Can the American public bypass Congress to pass laws?

If the American public were inclined to directly enact legislation or alter the Constitution without the aid of Congress or the President, could it be done?
Thank you.
helpful answers only please :)

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7 Comments on “Can the American public bypass Congress to pass laws?”

  1. 1 TheOnlyBeldin said at 11:31 pm on April 16th, 2009:

    The federal government.

  2. 2 Afeasf A said at 3:10 am on April 19th, 2009:

    The constitution if their jobs are threatened personally think congress would likely revert to using the constitution if their jobs.
    The fastest message could travel was by horseback.

  3. 3 FRAGINAL-NOYPI said at 11:21 am on April 22nd, 2009:

    All laws pass through the halls of Congress but the people can propose through an initiative by getting signatures of the people required by law to suggest the passing of a bill.

  4. 4 Rusty James said at 6:58 am on April 24th, 2009:

    first it has to become a bill than if bush don’t veto it, it goes back to congress for a vote

  5. 5 bobgeller said at 11:06 pm on April 24th, 2009:

    Please PLEASE read the Constitution. It is the law of the land. It’s the way this corporate nation does business. If you don’t know the rules you can’t play the game.
    The ONLY recourse we have if the Constitution doesn’t work is to overthrow the existing government, and write a new one. WE simply aren’t as pure minded as our forefathers, and would REALLY screw it up.

  6. 6 Boomer Wisdom said at 10:09 pm on April 25th, 2009:

    No.

    That’s why it’s a Federal Republic. Mob rule is restricted to acting through the member States which make up the Federation.

    Judging from the fact that California allows laws to be made both through elected representatives (greased palm rule), and through Propositions (mob rule), and therefore the Constitution of California is bigger than the LA phone directory, I’m not so sure this would be a good idea at the Federal level.

  7. 7 alienmiss said at 10:18 pm on April 27th, 2009:

    i believe that possibly you could get enough signatures to force a law?? to be put on the ballot to be voted on by the public.


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