Question

You have had an opportunity to reconsider the issue of whether the Framers should have met in secret to design the ConstitutionHave your views on this issue remained consistent or have they changed since you responded to the Why Does the Constitution Matter to Me poll at the beginning of this chapter? your views remained consistent, what arguments did you find most persuasiveif your views changed, how did they change, and what convinced you?

Answer 1

My views on the issue of the Framers meeting in secret to design the Constitution have remained consistent.

I believe that it was necessary for the Framers to meet in secret in order to ensure that their deliberations would remain confidential and that the ideas they discussed would not be leaked to the public or used to undermine the process.

I find this argument persuasive because secrecy ensured that the Framers could honestly express their opinions without fear of reprisal and that the design for the Constitution could be crafted in a safe and secure environment.

Answer 2

In considering whether the Framers should have met in secret to design the Constitution, my views have remained consistent. I believe that their decision to meet in secret was a strategic choice to facilitate open and honest discussions without external pressures. This approach allowed them to engage in thoughtful debates and compromises, leading to the creation of a balanced and enduring document. The arguments in favor of this approach, including the need for confidentiality to encourage free expression and negotiation, have remained persuasive to me.