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The veneration of the Constitution is a weak point in American government. It's riddled with policy mistakes (see: Impeachment, where the Vice President would c

The veneration of the Constitution is a weak point in American government. It's riddled with policy mistakes (see: Impeachment, where the Vice President would cast the deciding vote in his own trial should there be a tie) and rediculous vagaries (Judges serve for life so long as they remain "in good behavior"), not to mention the validation of the fundamental evil of slavery which was, at the time, already a point of contention. Rather than an objective framework for government, the Constitution has morphed into a shield against discourse, a talisman wielded to justify policies that deserve to be questioned. It's our National Bible, where things are right because see, it says it right there.

thaumasiotes 11y ago
> It's riddled with policy mistakes (see: Impeachment, where the Vice President would cast the deciding vote in his own trial should there be a tie) As mistakes go, this one is purely cosmetic. It has no actual implications; there would be nothing even minorly surprising about saying "the impeached party wins ties".
- intopieces 11y ago
  Not sure what gives you that impression. During the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, Chief Justice Chase cast 2 tie breaking votes on procedural issues. The purpose of this provision (Article 1, Section 3 - Chief Justice presides over the trial of the President in cases of impeachment) was separation of powers but the authors appear to have overlooked that value when it comes to the Vice President.
  - Dylan16807 11y ago
    It doesn't matter. At worst it says that impeachment issues have to win by 2 votes. That doesn't damage separation of powers in any way. It's just an oddity.
    - thaumasiotes 11y ago
      I don't think the VP can vote unless there's a tie, so it just says impeachment issues have to win.
Frondo 11y ago
You hit the nail on the head. We Americans are religious folks, and the Constitution is our own home-grown religious text. Look at the veneration for the founding fathers, even elsewhere in these comments. That's religion, not thoughtful political discourse!

thaumasiotes 11y ago

> It's riddled with policy mistakes (see: Impeachment, where the Vice President would cast the deciding vote in his own trial should there be a tie) As mistakes go, this one is purely cosmetic. It has no actual implications; there would be nothing even minorly surprising about saying "the impeached party wins ties".

intopieces 11y ago
Not sure what gives you that impression. During the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, Chief Justice Chase cast 2 tie breaking votes on procedural issues. The purpose of this provision (Article 1, Section 3 - Chief Justice presides over the trial of the President in cases of impeachment) was separation of powers but the authors appear to have overlooked that value when it comes to the Vice President.
- Dylan16807 11y ago
  It doesn't matter. At worst it says that impeachment issues have to win by 2 votes. That doesn't damage separation of powers in any way. It's just an oddity.
  - thaumasiotes 11y ago
    I don't think the VP can vote unless there's a tie, so it just says impeachment issues have to win.

Frondo 11y ago

You hit the nail on the head. We Americans are religious folks, and the Constitution is our own home-grown religious text. Look at the veneration for the founding fathers, even elsewhere in these comments. That's religion, not thoughtful political discourse!