How Much Power Would The United States Government Have Under The Constitution If It Was Ratified?
How much power would the United States government have under the Constitution if it was ratified? Today, United States citizens have a grasp on the role the government has, the role of the individual in that government, and the system of checks and balances in place so as no one entity would gain increasing power over the other, or no tyrannical ruler can rise up and take control. However, during the Constitution’s ratification, many men viewed the Constitution as being troublesome, allowing for too much presidential power, an out of control judiciary, and a government far and away from dealing with the problems and needs of each region. A party led by Patrick Henry opposed the ratification of the Constitution and were in favor of a revised
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One problem he addresses is a democratic representation in a consolidated government ruling over a land so large as the United States. He states that, “...in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government.” This is in fact a hard to argue with statement, as a limited number representatives can’t possibly hold the sentiments of entire populations of citizens, especially today when they range in the millions of people. He also argues in this first essay of how an extensive republic will have too much power and will lead to many problems. He compares the United States to the Grecian and Roman Republics which in their quest for more territory, created a resultant state of tyrannical rule. A state that is not out of the possibility for the United States during the period of decision according to Yates. Yates, in Essay XIV, goes on to state how a certain position in the federal government is not based off representation, that being the Supreme Court judges. Yates warns of the power the judge have not having to be elected and them being based in a location far away from those being tried. He states how the money to make a trip to the courts might be impossible for many to contest a suit especially those in the “middling
One problem he addresses is a democratic representation in a consolidated government ruling over a land so large as the United States. He states that, “...in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government.” This is in fact a hard to argue with statement, as a limited number representatives can’t possibly hold the sentiments of entire populations of citizens, especially today when they range in the millions of people. He also argues in this first essay of how an extensive republic will have too much power and will lead to many problems. He compares the United States to the Grecian and Roman Republics which in their quest for more territory, created a resultant state of tyrannical rule. A state that is not out of the possibility for the United States during the period of decision according to Yates. Yates, in Essay XIV, goes on to state how a certain position in the federal government is not based off representation, that being the Supreme Court judges. Yates warns of the power the judge have not having to be elected and them being based in a location far away from those being tried. He states how the money to make a trip to the courts might be impossible for many to contest a suit especially those in the “middling