--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that the Constitution is not…" description: "\"I believe that the Constitution is not hostile to the idea that national problems can be solved at the national level through the cooperative efforts o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/edward-kennedy-3423_agree_i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-not-h_2959747.jpg" --- # I believe that the Constitution is not hostile to the idea… ![“I believe that the Constitution is not hostile to the idea that national problems can be solved at the national level through the cooperative efforts of the three coequal branches of government, the Congress, the executive and courts. But not every president, not every legislator and not every…” quote by Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/edward-kennedy-3423_agree_i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-not-h_2959747.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/edward-kennedy-3423_agree_i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-not-h_2959747.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/edward-kennedy-3423_agree_i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-not-h_2959747.jpg) > “I believe that the Constitution is not hostile to the idea that national problems can be solved at the national level through the cooperative efforts of the three coequal branches of government, the Congress, the executive and courts. But not every president, not every legislator and not every judge agrees that the federal government has the power to address and to try to remedy the twin national problems of poverty and access to equal opportunity.” [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Constitution allows national solutions via cooperation among legislative, executive, and judicial branches, but not all officials agree on federal power to address poverty and equality. **In simple terms:** Constitution supports national cooperation, yet consensus varies. Key Takeaway Promote inter‑branch collaboration on social issues. Themes government law social justice Mood hopeful concerned Type political inspirational When to use this quote - legislative reform - judicial review - policy making Key Concepts federalism branch cooperation Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure branch cooperation? - How to build consensus on poverty policies? A Different Perspective Political disagreement can stall needed reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-constitution-678772/) [Branches Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/branches-government/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Hostile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-hostile-4501768/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Equal opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal-opportunity/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Government Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-congress-3164063/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judging/) [National Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-problems-547652/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Twins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twins/) ## Related quotes > [I've led a life working at every level of government, from Congress to local government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-hochul/i-ve-led-a-life-working-at-every-level-of-government-from-congress-to/) [Kathy Hochul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-hochul/) > [George Washington intended this to be a Federal city, and it is a Federal city, and it tingles down to the feet of every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/george-washington-intended-this-to-be-a-federal-city-and-it-is-a/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [These are national problems that require national solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-menino/these-are-national-problems-that-require-national-solutions/) [Thomas Menino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-menino/) > [At the desk where I sit, I have learned one great truth. The answer for all our national problems - the answer for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/at-the-desk-where-i-sit-i-have-learned-one-great-truth-the-answer-for/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I have no doubt in my mind that our chief national problems relating to the eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease and the scientific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhas-chandra-bose/i-have-no-doubt-in-my-mind-that-our-chief-national-problems-relating/) [Subhas Chandra Bose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subhas-chandra-bose/) > [We will never resolve serious national problems with this irresponsible democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/we-will-never-resolve-serious-national-problems-with-this/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [The national media will talk about (national problems) because it's something that everyone in all 50 states can understand, but the reality is these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-sabato/the-national-media-will-talk-about-national-problems-because-it-s/) [Larry Sabato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-sabato/) > [Our national problems usually do not cause nearly as much harm as the solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/our-national-problems-usually-do-not-cause-nearly-as-much-harm-as-the/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Very important, the President must be seen not as a figurehead but as somebody the people can look to for support for some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/very-important-the-president-must-be-seen-not-as-a-figurehead-but-as/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) > [What is at the heart of all national problems? It is that we have seen the hand of material interest sometimes about to close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/what-is-at-the-heart-of-all-national-problems-it-is-that-we-have-seen/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [The stark and tragic images of human suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have reminded us yet again that civil rights and equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-stark-and-tragic-images-of-human-suffering-in-the-aftermath-of/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [I just want people who are qualified, I want them to believe in the Constitution of the United States of America. So yep, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-cain/i-just-want-people-who-are-qualified-i-want-them-to-believe-in-the/) [Herman Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-cain/) > [I believe in the Constitution. The Constitution says that government isn't supposed to be infusing religion into our society, and so I asked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-newdow/i-believe-in-the-constitution-the-constitution-says-that-government/) [Michael Newdow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-newdow/) > [That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/that-s-the-argument-of-flexibility-and-it-goes-something-like-this/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [I believe that the Constitution is an enduring document.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-an-enduring-document/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) ## More by Edward Kennedy > [It's disgraceful that year after year, Congress has bowed to the tobacco lobby and refused to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/it-s-disgraceful-that-year-after-year-congress-has-bowed-to-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [Sometimes a party must sail against the wind. We cannot heed the call of those who say it is time to furl the sail.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/sometimes-a-party-must-sail-against-the-wind-we-cannot-heed-the-call/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [The torture and other sadistic abuses of prisoners in Iraq have done immense damage already to America's reputation in the world, and the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-torture-and-other-sadistic-abuses-of-prisoners-in-iraq-have-done/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [The great adventures which our opponents offer is a voyage into the past. Progress is our heritage, not theirs. What is right for us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-great-adventures-which-our-opponents-offer-is-a-voyage-into-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [Justice Lewis Powell spoke for all of us when he said: Equal justice under law is perhaps the most inspiring idea of our society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/justice-lewis-powell-spoke-for-all-of-us-when-he-said-equal-justice/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [Frankly, I don't mind not being President. I just mind that someone else is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/frankly-i-don-t-mind-not-being-president-i-just-mind-that-someone/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [ \[W\]ords are fine, but it has to be what a generation reads into those words. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/w-ords-are-fine-but-it-has-to-be-what-a-generation-reads-into-those/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [Earlier this week ... scientists announced the completion of a task that once seemed unimaginable; and that is, the deciphering of the entire DNA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/earlier-this-week-scientists-announced-the-completion-of-a-task-that/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [She's a wonderful, wonderful person, and we're looking to a happy and wonderful night - ah, life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/she-s-a-wonderful-wonderful-person-and-we-re-looking-to-a-happy-and/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [I applaud the fact that the president has reached out to the members of Judiciary Committee. And I applaud. the fact that he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/i-applaud-the-fact-that-the-president-has-reached-out-to-the-members/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [ur struggle is not with some monarch named George who inherited the crown - although it often seems that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/ur-struggle-is-not-with-some-monarch-named-george-who-inherited-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [We are giving assurance to the American families that help is on its way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/we-are-giving-assurance-to-the-american-families-that-help-is-on-its/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [The AMA puts the lives and well being of the American citizens well below it's own special interest...It deserves to be ignored, rejected, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-ama-puts-the-lives-and-well-being-of-the-american-citizens-well/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [I won't yield to anyone about guns in our society. I know enough about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/i-won-t-yield-to-anyone-about-guns-in-our-society-i-know-enough-about/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [From the windows of my office in Boston ... I can see the Golden Stairs from Boston Harbor where all eight of my great-grandparents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/from-the-windows-of-my-office-in-boston-i-can-see-the-golden-stairs/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) [Explore all 131 Edward Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“I tend to agree with that little devil more and more these days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-casey/i-tend-to-agree-with-that-little-devil-more-and-more-these-days/) [Elle Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-casey/) > [People might not agree with me, but I think a woman should have a feminine shape, something you can get your hands on. 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