NationStates Jolt Archive

Good news! You have been selected to participate in the USA's upcoming Constitutional Convention, due to your expertise on US politics and law. Therefore, I am asking you to propose a few changes that you would make to the US Constitution to ensure that the document is up to date and ready to lead the American populace to prosperity and justice in the coming years.

(In other words, you see something you don't like in the document, you propose a change to it. Or if you see the need for something added, you propose and addition.)

Thank you. To begin with, I think in this day of advanced publishing technology we have no excuse for a lack of pictures to accompany the text.

Maybe some elephants? [kudos for reference]

The only significant change that needs to be made is to repeal the 17th Amendment.

The only significant change that needs to be made is to repeal the 17th Amendment.

A certain ex-governor would have loved that.

The only significant change that needs to be made is to repeal the 18th Amendment.

Fixed. :)

Repeal the Patriot Act, anyone?

The only significant change that needs to be made is to repeal the 16th Amendment.

really fixed this time

really fixed this time

Nahh. I kind of like the idea of having a military.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

I would put the airforce in the constitution and then throw out the eighth amendment.

*recognizes in advance a thread that is likely to make me hyperventilate*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

An excellent idea. :hail:

*recognizes in advance a thread that is likely to make me hyperventilate*

*gets brown paper bag ready*

Repeal the Patriot Act, anyone?

A Constitutional Convention wouldn't address things like that.

Anyway, I'd like to see the House increased in size and each state's delegation chosen by proportional representation by the citizens of that state.

I'd like to see instant runoff voting for President.

I'd like to see the 17th Amendment repealed, although I'm perfectly happy if all 50 states continue with direct election. I'd just like them to have the choice.

I'd like state legislatures to be able to recall and replace their Senators whenever they like.

I'd like the citizens of a particular state to be able to have new elections for their House delegation if called for by a referendum.

I'm sure I'll think of more later.

edit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

I like that. I'd also like to see the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrined in our Constitution.

Make it easier to amend.

Are these things we'd propose... or things that we'd see pushed through?

If it's just proposing stuff, I'd propose an amendment that allows any citizen to run for any office, rgarless of place of birth.

If we have the power to see stuff pushed through - I'd be looking to get gay marriage and the right to abortion constitutionally protected by specific amendment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

If you wanted to be equal than quit dressing like you do.

How Poliwanacraca dresses:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2769743582_1559be4412.jpg?v=0

Make it easier to amend.

Good idea! It will allow for the whims of the moment!

If you wanted to be equal than quit dressing like you do.

How Poliwanacraca dresses:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2769743582_1559be4412.jpg?v=0

....oddly enough, there was a discussion just a few days ago about Neo Art being Batman and me being some kind of superhero sidekick. I am, therefore, that much more amused. :tongue:

Are these things we'd propose... or things that we'd see pushed through?

If it's just proposing stuff, I'd propose an amendment that allows any citizen to run for any office, rgarless of place of birth.

If we have the power to see stuff pushed through - I'd be looking to get gay marriage and the right to abortion constitutionally protected by specific amendment.

I like all of these, although I'd probably snip your gay marriage one and just amend "sex" to "sex or sexual orientation" in the ERA. :)

I like all of these, although I'd probably snip your gay marriage one and just amend "sex" to "sex or sexual orientation" in the ERA. :)

I agree. And I admit my main intent in phrasing it 'gay marriage' would be to make certain demographics piss their adult-diapers with the combined nausea, frustration, and more nausea it would cause them.

I agree. And I admit my main intent in phrasing it 'gay marriage' would be to make certain demographics piss their adult-diapers with the combined nausea, frustration, and more nausea it would cause them.

Haha, well, if you're going to do THAT, why not go all out?

"Amendment 69: The right of the people to have gay marriages, in which they have lots and lots of hot steamy gay sex, and in which they stick their gay, gay tongues into each other's gay, gay mouths for all sorts of totally gay public makeout sessions which you might even have to see while you're walking down the street, not to mention the right of those gay people to have or adopt children and raise them to think gay people are awesome, and encourage them to hit on your children and teach them about gayness, in a fabulously gay fashion, shall not be infringed."

Change the constitution that places me as President for life. :)

But seriously I would like to see the requirements for one to become President change.

I'm not sure if I like the idea of a codified constitutional document. I prefer the way it works in Britain.

I'm telling you we ought to abolish the eighth amendment. That's all I want to see done.

I'm telling you we ought to abolish the eighth amendment. That's all I want to see done.

There's a particular reason you want to see cruel and unusual punishment?

Or is this actually going to be a worthwhile discussion, centred around something like actually defining what 'cruel' and 'unusual' really mean?

Article the First:

No Jews allowed.

* Gay marriage and abortion are officially legalized.

* All religious buildings must pay taxes.

* All religions must accept gay marriage and abortion.

* Every person elected or appointed to a political office must swear under threat of perjury that their greatest love is the country. (Hi Daji (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Ji)!)

* Capital execution shall be banned.

...I think I had some more, but my mind is drawing a blank...

EDIT: Add in large portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964).

I know there's a few that I WOULDN'T like to see abolished, there's 2 amendment that could be cut/trimmed (the 18th amendment removed entirely, and the 21st trimmed of section 1, which completely repeals the 18th), and I can't (currently) think of any (that haven't already been mentioned) that I'd add.

* Gay marriage and abortion are officially legalized.

* All religious buildings must pay taxes.

* All religions must accept gay marriage and abortion.

* Every person elected or appointed to a political office must swear under threat of perjury that their greatest love is the country. (Hi Daji (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Ji)!)

* Capital execution shall be banned.

...I think I had some more, but my mind is drawing a blank...

EDIT: Add in large portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964).

I think your third suggestion might run afoul of the first amendment right of freedom of religion (since homosexuality and abortion run counter to some religions beliefs).

Speaking of editing previous amendments, they should make it clear that the second amendment is only meant to prevent arm removal. :p

I think your third suggestion might run afoul of the first amendment right of freedom of religion (since homosexuality and abortion run counter to some religions beliefs).

Not once they fix those religions :D

Article the First:

No Jews allowed.

I'd think that goes without saying.

I'd think that goes without saying.

But aren't they running the goverment?

But aren't they running the goverment?

Exactly.

Term limits for all elected officals. Kick out anyone that has held power for more than 8 years. Extend the House term to 4 years and add another second ammendment, this time make it clear to what it means. (No gun control of any kind)

(No gun control of any kind)I can has M1 Abrams now? :p
http://photos-599.friendster.com/e1/photos/99/51/17501599/777886118l.jpg

I can has M1 Abrams now? :p

If you really want one. The damned things break every 20 seconds or so anyway.

If you really want one. The damned things break every 20 seconds or so anyway.

Bull. Source?

Bull. Source?

The 2 years I spent in an armored battalion and the 2 years I spent in a (the) heavy cav regiment.

Don't know if I'd change much, other than to perhaps make it harder for scum like Bush to screw up the balance of power. Also, I might want to repeal the pardon power for Presidents, at least for people under their chain of command.

The 2 years I spent in an armored battalion and the 2 years I spent in a (the) heavy cav regiment.

I'll just take your word for it.

If you really want one. The damned things break every 20 seconds or so anyway.Eh, what about an Apache, then? (I can get the maintenance on them done. (And I know they've fixed a bunch of the tech problems they've had with them.) :D)

Don't know if I'd change much, other than to perhaps make it harder for scum like Bush to screw up the balance of power. Also, I might want to repeal the pardon power for Presidents, at least for people under their chain of command.

Was it the setup or the fact people were too damn lazy to make a stink when he did stuff?

I'll just take your word for it.

Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic pieces of equipment when they work but you spend a hell of a lot of time with the engine out of it.

Of course, the Army can afford the spare parts so it works out in the end. Gauntleted Fist, on the other hand, probably doesn't have access to that kind of cash.

Eh, what about an Apache, then? (I can get the maintenance on them done. (And I know they've fixed a bunch of the tech problems they've had with them.) :D)

I honestly don't know how bad they are, the aviation guys always hid way on the other end of the universe. Probably because parts kept disappearing from their HMMWVs...

Of course, the Army can afford the spare parts so it works out in the end. Gauntleted Fist, on the other hand, probably doesn't have access to that kind of cash. Access to new jet engines, maybe.
>.>
<.<
[/totally doesn't practically live at the airport] I'm kidding, finding another engine would be impossibly hard.



I honestly don't know how bad they are, the aviation guys always hid way on the other end of the universe. Probably because parts kept disappearing from their HMMWVs...I know an aviation colonel that just retired, he flew Apaches. Said they flew like a dream, after they got the bugs fixed. (Not sure how a helicopter "flies like a dream", but whatever.)

(Not sure how a helicopter "flies like a dream", but whatever.)

It's all relative. We always said my M1117 rode like a Cadillac, but it still shook a hell of a lot more than a civilian car.

It's all relative. We always said my M1117 rode like a Cadillac, but it still shook a hell of a lot more than a civilian car.Gotcha. I'm still going to break the speed record for the Apache, though. ;)

(Right now, I'm looking at either four years of college, and nine months of flight school, or nine weeks of basic, however long WOCS is, and nine months of flight school.)
I'm just glad people can have LASIK and fly, now.

Term limits for all elected officals. Kick out anyone that has held power for more than 8 years. Extend the House term to 4 years and add another second ammendment, this time make it clear to what it means. (No gun control of any kind)

On the term limits, I could be persuaded to agree with you. As to your second amendment suggestion, I'd just like to say that gun control is hitting what you aim at. :D

I'm just glad people can have LASIK and fly, now.

Yes, that's definitely a good thing. I know for years they wouldn't let people with LASIK be in ground combat arms jobs because tear gas could fuck you up. Apparently that's not an issue anymore, but even if it were you'd be in really bad shape if you were gassed in any way in the cockpit of your helicopter, so any problems created by LASIK would be the least of your worries.

As for WOCS, I don't know how long it is. I have a buddy going through ARNG WOCS, which takes forever.

Yes, that's definitely a good thing. I know for years they wouldn't let people with LASIK be in ground combat arms jobs because tear gas could fuck you up. Apparently that's not an issue anymore, but even if it were you'd be in really bad shape if you were gassed in any way in the cockpit of your helicopter, so any problems created by LASIK would be the least of your worries. Smoke coming out of the control panel is generally a bad sign, aye. :D

As for WOCS, I don't know how long it is. I have a buddy going through ARNG WOCS, which takes forever.I'm probably going to know the feeling.

I'm probably going to know the feeling.

Actually, check the PDF in "timeline" link at the bottom of the page. I assume the Federal timeline is exactly the same.

https://www.mi.ngb.army.mil/ocs/warrant-officer-aviation.aspx

Actually, check the PDF in "timeline" link at the bottom of the page. I assume the Federal timeline is exactly the same.

https://www.mi.ngb.army.mil/ocs/warrant-officer-aviation.aspxThanks for that, I also got the eye-surgery policy link, I need to show that to my eye doctor (And the other one I've been talking to as a secondary consultant, as well.)

I propose an Amendment to get us one of these...

http://bp1.blogger.com/_rJtUG54tTO8/SJXwLbg9qLI/AAAAAAAAACM/sBZc4UC_UP4/s400/The-God-Emperor-Can%27t-be-Wr.jpg

The Constitution does not currently protect our right to party. This grave oversight must be corrected.

* Gay marriage and abortion are officially legalized.

* All religious buildings must pay taxes.

* All religions must accept gay marriage and abortion.

* Every person elected or appointed to a political office must swear under threat of perjury that their greatest love is the country. (Hi Daji (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Ji)!)



* Capital execution shall be banned.

...I think I had some more, but my mind is drawing a blank...

EDIT: Add in large portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964).

Um, I am not sure what to think about the italicized one, but my answer for the bolded ones is no. The first infringes on religious freedom. Let us put things another way if marriage is to be mentioned in the constitution:
The right to a civil union shall not be infringed upon on the basis of race, disability, orientation, or any other such status. From here on out marriage is to be regarded not as a legal term but as a religious and/or common term for this contract, thus churches reserve the right not to recognize such unions.

As for the second bolded one, well there are some criminals that deserve more than jail time, but I'd rather not execute them, so might want to refine the eighth admendment.

As for what I may include:
some sort of proportional representation system
allow people who have been citizens of the US for at least 25 yrs who have not been convicted of a felony who fit all the other requirements to run for president.
a significant refinement of what commander in chief means
national initiative, referendum, and recall for any senator, congressman, cabinet secretary, vice president, president, Federal Reserve Board member, and supreme court justice
get rid of electoral college
greatly enhance the government's power to regulate the economy (allows for nationalization of the banking system)
nonconsecutive terms for all offices
limits on number of terms senators and congressmen can serve
nonpartisan election of supreme court justices from pool of lower court judges

I would like to see the requirements for one to become President change.

A minimum IQ and/or GPA would be nice.

(Not sure how a helicopter "flies like a dream", but whatever.)

You will never know GF until you have flown one for yourself.

You will never know GF until you have flown one for yourself.I've flown in them for almost six years now, they aren't smooth. But I know what the colonel meant, in general. ;)

There was a novel written a while back called A State of Disobedience (http://www.amazon.com/State-Disobedience-Tom-Kratman/dp/0743499204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233907498&sr=1-1) that talked about a new Constitutional Convention. In the back, it tacked a list of the amendments that were passed as an appendix. Most of them were pretty good ideas, like abolishing the income tax and severely limiting the size and scope of the federal government.

There was a novel written a while back called A State of Disobedience (http://www.amazon.com/State-Disobedience-Tom-Kratman/dp/0743499204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233907498&sr=1-1) that talked about a new Constitutional Convention. In the back, it tacked a list of the amendments that were passed as an appendix. Most of them were pretty good ideas, like abolishing the income tax and severely limiting the size and scope of the federal government.

Sounds like a libertarian stroke dream.....

Sounds like a libertarian stroke dream.....

Guess you'll have to read it and find out. I liked it, thought it was a decent read.

I've flown in them for almost six years now, they aren't smooth. But I know what the colonel meant, in general. ;)

Wait! What? You have been flying in Apache helicopters since you were 11?

But then I said not until you have flown one not flown in one. :p

Ummm, let's see... A foreigner's take on some potential changes...

Repeal the 22nd amendment.

Clarify the language of the 2nd amendment.

Pass an equal rights amendment that covers both gender and sexuality (latter would include language explicitly requiring civil authorities to recognise and perform same-sex marriages without requiring religious authorities to do likewise).

Repeal or clarify the language requiring the existence of a federal district, or restrict said district to the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, and the Mall. The rest of the current District would be returned to Maryland, in line with the previous return of the southwestern third to Virginia.

Remove the 'natural-born citizen' qualification for president, and replace it with a minimum citizenship & residence qualification, along the lines of those already existing for Congress (this allows my US citizen brother to become your president - you have been warned).

Make election day a Saturday.

Shorten the period between the election and the inauguration.

The Blagojevich affair suggests that an amendment nullifying the right of indicted state governors to appoint replacement senators might be worth looking at (though not perhaps one requiring special elections for replacement senators).

Pass an amended version of the Congressional Apportionment Amendment (aka 'Article the First') so as to increase the number of representatives while decreasing the size (population-wise) of a congressional district.

Think that does it for starters - will no doubt think of more later.

I propose an Amendment to get us one of these...

http://bp1.blogger.com/_rJtUG54tTO8/SJXwLbg9qLI/AAAAAAAAACM/sBZc4UC_UP4/s400/The-God-Emperor-Can%27t-be-Wr.jpg

I nominate George Clinton for God-Emperor of Mankind.

First thing I would do was make sure that the phrase "Separation of Church and State" in one form or another was in there followed by a clear explanation of it. Also add in part of Article 11 from the Treaty of Tripoli (As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...)

By the way, for those wishing to repeal the 17th Amendment:

Prior to ratification, however, many States had perfected arrangements calculated to afford the voters more effective control over the selection of Senators. State laws were amended so as to enable voters participating in primary elections to designate their preference for one of several party candidates for a senatorial seat, and nominations unofficially effected thereby were transmitted to the legislature. Although their action rested upon no stronger foundation that common understanding, the legislatures generally elected the winning candidate of the majority, and, indeed, in two States, candidates for legislative seats were required to promise to support, without regard to party ties, the senatorial candidate polling the most votes. As a result of such developments, at least 29 States by 1912, one year before ratification, were nominating Senators on a popular basis, and, as a consequence, the constitutional discretion of the legislatures had been reduced to little more than that retained by presidential electors.
Source: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment17/

So you would end up with Popular Election of Senators anyway, except with more red tape.

I propose an Amendment to get us one of these...

http://bp1.blogger.com/_rJtUG54tTO8/SJXwLbg9qLI/AAAAAAAAACM/sBZc4UC_UP4/s400/The-God-Emperor-Can%27t-be-Wr.jpg

Or how about one of these, instead:


http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/emperor-of-catkind.jpg

Sounds like a libertarian stroke dream.....

Since the author is described as a "political refugee from the People's Republic of Massachusetts" I'd you're probably right.