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Debunking the Progressive Case in Favor of Abandoning the Constitution

Feb. 15, 2013 12:26am Jason Howerton

Glenn Beck and David Barton Dismantle Progressive Argument Against the U.S. Constitution

Glenn Beck and David Barton (TheBlaze TV)

Georgetown Law professor Louis Michael Seidman wants the United States to just give up on the Constitution already. In December, he penned an op-ed in the New York Times in arguing that the document is arbitrary and many times even disruptive.

During “The Glenn Beck Program” on TheBlaze TV Thursday, Glenn Beck and historian David Barton dismantled the progressive argument that the Constitution has outlived its usefulness.

“How can this guy teach the Constitution when he’s saying abolish it?” Beck asked, referring to Seidman’s claim that Americans shouldn’t be “ruled” by men who drafted the document hundreds of years ago. “In the Constitution, you’re not ruled by dead people.”

Barton agreed, saying the Constitution was designed so that it can be changed and amended whenever necessary.

“I hate to use their word, they gave us a very progressive Constitution,” Barton said. “We’ve [changed] it 27 times, anytime we want to change it, we change it.”

Barton explained that there are several university professors calling for the abolition of the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Tenth Amendment and even the electoral college.

Watch Beck and Barton take apart Seidman’s progressive logic via TheBlaze TV below:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (56)

Carlinpa
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 11:29pm
One of the reasons liberals don’t like the Constitution is that they are after all children, and children are impetuous and want to do things right away, NOT the right way. They don’t believe that anyone knows as much as they do, so they do not want to negotiate with anyone (compromise) to try an get anything done. They feel it’s waste of time. That professor is an idiot.

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Advection
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:04pm
No constitution, no office of president or senator or representative. In fact, no federal government at all. Obviously these criminals never thought of that.

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- Advection
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:16pm
  And another thing, no constitution, no federal laws. Only state laws would be valid. Each state would become a sovereign nation.
  
  Is that what Obama wants?
  
  Report this comment
The Third Archon
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 6:13pm
“Barton agreed, saying the Constitution was designed so that it can be changed and amended whenever necessary.
“I hate to use their word, they gave us a very progressive Constitution,” Barton said. “We’ve [changed] it 27 times, anytime we want to change it, we change it.””
HA! XD

(1) More accurate to say we amended it 15 different TIMES in the form of 27 different amendments, because of those 27 amendments, the first ten were done all at the time as a package immediately following the Constitution’s passage. The set of amendments 13 to 15 were passed, and ONLY passed, after a brutal civil war and ONLY then because much of the south was still under military occupation and locked out of federal representation. Finally, amendments 18 and 21 are effectively a single amendment since the former was completely superseded and made as if it had never happened (i.e. all legal effect removed) by the latter. In short almost ALL the major amendments (with the exception of the women’s suffrage amendment, which ALSO took a massive war) were either adopted immediately following the ratification of the Constitution OR required massive violence before they were passed. Yeah, that’s flexible.
(2) No, the Constitution ISN’T ‘easy’ to just change. It wasn’t at its passage and it DAMN sure isn’t now. It requires 2/3 of BOTH houses OR the states, THEN ratification by 3/4 of the states. Furthermore, we BEGAN with 13 states–we NOW have 50. Easy to change my ass.

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Free_Thought
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:35pm
Hands up if you think obama is a muslim and should be impeached because of it????

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- The Third Archon
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 6:15pm
  “…no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
  
  U.S. Const. Art. VI
  
  Report this comment
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:26pm
The U.S. Constitution is the only thing holding me back from beating that Loons aszs to a bloody pulp…

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lucentlives
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:14pm
If we allow the education overhaul they are trying to do in America the kids will be brainwashed into giving up the Constitution. They are going after our youngest. I wrote an article for American Thinker on early education. you can go to my site and find it here: http://www.lucentlives.com/published-works.html just clock on the early education article.

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pap pap
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:53pm
Long term survival of the U S of A depends on our following the constitution. All of those that oppose it should be impeached as they vowed to uphold and defend it. Sounds simple but it’s not because of so many who are politicians instead of representatives of the people.

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- ltb
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:19pm
  Agreed. For those of you who are completely ignorant about the American Constitution, all you need to know is that our founding fathers gave us the Constitution to protect the American People from the federal government. Hitler did away with Germany’s Constitution and we all know what happened. Then again, if you went to a State run school in America maybe you don’t… he murdered millions of German citizens after he did away with their constitution.
  
  Report this comment
rja444
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:34am
The real reason progressives hate the constitution is that it stands in their way of total control.

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- moosern
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:09pm
  Gee sounds like the same reason so called conservatives hate it as well.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:46pm
  Given that every elected offical swears to up hold the Constitution should not these professors be declared enemies of the state. More over aren’t these professor also calling for the end of a system of the people by the people and for people as well. What students should be asking is and REPLACE IT WITH WHAT? An authoritarian rule with absolute power where no one has basic human rights and the government has total control of society….A DICTATORSHIP
  Or a total democracy where no has rights if the mob disagrees with tehm.
  This professor is retarded there’s no way around it he should not have a position where he sits in authority over anyone. He’s should be forced to live what he preaches and have all of his Constitutional rights removed.
  
  Report this comment
- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:52pm
  Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.
  – Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
  
  Report this comment
battles
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:36am
TheBlaze needs to stop bowing their knees to the democrats in referring to them by their newly coined self glorifying label – Progressives – and call them what that actually are – liberals/socialist/communist/fascist/totalitarians/demoncrats. Referring to them as Progressives is nothing less that a** kissing.

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- Pearsontech
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:54am
  Problem with that is that it isn’t just Demorats, it includes Republcants also Progressive is just all inclusive. And I’m sorry but, I see the Blaze and Glenn call these people out as socialist, communist, and fascist dictators many times as well.
  
  Report this comment
ginger100
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:31am
We get a communist as our leader and now they want to dump the Constitution so they can keep their power. Kinda like my 6 year old when he wants to win all the time he just changes the rules during the game for his benefit. We have people who know nothing in charge and teaching crap.

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- moosern
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:10pm
  We don’t have a Communist as leader. Calling Obama a Communist is an insult to Communists. He is a fascist, learn the difference.
  
  Report this comment
bonesiii
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:16am
The whole point of the Constitution is so that we are not “ruled” in a tyrannical sense, but our freedoms protected from rulers.

Which is of course what tyrannists like that prof object to. They’re not speaking of citizens being “ruled” by the Constitution but of elitists being held back from seizing more and more power to infringe upon the citizen’s rights. It’s power hunger. Same as Obama’s claim that the Constitution gave “negative liberties”, meaning restricting what the government could do, which he hated.

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michael from Ga.
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:13am
The “Tares” are in control of politics, economy, education, and religion; this is the “generation of the fig tree”.

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AUsername
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:53am
how about if they don’t like our culture and way they go back to where ever they came from and have our goverment show them the door.

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InfiniteSolutions
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:45am
Louis Michael Seidman is espousing pure garbage from his mouth. If he thinks the Constitution of the United States is so wrong then he should go and live with the SDR (Socialist Democratic Republic), just before the Berlin Wall was destroyed. This man is a puppet whore for the hidden agenda in America. The agenda to destroy this country. I can look back decades and see where our freedoms are being destroyed with the representatives we’ve been brainwashed to think are representing us. Our representatives don’t really believe in representing their constituents but rather their lobbyist and own agendas. I know this for a fact when engaging representatives from my own district. This happens because the stupid people who are constantly fooled vote for the same politicians over and over again and have become apathetic to being part of the political process.

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:22am
when the civil war gets here they will be thinned out

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:21am
most of them will die by the sword heheheh thats the answer here

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woodyee
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:46am
That slimey dirtbag wants the Constitution dumped for ONE reason – he knows and likes what the alternative looks like.

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Bakerredrum
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:30am
EI was raised Roman Catholic. What does jesus have to with the story?This professor is just another educated idiot. What i got out of it is that, Bleeding Hart Liberals will soon call the constitution “politically incorrect” . They are the same people that think Christmas trees are offensive. Our forefathers would be shocked by the way they are trying to wussify our great country.

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- Bakerredrum
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:42am
  Im a Newby thought this was goin on the bottom post sorry for making no sense
  
  Report this comment
nzkiwi
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:14am
“…several university professors calling for the abolition of the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Tenth Amendment…”

When I read that I stared at it in stunned disbelief.

These people are either begging for tyranny, or they are uncomprehending of history both ancient and modern.

Are these professors so separated from reality in their ivory towers that they do not realise that they can spout their inane waffle with impunity solely because of the very Constitution that they denigrate?

They need to see the world. And not just the nice bits.

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- edotddot
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:33am
  I think they believe they’ll be in the elite upper echelon of that tyrannical government they so long for.
  
  Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:56am
We’ve had 200 years, its time to put a stop to new laws on the books, and lets concentrate on living our lives instead of being spectacles in a zoo, as though we are on the movie set “Planet of the Apes” and you are the silly humans that should never be trusted?

Why the heaven should I want a university education when I know I will get boatloads of home work laced with this garbage, that will just distract me from doing anything meaningful? You want me to go into debt, so I can do hours of the communist justification? I’ve seen your English writing agenda, it makes me sick?

Young people don’t know better, and we know the politicians want to kill off the older people once they get their pharmaceutical insurance pig at the trough hands on us, which is why we are not being silent now? They don’t have to send you to the ovens on a train, they just write more and more laws, you won’t be able to afford health care, and you loose your assets to the government?

Why bother even building wealth?

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- socialism.rocks
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:30am
  the founders killed… conservatives and were communists before marx.. no matter what you conservatives say anyone with a education knows the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAS AGAINST EUROPEAN CORPORATISM AND CONSERVATIVISM
  
  republicans can only block the will of the people so long before they”ve had enough and demand change
  the only reason the constitution convention will happen is because of republicans
  
  THOMAS JEFFERSON WANTED THE CONSTITUTION RE-WRITTEN EVERY 19 YEARS
  
  Report this comment
- RaydocX
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:44am
  Sockrocks’
  I don’t now what public school you graduated from with failing grades, but your civics or government and history classes were apparently fiction.
  
  Immigrants came to the US to escape religious persecution. That is, they wanted to practice their own conservative culture.
  
  And the revolution was sparked by excessive taxation without representation.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:52am
  Sox rocks sits waist deep and shivering in the muddy moat that surrounds the shining castle of knowledge…
  
  Report this comment
- RIDEMODELS
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:00am
  College Education is the new Maffia….Either pay up or no work…Kids need to kick these turds to the weeds and not listen to these jack holes for even one second, its all brain wash crap and thats why Marco Rubio only got watergate on TV…Junk Junk Junk…!!…Its your stinking tax dollars that pay these turds..!!
  
  The difference between progressives and conservatives is that progressives need conservatives to fight for their Freedoms and rights under the constitution, on the other hand Conservatives could live very well without progressives.
  
  Report this comment
- edotddot
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 5:03am
  I think you think that the terms “liberal” and “conservative” meant the same thing 200+ years ago that they mean now.
  Please point to one successful communist country. We did try it once in this country. I’m almost willing to bet that you don’t know the history of the Jamestown settlement.
  Can you also explain why communist countries always need to control the media? Do you really believe that free thought is allowed much less encouraged in communist countries. Please provide an example if you wouldn’t mind.
  Do you like truth? Do you see value in knowing what the truth is? What about being an honest and truthful person? Do you consider yourself to be a progressive?
  For some reason I find you a little intriguing. You seem sincere and I really hope you respond.
  
  Report this comment
- edotddot
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 5:07am
  SocRocks that was directed at you. Sorry bout that.
  
  Report this comment
- bekhiet
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 8:21am
  SOCALISM.ROCKS – sadly you are very much mis-informed. However, I expected that. Anyone educated knows that you don’t know what the heck your talking about.
  
  Our Founding Fathers established the Constitution to guard us against the Tyranny that we have seen In Socialist and Communist countries.
  
  The united states of America is a constitutional republic. Each state was to be sovereign, just as the citizens were to be free and sovereign. The federal government’s tasks limited and defined. The state governments were tasked with the responsibility of sending people to D.C. and the people sent their representatives to their states’ capitals. The individuals then were to set about pursuing their own dreams and goals.
  
  Report this comment
semihardrock
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:35am
ALL PROGRESSIVES are exactly like Kevin Spacey in the movie SEVEN. They continually turn the Sin against the Sinner to push themselves and everyone that stands in their way…. “Forward”

“BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY”

When Brad Pitt eventually SHOOTS him in the head…. from “ANGER”, as many Americans ARE these days……The demented have RIGHTS and are praised for being “smarter”……and the Cop gets arrested in the end.

To Progressives/Liberals, Spacey plays the “Hero” and willing to die to prove his point in the movie….THIS twisted devotion to PROVE there is “NO G-d” is why America is Morally in decline and will keep them in Power!!

Who WANTS to believe they live in Sin? Hence anything goes!

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- RIDEMODELS
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:17am
  Progressives will not want the Constitution abolished once Obumble is out on his bum…..They only think they can control the country if they take out the constitution and they know that will the authority of drones over the US now, once they are out of office their only choice will be to run drugs up from Mexico, which their own Drone rules will take away that option.
  
  Bottom line is that the Freedom of Speech is a right for this whole country and everything else in the Bill of Rights goes with it.
  
  Don’t tread on me…..!!
  
  Report this comment
- Witness1974
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:20am
  “THIS twisted devotion to PROVE there is “NO G-d” is why America is Morally in decline and will keep them in Power!!”
  
  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1).
  
  It’s all about spiritual warfare. Until this nation turns back to God, this and worse is what we can expect. This nation is ripe for judgment. Right now we are reaping what we ourselves have sewn. I think the only reason we are still enjoying God’s blessing at all is the fact that up until now we have supported Israel. Now it appears we are turning away from that. I certainly understand and sometimes sympathize with the sentiments, but when God withdraws His protection all the guns, bullets, and gold on earth will fail to secure us against the shadow of darkness looming over the world.
  
  Report this comment
banjarmon
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:12am
We have the battle lines drawn ideologically. Where do we draw the line physically when we go to battle for OUR Constitution and OUR Country??

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- SUNTZU
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:56am
  Two in the heart and one in the head
  NOW BECAUSE OF THE VEST
  I go for one 45 in the head
  
  Report this comment
- Anamah
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:00am
  This is a good sample of the confused and toxic mentality teaching our kids!!! Progressives are not going to stop until destroy us exceptionalness.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:25am
  @Anamah We are not exceptional we rank 1st in military and STD’s.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:51am
  Fact check, Justangry…
  
  On a population basis the USA has one of the lowest STD infection rates. And the United States really IS exceptional.
  
  It was America that spent billions of dollars combatting the spread of HIV in Africa – no other country helped. And it was done for no other reason than it was the right and honourable thing to do. HIV was a plague that literally threatened to turn countries in the African continent into nations of children. The problem is not solved, but its growth has been dramatically slowed and the turnaround is now in sight.
  
  Will these nations and their people thank America? Probably not. Will anybody praise Mr Bush (43) for saving millions of lives and rescuing nations? Hell, no! And neither Mr Bush nor America require or expect the hearty approbation so richly deserved.
  
  Because America is exceptional.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:54am
  For your perusal, Justangry…
  
  http://www.avert.org/std-statistics.htm
  
  Report this comment
wordsofwisdom
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:50am
Why do liberal progressives think they have the right to dictate to others as if they were the smartest people on the planet? Reality, the idiots are some of the stupidest on the planet! They haven’t a clue but they want to force their agenda on others just because they are self proclaimed smart asses! Go buy an island & start your own country! If it is so great it will prove it self and then you can offer your ideas up for discussion. But till then shut your pie hole up abide by our laws or get out of my country. You obviously are not happy here with all our freedom to disagree with you. You make me sick. This is your song “Don’t Get Him Started” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11916731

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- high school drop out
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 11:39am
  @ Words of wisdom You asked why “progressives’ think they are smarter than everyone else? I think I know why…When a person only has one thought in their entire lifetime That person figures it has to be the most profound thought ever! Therefore, Its perfectly fine to impose that thought on everyone!…Its simply an “elitist mentality’..I was once confronted be a guy who thought it was perfectly okay to stop me on the street and attempt to give me a lecture about my smoking. He Droned on for a minute about how stupid I was till I stepped close enough to put my nose a couple of inches from his and said “Its my choice, if you don’t like it too friggin bad !’ I found out later he was a “progressive”
  
  Report this comment
justangry
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:50am
Hey Glenn… You should start a site called “Outmycommieprofessor.com” where students can expose these tenured twerps and parents know what they’re paying for. These Bolshevik profs. need to be exposed. Especially our law schools. I’d love to do it, but don’t have your resources or $$. As you say, shine the light on these c o c k roaches.

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- DLV
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:37am
  Lol nice Just. I agree. Luckily I don’t have any commie professors. They’re all pretty good.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 4:00am
  There is a site that deals wih this. It’s Ratemyprofessor.com. It also lauds good professors as well as outing the poor ones.
  
  Here’s an interesting sub-section.
  
  http://blog.ratemyprofessors.com/the-best-of-professors-strike-back/
  
  Report this comment
The Big Mick
Posted on February 15, 2013 at 12:36am
And how does Glenn plan to stop him with Jesus/Gandhi Non-violent Pacifism?
Show of hands, WHO is still in denial and claiming you can OUTVOTE these guys?

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- Serenabit
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:07am
  Mick, As Stalin said, and I am paraphrasing, “The votes don’t matter so much as who counts the votes.” Maybe that would explain the most recent election. I have a difficult time believing that so many constitutional conservatives just stayed home this past November. I truly wonder whether or not my early vote was even counted, but will never make the mistake of voting early or by absentee ballot again.
  
  The “grass roots” approach is the right idea, but we need to be as vociferous and vocal as our opponents. We should stay within our foundation of integrity, but never compromise our principles and values. Every Constitutional conservative needs to stand up to the unions, lobbiests, and special interest groups that value their own personal gains over that of our nation, or we are sure to be slaughtered by their ideology. Either we stand together or hang separately is as valid an expression today as it was when Benjamin Franklin uttered the expression 237 years ago.
  
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- lassiegirldawn
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 2:39am
  I believe Jesus made whips and overturned tables in the synagogue. I believe he also called them hypocrites and said they made his Father’s House into a den of thieves. That doesn’t sound too passive to me. When was the last time we approached a politician in that way???
  
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- Witness1974
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:24am
  Mick: To put a slash between Jesus and Ghandi as if they are analogous shows how little you know about who Jesus is.
  
  Report this comment
- Daggerandgun777
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 3:36am
  Jesus chased the money changer out of the temple with a whip and dies an atrocious death. Read Matthew from about chapter 15 onward…..
  
  Report this comment

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