Discussion: What are the major flaws in the Constitution?

The Constitution is vagued because it had to be that way to pass. You had so many different interests at the convention that a detailed document would never be passed. There was also some thought as to having the Constitution as a living document.

I think the worst thing about the Constitution is slavery in it. But this had to be done or we would have had a Civil War when we could least afford it. The issue was put off for a day where we'd be able to handle it better, even though the war was very bloody and messy, it was one of the 'better' Civil Wars in history in terms of reprisals, etc. Too often today we look back at the founding and say how could they allow slavery and some of these other things from a 21st century prospective. We've evolved for the better with giving equal liberty, but we can't take our 21st century thoughts and apply them to the 18th century. For starters, slavery was common in the world. The movement was just starting really to abolish the it. And this country would have never came into being if slavery was outlawed.

The Congress needs power to regulate interstate commerce. If there is no authority to do that, you will have states going to war with each other. This almost happened between I believe it was Pennsylvania and Maryland before the Constitution.

I believe the ultimate problem comes from a quite frankly lazy citizenry. Citizens have to protect their liberty and keep a watchful eye on all government. A state government can be just anti-liberty as a national government. Look at the red light cameras and other items. American Idol easily beats the State of the Union on TV. As long as a lot of people have their beer, football, 'non-reality' TV, etc, they don't care about their liberty. They take it for granted. The mainstream media also does not give our citizens the information they need to make informed decisions, which helps the process.

Ideally most government decisions are NOT made by the federal or state governments. They are made at the local level in a county or city. For especially the federal government to make mandates about education to the states would not be tolerated by the founders.

know not of what you speak. READ THE CONSTITUTION BEFORE YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON IT!

No flaws conceptually, but the wording is too vague. Hence, a HUGE, HUGE flaw.

because they are only allowed to regulate it as the constitution prescribes.
The real problem is the people who know nothing, don't do nothing, won't learn anything. Just give them football and beer that is basically all they care about.
But where are the people? Why don't they read the constitution and ,make sure that congress follows the law.
When it gets down to it it really falls back on the people...
Who here has read the Constitution? Not many if any I bet.

With the benefit of hindsight, I think the main ‘flaw’ is that it was not written specifically enough. The ideals, and prescriptions for reaching them, it embodies, have likely never been matched in any society at any point in time. Yet, by choosing wording vague enough to allow quite some leeway with respect to how it is interpreted, the founders left the door ajar for those who would, slowly but surely, replace the document’s original intent with one more suited to their own devious ends.

in the Constitution as established by the founding fathers and the intent behind it, as clearly outlined in the writings and debates of that time.

The flaw lies in the misinterpretation, misapplication and outright defiance of the intent of the document as has been experienced by the actions of all three branches of our federal government.

First, the Constitution created a central government with too much power, even at the start. (Of course, ANY central government -- any group which uses coercion even just for funding -- has too much power. Civilized people do not use coercion with each other).

Second, there are no real penalties for abuse of power by federal officials. An unconstitutional law is passed: any penalties for the legislators who voted for the law? Nope. An unconstitutional agency is created and wreaks havoc upon the citizens. Penalties for those responsible? Nope.

YOU can get arrested and imprisoned for dang near anything; THEY can violate the highest law of the land with near-total impunity.

My biggest beef is the 14th Amendment....corporate America has used it to designate themselves as individuals http://www.freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=102

The declaration of Independence was the opperative statement. The lawyers wiggled their way in and convinced enough of the patriots to go along with limited govt. The brightest of the freedom loving founders didn't want a govt. There are no govts. in history that have stayed good for the people. What we need to teach in this country is who you are and how to contract with your fellow human beings. Every conversation you have is a form of contract. Every contract has responsibilities attached. If you honor all contracts you win. When a cop gives you a ticket, that is an offer to contract and answer for the fiction all caps name he wants you to answer for. If more of you comprehended this, we could end this soon. Vote for Dr. Paul he is the best yet. I'm still voting "none of the above". To me, chosing a president is a vote for govt. I don't see where I benefit.