Hello Michiel,

 DS>> I think that the USA constitution is doing just fine, in spite of how
 DS>> it is getting strained lately.  After all it has lasted intact more
 DS>> than almost any other country's constitution.

 MvdV> Because it is impossible to change it and adding amendments is vey
 MvdV> difficult.

That is not completely true. While amendments are part of the
US Constitution, it is possible to change it by having a constitutional
convention. The way that works is delegates get rid of the old and
bring in the new. The new constitution would replace the old upon
ratification by the states.

 MvdV> When push comes to shove that rigidity may turn out to be a weakness. It
can
 MvdV> not be adapted to a rapidly changing world.

The US Constitution has been amended 27 times to date. While it is
a difficult and time-consuming process, it is possible to add more.

 MvdV> A basic weakness of democracy is that it can turn itself into a
dictatoship
 MvdV> if that is what the majority wants. You (plural) keep saying that in the
US
 MvdV> there are checks and balances that prevent that. I do not share your
 MvdV> confidence. On the contrary, I wonder if that accident in slow motion
isn't
 MvdV> exactly what we are watching right now... :(

The problem with democracies is its reliance on norms, not laws or
institutions, to keep things going. As long as all political actors
have absorbed the norms that make things work, all is fine. But with
a madman in charge, with his lackeys enabling his every move, along
with a compliant news media, all bets are off.

 MvdV> And no, I am not saying it can not happen here....

Democracies are very fragile. Especially when a madman is in charge.

--Lee

-- 
The more you play with it the harder it gets

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