That pesky Constitution

Re “Why we aren’t getting the changes we want,” Opinion, Oct. 7

icholas Goldberg and his “circle” feel a “sense of urgency for radical, structural change in the government.” He believes that “Americans are eager to reinvent or reinvigorate democracy.” Based on his extensive list of perceived structural shortcomings, clearly, he wants to replace the U.S. Constitution.

According to Goldberg, only “partisanship and enmity” stand in the way of solving the “climate crisis, economic inequality and racial injustice,” among other problems, and they are the reason “we aren’t getting the changes we want.”

The “we,” apparently, is Goldberg and his circle. Given the obvious current ideological divide, it strains credulity to imply that there is widespread support for an agenda that would fundamentally transform the country in the manner Goldberg articulates.

Thank goodness the Constitution is very difficult to change, to Goldberg’s dismay. The alternative he suggests is a federal tyranny that simply follows the flavor of the day chosen by the government class.

Scott Perley,

Irvine

Both sides get their way. Each state votes a preference. Old America will forge a Christian government, free of abortion, gay rights, taxes and gun controls. New America can have majority rule, no electoral college and proportional representation.

Yes, it would be messy, but in this age of absolute polarization, compromise is no longer an option.

Greg Hilfman Topanga

The framers of the Constitution set up our system of government with checks and balances to work against too much change happening too quickly.

Therefore, we have staggered terms — six years for senators, four for the president, two for representatives and life terms for Supreme Court justices. The filibuster also keeps a stable balance of power between the parties.

The president’s political party has lost seats in the House of Representatives in 18 of the 20 midterm elections since 1942. That means two years after a president was elected, Americans voted to increase representation of the opposition party 90% of the time.

If Americans really wanted the major structural changes that Goldberg desires, we wouldn’t see this rebound effect in the midterm elections. The framers got it right.

Scott Kassner

Northridge

Senate Television THE U.S. SENATE, in which each state no matter its size is given equal representation, is often cited as an obstruction to needed reforms.