By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
Last week, we brought you the story of Iceland crowd sourcing its new Constitution using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to determine what the Icelandic people want to see in their new, all-powerful document.
So we thought we'd experiment in crowd sourcing some amendments to the American Constitution.
That inspired perhaps the strongest reaction that we have ever gotten here at GPS. Thousands and thousands of e-mails, tweets, Facebook messages and posts on our message board.
About one-third of you thought no revision was necessary and some expressed that opinion rather colorfully, to say the least.
Among the other two-thirds, there were some very popular ideas for amendments. Eliminating the Electoral College was probably on top of the list.
Other popular amendments included a ban on corporate donations in elections and a six-year presidential term with no allowance for reelection.
There were some more controversial ideas: a fat tax on unhealthy food, an upper age limit on elected officials, a ban on discrimination of left-handed people. I wasn't aware that that was a big problem. And my personal favorite was "Limit Zakaria to two stupid comments a month," which I suspect is over already.
Anyway, to dig deeper on this, the legalities of amending the Constitution and whether or not it's really feasible, I spoke to Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Senior Legal Analyst.
Here's a transcript of our chat:
Fareed Zakaria: Jeff, we're unusual as a country, we're a very young country, but we have a very old Constitution. If you think about it, our Constitution and our political system is older than every European country.
Jeffrey Toobin: We have the oldest written Constitution of any democracy in the world. And it's only been amended 27 times and it stood us in very good stead, but I think, you know, it is not sacrosanct and it is a good idea to think about what shouldn't have been done in the first place and how you can improve it.
The German Constitution is apparently very similar to the American one, but it's sort of more modern and more streamlined. It doesn't have some of the kinks - for example, people point out that the Second Amendment is a grammatical mess, whatever you may think of the right to bear arms.
Nearly incomprehensible as a sentence, yes.
So are there things that constitutional scholars look at and say, "These have been problems for 222 years."
Well, certainly when it comes to the American Constitution, the two biggest controversies have always been in terms of the structure of the document, the Electoral College and the Senate, both of which give powers to states as states as opposed to individuals.
The issue with the Senate, of course, is that you end up giving Wyoming's...
Four hundred thousand people - I just did the math. Wyoming has 400,000 people and two senators and California has 36 million people and two senators. It is hard to justify that.
And the justification for that and for the Electoral College was, as you said, that states as states have some kind of inherent quality that deserves representation. And maybe that was true in the 18th Century, but today, you drive from one state to another and it's very difficult to see why they should have political rights as states.
Right, and particularly small states. Even at the very beginning, the concern was at the time of the framing of the Constitution that New York and Virginia and Massachusetts, which were the big states, would overwhelm the smaller states. It's very hard to see how that applies today, particularly when it comes to the Electoral College.
Now, the argument in favor of the Electoral College, it used to be that it gives small states a certain amount of power. When was the last time you saw a presidential candidate campaign in Wyoming or in Vermont or in Delaware? You know, we decide presidential elections in about four or five states. You know, Ohio, Florida, a few other states in the Midwest, and that's it. All the rest of the states are completely irrelevant, including the small states.
There was no real conceivable way in which that could change?
I think the Electoral College, there is a conceivable way it will change because it really is very hard to justify this crazy system where people in New York, in California, in Texas, are essentially irrelevant throughout all presidential campaigns except as fundraising sources.
It's just the way contemporary American politics is. New York and California are overwhelmingly democratic states. No Republican is going to waste time campaigning there. Texas is a Republican state. So these states are ignored.
And there are millions and millions of voters in these states who get no attention and it really does affect our politics – the substance of our politics, as well. For decades, we subsidized ethanol in Iowa because Iowa, where they grow a lot of corn, was such an important presidential state. So this has substantive impact as well as just sort of a political science impact.
Would it be fair to say that our Senate is probably the most unrepresentative upper House of the advanced democracies with the possible exception of Britain's House of Lords?
Well, actually, Britain, ever since Tony Blair is much more representative. Tony Blair got rid of the hereditary peers, whereas we still have this ludicrous disproportion in terms of small states and big states having the same number of senators. So I think we're actually worse than the House of Lords.
And it's interesting. You know, I taught briefly and one of the things I taught was a class on the American Constitution and the debates that came out of the American Constitution, which went on for 200 years to the present. And America is unique in that it is founded not on blood and soil nationalism, but on political ideas and the Constitution is the heart of that, and that's why I think people are so sensitive to the idea of changing it.
People are so sensitive, but - and, you know, no one has greater reverence for it than do - it is worth remembering that in 1787, this wonderful convocation that we celebrate, they also enshrined slavery. And for it took 100 years and a Civil War to get rid of that in the Constitution with the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. And then it took another 100 years for those amendments to mean anything.
In the 1860s, they said black people could vote, but no black people voted until the 1960s when Lyndon Johnson got the Voting Rights Act passed.
So, yes, the Constitution is a wonderful document - but infallible, it never was and it still isn't.
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Take the example of the Swiss Confederation, which is over 700 years old. The modern Swiss state was founded in 1848 and adopted the American bicameralism and federalism as its own. The constitution had been rewritten several times. Nobody has ever questioned the the relevance of the upper chamber of the Swiss Parliament. Each Canton sends TWO delegates to the upper chamber (the American Senate), regardless of the demographic size of the canton.The Swiss find this procedure very democratic as each state is equal in the upper chamber.
I can understand that someone from California finds it unfair that the state has 60 times more people than Wyoming and doesn't have more than two seats in the Senate. If you ask the people in Wyoming whether they think it's democratic, to be as relevant as California in the Senate, they will say yes.
It's about holding all the states – major and minor – together by treating them equally.
Since there is no real justification for making states equal, this argument is weak. However, there is a much better argument: In the U.S. system, the rights of the individual take precedence over the will of the majority.
To guard against the tyranny of the majority, our founders created protected spaces that lie beyond the reach of the government . The Bill of Rights creates a protected space around the individual, and the Senate creates a protected space around each region of the country.
Since the Senate does not represent the majority, it should not pretend to act in the name of the majority. It should function as nothing more than a check upon abusive laws enacted by the House. Perhaps this explains why we have the filibuster in the Senate and not in the House: A state or region should have the power to veto legislation that violates its interests.
Good point.
This is precisely why the 17th Amendment should be repealed and a non-popularly elected representative be placed in the senate. What criteria should be used is the question – but making senators pander to the demos has practically made a Super House and not a Senate.
I like the way you think.
The seventeenth amendment was an attempt to end a very corrupt selection process limned by the original muckrakers. The problem with direct elections could not really have been foreseen, namely that the size of the electorate would render the race akin in states like CA, NY, and TX to winning a nationwide election in a moderately large country. Better would have been to render the new Senator the Speaker of the lower house in each state (except for those with only one House, in which case it would be the leader of the majority party in that house). This would limit Senatorial terms to one.
Any Californian who complains that it has 2 senators while Wyoming has 2 senators as well is truly stupid and IGNORANT of American History involving the Virginia and NJ debate during the nation's founding! THAT is why there is the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that solved that issue on population representation! The senate gives each state no matter the population an equal say! Rally pathetic that many Americans do not know the nation's history and debates and yet make stupid ignorant complaints! THat is why our founding fathers were brilliant-they thought of everything and gave us this nation with its precious documents of framework. ANd know we got this Zakaria with his broken english suggesting that THE great USA change its constitution!??? HELL NO!
Re-read your post and consider your uses of the words "ignorant" and "stupid" and maybe you will see the irony. I doubt it, but it may be worth a try.
Yet again, I would like to point out that Fareed Zakaria is a US citizen. Complaining about his broken English seems to be an ignorant point, as he has degrees from two of America's oldest and most revered universities.
Also, if they thought of everything then I don't believe we would have needed the Amendments giving us the rights we have, abolishing slavery, and giving all citizens the right to vote.
Progressives are such airheads! To be "progressive" was supposed to mean that you support EDUCATION ... obviously it is because you have none.
FIRST ... the United States of America is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC ... not a damn Democracy. If you will check you will find that a Constitutional Republic does not depend ... nor does it operate on a simple majority in everything it does. The Electoral College was well debated by the founders ... they knew that if the country became a true democracy that it would not last ... Now, The USA is a confederation of states ... these are not just geographic places with different names but STATES ... governed by the people that happen to live in these "geographic areas" ... When the STATES that came together and formed the union (err... the United STATES ... LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN FOR ALL YOU AIRHEADS ... THE United STATES ... GET THE OPERATIVE WORD HERE) decided how they would operate the Federal Government TOGETHER ... these STATES, knowing they were not the same in size or population, wanted to ensure they all had an EQUAL amount of power in the Legislature ... not power dependent upon size or population. Thus the electoral college and the U.S. Senate were created to give the STATES that equality. If it were not so ... then one day a state like california could carry so much weight that they could tax the rest of the STATES to support just them. Where in the hell would the equality be in a situation like that?? Like I said ... Progressives are such AIRHEADS that in the name of equality and "democracy" (which for some reason they all think is what we are ... again GREAT JOB GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS) ... they would change the country to ensure that there would be no equality between the STATES ... Remember this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Long live the Constitution.
So many English spelling and syntax errors, and such racist comments make one wonder...
The founding fathers did not get it 100% right. That is why we have amended the constitution in the past. They also had dramatically different ideas on the design and substance of the constitution. They were in no way on the same page. Hamilton was in favor of a much stronger central government, and much more powerful executive branch than Jefferson for example.
I agree 100% If you don't like MY Constitution go back to where you came from!!!! And if Jeffery Toobin was anyone worth asking questions about anything concerning the United States Bill of Rights AKA the first 10 amendements of the Constitution he wouldn't have called us a Democracy like they want you to believe, WE ARE A REPUPLIC, For The People And By The People, this is not a Majority Rule Thank YOU!!! As an American you are an individual, with indiviidual rights. You are your own KING!! Get your Facts right Mr. Toobin before you preach to an American...There is nothing wrong with the constitution, and the 1st and 2nd Amendments give us the right to prove it if need be.
I agree completely, If anything we need to change the constitution back to its first draft original form
Slavery – YES
Black people = 3/5 a white person and no vote – YES
No Bill of Rights – YESYESYES
Electoral college – Back to its original form with the delegates of each state given a good free reign over who they support, none of this relying on the public vote bullshit, its just used to give immigrants and terrorists votes!!
THe founding fathers would be ashamed of America today, it has totally abandoned the great principles on which it was founded, Slavery, Racism and a strong commitment to stopping non rich-white property holding middle aged protestant men having political freedom, as is proper
the only thing in need of update is the brain of the halfwit from another country that seems to think they are qualified to suggest changes to a document that has given the united states all it has. maybe fareed or whatever he calls him self should rethink or go back where he came from. cnn has a nasty habit of putting foreign lunatics on the air and acting like they are part of this republic. cnn is nothing more than a shill for progressives like obama and soros. shame on you cnn.
Yes, he is foreign born. I am willing to bet that you assumed that because of his name, and not because you actually knew that to be true. Perhaps you should look at his credentials and his background before you call him a foreign lunatic. He is an American citizen and has been involved in American politics and international relations for decades.
We have amended the Constitution 27 times to provide rights to different races and genders and to abolish slavery of one human being to another. Amendments found in the Bill of Rights are the basis for our Judicial system. So it IS a living document and the way our government and society operates today is due not only to the original text set forth in the Constitution, but also to the amendments to it.
Very well said.
Sir, you know the reason you are even mentioning this is to install Mob Rule in this country which would inturn allow a gobal government to be established. You're a known gobalist and have called for a gobal governement in which the United States would have to be subservant to.
Sir, your history on the U.S. Constutition is skewed. Your arguements lack any depth and can be easily be defeated.
John: please show us how these arguments would so easily be defeated, and maybe tell us all where the history is wrong
please provide references so we can check your cources to make sure you are not just saying things that you think are correct
If it is as easy as you say, then this should not take long
We await your enlightened response with trepidation
thanks
I totally agree with you egm11. I have regrets that I bought a book that Jeff Toobin wrote in past. Now I question what I read as credible. Smooth talker Fareed used to have me fooled but not anymore. CNN is a horrible, shameful source of news. CNN is not honest and manipulative as well. Shame on you CNN. We the people are starting to wake up...so shape up!
Very good point. In regards to state senatorial representation, the equal distribution of Senators and Representatives is key to protecting our legislative branch from a tyranny of the majority. State rights and equal Congressional representation are key Constitutional components that work to protect the rights of minority groups (not simply racial but demographically as well).
If anything I think an amendment on say net neutrality and campaign financing would be relevant changes since the technologies and circumstances of mega corporations and 24-hour news coverage never existed during the framing of the Constitution.
My own personal change would be to grant foreign born naturalized American citizens, who have lived in this country for at least 20 years, the right to run for President.
read the fedralist papers...why don't you
I was disappointed that the subject of term limits seems to have been ignored in the majority of dicussion on this subject. It seems to me that by applying such limits to the senate, the house and the Supreme Court, our government would be more likely to act in accordance with the current interests of the people. Also to eliminate the claim that a corporation is a "people" and stop calling money speech would really consolidate the ties between the elected and the voter.
I agree totally. Our biggest governance problem by far is with whom we elect to do what, and whom they really respond to. Today flaws in our electoral system are more critical than Constitutional tweeking.
I disagree, respectfully. The pressure of accountability to the electorate is what puts fire in the belly of a politician. If you have a single term to do whatever you want with no concern for re-election, what's to stop you from doing the bidding of your corporate masters or some nutty fringe group?
...however, I agree completely with your point about money equaling speech. It's utterly ludicrous and completely unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment was merely interpreted that way, and then only because a railroad company shill in the SCOTUS' office highhandedly tacked on an addendum that defined it as such.
We need an amendment to remove much of the "personhood" of corporations while still retaining their necessary rights that allow them to do business. They should have the same productive lifespan as a human being, and then be dissolved and required to reincorporate. They should have no rights beyond those that are necessary to conduct business. Their money should not be allowed to multiply their power to influence elections. That is not democracy, it is plutocracy.
Well said, Greg.
I voted for term limits when it was proposed in KALIFORNIA several years ago. Kalifornia is now the example that term limits do not work. We have term limits every two years in national elections 2010 was a great example of them.
Hi! I am from Austria from a small country and I would say, the US should really change the presidential election to a popular vote, so every vote would be necessary for winning the election. About the senate I think that the old system is rather good. And look to Europe: We have the same problem and also the same system. We have very big states like germany and very small states like Austria. We have the european council and there EACH country of the european community has just ONE vote. It is good. Otherwise small country would become meaningless for decisions.
No Austrian!!!!! The USA should not adopt a popular voting system! You just said it -obviously the USA is NOT A SMALL country! The electoral college makes each state important!!! or else the election would only be concentrated on high population pockets of the nation and the state concept would then be moot! THE USA is not Austria which is a republic. THE USA is a federation! A FEDERAL REPUBLIC! It is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!! NOT THE REPUBLIC OF AMERICA–GET IT–THE COUNTRY WHO GAVE THE WORLD ADOLF HITLER!
WoW... so hateful. Pick up some books and read.
Take the poster's advice and start reading a few books – perhaps by authors other than Glenn Beck – otherwise you will continue to poorly represent yourself and this blessed country.
Can you point to the legal pretext for calling the United States of America a republic? I am willing to bet that you shall only find it is mentioned once in the Constitution and not at all in the Declaration of Independence. The occasion that it is mentioned in the Constitution refers to the rights of individual states' right to have their own republic government. You speak as though you have an inherent right to defend your own interpretation of the Constitution and our country, yet you speak from a position of ignorance. As for the Hitler comment, perhaps you should read about a gentlemen named Von Steuben, who was born in Germany (Where Hitler ruled). Without him, it is doubtful that the United States of America would exist at all.
Dude you are so off its not even funny.... Germany and Austria are literally leading the pack when it comes to nations progressing beyond this recent recession. Grow up and form some meaningful opinions. And do you realize that no one like's people who resort to Hitler comparisons (its too easy and makes you seem lazy).
Wow... Are all neo-cons as racist as this dude?
The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).
Every vote, everywhere would be politically relevant and equal in presidential elections. Elections wouldn't be about winning states. Every vote, everywhere would be counted for and directly assist the candidate for whom it was cast. States have the responsibility to make their voters relevant in every presidential election. Candidates would need to care about voters across the nation, not just undecided voters in a handful of swing states.
In the 2012 election, pundits and campaign operatives already agree that, at most, only 14 states and their voters will matter under the current winner-take-all laws (i.e., awarding all of a state’s electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in each state) used by 48 of the 50 states. Candidates will not care about at least 72% of the voters- voters-in 19 of the 22 lowest population and medium-small states, and 17 medium and big states like CA, GA, NY, and TX. 2012 campaigning would be even more obscenely exclusive than 2008 and 2004. Candidates have no reason to poll, visit, advertise, organize, campaign, or care about the voter concerns in the dozens of states where they are safely ahead or hopelessly behind. Policies important to the citizens of ‘flyover’ states are not as highly prioritized as policies important to ‘battleground’ states when it comes to governing.
Since World War II, a shift of a few thousand votes in one or two states would have elected the second-place candidate in 4 of the 13 presidential elections. Near misses are now frequently common. There have been 6 consecutive non-landslide presidential elections. 537 popular votes won Florida and the White House for Bush in 2000 despite Gore's lead of 537,179 popular votes nationwide. A shift of 60,000 votes in Ohio in 2004 would have defeated President Bush despite his nationwide lead of over 3 Million votes.
Under the National Popular Vote bill, all the electoral votes from all the states that have enacted the bill would be awarded, as a bloc, to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bill would take effect only when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes — that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President (270 of 538). The bill would thus guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes.
The Electoral College that we have today was not designed, anticipated, or favored by the Founding Fathers but, instead, is the product of decades of evolutionary change precipitated by the emergence of political parties and enactment by 48 states of winner-take-all laws, not mentioned, much less endorsed, in the Constitution. I find it hard to believe the Founding Fathers would endorse an electoral system where 2/3rds of the states and voters now are completely politically irrelevant.
The bill uses the exclusive power given to each state by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution to change how they award their electoral votes for president. Historically, virtually all of the major changes in the method of electing the President, including ending the requirement that only men who owned substantial property could vote and 48 current state-by-state winner-take-all laws, have come about by state legislative action.
In Gallup polls since 1944, only about 20% of the public has supported the current system of awarding all of a state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes in each separate state (with about 70% opposed and about 10% undecided). Support is strong among Republican voters, Democratic voters, and independent voters, as well as every demographic group surveyed in virtually every state surveyed in recent polls in closely divided battleground states: CO – 68%, FL – 78%, IA 75%,, MI – 73%, MO – 70%, NH – 69%, NV – 72%, NM– 76%, NC – 74%, OH – 70%, PA – 78%, VA – 74%, and WI – 71%; in smaller states (3 to 5 electoral votes): AK – 70%, DC – 76%, DE – 75%, ID – 77%, ME – 77%, MT – 72%, NE 74%, NH – 69%, NV – 72%, NM – 76%, OK – 81%, RI – 74%, SD – 71%, UT – 70%, VT – 75%, WV – 81%, and WY – 69%; in Southern and border states: AR – 80%,, KY- 80%, MS – 77%, MO – 70%, NC – 74%, OK – 81%, SC – 71%, TN – 83%, VA – 74%, and WV – 81%; and in other states polled: CA – 70%, CT – 74%, MA – 73%, MN – 75%, NY – 79%, OR – 76%, and WA – 77%. Americans believe that the candidate who receives the most votes should get elected.
The bill has passed 31 state legislative chambers, in 21 small, medium-small, medium, and large states, including one house in AR, CT, DE, DC, ME, MI, NV, NM, NY, NC, and OR, and both houses in CA, CO, HI, IL, NJ, MD, MA, RI, VT, and WA. The bill has been enacted by DC (3), HI (4), IL (19), NJ (14), MD (11), MA (10), VT (3), and WA (13). These 8 jurisdictions possess 77 electoral votes - 29% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.
http://www.NationalPopularVote.com
Why does it matter when noone follows the damn constitution, go argue about repealing the anti-patriot act.
It matters because your children will inherit the world you leave them. Our leaders may not be acting in our best intrest but giving up is not an option.
You need a semi-colon to join those two independent clauses. Read a book. Try reading The Constitution.
Unfortunately, the Constitution of 1789 is largely ignored. It's function, today, is to provide Americans with the ILLUSION of freedom while our corporatist government eats away the substance. With the illusion comes paralysis: The frog does not know it is being boiled alive, so it never even tries to get out of the pot. Arguably, the current constitution is worse than nothing: If we had an explicit tyranny, at least we would know what to struggle against.
We need a new constitution, one that explicitly denies personhood to corporations, one that explicitly bans Congress from delegating the creation of money to a corrupt private banking consortium (the Federal Reserve), one that gives people the right to medicate and control their own bodies, etc.. The core of the new constitution can be taken from the parts of the old constitution that are still relevant and widely accepted.
The design of the new constitution would need to allow for gradual implementation, one branch at a time or one state at a time. A referendum held each year would determine whether to proceed with the next implementation step, revise the current step, or scrap the experiment entirely.
Thank you NZ. I appreciate your ideas, keep it up!
For the Rich, Of the Rich, and By the Rich.
Dems............DumbEnoughMoneySchemes fits don't you think? No amount of taxing of the "rich" is enough to feed the progressive agenda. Who's next?
I find your lack of faith disturbing. You are so cluless.
More true than you may realize! What you fail to realize is that the Constitution AND it's Amendments have been designed with the concept that ALL LIVING HUMAN BEINGS posess certain inalienable rights such as the "free" pursuit of _Precisely_ such wealth!. I must admit that while I have been reviewing the 'relevant source files' using only borrowed time, I expect a certain amount of overall progress in the correct direction across ALL echelons of society! This by definition includes ME, the Humble Editor as stated below...
Although it was not the intentions of the framer of the Constitution, but the system has evolved into a constant electioneering where parties need to denigrate each other even at the cost of the national interests. Presently a President spends the first year (the honeymoon time) getting as much as he can through the Congress; second year is spent in protecting his flank while the opposition prepares for the mid-term elections; third and fourth years are spent fightng with the opposition after losing one or the both houses as it happens more times than not. During this time both parties have their eyes on the next presidential elections and grand standing becomes more important than the affairs of the nation.
A Congressman, with two year term, has no choice than to cater to his sponsors in order to raise funds for the next elections. This prevents him or her to really represent his constituents and the affairs of the nation suffers. The representatives have to contantly balance their allegiance between the interests of those who fund them and those who elect them. Most of the time these interest are in collision.
In framers gave a kind of bribe to the state lagistaors to select the senators, because the states houses were not in favor of the federal system. The only purpose the six year term senate serves is to balance the two year term congress that could be swayed by special interests.
The life time tenure of the judges of the Supreme Court, although had good intentiions, is not appropriate in ta fast moving world. One example is the free speech. It is difficult to believe that the ideals that motivated the framers to gaurantee free speech would be valid today. They intended to assure that a government will not suppress the opposition and the press. Presently the unfettered protection of the free speech has created addictive visual and aural industries that are addictive and infect the society.
The second amendment to bear arms was not meant to support the gun manufacturers that it has become. It was added to allow the expanding country to defend its borders because the it was difficult to dispatch the security forces to the troubled areas.
Thomas Jefferson's quote is well timed when he said, "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
Your grammar and syntax are criminal.
"Although it was not the intentions of the framer of the Constitution, but the system " Did you even go to a high school?
"The second amendment to bear arms was not meant to support the gun manufacturers that it has become." The Second Amendment became a gun manufacturer?
"Presently the unfettered protection of the free speech has created addictive visual and aural industries that are addictive and infect the society." Freedom of speech scares the deuce out of Muslims, as does functional English syntax.
Referencing grammar, syntax, and spelling, when there are substantive issues to discuss, is criminal. Fukcing pedant.
Shut up already. Please.
Stop trying to attract attention. You sound more like an idiot than a teacher. Your user name is equally suspicious as well as possibly idiotic. Man up!
"Democracy" means "rule by the people". It does not necessarily mean elections. Arguably, elections thwart democracy, because they filter out candidates that honestly represent the people and favor candidates that are good at lying to the people.
So we need to find a better way to implement democracy. My suggestion is an aleatory approach, the approach we use when selecting jurors. Electing jurors would be a disaster: Potential jurors would simply pander to the criminals! We have a better method: random selection from a pool of qualified candidates.
Random selection of representatives ensures proportional representation over time. Every definable group is fairly represented, since pure chance is incorruptible and without bias. Random selection greatly reduces the corruption, cynicism, financial dependence and divisive demagogy that afflicts our system today, because it does away with the source of these evils: the election campaign.
Random selection brings all kinds of new people into the system - ordinary people, honest people, intelligent people. It would revitalize our political system: Just contrast the popular enthusiasm for the lotteries with the popular contempt for politics. Allowing ordinary people into the government forces the average citizen to become more responsible, less apathetic, less cynical: He can no longer blame "the people in Washington", because he himself could be one of those people.
Of course, random selection would also bring a certain number of criminals and idiots into government. But the current system does the same. The current system is actually biased in favor of corruption, since one has to be corrupt to win. We would get better results selecting people randomly out of a telephone book, because the book lacks the negative bias of the current system.
I mentioned the juror selection system as a successful precedent for aleatory democracy. But there is a far more interesting precedent: the Bill of Rights.
Our founders understood that power corrupts. By "power", we mean human political control. What is the alternative to control? - pure CHANCE. Our founders would not have been able to get away with using the word "chance". So they used the word "god", instead. But "god" and "chance" amount to the same thing.
When our founders enacted the Bill of Rights, they took power away from the politicians. E.g., politicians are not allowed to control what religion we belong to. So where does the power go? It goes to the citizen. But what if the citizen is an idiot or a criminal or a lunatic? Can we trust such a citizen to use his or her power wisely? Perhaps not. But when we take all citizens together, the aberrations cancel out, and the outcome is determined by statistics.
In effect, our founders "took a chance" on the citizen. Some citizens may be worse than the worst politician, but on balance, the citizens are better. This is why it makes sense to gamble on the citizen.
Well-argued, but missing the whole point of democracy. Election of a representative government goes to the ability of the people to be informed about their. Educate the public about how government works, what it is their reps actually do, and how we can qualify them, and our elections will bear good fruit. Fill textbooks with ideology instead of facts, reduce funding for education, and barely teach civics and we will continue to get the reps we have now – wimps, corporate lapdogs, and cranks.
1) We ought to clearly distinguish between free speech from individuals, and that of corporations ($). Corporations should NOT be treated on equal footing with individuals, as their well-funded speech overwhelmingly buries that of people.
2) We ought to STOP free-for-all election financing and mandate all elections be publicly-financed. Otherwise, politicians will always back-up the interests of their rich ($) donors and corporations, over the interests of people.
We should also stuff a sock in Zakaria's anti-American mouth.
You have extras from the trailer park laundry?
I agree 100%, this clown is a joke!!!!
Stifle free speech? How utterly American-ish of you, Mr. Grammar Police.
How about getting rid of all of that gun nut stuff in amend. 2?
No more Prez in favor of a PM?
Can me move the capital city to a more centralized place? Nebraska is nice.
Let's secularize the founding fathers and the founding documents. Updating is needed. The Consit. was drafted pussy-footing around slavery and needs a 21st cent. lens.
Cheers
Just some ideas.
Thanks for the advice Mike. Although our Forefathers fought for independence from English rule, so your imput is really unimportant. Pm instead of Prez? Have another pint. Also, all of this talk of democracy is unfortunate. We are after all a Republic not a democracy. Cheers
Me did not mention democracy, but is it not a form of democracy? And I get the difference.
Do you really approve of how we elect a prez? Odd.
You mean British rule–not English rule as you say! Also we are FEDERAL REPUBLIC –how are govt structure is composed–a federation of states in the form of republics AND we practice DEMOCRACY! Democracy is not a form of govt–it is a practice of what the relationship the people has with the govt! France, Italy, Taiwan, S Korea, India–all republics and a democracy. Brazil, Mexico, Germany–all Federal Republics like the USA–they are democracies! China, North Korea, Cuba–All Republics–NOT democracies! Britain, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Spain–all Constitutional Monarchies: Democracies. Israel–parliamentary democracy. Saudi Arabia, Brunei, UAE–absolute Monarchies: NOT DEMOCRACIES! Get it?????
I meant to write how our govt is structured–not typo–how are govt ..
Oh, good. Then we can have Peerage and the House of Lords, and a genuine aristocracy. SHADDUP! I like the Second Amendment just fine.
Since when does a PM indicate peerage and aristocracy? Time to examine your comparative politics 101 books again.
I like your defense of Amend2. Very clear.
Thanks
second amendment? What wrong with it, if they want my guns i would like them to come and get them. I wish they would!!!!
You, the Grammarian Hall Monitor, likes the 2nd just as it is? Then explain how one makes any sense of it whatsoever. What is meant by a "well-regulated militia" in the context of the entire sentence? How does "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" connect in any way with a well-regulated militia?
The world awaits your answer with bated breath.
GO learn something as articulated from Mark Levine–the forefathers DID NOT PUSSY FOOT AROUND slavery! They did set in motion that would eventually lead slavery to be isolated, cornered, and eventually set in motion the beginning of its demise!
Levine's (and by association, Bachmann's) utter wrongness should be painful. Then it would stop.
The founders enshrined slavery for almost 100 years by virtue of the three-fifths clause. This gave the South representation far greater than their voting population should warrant by allowing them to count 3/5 of their non-voting, rights-free human property. This enabled the South to crush all opposition to slavery for decades. It was only because of popular disgust in the more heavily populated North that the slavery was finally managed, and still no amount of shame would shake them from their nasty habit of locking up human beings to use as forced labor for profit. It took a bloody war to end the practice.
I don't know if it's ignorance or if it's deliberate, but revisionism like Levine's – and the vile Thomas DiLorenzo's – should be mercilessly mocked and derided by every thinking American.
Nebraska is an arm-pit.
Thats a good idea however historically when that happens. A population gets disarmed atrocities by government follow. hitler wwII turkey, etc.
Jeffery Toobin's laying out of the Senate was spot on. 70 liberal in California equals 1 Wyoming conservative. Add the fillibuster and Citizen United, this country appears to be incapable of facing the challenges ahead. With the great communicator largely silent on these issues, America seems to be at real impasse. I hope we can amend our Constitution to address these major issues.
Sorry but you need to take a US Constitution class. You ask for mob rule, we do not have mob rule in this country.
The only impasse is in your bowels. Great stuff is done in this country every day. You never hear about it because Zakaria has an impasse in his head. Wanna change things? Try voting. Better still, register to vote, you rag head.
If you actually have an argument, it's irrelevant; no one will listen if you keep up with the racists rants. You just sound like the trailer park neo-con skinhead illiterate that you probably are.
Probably?
I think you're a coward. Only cowards spout off racist remarks behind the safety of their parent's computer. When you get out on your own, IF you ever get out on your own, bet you get beat up by a girl within the first year. Use your real name, coward.
Wasa-Dude, you give a bad name to all the conservatives. Are they all as racist, bigoted and poorly mannered as you? Grow up man!
Many people seem unable to describe the form of government that the US Constitution authorizes.
The US is NOT a Democracy. The US IS a Federal Republic.
Your assignment is to go read up on these two forms of government and then come back here and compare and contrast them. Once you can do that, you might be able to offer more credible suggestions as to many of the issues presented.
Your are half wrong and half write! The USA is a Federal Republic AND a Democracy!!!!! Federal Republic is our form of govt–Democracy is how we practice government! I see your sincerity , but dont spew liners like that without understanding what you are saying!
I rephrase–you are half wrong and half right!
I disagree. Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb arguing over what to eat. Majority rules. That is not our govt. Majority is used to elect reps but our country is governed by laws that are not voted on by the whole country.
Heard outtakes of this program on Mark Levin – Fareed is a flake.
What was left out of their discussion regarding the Senate and the Electoral College is that both groups represent the States... who are sovereign bodies. The Federal Government was created by the States to serve the States – not the other way around. The States ratified the constitution and can amend the constitution without input from the Federal Government. Fareed and Jeffrey talk about the States as if they are arbitrary lines on a map. I'm afraid this shows a lack of deep understanding about our nation. countercounterpoint.com
The US Constitution is not the oldest written constitution in use today as Jeff Toobin said. That of San Marino is. See the following interesting piece.
Don H. Doyle “From San Marino, With Love”, Opinionator (nytimes.com/2011/03/28) noting that President Lincoln received an official letter from San Marino about the importance of saving our constitution.
I read the Pope was just in San Marino complimenting the people there on the age of their constitution. So it is not out of the news. SeeFrom San Marino, With Lovehttp://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/from-san-marino-with-love/?hp
Fareed, you are a disgusting snivelling globalist. If you think we're imperfect go back to the hole where you came from. Nothing is sacrosanct to you liberal ilk. How about this? Global climate change is not sacrosanct, I don't think it's science, it's just liberal cheese farts like you that are polluting the air causing this crisis. Hope the liberal soy milk you greenie weenies drink gives you hard S&^#.
Fareed is a fluke!!! We see right through you and your agenda.
From where I stand the good old USA needs a constitutional overhaul. Decision making is paralyzed and passing the buck is too common. So.. here it goes:
1) Extend Reps term from 2 years to at least 4 years. Too much time is spent on reelection and not enough on governing.
2) Get rid of electoral college in favour of popular vote. And provide a mechanism for 2nd round voting in case no Presidential candidate gets more than 50% of the vote.
3) Transfer day to day governance (all or some power) from the President to someone who has the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Reps. Bills that are to become law would still require the Pres. signature of approval. This is in essance fusing power making decision making much faster.
4) Those who are appointed by the President to become heads of government departments like homeland security, education, defence, state, etc. must first be elected to either house of Congress. More democraticly legit this way.
"Get rid of electoral college in favour of popular vote. And provide a mechanism for 2nd round voting in case no Presidential candidate gets more than 50% of the vote."
So, in other words, only the big States have a voice?
"Transfer day to day governance" How? Have you thought this through?
Assad always wins. No problems in Syria. Try standing in Syria, if all you can do is piss and moan about it in the USA.
Zakaria is an idiot! He praises the German constitution! WHy???!!!! This is a country we torn down and after wwii, we the USA help write its constitution! THe USA constitution is great the way it is already! It has stood the test of time! Damn idiot to suggest that we "update" or "rewrite" the constitution!
Amen!!
And why would he praise the German Constitution, which we helped write? Because we helped write it, with a 20th Century take on the problems of today. An improvement on a 225 year old take on democracy. And why wouldn't you?
For an interesting perspective by a constitutional scholar read:
Our Undemocratic Constitution by Sanford Levinson of the University of Texas Law School
Things you'll agree with and things you won't, but a lot of things worth thinking about.
The Electoral College has favored the GOP historically. However, Conservative Republicans may rue their support of it now after TX becomes predominately Democratic. When that happens, the only populous State where they will be competitive is FL!
It does not empower smaller States at all. They are mainly noncompetitive, of low significance and therefore ignored. Indeed, the exception last time was NE, which is not winner-take-all, so Obama had a chance in one electoral district.
Zakaria is a tool. I only come to listen to his opinions because I need to know what is the opposite of logical...
Something you wouldn't know without listening to someone else?
USA is not perfect but thank goodness the country has largely overcome the bigoted and narrow minded views of people like kc and wasabiwahabi. While I love America, if people like these 2 ignorant guys were influential, slavery would be alive and well, Islam would be outlawed, gays would be burned at the stake and immigration would be solely granted to white anglo saxons. As long as Americans believe they are "exceptional", honest and open debates around the Constitution will be cluttered by those like these 2 morons who are closed to the notion of learning from other countries-why would they? They are already "exceptional". This exclusive attitude places the USA at serious risk of losing its leadership role to countries who are truly into re-positioning their governance processes and structures to maintain relevance not with those in the 1700's but with those in the 21st century. I suggest kc and the other guy get passports and spend some time experiencing other cultures and see how "exceptional" they are.
You and Zakaria, are both Democratic snobs. I suggest you get the passport of whatever country from which you came, and return there to stay. Go back to Saudi Arabia or Iran for the rights you crave but don't find here in the USA. Slavery? Go back to North and Central Africa, where it is live and common. Yep, a lot to learn there. Warrant-less search and seizures, no writ of habeus corpus, stoning women to death in public, making beer a capitol crime, go back to Iran. Just climb back on to your high horse, and ride back to the Syria. What a smacked liberal ass!
Yep, them rag heads don't know nothing, do they? Our neo-con, Repub way: tax breaks for the very rich, let the middle class bear the tax burden, corporations are equal to individuals, women shouldn't be able to decide what happens with their body, gays go back in the closet, the Patriot Act usurping the Constitution, waterboarding, torture, military tribunal justice; ad nauseum, is definitely superior.
You see, Cow Chip, that the Constitution guarantees the rights of even deficients like you to be self-righteous, pompous, misguided time-travelers who would rather live in the facade covering Middle Age Europe and Muslim countries rather than the reality of the United States. Don't like it? Vote whomever you will out of office. Or, amend the Constitution without having good ole fashioned car-burning, European riots in the streets. Have a change of office without calling in the military to shoot civilians, you Chip-off-the-old-cow-patty!
It seems like a lot of people here want to make our constitution "more democratic". What needs to be understood is that the very idea of constitution is undemocratic. Think about it: A constitution is a special law that cannot be overturned by a simple majority. More importantly, democratic law making can be overruled if a panel of judges deems that law at odds with the constitution. Of course rights granted in a constitution protect the people from government (free speech et al). But they also protect people from themselves.
If you want a more democratic system of government, scrap the idea of 'constitution'. Allow every law passed by majority to become the law of the land. Allow everything – including the framework of the government itself – to be changed by simple majority at any time.
I do NOT support this idea. I only use it to illustrate that more democracy is not always a good thing!
CounterCounterpoint.com
Wow Wasabiwahabi. You are so intelligent. Too bad you don't know that you don't know. You must be a very interesting person at a party. Thank goodness as the world becomes more educated and enlightened, morons like you will eventually lose whatever little voice you have. You are an embarassment.
Can we get some milk to go with this flake?
Nothing like a liberal wise-ass to liven up the party,
As opposed to a neo-con retard like you? Go back to your talking points, RepubBoi.
CNN reports that all you have in your shorts is a couple of crab cakes Zakaria left there on his last visit.
@ california and Wyoming having the same # of votes in the Senate. Part of the problem is California should really be separated into AT LEAST TWO (probably 3) different states.
Wy, so Wyoming can be relevant, again? Wyoming never was, and never will be, relevant.
What's your regular moniker, brave-boy-typical liberal coward? What's the matter? Zakaria get his finger caught in your zipper again? (Typical liberal fascist-changes his name and views to hide from the truth, but not to hide from Zakaria's member.)
See that, you let the people in, and as soon as they walk in, they what to change things.
Constitution is here to stay, and ill defend it with my life.
Much more urgent than any constitutional review is an overhaul of our political system, which basically puts all elected officials up for sale to the highest bidders by allowing long campaigns and unlimited campaign funding. As a result American leaders, our elected leaders, are, first and foremost politicians, media personalities, behind kissers and millionaires. And the two main political parties prepare and screen the suitably purchasable candidates. Thats what we revolted against in 1776. As election "season" takes off to an early start and the big bucks start to roll (Obama alone needs to collect $2m/day for the next 18 months!) they're comming from the the big guns, the big lobbies, the gov. contractors, the insurance industry, pharmaceuticals, oil, Wall Street, the Israel lobby, the Saudi princes etc. Until this is rectified, American decision making responds to big money anywhere's in the world, and we would never be able to fix our Constitution objectively.
I understand that our voice can seem drowned out by the big money in our political system but think about the alternative. Are we comfortable with government controlling the content and timing of speech about government? If I am a wealthy individual, should I not be able to use that wealth to promote a position I am passionate about? What if I defy these laws? Say I publish a book advocating a position and it costs more than a set amount. Are we comfortable with jailing someone for publishing a book?
Again, I understand and respect your stance. But how do we enforce these rules without running afoul of our basic rights.
CounterCounterpoint.com
Keep your ignorant hands off the consitution of the United States. You apparently don't know that if enough states agree a new constitutional convention can be called at any time. A new constitution can be written doing whatevever. But just like with the one we use now if a state doesn't adopt it you can't force them into a new union. The one they entered will have been dissolved.Where do you fools hail from?
The Constitution was SUPERSEDED by the USA Patriot Act. We now live under the Tyranny of the 'Decider' because Obama has not 'Refudiated' what Bush put in place.
The Constitution still exists, the U.S. Supreme Court just chooses to ignore it at times.
The Senate is there to prevent "tyranny of the masses." It is an essential check for less populous states to have the power to prevent more populated states from overrunning them. The US is a republican democracy with multiple tiers. One person one vote at the poll. Two houses, one for the people, the other for the people but designed to prevent the angry crowd from ruling the day. Let's not change the Senate; it's essential for preventing "tyranny of the masses."
Ah, a parade of the civics ignorance of the American people. When was any sort of tax ever part of the Constitution? The Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes, but tax laws are legislation and have nothing to do with the structure of government or restrictions on it, which is all the Constitution deals with. The fact that was a popular suggestion for a Constitutional Amendment is just plain creepy in terms of how poorly it shows Americans understand our own political system.
On a more scholarly side, Zakaria & Toobin blatantly misrepresent the Constitutional concept of States' rights. Yes, it is true that the Electoral College and Senate were intended to give small States autonomy, but this is more relevant in today's system of overarching Federalism, not less. Today's political system is filled with hypocritical "concern" for people in other states. Conservatives in places like Georgia and Alabama are "concerned" about the "moral decay" in places like NY and CA for allowing abortion and gay marriage, and liberals in the latter states are concerned with the "dangers" of gun ownership and tobacco freedom in the former. Both types of "concerned citizens" – bloated swine who need to mind their own business – love to invoke the Federal government as a tool to force their concerns down the throats of people in other states. The Founding Fathers had a tremendous distaste for this kind of interstate cultural policing, and if it weren't for the Senate, small states would have no capacity to do things that people in a few big states find distasteful whatsoever. If you don't like the laws in another State, DON'T GO THERE. As for the electoral college, the enhanced representation for small states makes sense for the same reason; the problem Toobin describes has to do not with the institution itself, but the allocation. BUT, it is up to every state legislature to decide how to allocate electoral votes, the "winner take all" policy is NOT Federally mandated and there are a couple of states who divide their electoral votes proportionally based on popular vote. Most states choose "winner take all" because the party most likely to get the electoral votes controls the state legislatures as well. This is hardly a Federal problem.
Interesting comment that the black vote was enforced according to your last paragraph by Lyndon Johnson, the Democrat from Texas that you said earlier was a Republican state and no Democrat would waste money to campaign there. Similarly, I note California, the solid Democratic state has statistically had more Republican than Democrat governors.
It's fortunate you're authority is some sort of TV legal analyst rather than a political advisor or fortunately for the country a constitutional consultant. The forefather's may not have been 'infallible' but I am greatful that they had more long term vision and more respect for research than you do.
BTW, there are two houses in the congress, in case you didn't get that far in the government course. You may note the other is based on state population, hence the reason bills must pass both houses. It is the fantastic balance between the right of a state and the right of a person in the state that makes this the longest standing constitution you can find in democracy. Perhaps the Italian 'flavour of the month' is more suited to some but relearning the laws annually would seem inefficient.
On your topic, I'm not certain querying people unable to name a majority of the states in the union is the best method for modifying the document that secures their right to stupidity.
You cannot get rid of the electoral college in America until you stop gerrymandering. I had my vote redistriced away by DeLay Republicans in Austin years ago and the now Rick Perry Republicans have redistricted my vote away again this summer. Some of Travis Co. shares a district all the way to the Texas border, over 150 miles away. In the future when bigger cities, like San Antonio, want to take our water, we will not be able to protect against this or other threats to the citizens of central Texas, since part of Austin is split up into 5 parts, one part includes San Antonio 90 miles away.
Live in Illinois, Massachusetts or New York where the Democrats have done the same thing. You can blame this on a lack of common sense and sense of geography on the Supreme Court, they seem to think that compact can't be accomplished unless it involves at least one trip around the State.
Hard to see how the big states could overwhelm the small states today? Are you serious? Two ways: morally and fiscally. Larger representation gives larger states more control over the purse strings of the federal government, resulting in more populist but less fiscally responsible programs. Similarly, and using New York and Wyoming as examples, New York has same sex marriage and Wyoming doesn't. Ignoring whether this is appropriate from a policy standpoint, the larger states could force social policy changes on small states.
I hate to state the obvious, but the founding fathers knew what they were doing and what they have done, despite small flaws, works far better than anything written since.
The second Bill of Rights
The election of federal offices.
In keeping with the Founding Fathers words and to return government to the people, by the people, for the people, the following amendments shall be added to the U.S. constitution and shall supersede all other rules governing the election of and compensation of the office of President, Vice President and members of congress and the collection of taxes.
Amendment 28
This amendment eliminates the Electoral College and sets the election of the office of the President and Vice president to be determined by a popular vote of all the states and territories.
This amendment sets federal elections to be the first full week of November and to last a period of 7 days Sunday through the following Saturday.
There shall be a national primary week before all federal elections to be held the first full week in August prior to the National election, to last a period of 7 days Sunday through the following Saturday.
This amendment sets the following term limits on members of congress.
The office of the House of Representatives shall be limited to 3 consecutive 2 year terms.
The office of Senator shall be limited to 2 consecutive 4 year terms with 1 Senator from each state to be elected every 2 years.
This amendment eliminates all federal compensation to members of congress. The state from which the member is elected shall be responsible for all compensation including salary, health care, pension and any other expenses incurred by the Congress person. This is to include all expenses for staff, travel and housing. The amount of compensation will be set by the member state.
This amendment sets the following guidelines for campaign contributions for federal elections.
Campaign contributions are not to be restricted in amount.
Campaign contributions may only be made by individual registered voters.
Campaign contributions can only be accepted from individuals registered to vote in the state for Senators or district for Representatives from which the Congress person is to serve.
All campaign contributions shall be recorded by social security number of the contributor for the purpose of regulating contributions.
if you like this go my email me and let me know rbrown2090 at yahoo dot com
Not so bad so far, but the "kids" are causing much distraction...
Amendment 29
The redefinition of the role of the federal government.
This amendment is to establish the responsibilities of the federal government and to overhaul how revenues are generated and distributed by the federal government.
This amendment limits the federal government to providing for a national defense and to regulate interstate commerce.
This amendment eliminates all federal departments, except Social Security, that do not pertain to providing a national defense or to regulate interstate commerce and returns these responsibilities back over to the individual states. This includes funding for education and welfare.
This amendment prohibits congress from passing any law that does not pertain to national defense or interstate commerce.
This amendment eliminates the federal income tax and replaces it with a value added tax.
The value added tax rate shall be set by congress to equal the 2010 level of the federal government’s budget for items pertaining to national defense and interstate commerce.
This rate shall be adjusted annually to coincide with the rate of inflation.
This amendment requires the federal government to have a balanced budget.
This amendment eliminates all federal subsidies and tax deductions for individuals and businesses.
This amendment requires congress to set up an additional value added tax set at a rate that will pay off the federal debt over a period of 20 years.
Amendment 30
The redefinition of Social Security.
This amendment redefines how social security is collected and distributed.
Social Security will be collected from all payments made to individuals as income including salary, commission, interest, and any form of welfare.
All funds collected through Social Security shall be divided on a 50/50 basis with 50% of the funds collected going to a general Social Security fund and the other 50% going into an IRA account belonging to the individual.
The IRA account shall be managed by the Social Security Administration at the direction of the individual.
This IRA belongs to the individual and upon reaching retirement age, or death, shall be distributed per instruction of the individual.
The remaining 50% shall be distributed equally among all persons qualified to receive Social security either by age or disability.
The rate at which social security shall be collected shall be set by congress and adjusted annually at the discretion of congress.
The Social Security Administration shall go back through all payments collected by all living contributors and redistribute the amounts per the 50/50 system.
The retirement age to start receiving payments or dispersements shall be raised to the age of 70 based on a sliding scale to be determined by congress and shall be reevaluated and adjusted on an annual basis to coincide with average life expectancy.
.if you like this email me and let me know rbrown2090 at yahoo dot com
Now_YER_L0SIN_ME_but_I'll comment here to bear in mind for future reference...
The big state small state issue is overblown. A big state, like California, is not necessarily going to have different interests than say Iowa, since both have large agriculture interests. Assuming that each state has a unique, homogenous interest separate from those of their neighbors is simplistic.
The baffling part to me in all of these constitution arguments is the continued insistence that the Senate is "crazy" or "ridiculous". The smaller states have equal power to the larger for a reason, just as the house is the opposite. I realize America's students apparently have a serious shortage of historical knowledge, but I'd expect CNN to know a little more.
I find the arguments about the rights of states to be equal interesting. Let's look at the environment in the late 1700's that led to the creation of the United States of America.
States had their own militias and traded independently from one another due to the nature of being British colonies. When those colonies decided that they would like to cease being British, there were many disagreements on how to go about making that a reality. Because the colonies already acted as individual entities, there was a pretext for making individual states and giving them great power aside from that of a new nation. Without coming together and bringing their individual military and economic strength to the overall support of forming this new nation, it is likely that the endeavor would have faltered.
Many of these concepts continued up until the Civil War, with military units being geographically based, and States seceding from the Nation based on what they saw as repression of their State's rights.
Many of these ideas and ideals seem outdated in a system where our military is nationalized (except for the National Guard, what irony!) and much of our economic ties to foreign nations is handled at the Federal level.
Discuss...
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...Pain|0in_the_brain!_ednote_your_comments_contain_merit_IMHO__still not (100%) satisfied with Article I ! (360*360)
.../\...GENERAL_STATEMENT_
this-pass-through-is the most logical place to summarize my own idealized version of USA 2.0...
.
FOUR branches of FEDERAL Government:
1. "WE_THE_PEOPLE" among ALL PARTICIPATING Territories!
2. Legislative Branch (preserving a _debugged_ELECTORAL_COLLEGE) consisting of existing House AND Senate.
3. Judicial Branch (by_AND_LargeLY_INTACT_with some minor debugging..._)
4. EXECUTIVE Branch (modified beginning with the year 2020 election cycle)(360*360).SEE?branch4pr02callHrefRQ "already logged previously": Election of EXECUTIVE_Administration__...~@~?@@?~
RE:_ENTIRE_Administration_is_voted_upon_once_every_ten_years_with_explicitly_stated_objectives_progressing_through_periods_of_BOTH "PeaceTime" AND "Times of War" as set forth for a minimum of 100 years of progress (as opposed to reversion)_DURING_EACH_ANNUAL_REVIEW_CYCLE_!_
UNOFFICIAL BRANCH 5 PROTOCOLS ([TBIL=C@TS!])==REQUISITION OF ACCURATE DATA BEARING DIRECT RELEVANCE TO THE TOPICS AT HAND...(BEST_Case_Scenarios_||_\/_protocol_(5*5*5))
(physical_paper_required_EXplicitLY_NOW.HERE_)
And of course Texas, California, and New York are irrelevant in elections not because of the electoral college (in which they have a massive amount of power) but because they are states that are only going to vote for one party. If you can make New York a state that isn't going to vote for the democrats, or Texas the republicans, in every election...well I'd be glad to hear about that electoral system.
Excuse me, but what is the House of Representatives? There's a reason why it has 435 members, something Mr. Zakaria clearly doesn't understand: it's proportioned by population. The census, taken every decade, ensures each state had sufficient, proportional representation in the House, while each state has the same number of senators (2). This compromise is to ensure fairness amongst the big states and the small states, and it is still relevant today as an example of classic American negotiations. Like it or not, the system works precisely because of compromise, and if the Senate is readjusted, then the whole legislative branch of our government becomes obsolete, as ignorance and oversight override precedent and, quite frankly, a system that worked for 222 years.
As for the Electoral College, without a doubt it skews importance to certain key battleground states. But these states shift over time, as people realign themselves and new issues alter traditional partisan loyalties. The bottom line is that it needs to be representative, much like the rest of the government. In other words, after the votes are counted, and one candidate wins a state, the electoral votes of the state should be readjusted between the winner and the loser. In other words, if a state splits 60-40, then the winner takes 60% of the electoral votes while the loser takes 40%. That way, every state becomes relevant to choosing the President and no one state can decide the election.
Like it or not, the Constitution has become the bedrock of American politics. Altering it in any drastic way would radically change the American political system. And the change works both ways. An impulsive populace could cause problems for decades to come when referring to the supreme law of the land. Revisions to the Constitution must be taken more seriously than any other legislative process, else our system fall privy to the whims of an ignorant electorate.
Some food for thought
-An Anonymous High School Student
Anonymous, the process of selecting electors is left to the states. It is not the role of the federal government. Some states do assign electors in proportion to the vote in their state, and that is certainly the right of each state to make that decision.
Irrelevant. A constitutional amendment as implied by this article would override any notions of state sovereignty, because federal authority, especially the plain text of the Constitution, trumps state authority. One constitutional amendment to Article Two, Section One of the United States Constitution would fix the whole issue with the Electoral College, making it both representative and fair to the 308,000,000 people of the entire United States of America.
Many of the arguments against changing the Constitution remind me of the angry gentleman who spoke up during a town hall meeting concerning the health care bill. He shouted something similar to "keep your government hands off my Medicare!". He did not realize that Medicare was a Government program.
Similarly, those who say the Constitution is infallible and unchangeable ignore the fact that it has been amended 27 times. The majority of these changes were radical and changed the landscape of not only the political climate but our everyday lives.
We no longer have slavery.
Women can vote.
You can drink alcohol.
You can vote if you are over the age of 18.
These may not seem radical to those of us living today because most of us were not around during a time when these rights were not given to us. A drastic change to the Bill of Rights would amount to treason in some people's minds. I am not one to disagree. However, changes to the Constitution in the form of amendments that reflect our current 2 party system and the realties of States' functions in today's world are not a bad thing.
IF we didnt have the electorial college and the President was elected by the people for the people: we wouldnt of had bush and the world might not be in this mess. Gore won the most votes, he was trained with 8 years under Bill Clinton. The only president since ww2 to have a surplus economy let alone a balanced one. America was great back then and probably would still be great if we changed that crappy rule way back then.. lets not screw up again. change it! but watch out for the nazi's that would use change to take away what little freedoms we have, that is the biggest risk of any change with these new lying politicians.
NAZIS? really?
Constitution calls for individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which to me not entitlement. Individual needs to work hard and self-sufficient to achieve that just ends, not hand-out. Government’s job is to protect the people not dictating. We the people put them in power and paid for them to breathe.
Constitution is perfectly as it is. IF you don’t like it, move; if you like it obey
I'm left handed and I agree, had no idea we are apparently being discriminated against
You dirty lefties need to learn your place LOL
What do you call the opposite of a progressive? A regressive?
Please hit whoever taught you about the role of the states in government in the groin with an ice axe... repeatedly... Both of you.
By states having rights there is a boundary between the federal government and the people. The federal government should be an indirect entity in the lives of the US citizens.
Furthermore, yes the Constitution can be changed and there is a method to do so making it a living document however given it is the supreme law of the land and shaper of our culture any changes must be given careful consideration on not just the impact it will have today but on our society twenty, fifty, even a hundred years in the future.
Are there flaws in the US constitution. Sure, like anything created by human beings, it's not perfect. But its longevity is a source of pride amongst the American people. The other major issue with writing a new constitution is the fear inherent in the modern political climate. If you were to write a new constitution, how would you guarantee the rights of the individual given the power of the various special interests today.
The Constitution must be brought into correctness of the 'English Language Procedures', as it stands now the "Constitution' is written in 'Modified Language', the facts/nouns are modified into verbs, adverbs, pronouns and adjectives, which creates Opinion, Assumption, Presumption and guessing as to the volition of the document...
The constitution should not be subject to litigation, it must say in the True English Language it's volition and create a true communication, not confusion...
As it is written, it can never be used to its fullest capacity, depending on the litigator, the perceived content can be construed to confuse and undermine the authority and true meaning...
Try living with the facts. The US is a failed society as well as a failled economy. Anyone in America who does not encompass evolution should go back to driving model T Fords. When moslems become the majority in the USA this country will be a Muslim state. Seems to me Americans should work together to try to avoid this. Equally they should demand that the Koran be similarly modified.
You say the US is a failed society and a failed economy, and then have the nerve to blame Muslims? Your Islamophobia, your caustic, unabated hatred to a people to whom you are woefully ignorant define the most perceptible problem in America today. You clearly have no grasp of sense or reality, and your offensive, anti-American lies serve no purpose in this forum. I urge you and anyone else spouting hateful, ignorant rhetoric to please halt, as you only serve to defame the greatest nation on Earth and to instigate even more hatred between America and the rest of the world.
to anonymous
In a forum discussing changes to the US constitution I was trying to point out (1) that everything can be improved with change(2) the Koran as I am led to believe specifically states that only muslims are allowed to exist, Muslims are colonising the world and as their numbers grow any other ideology must perish. Its a numbers game which is painfully demonstrated in Fiji where the indian population outnumber the indigenous population- this has destroyed this country. Western countries are welcoming muslims into their society and I support this but muslims should be prepared to modify their own "constitution" to allow all to live in harmony(3) I was suggesting that the ideals the constitution founders were trying to protect should be updated to encompass this clear threat. I am not promoting hate but I hope, common sense. wondering
I question, then, your sanity. You claim any ideology must be changed as populations grow, correct? Then why single out Islam or Indians? Because you're an Islamophobic, ignorant hate-monger? Although I suppose I should add Indians in Fiji to the list as well. I don't know where you get your facts, but seems to me that the small Island of Fiji is not destroyed as you claim, literally or metaphorically. Now, to get to some facts. Christianity is the largest religion on the face of the Earth, yet it uses a two-thousand year bible, a successor to an even older Jewish bible. Sure, you could say, there are different versions, but aren't most different translations? Why is the Christian Bible immune to change?
I don't know where you learned the Koran, but your claim that "the Koran as I am led to believe specifically states that only muslims are allowed to exist" is entirely baseless and empirically false. Muslim society tolerates, has tolerated, and will continue to tolerate and accept other religions so long as it exists. Other religions have thrived under Islamic rule throughout history, an undeniable fact that most ignorant, Islamophobic hate-mongers such as yourself overlook.
If you're promoting common sense, then I question your intelligence. Where did you learn common sense? Surely not in America, a land where all religions are accepted.
I like the way you think...! Now back to sifting through new posts...
Take this to the extreme: Crowdsorce the whole government. Let the people pass the laws...Get rid of both houses and let the people run it. Then let the courts and president be the check on the people.
Hold a sec. There's something here that I don't understand. I thought that the House of Representatives was supposed to be the part that represented the people wholey. I mean, That's where the bigger states got their power, and things were more fairly represented. The senate was supposed to be the check to that. By giving each state (regardless of size) 2 senators, the smaller states, then had more of a voice. Why was the House of Representatives ignored in this conversation?
We need more basic constitutional amendments. For example, I would support a constitutional amendment that simply states the business corporations and partnerships are not citizens, and therefore do not have the inalienable rights guaranteed by the other articles and amendments. I would also support an amendment that says that money is not speech.
Also, it is important to maintain the recognition of states rights in the constitution. The states should be 50 separate testing grounds for public policy. If we eliminate that, then the federal government becomes the only testing ground, and we know how unsuccessful that is. Indeed, there are other things that should be relegated to the states. For example, I think national emergency response would be better funded and managed if the national association of governors established an independent insurance fund and management agency to handle national emergency response, rather than the federal government funding and managing it through FEMA.
I used to think the electoral college was an unnecessary organ like an appendix until the election of 2000. It was then when Bush beat Gore by a couple of votes in FL (if you believe it) that the hidden purpose of the EC became apparent. It's not enough tp pile up a majority of votes in the election – the candidate must also have sufficient appeal across broad sections of the country comprising a majority of the EC to win the election. Even tho I was personally disappointed with the results that year, I think that the EC provides a useful function in requiring candidates to focus on appealling to a number of states in the country rather than getting out the majority popular vote in some of the big states.
How about restoring the requirement that voters be property owners – those who have a vested interest in the stable and prudent administration of the government?
Please forgive me for not reading all of the above... I've been away from the keyboard ('net.) for far too long it appears. This sounds like a good idea to me, but it is definitely something which must be handled with "kid gloves"; after all, the precedent is already in place: an amendment was required to make alcohol illegal and another amendment was required to re-legalize it. The fact of the matter is, an Amendment is long overdue. I believe the target date of inception should be +2020, January 1st with a one-term President for 10 years at a time who can be impeached and replaced more easily to avoid a lame-duck scenario. The vote needs to be taken directly from every legitimate citizen of this once-great and yet-to-be-greater-still Nation we all love to call home. USA version 2.0 if you will...
This REQUIRES a "'"highly secure network backbone"'"' which I have been busy re-designing on a day-to-day basis; should have most of the bugs worked out by 1-1-2012 with a little luck and some decent documentation to draw from.
(5*5)
Currently I'm thinking fiber-optic to every residence with 'many-key' type encryption/decryption protocols. In the process we should think very seriously about biting the bullet and adopting the Metric System.
[{TRUST_ME,_IT_just_CODES_BETTER_in_binary!!!}]
I'll get around to comparing my code to MILSPEC later... LMAO!!!!!!
(...possibly more to follow...)
The electoral college was created becasue at the time it was feared that the people in the states would vote for their home town candidate therefore fracturing the vote. And in those days candidates didn't realy campaign so they were largely unknowns. But the electoral college was made up of ecucated persons who knew who was who. Is it outdated, sure what happens if it is gone, then small states get ignored and only the big ones get the attention. Now sure which is best.
You say that Blacks got the right to vote in the 1860's but didn;lt vote till the Voting Rights bill was passed by the Republican congress, Democrates voted against it by the way. But Blacks did vote beginning in the 1860s and did so consistently at least in the North but not so well after reconstruction in the South. There were problems in the South that did get changed for the better. But to say they didn't vote is just wrong.
If its changed – it will be changed to further enslave us. That is a guarantee.
...NOT IF "We the People" Draft it FOR "We THE People" and subsequently FORCE_FEED it through both HOUSES of Congress by the APPLICATION of PRESSURE on said Houses! My copy of the Constitution (1.?) says that this is DO'able with 'just the right' "touch" Applied... !@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!
I must apologize... This computer is an old dinosaur and the one I've been working on has been disseminating an occasional odd sound coming from the hard drive... No internet access on it either. But the rest of this post is plain old BASIC programming language "pseudocode" (NOT C++;–) Just plow through to the next post if you don't know how to read the following SAMPLE...
REM PSEUDOCODE BEGINS HERE............................................................................................................................................
' -------------------------
REM $DYNAMIC
'TYPE RegisterSet
' AX AS INTEGER
' BX AS INTEGER
' CX AS INTEGER
' DX AS INTEGER
' BP AS INTEGER
' SI AS INTEGER
' DI AS INTEGER
' fl AS INTEGER
' DS AS INTEGER
' ES AS INTEGER
'END TYPE
' -------------------------
Init:
CLEAR , , 512
RANDOMIZE TIMER
CLS
' -------------------------
LS$ = "IF_You_Can_Read_This_,_There_Is_A_G00D_ChAnCe_That_YOU_Are_Already_WeAriNG_GLasseS_._"
' -------------------------
REM PSEUDOCODE ENDS HERE...............................................................................................................................................
...and thats really ALL of the NEWS which is "'FIT to PRINT"' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to disagree in the highest about how the Senate's method of representation is not fairly representative. Unfortunately, your position is terribly skewed and damages the credibility of this piece. In stating that there is a representative gap between states like Wyoming and California where each have only 2 Senate seats, you have completely disregarded the second house of Congree which is indeed representative based on population. By having two houses in Congress, you prevent mob rule in the House of Representatives and small state inte
Pardon me. I was saying that small state interests overwhelming Congress are prevented in the Senate. The Constitution balances both sides with a bicameral legislature. That fact seems to be completely missing in this piece, and it completely defeats the position that there is not fair representation in the Senate. How is equal representation in a part of Congress not fair in a Republic?
(disregard empty post!)
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
You know I was expecting some real left of center comments from this article but all in all it was very good.Kind of glossed over everything and left a lot of grey area but remained someone informative and most importantly, neutral, as reporters should be.
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription (M0DifIED here IN POST!)
EDITOR'S_Note: The following text is a TranSCription of the Constitution in its (M0StLY!) original form.
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WE THE PE0PLE of the United States of America, In Order To Form A M0RE Perfect Union, Re-Establish JUSTICE, eNsure D0MeSTic AND F0REIGN TranQuILIty, Provide for the Common Defence, Promote the general Welfare, AND SeCure the Ble$$ings_0F_LiberTY__TO__OurSelves__AND__ALL_Posterity, Do hereby attempt to [PROGRESSIVELY] Ordain AND eStabliSh THIS Constitution for the United States of America. (1.5001234567890123456789012345678901234567890)
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WE THE PE0PLE of the United States of America, In Order To Form A M0RE Perfect Union, Re-Establish JUSTICE, eNsure D0MeSTic AND F0REIGN TranQuILIty, Provide for the Common Defence, Promote the general Welfare, AND SeCure the Ble$$ings_0F_LiberTY__TO__OurSelves__AND__ALL_Posterity, Do hereby attempt to [PROGRESSIVELY] Ordain AND eStabliSh THIS Constitution for the United States of America. (1.5001234567890123456789012345678901234567890)
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ArtICle. I.
~
Secti0N. 1.
All Legislative Powers herein Granted Shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of:
I. eXisting Senate and House of Representatives, AND
II. WE_THE_PEOPLE (among all Democratic Spectra...)
~
Secti0N. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be COMposed of Members chosen every Second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the preD0MinAnt Branch of that State's inTerNAl Legislature.
–==WIP==–__,...@!~
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been Seven Years a Citizen of the United States, AND who shall not, 'when elected', be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
Representatives_AND_Direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the Several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of@!@!==??
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
I. ALL_PARTICIPATING_STATES_AND_F0REIGN_PARTICIPATING_TERRITORIES.
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
II. Those persons currently experiencing the most profound monetary problems thusly bound to the predominant economy.
__WIP!@@##$#!~~(360×360)
_FRee_Persons, INcludiNG_th0se_B0unD_T0_Service_FOR_a_Term_of_Years,_AND_EXcluding native populations NOT
Taxed,##,
__WIP!@#!~~n0:amendments TBIL!!
PRECISELY_ONE_fFfifth_of_ALL_Persons "as Described ABOVE". The
actual Enumeration shall be made within THree Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to ["chuse"]!!!~!lmA0!_three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
–WIP@!#$!!#n0:uALLdoTHEmathHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the_LEGISLATIVE_Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
~~~#~~~
The House of Representatives shall ch0$e their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power ofthe[INITIAL] Impeachment [PROCESS].
[#$@TRAPOUTbogeyLAMEduckQUACQUAK@@$#] == Not SENATE but DIRECT_VOTE!
~#~
Section. 3.
~.~
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for_EIGHT_Years_ONLY; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
~!@:
IMMediatEly after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes_WITH_one_additional_class_sitting_out_(PERMANENT!SESSION). The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the [4pr02call] Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
~
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
~$~...
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
~
The Senate shall CHuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
~!@#$%^&*(#OVERRIDE!SENATE!WITHIN!IMPEACHMENT!PROCESSandELECTIONcycles#)
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
---The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.------
–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP==–__,...@!~–==WIP@@:
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
~#$$#~
Section. 4.
~
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of CHusing Senators.
~
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
~
Section. 5.
~
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
~~
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
~~[BRANCH4pr02call:__EXCLUSION_OF_REPEAT_OR_EXCEPTIONALLY_HEINOUS_FELONS]
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
~[notYETfit2PRINT!]
Section. 6.
~
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law_AS_DEEMED_MINIMALLY_NECESSARY_TO_PROVIDE_ADEQUATELY_FUNCTIONAL_SERVICE_, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
~
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
~
Section. 7.
~
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
~
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
~
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
~[SUBSECTION4pr02call]
Section. 8.
~~@!#$!!
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section. 9.
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10.
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
--------------------------–
Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section. 2.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;–to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;–to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;–to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;–to Controversies between two or more States;– between a State and Citizens of another State,–between Citizens of different States,–between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
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Article. IV.
Section. 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
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Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
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Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
--------------------------–
Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.
Attest William Jackson Secretary
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
G°. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia
Delaware
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom
Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of St Thos. Jenifer
Danl. Carroll
Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.
North Carolina
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight
Hu Williamson
South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler
Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
Connecticut
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman
New York
Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. Paterson
Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt. Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris
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For biographies of the non-signing delegates to the Constitutional Convention,
see the Founding Fathers page.
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During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
The article "A More Perfect Union" provides an in-depth look at the Constitutional Convention, the ratification process, and the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
As the delegates gathered at the Pennsylvania State House in May 1787 to "revise" the Articles of Confederation, Virginia delegate George Mason wrote, "The Eyes of the United States are turned upon this Assembly and their Expectations raised to a very anxious Degree." Mason had earlier written the Virginia Declaration of Rights that strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. He left the convention bitterly disappointed, however, and became one of the Constitution's most vocal opponents. "It has no declaration of rights," he was to state. Ultimately, George Mason's views prevailed. When James Madison drafted the amendments to the Constitution that were to become the Bill of Rights, he drew heavily upon the ideas put forth in the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Amending or changing the constitution isn't the real root of the problem. It's the reason(s) behind changing the constitution that concerns me. Changing anything to accommodate a tiny minority is NOT the right thing to do. It just isn't feasible. You can not ask or demand the majority to support a minority.
The constitution is suppose to protect the right of the individual while maintaining the vote of the majority. The states have chosen to do otherwise which is why I sometimes cringe at the idea of giving California more voting power. While the neo-cons relish this idea, they are also at the head of societal corruption. (Political correctness removed from this post.)
Wise up! The ruling class in our society will not give up power unless they are either voted out of office or removed from office by other legal means. If these methods do not correct the problem, god forbid, a revolution by the people is needed.
The ONLY guaranty to the freedoms we enjoy is if the people will keep in check those who want to enslave us. If "the people" allow the imposing of a tyrannical government, we are doomed, the constitution is meaningless!
Everyone's an expert ... yet the boat keeps on sinking.
Our political system needs overhauling, of that there is no doubt. What worked 200+ years ago doesn't apply today. Granted our framework is a necessary reference to compass our legal and moral course. But the ideas need to be looked at with less reverence and more practicality. I'm 50, ex-cop, ex-military, and currently disabled without gov assistance, and I barely graduated from a rural high school with easy standards in Arizona no less!! So I'm nothing even close to "smart". And my outlook towards thius nation is as reverent as anyone's. However, it is plain to see that many of our old ideas are no longer suited for the present Earth.
We elect salemen with the best smile and prettiest wife. We hire morons that are no smarter than "We the People" (if you think Americans are *smart* just view about an hour's worth of nothing but TV commercials and you'll see just how "smart" the mainstream American is). I will say that I am SO GLAD that our nation views individuals above the "moral mob". It's obvious that witch hunts are still very much alive, and the idea that the individual is protected above the will of the "mob" is quite comforting. But that aside, the US Const. and much in the manner of our ~ways~ needs a close looking over.
One thing for certain, we must draw greater distinction between "legality" and "morality". I know of many "laws" that are just plain immoral (such as allowing corps to have ANY say in our political lives at all).. I also know of moralities that are illegal. This paradox needs to be addressed. Morality changes over time, our legality must be able to do the same.
The Constitution is NOT written on stones.
(Forgive mispellings, I'm not wearing my glasses!).
[_I_see_your_point_._good to see a like-minded-soul with the ability to question one's own rationalities as stated thusly!]
UNITED_STATES_CONSTITUTION_REVISION_Alpha_ (EARLY)^(EDITION) / (L8R_EDITION)
general_note_for_MODERATOR_please_reprioritize_this_threadline_as_deemed_necessary_pursuant_to_
"UNOFFICIAL BRANCH 5 PR02CALL" ! (SUBSECTION:EDITOR_REQUIRES_DAILY_SLEEP_CYCLE,etc...)
There is nothing wrong with the Constitution, except it has been undermined by a corrupt and tyranic government.
Whatever you do leave the Second Amendment alone.
Work In Progress...(WIP) Different source file... Copied word-for-word from (http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html) below...: (_ALREADY_Covered_Preamble__AND__ARTICLE_ONE_above_!_)
Contents
•Preamble
•Article 1 – The Legislative Branch
◦Section 1 – The Legislature
◦Section 2 – The House
◦Section 3 – The Senate
◦Section 4 – Elections, Meetings
◦Section 5 – Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
◦Section 6 – Compensation
◦Section 7 – Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
◦Section 8 – Powers of Congress
◦Section 9 – Limits on Congress
◦Section 10 – Powers Prohibited of States
•Article 2 – The Executive Branch
◦Section 1 – The President
◦Section 2 – Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
◦Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress
◦Section 4 – Disqualification
•Article 3 – The Judicial Branch
◦Section 1 – Judicial Powers
◦Section 2 – Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
◦Section 3 – Treason
•Article 4 – The States
◦Section 1 – Each State to Honor All Others
◦Section 2 – State Citizens, Extradition
◦Section 3 – New States
◦Section 4 – Republican Government
•Article 5 – Amendment
•Article 6 – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
•Article 7 – Ratification
•Signatories
•Amendments
◦Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
◦Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms
◦Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers
◦Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure
◦Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings
◦Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses
◦Amendment 7 – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
◦Amendment 8 – Cruel and Unusual Punishment
◦Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution
◦Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People
◦Amendment 11 – Judicial Limits
◦Amendment 12 – Choosing the President, Vice President
◦Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished
◦Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights
◦Amendment 15 – Race No Bar to Vote
◦Amendment 16 – Status of Income Tax Clarified
◦Amendment 17 – Senators Elected by Popular Vote
◦Amendment 18 – Liquor Abolished
◦Amendment 19 – Women's Suffrage
◦Amendment 20 – Presidential, Congressional Terms
◦Amendment 21 – Amendment 18 Repealed
◦Amendment 22 – Presidential Term Limits
◦Amendment 23 – Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
◦Amendment 24 – Poll Taxes Barred
◦Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession
◦Amendment 26 – Voting Age Set to 18 Years
◦Amendment 27 – Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay
--------------------------–
The Constitution of the United States
Preamble Note
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
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Article I – The Legislative Branch Note
Section 1 – The Legislature
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2 – The House
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section 3 – The Senate
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)
No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Section 4 – Elections, Meetings
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section 5 – Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6 – Compensation
(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Section 7 – Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section 8 – Powers of Congress
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section 9 – Limits on Congress
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
Section 10 – Powers prohibited of States
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
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Article II – The Executive Branch Note
Section 1 – The President Note1 Note2
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2 – Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section 4 – Disqualification
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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Article III – The Judicial Branch Note
Section 1 – Judicial powers
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section 2 – Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
(The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States; between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section 3 – Treason Note
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
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Article IV – The States
Section 1 – Each State to Honor all others
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section 2 – State citizens, Extradition
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th Amendment.)
Section 3 – New States
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section 4 – Republican government
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
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Article V – Amendment Note1 – Note2 – Note3
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
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Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
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Article VII – Ratification Documents
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
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Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. Note
Go Washington – President and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire – John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts – Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut – Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman
New York – Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey – Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton
Pensylvania – B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris
Delaware – Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom
Maryland – James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll
Virginia – John Blair, James Madison Jr.
North Carolina – Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson
South Carolina – J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia – William Few, Abr Baldwin
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
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The Amendments Note
The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History
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Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
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Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
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Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
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Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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Amendment 7 – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
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Amendment 8 – Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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Amendment 11 – Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. Note History
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
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Amendment 12 – Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804. Note History The Electoral College
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;
The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;
The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.
The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
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Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865. History
1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History
1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
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Amendment 15 – Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870. History
1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 16 – Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913. Note History
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
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Amendment 17 – Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913. History
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
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Amendment 18 – Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933. History
1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
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Amendment 19 – Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920. History
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 20 – Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933. History
1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
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Amendment 21 – Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933. History
1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
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Amendment 22 – Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951. History
1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
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Amendment 23 – Presidential Vote for District of Columbia. Ratified 3/29/1961. History
1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 24 – Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964. History
1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967. Note History
1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
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Amendment 26 – Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971. History
1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
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Amendment 27 – Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay. Ratified 5/7/1992. History
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
Upon closer inspection of available source files, a comprehensive overhaul of the Working Draft may necessitate several separate Amendments to be force-fed-through the Legislative Branch and ultimately wind up in front of the President's eyes (only) for final approval(s). I sure hope this can and should be completed prior to 1-1-2012 AD. No need for the current administration to do any campaigning here (yet), too much work is left undone concerning domestic necessities and ALL of the WORK which that entails...
Just leave it the way it is. But if idiots start messing with it I'd want to add some well-crafted language that limits the "EMERGENCY War Powers Act" so that it is ONLY used for an EMERGENCY. An EMERGENCY meaning a DIRECT and IMMEDIATE attack on US SOIL that requires a SWIFT RESPONSE. If we had followed the original intent of the EWPA then we could have avoided every single war since it was enacted. Presidents of both parties (Progressive Tools need not comment, you only look like fools chanting the "Republican Wars BAD, Democrat Wars GOOD" line over and over...) have been responsible for first putting soldiers in harm's way then hitting up Congress to back them up once soldiers are committed (or just ignore Congress like Obama).
But in the end, it doesn't even matter how the Constitution is changed, doesn't the Supreme Court have the final say these days anyway?
If the fools in Washington would only stop LYING about "Original Intent" (they actually know better, they just lie to get their own way) then we could have avoided most of the problems we are currently facing. But instead we ignore what the Constitution means, or just ignore it altogether. And presidents of both parties ignore the purpose of the Emergency War Powers Act and get us into trouble all over the world.
And here's a special thought for all you paid Progressive campaigners: If Bush lied about WMD's to get us into a war with Iraq, at least he followed the intent of the EWPA. But Libya? LIBYA??? Obama just outright ignores the law, he doesn't even bother to lie. That takes a lot of nerve!
-Sideshow Bob
If you honestly don't understand the purpose of the Electoral College, then you are either woefully uneducated in the subject of government, or you simply want to twist things to your own ends. There is no other excuse. Crack open a government book and do some research before spouting off about how things should be changed. My great grandfather left school in the 4th grade and knew more than most of the 18 year olds who "graduate" from high school. I know of a couple in particular who "graduated" and can't even read, write or do math.
So if you honestly don't know why the Electoral College exists, then perhaps you should ask yourself why society wants you to be so ignorant. Then take charge of yourself and start doing some research! The Constitution was written to be readable by 8th graders back when it was ratified. And now, in our "advanced" society, most kids who graduate from high school can't even read, let alone read and comprehend the Constitution.
-SideShow Bob
Perhaps we should return to "the United States are..." Parlamentary system FTW!
I think both of these men are being disingenuous. The simplicity of their arguments disregards the founder's arguments, which are many. They think we are all dummies and will draw a conculusion based on sound bites. Shame on them
[pr02call_LAST_POST_"B4"_batch_sleep_cycle_generalized_+and+_](?)(?)(editor_requests_the_assistance_of_BOTH_"Robert Jordan" AND 'Joe Straczynski'[?sp?=sorry Joe, it's L8!!!])
referenceREQUESTforMENTORinputSOURCEdataDURINGmanualREVISIONprocessesANDprotocols...
First pass the Congressional Apportionment Amendment Read Federalist Paper 58. Second, repeal the 22nd Amendment. Read Federalist 71 and 72. Third, repeal the the 17th Amendment. Read Federalist 62 and 63.
This MORNING's post comes COPY&PASTED from PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS threadline...
Contents: WORKING DRAFT COPY OF UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION _pre_Amendment-able_Format_ ...
~~~*~~~AKA~Alpha_Pr0ject_DRAFT_0000000I:R-01_PR0JECT__alphA...
•Preamble (DELIBERATELY INCLUDED TWICE.)
~~~*~~~
WE THE PE0PLE of the United States of America, In Order To Form A M0RE Perfect Union, Re-Establish JUSTICE, eNsure D0MeSTic AND F0REIGN TranQuILIty, Provide for the Common Defence, Promote the general Welfare, AND SeCure the Ble$$ings_0F_LiberTY__TO__OurSelves__AND__ALL_Posterity, Do hereby attempt to [PROGRESSIVELY] Ordain AND eStabliSh THIS Constitution for the United States of America. (1.5001234567890123456789012345678901234567890)
~~~*~~~
WE THE PE0PLE of the United States of America, In Order To Form A M0RE Perfect Union, Re-Establish JUSTICE, eNsure D0MeSTic AND F0REIGN TranQuILIty, Provide for the Common Defence, Promote the general Welfare, AND SeCure the Ble$$ings_0F_LiberTY__TO__OurSelves__AND__ALL_Posterity, Do hereby attempt to [PROGRESSIVELY] Ordain AND eStabliSh THIS Constitution for the United States of America. (1.5001234567890123456789012345678901234567890)
~~~*~~~@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@:#!WORKING HERE FOR NOW...@@@:@@@@:#!WORKING HERE FOR NOW...
•Article 1 – The Legislative Branch –==– ArtICle. I.
Secti0N. 1.
ALL_TRADITIONAL_Legislative Powers herein Granted Shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of:
I. (BRANCH TWO) THE eXiSting Senate and House of Representatives, AND
II. (BRANCH ONE) WE_THE_PEOPLE (among all Participating Democratic Spectra...)
~~#
Secti0N. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be COMpoSed of Members chosen every (_FIFTH_) Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of State of Origin.
~~~*~~~
(EACH) Representative; shall; have attained; the Age of twenty five Years, and (MUST_be_at_least_TEN_) Years a Citizen of the United States, AND who (MUST), 'when elected', be an Inhabitant of that State (FROM) which he (_OR_SHE_Has_Been_) Chosen.
~~#
Representatives_AND_Direct_Taxes shall be apportioned among ALL States within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the _WHOLE_Number_of@!@!==??
I. ALL_PARTICIPATING_STATES__AND__F0REIGN_PARTICIPATING_TERRITORIES...[HIGHEST_TAX_BRACKETS]
II. Those persons currently experiencing the most profound monetary problems thusly bound to predominant economic conditions._..._WIP!@@##$#!~~(360×360)...[LOWEST_TAX_BRACKETS]
III. EXCLUDING__[(th0se_B0unD_T0_Service_FOR_a_Term_of_Years[MYselfINCLUDEDhere!])],__AND__[(Native_Populations_NOT_Taxed.)(ANDmySELFincludedHEREasWELL!)].
~!#~
PRECISELY_ONE_fFfifth_of_ALL_Persons "as Described ABOVE".
The actual Enumeration (AND "equational rebalancing") shall be made [ANNUALLY] (), AND within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as [THUSLY_STATED]. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every_TWELVE_Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative;(cutcutcut);ee.[EeE==eEe]=G00D
–WIP@!#$!!#note0:uALLdoTHEmathHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the_LEGISLATIVE_Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
~~~#~~~
The House of Representatives shall ch00$e their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of the_[INITIAL]_Impeachment_[PROCESS].
[#$@TRAPOUTbogeyLAMEduckQUACQUAK@@$#] == HOUSE, SENATE, THEN_DIRECT_VOTE! (no EC here)!
~#~Section. 3.~.~
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for_EIGHT_Years_ONLY; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
~!@:
IMMediatEly after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three_ACTIVE_Classes_WITH_one_'NEW'_additional_class_OBSERVING_(PERMANENT!SESSION). The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the [4pr02call] Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
~[section (3) above needs some minor rewording for excellent workflow throughput]~
EACH Senator shall have attained the Age of THIRTY Years AND must be at least TWENTY Years a US_Citizen; AND_ALSO a Permanent_Resident of his/her State of Origin.(cutcutcut)
~$~...
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
~
The Senate shall CHuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he/she shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.!.
~~DURING the Process of IMPEACHMENT, AFTER Successful Initiation within the House Of Representatives, the SENATE shall have the SOLE power of determining the appropriate CourseS of Action to Present to the American Public.~~
~~When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of_FOUR_FIFTHS_of the Members present.NO_EXCEPTIONS_DUE_TO_intentional_sabotage_WILLbeTOLERATEDunderANYcircumstance!!!!!!~~
~!@#$%^&*(#OVERRIDE!SENATE!WITHIN!IMPEACHMENT!PROCESSandELECTIONcycles#)
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
~#$$#~Section. 4.~
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of CHusing Senators_XOR?-or_pay_raises!!.#
~#$#~
The Congress shall assemble at least (eleven months out of) every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in (JANUARY), unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
~Section. 5.
~
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
~~
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
~~[BRANCH4pr02call:__EXCLUSION_OF_REPEAT_OR_EXCEPTIONALLY_HEINOUS_FELONS]
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
~[notYETfit2PRINT!]:(FTTTW)
SectI0n. 6.~
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law_AS_DEEMED_MINIMALLY_NECESSARY_TO_PROVIDE_ADEQUATELY_FUNCTIONAL_SERVICE_, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
~!@
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
~@!
SectI0n. 7.~TAXATION~PROCESS~?
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
~@!#
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
~!@#
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
~[SUBSECTION4pr02call]
Section. 8.
~~@!#$!!
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District [[[[(not exceeding (ten Miles)~[1kM]~(CUBED))]]]] as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;~;[_INCLUDING_LUNAR_MILITARY_BASE_LOCATED_ON_ITS_FAR_SIDE_!_];[AND__PERMANENT_Terraforming_Colony_LOCATED_on_MARS_!_];–And~
~To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
~
Section. 9.00?~(0000000I:R-01)
~
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
~
Section. 10.0000~01~(360×360)~[P/F::==meets/exceeds\stated\protocols]
~
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
~
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
~
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
~
@@@@@@:@@@@@@@@:#!WORKING HERE FOR NOW...@@@:@@@@:#!WORKING HERE FOR NOW...
FIT2RETTweet!~!~TTextishStyle~_local_CHRONOMETER_indicates_~11:30~...LOOK FOR PM Revisions L8R...
◦Section 1 – The Legislature
◦Section 2 – The House
◦Section 3 – The Senate
◦Section 4 – Elections, Meetings
◦Section 5 – Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment
◦Section 6 – Compensation
◦Section 7 – Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
◦Section 8 – Powers of Congress
◦Section 9 – Limits on Congress
◦Section 10 – Powers Prohibited of States
•Article 2 – The Executive Branch
◦Section 1 – The President
◦Section 2 – Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
◦Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress
◦Section 4 – Disqualification
•Article 3 – The Judicial Branch
◦Section 1 – Judicial Powers
◦Section 2 – Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
◦Section 3 – Treason
•Article 4 – The States
◦Section 1 – Each State to Honor All Others
◦Section 2 – State Citizens, Extradition
◦Section 3 – New States
◦Section 4 – Republican Government
•Article 5 – Amendment
•Article 6 – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
•Article 7 – Ratification
•Signatories
•Amendments
◦Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
◦Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms
◦Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers
◦Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure
◦Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings
◦Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses
◦Amendment 7 – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
◦Amendment 8 – Cruel and Unusual Punishment
◦Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution
◦Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People
◦Amendment 11 – Judicial Limits
◦Amendment 12 – Choosing the President, Vice President
◦Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished
◦Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights
◦Amendment 15 – Race No Bar to Vote
◦Amendment 16 – Status of Income Tax Clarified
◦Amendment 17 – Senators Elected by Popular Vote
◦Amendment 18 – Liquor Abolished
◦Amendment 19 – Women's Suffrage
◦Amendment 20 – Presidential, Congressional Terms
◦Amendment 21 – Amendment 18 Repealed
◦Amendment 22 – Presidential Term Limits
◦Amendment 23 – Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
◦Amendment 24 – Poll Taxes Barred
◦Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession
◦Amendment 26 – Voting Age Set to 18 Years
◦Amendment 27 – Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay
TT
Preamble_(2.0~)_L00Ks_Decent_,_Article_I_(1.500~)_L00Ks_Improved_~_(...moving along to Article II review...)
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Preamble_(2.0~)_L00Ks_Decent_,_Article_I_(1.500~)_L00Ks_Improved_~_(...moving along to Article II review...)
ALL BELOW IS OPTIONAL 'FILLER' MATERIAL...
By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
~So we thought we'd experiment in crowd sourcing some amendments to the American Constitution.
~That inspired perhaps the strongest reaction that we have ever gotten here at GPS. Thousands and thousands of e-mails, tweets, Facebook messages and posts on our message board.
~[the best is yet to come,WRITERsBlockNOTwithstanding!]
~About one-third of you thought no revision was necessary and some expressed that opinion rather colorfully, to say the least. (.see.minority.PREFERENCEwhichBEARSsufficientRESPECT.)
~Among the other two-thirds, there were some very popular ideas for amendments. Eliminating the Electoral College was probably on top of the list.~(justNEEDS_explicitlyDEFINED__AND__DEBUGGED!)~
~~There were some more controversial ideas: a fat tax on unhealthy food, an upper age limit on elected officials, (edline:a ban on discrimination of left-handed people):(leftyAIMINGforAMBIDEXTERITY_here). I wasn't aware that that was a big problem. And my personal favorite was "Limit Zakaria to two stupid comments a month," which I suspect is over already.~L0L~
Anyway, to dig deeper on this, the legalities of amending the Constitution and whether or not it's really feasible, FZ spoke to Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Senior Legal Analyst.Here's a transcript of our chat:;(CUTcutcut)
hmmmm... Electoral College. so if I understand this right, they are the ones who 'decide' who wins or looses ? then why do we have elections and a push for voting ? why bother if our vote doesnt count?
I am still seething over your suggestion that we change the constitution via social media.
How dare you! You don't understand the first thing about the document, the intentions and the result of your experiment will ruin us with rule by the MOB which the founders feared rightly.
I suggest that you read the interpretation of the Federalist Papers (The Original Argument) now offered by Glenn Beck and listen regularly to Mark Levin for your edification.
Only after reading and listening to these gentlemen should you offer anything. Also the founders feared foreign influence and entanglements – which disqualifies you from suggesting anything.
Go back home and thank you.
(...so far_a_little change in logistical function...)[TARGET_affective_DATE=1-1-2020]
~Article II – The Executive Branch~Section 1 – The President Note1 Note2 note3 Note4
~The executive Power shall be vested in_BOTH_A_President_AND_First_Lady_!(1man,1woman,married@least10years)!_ of the United States of America. _THeY shall hold Office during_ONLY_ONE_Term of_TEN_Years, and, together with the Vice-President _AND_CABINET_MEMBERS_chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
~@#$!!
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the_PEOPLE_thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
~(FULL#CUT#AND#GUT#RIGHT#HERE)
(This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)
~(MAINTAIN#POSITION#FOR#FORWARD#COMPATIBILITY#@!!!)
~[..REFERENCING_12th_Amendment...]~~Amendment 12 – Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804.~
~#NEEDSmuchWORK #
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President_,_FIRST_LADY_,_and_PRIMARY_ADMINISTRATION_OFFICIALS_;
#$#,(cutcutcut); they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate(+etc._PURSUANT_TO_ABOVE_STATED_PROTOCOL_);
~The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;
~##_ELECTORAL_COLLEGE_MUST_REACH_A_TWO_THIRDS_MAJORITY_FOR_THE_ENITRE_EXECUTIVE_ADMINISTRATION_##~(cutCUTcut)~~~
~No person except a natural born Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been_at_least_twenty_five_Years a Resident within the United States.
~
(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)
~~REFERENCING:~
~Amendment 20 – Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933. History
1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967. Note History
1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
~
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or_any_State_or_participating_Territory_therein_except_as_reviewed_annually_by_popular_vote_.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section 2 – Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, and all Emergent branches of the United States Military, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
~[below_can_be_cut_out_now_since_SENATE_IS_NOW_IN_PERMANENT_SESSION!\]
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
~[SEE_previous_note_(360*360)]
Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section 4 – Disqualification
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
~~~~~~~~~ARTICLE II now meets and exceeds previously stated objectives!...reviewed_for_FTTTW!!!
some constructive feedback would be appreciated. so far I see a Preamble approaching stage 2.0 and Articles I and II approaching stage 1.50012345678901~~~~~~
GENERAL_NOTE: Editor will be offline for a while...more pressing work needs to be done this coming week...
I am not a constitutional scholar, though unlike many Americans, I have read and re-read it. May I be so bold, I might suggest two changes.
The first would be to re-word the Second Amendment to make it perfectly clear to even George Soros and Michael Bloomberg that the rights of the individual to keep and bear arms is absolute.
The second would be to require the electoral college to vote according to the districts the individual electors represent, and eliminate forever of this "winner take all" situation prevalent in many/most of our States wherein a simple majority of the popular vote in a State awards all of that State's delegates to a single candidate. This alone would, I believe, make candidates more responsible to the voters of ALL states, and not just those "Swing" states.
old gaffer,
your points have been taken into consideration.
per the first point, I intend to address each and every Amendment in due course. I believe that the race back into space precludes and supercedes the inherent right of all Americans to keep and bear arms. [The "well-regulated" Militia (while not necessary for offensive campaigns) is nonetheless _VITAL_ for adequate DEFENSE!]
per the second point, The Electoral College (EC) has been addressed already in Article II (EXECUTIVE BRANCH) revision.
pertaining to general notes thusly modified: subtle rewording has been accomplished during 0000000I:Alpha_PR0ject_Review_CYCLE_QCCQ_QCQC_aiio_IOIO_pppp_ffff_PFPF_SUBS_Check&_INCLUDE#EXCLUDE::\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
FareedZ: Alpha.0I.IO.io.MANUAL_REVISION_PROCESS_remains_incomplete_here, but this entire threadline nontheless remains _VITAL_ to its eventual completion! (NO current internet access where I'm heading for a few days!)
[ED: trying to get ARCHIVAL access via leased LIBRARY ACCESS...(can't even check email on this old dinosaur!)]
My oh my, what a special little article. In regards to your question concerning the last presidential campaign with roots in a flyover state like WY...ever heard of a guy named Cheney? Also, you may want to brush up on your math skills...WY has a few hundred thousand more than 400,000 residents. Truth is the trophy states like CA and NY are failures and silencing the voice of successful and self-reliant states like Vermont, Delaware and Wyoming works in your favor to advance your liberal agenda. Little states like ours are in the black, while the states held so highly are deafened by their death rattles. I have lived in both CA and NY and I can tell you that they are anomalies and truthfully the nation would be better off if they simply exited stage left and formed their own sovereign nations. They might need to borrow some money from the profitable states, but it could be done.
Freedom is something these "little states" like VT, DE and WY hold dear. To those who seek to dominate and control and further the USSA agenda, we are a venom. These states are the few who actually protect and treasure freedom in an innocent way; the few states that still have representatives who actually represent and walk amongst and are accountable to their citizens. I've seen CA and NY representatives and I wasn't dazzled by their smoke and mirrors. If a representative in WY commandeered a military chopper for a personal dinner excursion at the expense of taxpayers, they would be run out of town. In CA, they are promoted to a higher seat of power. In WY we have jobs, income, natural resources, accountability, freedom, peace, innovation and tranquility. Other states in the red could learn a lesson or two. Perhaps, to preserve our freedom, liberty and tranquility, it is best to keep ignoring us, chalking us up as irrelevant, backwards hillbillies so we can continue laughing at your "sophistication" and pretend to be amused.
One little tidbit to add...Wyoming doesn't ask for Federal money to survive and values its independence and sovereignty. It has been a leader, not a follower. For example, WY was the first state to give women the right to vote...hence the Equality State. NY wasn't the first and neither was CA. The Federal government, instead of learning from, has targeted those states in the black who have refused to become dependent on Federal dollars. They want a dependence, like a pimp to a poor frightened young girl, so that they can dictate the terms of the relationship. State sovereignty is the basis of this nation and the fear of a Federal government wielding too much power was THE concern of the founding fathers. That is why WY doesn't talk about the constitution but lives it. We have tremendous freedom, especially as pertains to the first and second amendments and we do not abuse it.
Using the pretense of updating the constitution is a thin veil to the ultimate aim of a power grab. Not all of us will be broken by a pimp in hope of a shiny quarter. The Republicans and Democrats in WY all share this value, no matter political differences. Freedom is something, once tasted in its purist form, is the one thing worth defending and honoring.
When I read this article I can honestly say that I had very little understanding of what either the author, his literary guest, or many of the responders had to say. However, this inspired me to look up every unknown term, event, idea within the text. Then this led me on to further inspiration. My students (I teach high school kids) always fight against my statement that if I set a newspaper in front of them, they would not have a clue as to what they were reading. I then sat a newspaper in front of them, proved my point, and they said "we won't understand this ever anyway." This article approaches extremely important topics whether you agree or disagree. The fact that we can have these discussions is amazing. I plan to bring this article into the classroom and assign my students to dissect it until they understand it. The fact is, the careless "I don't care" kids that I am teaching now are the ones who will actually be able to make the changes whether they are necessary now or in the future, but the problem is – they do not understand anything about what they would have to make decisions upon. I teach students fresh out of Civics and they cannot explain how the Electoral College works for a piece of candy (which in high school is quiet the incentive). How are these students suppose to decide the future of America? I appreciate this article because it touches on a subject that we are all aware of: the Constitution; however, it also touches on a great deal of information that the average high school graduate is not going to understand. Therefore, this article becomes an excellent example of how, while the essential problem may be understood, the solution is alien to average American.
Dear Mr Zakaria, I've scanned through many of the responses and there are wonderful ideas about amending the constitution. But I have a simple question: Do the american people trust their representatives enough to open up the constitution for amending?
No matter how good the ideas, the current polarized political climate and the significant lobby influence in Washington makes one wonder if certain unwanted amendments would be added despite public protest. In such a climate of public distrust, perhaps the only way to amend the Constitution is via a national referendum. Best Regards, Steven
maybe the system would work as it was designed.... if certain groups had not removed the checks and balances and oversights that control the banking....monetary ...and investment groups..
also... the criminal lobbyists.... lobbying was a tool for communities needs to be heard and represented in government
not for corporate private interests to steal the country away from the "PEOPLE"
@Mike
So what is your problem with the 2nd Amendment?
The right to legally bare and possess arms.
Well let’s see the majority of all violent crimes are committed by people who have illegal weapons.
Look at the number of people who have legal weapons that shot a thief in their store or intruder in their home in Texas. God Bless America.
Also I say get rid of the Electoral College.
All it is, is a venue for lobbyist and favoritism.
We are about the only country in the world that uses that system.
I say do a popular vote like for local politicians and the rest of the world
dinner time, then Article III review...
~Article III – The Judicial Branch Note
Section 1 – Judicial powers
~!
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the_SUPREME_COURT_(NOT Congress)_ may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and_lesser_Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
~!!
Section 2 – Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
~
~HREF~Amendment 11~~(cutCOPYpaste)~
(This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)
Amendment 11 – Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. Note History
~
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
~!!!!!!!!!!!~
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State_AND/OR CORPORATION_ shall be Party, the Supreme Court shall have_Primary_Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
~
Section 3 – Treason Note
~
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
~?wtph??
The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
~??[(Why is this here? What Purpose did/does it serve?)]????~
--------––
fit to print !
Article IV – The States
Section 1 – Each State to Honor all others
~
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
~
Section 2 – State citizens, Extradition
~
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
~
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
~
(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th Amendment.)
~~HREF~~~Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865. History
1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, EXCepT AS a Punishment for Crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~~~~~~~
Section 3 – New States
~
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
~
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
~
Section 4 – 'Republican G0vernment'
~UNMODIFIED HERE~
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
~MODIFIED here~
The United States shall Guarantee to every State in this Union a__Democratic_Republic__Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; AND against domestic Violence [(RESOLVED:Executive;Judicial;Legislative;PEOPLE)(in _precisely_ that order...)].
~!~Article V – Amendment Note1 – Note2 – Note3~!~
__THE_PUBLIC_whenever_possible_,_shall_have_Initial_AND_Final_discretionary_authority_concerning_ALL_future_Constitutional_Amendments_,_INCLUDING_those_proposed_here.
~
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
~~[reword?]
Doesn't really matter if it gets changed, Obamma will still do whatever he wants
~Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation__AND_Existing_Constitution_.
~
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
~
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
~
~Article VII – Ratification Documents
The Ratification of the Conventions of_THIRTY-TWO_OF_THE_FIFTY_States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
~--------––~
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. Note
Go Washington [George]– President and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire – John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts – Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King
Connecticut – Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman
New York – Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey – Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton
Pensylvania – B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris
Delaware – Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom
Maryland – James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll
Virginia – John Blair, James Madison Jr.
North Carolina – Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson
South Carolina – J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler
Georgia – William Few, Abr Baldwin
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
~~~~~~~~~next up: The Bill Of Rights [NO_CHANGE!(only_additions!)]~~~~~~~~~~
UNMODIFIED COPY
--------––
The Amendments Note
The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History
--------––
Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
--------––
Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
--------––
Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
--------––
Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
--------––
Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
--------––
Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
--------––
Amendment 7 – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
--------––
Amendment 8 – Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
--------––
Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
--------––
Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
--------––
UNMODIFIED COPY
[[PROTOCOL:CLARIFICATION_ONLY]]
~--–––~
~Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
~~~~Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof; OR abridging the freedom of speech OR of the press; OR the right of the People to assemble PEACEFULLY, AND to Petition the_FEDERAL_or_State_Government(s) for a redress of grievances.
~--–––~
Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
~~~~A Well_Regulated_Militia–being_VITAL_to_the_appropriate_Defense_of_OUR_NATION__AND__thus_Necessary to the security of a Free State–Shall not be infringed_upon_by_any_Branch_of_the_Federal_Government. While_the_Executive_Branch_exercises_Control_over_Emerging_technologies_,_The_Militia_Shall_maintain_a_level_of_technology_appropriate_to_existing_AND_Emerging_Threats.
~--–––~
Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
~~~~No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
~
~--–––~
Amendment 4 – Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~The Right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, AND Particularly describing_both_the place to be searched AND the persons or things TO be seized.
~
~--–––~N0TE:{in post-9-11, post-OBL era, I believe that this particular amendment should grow to include acts of terrorism upon American Citizens and Americans living/working/serving abroad...I just don't know how to adequately put that into words in the format of an Amendment at this time...nor_much_time_to_devote_to_this_at_present...}
Amendment 5 – Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
~--–––~
Amendment 6 – Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
~--–––~{...inflation...}
Amendment 7 – Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed_FIVE_HUNDRED_dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
~--–––~
Amendment 8 – Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
~--–––~
Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
~~~~The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the People.
~--–––~
Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
~~~~The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the_PEOPLE_First_,_THEN_to_the_States respectively.
[All Amendments subsequent to the 'Bill Of Rights'] (refer-to Changes already indicated previously)
~~--------––
~Amendment 11 – Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. Note History
~~The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
~~--------––
~Amendment 12 – Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804. Note History The Electoral College
~~The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;
~
The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;
~
The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.
~
The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
~
~~--------––
~Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865. History
~~1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
~
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~~--------––
~Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History
~~1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
~!@#$INCLUDE/exclude
2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,_INCLUDING_Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the_(male)_inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such_(male)_citizens shall bear to the whole number of_(male)_citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
~
3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
~!@#$%^&*(CRUNCH*TIME!now.here.and.now...)
4. The Validity of the Public Debt of the United States, _AS_authorized by law_AND_payable_from_the_United_States_Treasury_, (including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion), shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, (or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave); but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. [{(INSERTION-- All VALID DEBTS pertaining to the Federal and State Governments of the United States MUST be payable from _taxes_ collected _in_advance__OR__from The United States Treasury [Resource_Reserves] –INSERTION)}]
~
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
~~--------––
~Amendment 15 – Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870. History
~~1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
~
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~~--------––
~Amendment 16 – Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913. Note History
~~The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
~~~~[DO_NOT_ALTER_much!]~~~~[However, the _process_ of tax collection may not generate an unfair burden upon _ANY_ individual or Family. (Each must do their own part, not to exceed 15% of Total Income per year.)]
~{refer to proposed Changes regarding permanent Session of Senate}~--------––
~Amendment 17 – Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913. History
~~The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
~
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
~
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
~
~[left for the benefit of Posterity]~--------––
~Amendment 18 – Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933. History
~~1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
~
2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~
3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
~
~~--------––
~Amendment 19 – Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920. History
~~The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
~
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~
~~--------––
~Amendment 20 – Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933. History
~~1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
~
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
~
3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
~
4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
~
5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
~
6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
~
~[also left for Posterity]~--------––
~Amendment 21 – Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933. History
~~1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
~2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
~3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
~[(COMPREHENSIVE overhaul required to clearly delineate that which is considered 'legal' from that which is considered 'illegal')(the SUBJECT matter of the final amendment subject to Ratification)]~
~{SUPERCEDED by proposed alteration in the form of One_Ten_Year_Term limitation}~--------––
~Amendment 22 – Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951. History
~~1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
~
2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
~[HEREBY expanded to include all Non-State Territories Actively Participating]~--------––
~Amendment 23 – Presidential Vote for District of Columbia. Ratified 3/29/1961. History
~~1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States _AND_other_Territories_participating_ shall appoint in such manner as the _PEOPLE THEREOF_ ( not Congress ) may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the Districts would be entitled if they were States, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
~{?sufficiently adequate Alteration??}~
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~~--------––
~Amendment 24 – Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964. History
~~1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
~
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~
~~--------––
~Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967. Note History
~~1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
~
2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
~
3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
~
4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
~
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
~
~{personal belief: SHOULD BE raised to age 20 AND national "drinking age" should be lowered to age 20}~--------––
~Amendment 26 – Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971. History
~~1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
~
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
~
~{personal_note: the Only one done in my lifetime!}~--------––
~Amendment 27 – Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay. Ratified 5/7/1992. History
~~No law varying the compensation for the services of_ANY_Federal_Official_shall take effect until an election shall have intervened__AND__said_law_has_been_Ratified_PUBLICLY.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Next Chore...(tidy-up and adapt to Amendment format)
I think the problem is that if you follow the constitution you wouldnt have the problems. It because americans allowed things to get out of control by excepting the disfunction of not following the doctrine.
activity has been rethreaded... see:
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/07/u-s-constitution-a-flexible-document/
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
What on Earth does deserving have to do with national security? I imagine most people killed by governments don't deserve to die by any reasonable ethical metric; in many parts of the world the US is more or less legitimately viewed as an imperial and oppressive force.
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uhh–you know we're not a democracy, right? A democratic republic is a republic, not a democracy.