That's exceptional, America!
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That's exceptional, America!
Glenn Beck and the Tea Party -- well, what's left of those -- have spent much of the last three years obsessing on the sacredness of the U.S. Constitution.
The rest of the world? Not so much.
Why? This eye-opening piece in the New York Times gives several intriguing reasons, but the biggest one, quite simply, is that it doesn't go far enough in granting people basic human rights:
These days, the overlap between the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and those most popular around the world is spotty. We recognize rights not widely protected, including ones to a speedy and public trial, and we are an outlier in prohibiting government establishment of religion. But the Constitution is out of step with the rest of the world in failing to protect, at least in so many words, a right to travel, the presumption of innocence and entitlement to food, education and health care.
We have our idiosyncrasies. Only 2 percent of the world’s constitutions protect, as our Second Amendment does, a right to bear arms. (Our brothers in arms are Guatemala and Mexico.)
The Constitution’s waning global stature is consistent with the diminished influence of the Supreme Court, which “is losing the central role it once had among courts in modern democracies,” Aharon Barak, then the president of the Supreme Court of Israel, wrote in The Harvard Law Review in 2002.
Many foreign judges say they have become less likely to cite decisions of the United States Supreme Court, in part because of what they consider its parochialism.
Of course, we could always amend our Constitution to make it better. Good luck with that.
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."
Oops!— Mr. Smith- ///and entitlement to food///
I fail to see how we're failing here, we're the fattest country in the world.— General Turgidson - //Many foreign judges say they have become less likely to cite decisions of the United States Supreme Court, in part because of what they consider its parochialism.///
Read the article and the "many judges" the writer cites equals how many? One. Uno. One quoted judge from Australia. No survey cited, no research organization, just one judge in Australia suddenly becomes "many judges." This pathetic writing and editing on the part of the Times, whether the conclusion might be true or not.— General Turgidson - Methinks the pitch of your screeching trolls just went up a few octaves, Will!— Mr_Cool
- Clearly, the legal scholars here are awe inspiring. Typically, countries that employ a common law, like the US, Britain, Israel, Australia, will look at decisions from other common law countries when addressing issues of fundmental rights which are, you know, supposed to be universal rights of all people on the planet. Those decisions aren't binding, of course, but can provide insight how other people have addressed fundamental issues. It doesn't mean they're ideas are better, but it's been a good idea in the practice of law since the Magna Carta to see what others have said on the same subject.— etotheb
- This krazy post by Will is only to elicit responses from as many stunned people as possible. Unfortunately I'm one of the dupes. I do this because I like Will and want to see him enjoy one the entitlements of having a job ........ like eating. I'd hate to see Will using the Constitution in order to get a meal.— RufusG
- Liberal like Will and President Obama do not like the Constitution because it limits them. Obama wishes he could just be a dictator like Chavez and Castro. He is already bypassing Congress, and nominating people to positions, and signing executive orders. The caption for Will's picture should be "The Obama Plan to ammend the Constitution. MOst of those posting here probably have no knowledge of what the Constitution says. Surely the Supreme Court doesn't, or we would never have had the Kilo decision. Wise up America!— Bush3
- Feel free to start the amendment process anytime you want.What is your first proposal? Don't forget to include how it should be implemented. Save the republic is right. I agree with those that don't give a hoot what other countries think of our court. I don't give a hoot about theirs. Why? Because I don't (and in most cases would not want) to live under their laws. SCOUTUS , the prez and every official in this country swear to "preserve,protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America". Not Egypt, Israel or Ireland. Any judge citing foreign law and precedent in a decision should by impeached and removed from office.— georgel
Comment removed.- "Of course, we could always amend our Constitution to make it better. Good luck with that."
Will doesn't like the fact that the bar is set very high to amend the Constitution. Wonder why?— blackhawk90 - Liberal thinking- "I want everyone to like me! I want to do want everyone wants me to do, I am so insecure and weak, I need affirmation from strangers."— Keep The Change
- "a right to travel"
Gee Will, I didn't know we needed government issued travel papers to go to New Jersey.— blackhawk90 - We have this thing called "private property", which is pretty cool if you work hard and earn some of it. The countries Will is into don't do "private property" so much. Those places are great if you don't intend on working hard to acquire private property, or if you don't have interest in earning wealth and passing it on to your children. I, for one, like our system.— Mr. Smith
- Batty, Batty, Batty, there you go again.— 165Valley
- Will- The grass is always greener until you hop the fence. Give it a try...— Wiseman6
- "Uh, why do we give a flying krap what the rest of the world thinks or does." Some comments speak for themselves.— will
- It does speak for itself. When you're proud of living in the greatest (most exceptional) country in the world, then the ratholes around the world are meaningless. Just once you should write a blot about the greatness of America. Otherwise, maybe you should just get the he!! out. — savetherepublic
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Uh, why do we give a flying krap what the rest of the world thinks or does. And if you think the rest of the world is more exceptional than the US, then shut up and go to one of ratholes which you claim to love. Btw, many of those countries wouldn't provide with the freedom that you have here to write this drivel.— savetherepublic
- Is this serious? What a complete fool Will Bunch is.
Boy I wish I lived in another country the US is just a horrible place to live.
Been to the Philippines- Mexico City? Bunch? Why are Liberals unable to think logically?— Keep The Change
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