Honestly, What is more important?

[sean_harris]

to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

With this in mind, I ask you, at what point is the Constitution considered voided and by whom? Who dictates enough is enough? Just curious.... We have discussed this in both my college and NCO classes. I am curious to hear other opinions.

Cheers

[ole]

Hey, Sean.

The constitution cannot be voided by anyone who doesn't have the 'nads to do it. You can whup constitution defenders? Have at it. You win. There is no constitution. You lose. You lose big time.

The founding fathers set it up this way. Get along and progress toward wherever you wish. Disagree ... change it ... if you have the people behind you and can. They set things up as best as they knew, and made allowances for the happenstance that they might be wrong, which says a lot for their foresight.

So far, it's worked far better than they could have expected. Yes, flaws, or perceived flaws occasionally are brought up, but it has worked. Maybe for a few more years?
Ole

[hoosier]

Sean, I note that the passage you quoted is from the Declaration of Independence, rather than the Constitution.

I suppose any group of people can declare their independence, any time, for any reason. But I would agree with Ole that, before they do so, they had better be sure they are prepared to maintain that independence.

[johan_steele]

And ready and willing to make the sacrifices such a move entails. Of coarse failure has it's price as well...