Magdha
22-07-2004, 08:51
Today across the nation of Magdha people are gathering to vote on the nation's first constitution and bill of rights. Most analysts expect Magdha to accept this document.
The Constitution
We the people of Magdha hereby declareth that this following document shall be the pillar by which all laws must follow. We have drafted this by the people and for the people.
Article I- Parliament
A. Explanation and Election- The Nation of Maghda shall have established a parliament consisting of two houses. The Lower house- The People's House shall consist of 200 members, elected by the Magdhan people of 18 or older. Anyone may campaign to be a member of the people's house, providing they are 20 or older and not a felon. People's house terms last for four years. The upper one- The House of Rajahs shall consist of 150 Rajahs appointed by the Maharajah or heir to the previous Rajah. It shall also have 50 Brahmin priests of at least age 50 elected by all Brahmins in Maghda. The terms of Rajahs are from when they suceed their father until death. Brahmins' terms last 10 years.
B. Creation of Laws- Parliament has the power to propose and pass laws. Bills may be either proposed in the Lower or Upper house. The proposed bill is then voted upon and if passed by a majority it passes to the next house which must pass it by majority as well, after which it proceeds to the Maharajah for approval. Should the initial vote cause the bill to be defeated it may be edited by representatives of several political parties until it is deemed to be voted upon again. Should it fail again it will be scrapped. Laws can also be repealed by the same method except for the portion of editing.
C. Other powers- Parliament has the powers to declare war or make peace. It has the powers to ratify treaties or draft budgets with the approval of the Maharajah. It may call a draft in wartime or call up reservists for whatever reason. All these are to be passed by a majority.
Article II- The Raj
A. Explanation- The Maharajah is the male heir to the previous Maharajah, usually the son. Except when no male heir is available no female shall inherit the throne and if she does it is her duty to create male offspring as soon as possible. The Maharajah is to be a beacon of morality and should be a father to all Magdhans.
B. Veto- The Maharajah may scrap a bill that has passed though congress by vetoing it. By vetoing the bill the Maharajah destroys the bill and it cannot pass through Parliament again for one year.
C. Other Powers- The Maharajah may force congress to vote on legislation he has made and desires to become law. If passed it becomes law unless the Maharajah changes his mind about his legislation. The Maharajah may also block signing of treaties or modify budgets for his own personal taste although his modifications to budgets must pass through Parliament again.
Article III- The Head Magistrates
A. Explanation- The Head Magistrates are seven judges who serve as the arbiters of the constitutionality of laws. They are to be elected by the Magdhan people.
B. Powers- The Head Magistrates have the power to declare laws unconstitutional, which is null and void because they are against the ideals of the rights of Maghdans or the Constitution.
Article IV- The constitution may be changed by congress and then ratified by a majority vote of the Maghdan people and approval by the Maharajah.
Article V-
The Rights of Magdhans.
I. All Maghdans have the Freedom to practice their religion of choice or to not practice a religion. All Maghdans have the freedom of speech, the press, to assemble, and to petition the government.
II. All Magdhans have the right to own and bear arms. A militia may be formed by any Maghdan group.
III. No soldiers shall be quartered in the homes of civilians during peacetime. In wartime they may be but only in a manner ordained by law.
IV. No private property shall be searched or seized without a warrant or probable cause in which a person was witnessed by a government entity in committing a crime and detained when it was witnessed.
V. 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.
VI. 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 defense.
Amendment VII
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed three thousand Magdras, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The Constitution
We the people of Magdha hereby declareth that this following document shall be the pillar by which all laws must follow. We have drafted this by the people and for the people.
Article I- Parliament
A. Explanation and Election- The Nation of Maghda shall have established a parliament consisting of two houses. The Lower house- The People's House shall consist of 200 members, elected by the Magdhan people of 18 or older. Anyone may campaign to be a member of the people's house, providing they are 20 or older and not a felon. People's house terms last for four years. The upper one- The House of Rajahs shall consist of 150 Rajahs appointed by the Maharajah or heir to the previous Rajah. It shall also have 50 Brahmin priests of at least age 50 elected by all Brahmins in Maghda. The terms of Rajahs are from when they suceed their father until death. Brahmins' terms last 10 years.
B. Creation of Laws- Parliament has the power to propose and pass laws. Bills may be either proposed in the Lower or Upper house. The proposed bill is then voted upon and if passed by a majority it passes to the next house which must pass it by majority as well, after which it proceeds to the Maharajah for approval. Should the initial vote cause the bill to be defeated it may be edited by representatives of several political parties until it is deemed to be voted upon again. Should it fail again it will be scrapped. Laws can also be repealed by the same method except for the portion of editing.
C. Other powers- Parliament has the powers to declare war or make peace. It has the powers to ratify treaties or draft budgets with the approval of the Maharajah. It may call a draft in wartime or call up reservists for whatever reason. All these are to be passed by a majority.
Article II- The Raj
A. Explanation- The Maharajah is the male heir to the previous Maharajah, usually the son. Except when no male heir is available no female shall inherit the throne and if she does it is her duty to create male offspring as soon as possible. The Maharajah is to be a beacon of morality and should be a father to all Magdhans.
B. Veto- The Maharajah may scrap a bill that has passed though congress by vetoing it. By vetoing the bill the Maharajah destroys the bill and it cannot pass through Parliament again for one year.
C. Other Powers- The Maharajah may force congress to vote on legislation he has made and desires to become law. If passed it becomes law unless the Maharajah changes his mind about his legislation. The Maharajah may also block signing of treaties or modify budgets for his own personal taste although his modifications to budgets must pass through Parliament again.
Article III- The Head Magistrates
A. Explanation- The Head Magistrates are seven judges who serve as the arbiters of the constitutionality of laws. They are to be elected by the Magdhan people.
B. Powers- The Head Magistrates have the power to declare laws unconstitutional, which is null and void because they are against the ideals of the rights of Maghdans or the Constitution.
Article IV- The constitution may be changed by congress and then ratified by a majority vote of the Maghdan people and approval by the Maharajah.
Article V-
The Rights of Magdhans.
I. All Maghdans have the Freedom to practice their religion of choice or to not practice a religion. All Maghdans have the freedom of speech, the press, to assemble, and to petition the government.
II. All Magdhans have the right to own and bear arms. A militia may be formed by any Maghdan group.
III. No soldiers shall be quartered in the homes of civilians during peacetime. In wartime they may be but only in a manner ordained by law.
IV. No private property shall be searched or seized without a warrant or probable cause in which a person was witnessed by a government entity in committing a crime and detained when it was witnessed.
V. 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.
VI. 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 defense.
Amendment VII
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed three thousand Magdras, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.