "modern." He also says that he would like to change the libel laws, evidently for the purpose of controlling dissent. So far as I know there are no federal libel laws. They are all state laws. The federal constitution protects freedom of speech but the law, so far as I know, does not offer the opportunity to sue for defamation in the federal Article Three courts. Does DT not understand that he does not control the state courts or legislatures? He is frustrated with his inability to move legislation in the US Congress? By analogy, if he were still in business, the response by a CEO type to a business plan for the company that obstructed his planning would be to seek to change the business plan at a stockholders meeting. Well, pilgrims, the US Constitution is not a business plan and the US Congress is not a stockholders' meeting. The US Constitution contains provisions for its own modification through amendment or a constitutional convention. Neither of these processes is anything like a stockholders' meeting. In fact the constitution was designed to make its modification difficult, and not easy at all. An amendment required 2/3 approval in BOTH houses and 2/3 ratification by the state governments. This was necessary in framing because a number of the original states would not have ratified the document without that approach. Yes, that means that the Union is an agreement among the states.
The extent to which DT understands the US government system is, IMO, doubtful. He appears to this lay observer of humans to have a number of learning disabilities; a form of Asperger's syndrome perhaps, ADHD, and dyslexia are among the possibilities. The comedian Hassan Minhaj told the press at the White House Correspondents; Dinner on Saturday that their responsibility is greater now than it has been in previous administrations because this president does not read briefing papers, cannot endure protracted oral briefings and has little knowledge of world affairs in his mental "library." It seems to be the case that he gets his information from 24/7 TV news . That is really unfortunate since most 24/7 news is merely a mouthpiece for someone's information operations whether left or right.
At the same time he has watched a lot of movies What a combination of influences! pl
Col,
EA is. Sending several emails to push a talking points like that is insane. I would not have guessed that behavior from reading previous EA posts.
We all have different opinions about politics. I only respect peope who voice them publicly and prepare to defend their point of view in a civil discourse.
Posted by: TonyL | 05 May 2017 at 08:01 AM
TonyL
Yes, the phenomenon has emerged of people reciting talking points to old friends, relatives, etc. People I have known for forty years and who know I am not vulnerable to this do it anyway. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 05 May 2017 at 08:50 AM
Yes, indeed, this phenomenon of stubborness arise in many places today and is very, very ominous.
It may seem pedantic and far-fetched but from the works of Ross Ashby about complex systems and homeostasis a common way for a complex system to "evolve" beyond unsolvable conundrums is to break the no more functioning parts before some new regulations emerge.
In simpler words "something has to give" but this will be people, relationships and institutions.
Posted by: jld | 05 May 2017 at 09:11 AM
Lefty, As I see it, the problems are with his deficiencies...but with his lack of self-awareness and his apparent rejection of any help mitigating the deficiencies. There are books on tape, for heaven's sake!
I think we are in a "can't teach an old dog new tricks" world with this POTUS.
Posted by: Laura | 05 May 2017 at 01:51 PM
English outsider--I think you laid it out well. We are in dark times.
Posted by: Laura | 05 May 2017 at 01:52 PM
No...that was not me. The day Trump demeaned the disabled reporter was the day he crossed my Rubicon of "Presidential" possibility. I think that moment has stood the test of time--he ridicules, he hates the press, he personally likes to offend. Not the qualities I would ever choose in a President.
And, yes, we did ALL know---some just couldn't handle the truth.
Posted by: Laura | 05 May 2017 at 01:56 PM
turcopolier --
He didn't question the decision...he questioned the validity of the judge and the very court he sat on. Of COURSE, I would (probably...?) have questioned Plessy v. Ferguson...but not the right of the Supreme Court to rule.
Trump doesn't support our judicial system unless it rules his way...that is not supportive of the rule of law.
Posted by: Laura | 05 May 2017 at 01:58 PM
Col. -- Have you read this? http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/a-civilian-controlled-military-if-you-can-keep-it/
I would like to know your take as a man who served so long and well.
Posted by: Laura | 05 May 2017 at 02:02 PM
Laura
it is easy to exaggerate the risk in this. FDR delegated running WW2 to GC Marshall and Ernest King withoiuot significan damage to the republic. IMO the real question is the character of the men involved..Mattis and McMaster seem to have some sort of hyper-testosterone condition and a permanent grudge against Russi which is still thought of by them as the USSR. In re Iran they can't seem to grasp the idea that history moves on and your old enemies need to be made into friends. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 05 May 2017 at 02:55 PM
ricl
Leadership and force of personality make a big difference. IMO A. Jackson might well have jaw boned them or bullied them as he had in the 1830s. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 05 May 2017 at 04:46 PM
If you allow me to add a couple of accompanying instruments.
JOAQUIN RODRIGO & JOHN WILLIAMS Concierto de Aranjuez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4QrJc3VQDo
touches my romantic soul. Not sure though, if I would put that under the label of spirituality/metaphysics.
Posted by: LeaNder | 07 May 2017 at 11:58 AM