• ZILtoid1991@lemmy.world
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    16 days ago

    It has been debated endlessly whether the constitution should be read literally, contemporaneously, in reference to ____.

    Here’s an easy flowchart for that:

    Does the literal reading support the dismantlement of democracy and/or the implementation of a theocratic state? If yes, then it should be read literally. Otherwise no.

    • porksnort@slrpnk.net
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      16 days ago

      This. Simple as. It’s a common bad-faith debating technique called ‘saying whatever random-ass thing makes the stupid people listening think I am right’.

    • F/15/[email protected]@sh.itjust.works
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      15 days ago

      I realize the sarcasm, but this was a major point of contention for decades after the passing of the founding fathers, even without power grabs. Technically, every political move is a power grab, but still. There was previously more sincerity to the line of thought