Congress no longer declares war or makes budgets. So that's the end of the constitution as a working machine.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vidal claims that Congress has stopped performing its core duties, rendering the constitution ineffective.
- In plain terms
- He thinks the government no longer follows the rules set by the constitution.
- What can you take from it?
- Legislative inaction undermines constitutional governance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a working constitution?
- Is Congress failing its duties?
Another view
Congress still functions in other ways beyond war and budget declarations.
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