Could the Bill of Rights get ratified today?

[aden_nak]

Answer the following question. . . and be honest.

"If the Bill of Rights had just been introduced today, instead of during the drafting of the Constitution, do you think it could even get a majority, let alone enough votes to be ratified?"

I'm one of those no-money-having can't-pay-the-rent non-donation losers, or I'd make a poll. ;)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Not if it included the first amendment.

Free speech, free press, freedom to assemble, and particularly freedom from religion.

Not a chance.

[aden_nak]

2. They'd shout about I the most, but I think they'd block IX above all.

[Warpy]

3. The whole point of the Bill of Rights is that it is UNPOPULAR

because it restricts the right of the majority to oppress the minority.

So no, it probably wouldn't pass today. It barely passed THEN.

[Ganja Ninja]

4. Only the 2nd amendment. n/t

[Coastie for Truth]

5. That's all, but it might include Hummers and Pit Bulls, and

Assault Weapons.

[Ganja Ninja]

7. and be mandatory. n/t

[eallen]

6. Not a prayer.

The Christian Taliban would shoot down the first amendment. The fourth, sixth, and eighth amendments would be viewed, by the law and order crowd, as too vague and too friendly to criminals. The "strict constructionists" would kill the ninth amendment on the grounds that it explicity directs that the Constitution should be interpreted liberally with regard to civil liberties.

You might get the second and third passed.

[aden_nak]

8. II and III are the only ones that aern't torn down right now.

So I have to agree with that.

[WillowTree]

9. Not a chance!

[Squeech]

10. Urban legend

I've heard this story since the '60s, but I've never found a cite. But I believe it.

Anyway, it goes like this: a major midwestern university's poli sci intro class has a class project every year where they send the kids out with clipboards to the local shopping mall, and ask passers-by if they'd sign this petition. The petition is the Bill of Rights, translated into modern colloquial English. The overwhelming majority of responses they get, according to the story, is "I'm not gonna sign your communist crap!"

If anyone does know where this actually happens, or any other hard facts about it, I'd love to know.

[unblock]

11. of COURSE it would pass, and with much fanfare!

the headlines would all read "bush supports bill of rights"
"president affirms constitution"
"american values now guaranteed"

and so on....


... but the fine print, ah, the fine print!

for instance, you would have the right not to be searched, although a teensy-weensy exception would be granted if the police officer has every heard of the word "terrorist".

you get the idea.

my point is, the banana republicans are all about keeping the FACADE of democracy and freedom and so on, while implementing fascism.