“We the People”, Really? (V2)

Written by Frank Li

“We the People,” so begins the U.S. Constitution. It was a very powerful slogan for a new nation, which was founded with neither a king nor a pope.

Unfortunately, it is wrong.

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Three main reasons:

1. It was fundamentally wrong then, when slavery was not only widely harbored, but also greatly exacerbated after 1783.
2. It is stupidly wrong nowadays, when it practically means the indistinguishable masses, including many Stupid Voters. Worse yet, many people believe they have much power, but actually they do not – The moneyed interests do!
3. It must be amended with a meritocracy that is intelligence-based, while taking the moneyed interests out of politics.

1. Who were “the People” in 1789?

They included everybody, except for the minorities, women, and even white men without [enough] property. As a result, only 6% of the American population was eligible to vote in 1789 (U.S. voting rights timeline).

On a positive note, read the image below.

2. Who are “the People” today?

Everybody, also known as the “indistinguishable” masses, without meritocracy!

Specifically, over the past 200 years, the notion of “the People” has been significantly expanded with three major milestones as follows:

1. 1920: 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives women the right to vote. It is a good thing in general – Gender discrimination was wrong.
2. 1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965 smashes all the state and local Jim Crow laws. It is good thing in general – Racial discrimination was wrong.
3. 1971: 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowers the voting age from 21 to 18. It is a bad thing – Read Repealing the Twenty-Sixth Amendment!

3. How is the system of “We the People” working today?

Very badly!

Two examples:

1. America does not even have a working government [anymore]. Several recent events (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., American carnage: how Trump’s mob ran riot in the Capitol, and Texas weather crisis deepens Chinese belief they’re ‘on right path’) have made it abundantly clear.
2. After experimenting with two “very different” Presidents in Barack Obama and Donald Trump, America just chose to settle back on a 78-year-old man named “Joe Biden”.

Why is that?

4. Blame the Founding Fathers!

Simply put, these two big slogans have contributed to the big mess today: hugely expanding the voter pool without meritocracy!

5. Discussion

What is democracy?

The image below offers one extreme example of how “We the People” think and behave these days.

A more hideous outcome: People seem to have much power or believe they do, but actually they do not – The moneyed interests do!

Specifically, over the past 100 years at least, there has been only one American President who was actually elected by “We the People” (vs. moneyed interests behind the establishment): Donald Trump!

The image below highlights how his Presidency ended.

For more, read Correctly Assessing President Trump.

6. President Trump and the U.S. Constitution

Below is an interesting assessment. For more, watch the video at the end of the post.

7. The soluton

Meritocracy, or “We the intelligent People”, is the way to go!

The image below highlights a key foundational difference between America and China. It is a key reason for China to claim the 21st century.

For more, read my new book forthcoming (Introduction to “History 2.0”).

8. Closing

“We the People” is nothing but a bankrupting slogan!

Enjoy the video below.

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