A More Perfect Constitution: 23 Proposals to Revitalize Our Constitution and Make America a Fairer Country

Here's my take on it: The Founders put together the Constitution under intense pressure working from May 25th through September 17th, 1787. They took off every Sunday and five other days (total 20 days off) in a span of 112 days. The result was a remarkable document that none of them admitted to being satisfied with. It was chock full of compromises but it was the best they thought they could do - given their time constraints and the diverse needs of their varied constituents. Since then it has been justly exalted and used as a benchmark for other nations' constitutions around the world, but compared to these other constitutions, it has undergone the least change. The founders themselves were quick to suggest that change be applied liberally and frequently to their document. This mentality was well represented by Washington's words, "We...do not contend that it is free from imperfections...there is a Constitutional door open for it [change]...I do not think we are more inspired, have more wisdom, or possess more virtue, than those who will come after us." Author Sabato is a frequent political writer and long-time professor of government and political science. He presents a strong case for a new Constitutional Convention - the founders wisely make provisions for a mechanism for changes to the Constitution outside of Congress - and presents his suggested changes for discussion. Sabato knows his list would not be close to a final product and recommends three similar books that also include lists of recommended adjustments - with only a little overlap among their lists. In his lengthy notes, he recommends: Robinson's "Reforming American Government," Lazare's "The Frozen Republic," and Levinson's "Our Undemocratic Constitution" - so by no means is he alone in making the general argument advocating constitutional revision, although none are seriously tinkering with the basic design. Constitutional scholars have been thinking and writing about it ever since the founding of this country. Sabato discusses each of his 23 proposals in depth, grouped into seven major categories, some of them objects of a couple of centuries of valid criticism. Then he outlines them briefly on pages 225 - 229 (a good place to start). Ten of the 23 issues addressed are: * Congressional term limits * Supreme Court and federal judge term limits * Power of the president to unilaterally declare war * Gerrymandering (partisan redistricting for House elections, named after Gerry when the tactic was first used in the 2nd or 3rd presidential election) * Presidential primaries * Electoral college reform * All former Presidents and Vice-Presidents (if they want it) automatically get a participating seat in the Senate * Balanced Budget Amendment, with appropriate safeguards and escape clauses * Line-item veto for the President * A naturalized American, having been a resident for 20 years, is eligible for the presidency While no-one is likely to buy into all of Sabato's i

One certainly has to admire Larry Sabato whether one agrees with him or not. Anyone suggesting that the U.S. Constitution is "out of date" and in need of reform is bound to enrage many, if not most, of the millions of traditional political conservatives in this country. They not only oppose the very idea of a "living" Constitution and tend to support the view that the Constitution is just fine as it is, but are "originalists" (that is, what was the original intent of the Founders?) when it comes to interpreting the Constitution. Sabato, however, in "A More Perfect Constitution" argues that the U.S. Constitution is in need of an upgrade and he presents twenty-three proposals for its reformation. Despite the fact that the title of the book is problematic (how does one make something "more perfect" when "perfect" already means "without any defect"?), I submit that Sabato's book needs to be read by every citizen of this country who is concerned about its future. The plain truth is: The Constitution as handed down to us and in its present form does not meet the political needs of the nation as it now exists. (Sorry, my fellow political conservatives.) Generally speaking, I think Sabato's proposals are worth considering and should be the subject of a wide-ranging public debate. (There is one of his proposals, however, which I find especially troubling and I'll get to that one in a minute.) The very calling of a constitutional convention would be controversial, to be sure, particularly in this current period of political polarization. The apparent power of so many special-interest groups today would also deter many citizens from supporting the call for a constitutional convention. Who would be the delegates? How would they be chosen? What would be the requirements? What would prohibit someone from being a delegate? How would the so-called great divide between red states and blue states play into the process? What influence would right-wing radio talk show hosts or left-wing Internet bloggers have on the delegates during the reformation process? I think these items would be of concern to most centrist-thinking Americans. But I believe they can be resolved if people are willing to use some good old American common sense (sometimes lost but not forgotten). There is little doubt in my mind that the office of the president is due for a serious makeover. Over the past few generations the nation's president has accumulated too much power and Congress has not done an effective job of oversight as it is constitutionally required to do. Four years for the president is too short a term and eight years is too long. Sabato's recommendation of a six-year presidential term seems reasonable to me. The president also desperately needs the line-item veto as suggested by Sabato. Furthermore, there is no good reason today to maintain the prohibition against non-natural-born presidents and Sabato's recommendation of twenty years of citizenship for this office appears re

Professor Sabato once again delivers an outstanding must-read for political junkies, academics, and anyone who is interested in the inner workings of the world's most sophisticated democracy. Offering his signature blend of common-sense thinking and political and governmental expertise, Sabato presents his unique ideas in his typically accessible -- and highly readable -- fashion. The book brings Sabato's substantial credibility to bear on a long-standing problem with American government and politics -- that the framers never intended that the US Constitution remain stagnant for so long. Without undermining the brilliance of the original document, Sabato proposes amendments that would undo some of its more archaic provision as well as others that would update it for circumstances that the framers could never have foreseen. Highly recommended. Another top-notch tome from the nation's most quoted political scientist.

In his new book, Larry Sabato makes the case for a peaceful political revolution--a Constitutional Convention--to breathe new life into the American government. Sabato explains that the Framers never intended the Constitution to last forever, and given the lessons of the last 200 years, a many changes are long overdue. Sabato's 23 proposals attack the problem at every level, from Presidential war powers to compulsory civil service, but what separates this book from ordinary punditry is the depth of Sabato's proposed solutions. Rather than grandstand, Sabato provides concrete suggestions that move the debate forward. Even if you disagree with his ideas, A More Perfect Constitution is sure to get you thinking.

Larry Sabato, America's best-known political scientist, says we need a Constitutional Convention and has a lot of ideas about how that convention could improve all branches of our government if three-fourths of the States approve.: Executive: One six-or-maybe-eight-year term for the President. Senate: 135 members (larger states get more). Terms coterminous with President. Former Presidents and Vice-Presidents to be national Senators. House: Many more (1,000?) members. Three-year terms. (Congress can increase size at of the House today.) Electoral College: Mend it, don't end it. Add seventy-four electors. Judges: Fifteen-year terms. Retirement at 75-80. Add: Term limits, Universal National Service, balanced budget amendment. (The budget discussion is excellent.)