JUNE 21st 1788 - US Constitution ratified

We are miles from the point and arent going to agree on specifics which is fine...

So I will ask you this. Do you believe that politicians will push the limits of constitutionality for their own gain?

Do you believe both sides would do it?

We can debate the examples, but does anyone really believe the Democrats would not violate the constitution for political purposes?

I contest that the courts (that you rightfully cite), are the only thing preventing both sides from shredding it to pieces.

 

Yes, but that is hardly new. I'd argue that Adams certainly did that with the Alien & Sedition Acts that we are now seeing make a return.

Yes, although the extent is not really the same, which is why you are struggling to come up with a relevant, big issue example of Democrats doing it in recent years. Essentially, it is forcing an argument over potentially unpopular (at least amongst some people) policies as if that meant that they are unconstitutional, when their constitutionality has been consistently affirmed.

In theory? Sure. In practice, the examples of this are pretty minimal in recent years (possibly because of the leanings of the court system). The best examples are usually when the courts re-evaluate the status of existing rights (e.g., a Democratic area passes a gun control law and the Supreme Court decides to re-assess their precedent for what the Second Amendment means). But I'd argue that these aren't purposefully trying to violate the Constitution.

That is the point of the courts. But, again, this isn't a "both sides" issue. Republicans are currently cheering the notion that some people shouldn't have due process. Fairly major Republicans are floating the notion of completely ignoring courts.

That isn't something that you are seeing on the other side.