The Constitution

What is the Constitution?

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.

Problems with the Constitution:

Politicians and half-witted bloggers often use the Constitution as a weapon rather than a document of peace and liberty. Everybody wants to change it and everybody wants to claim that everybody wants to change it but them.

Problems arise from the fact that this document was written a very long time ago when things were very different than they are today. It was also written as a “foundation” document. A guideline for starting a new nation. There is nothing wrong with occasionally adding to it as we need. The question is whether you think that the changes should limit freedom or ensure freedom.

Interesting note: This was a very hard area to collect data on. There have been over ten thousand attempted changes to the Constitution since its writing. We have collected all of the serious change suggestions since 1950 by both parties.

You will notice that both parties have attempted to make changes, so we will list them to give you an idea on how they wanted it altered. These are all proposals that did NOT make it into the Constitution.

Charts

Common Property Law

Under the theory behind the proposed Amendment, certain things should not be owned by any private entity, such as air, water, wildlife, and functioning ecosystems. Some public property (such as national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges) may also be included to protect the plants and animals that live there or critical ecosystem functions.

Death Penalty Abolition Amendment

Proposed in 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1995 by Representative Henry González to prohibit the imposition of capital punishment “by any State, Territory, or other jurisdiction within the United States”.

Ludlow Amendment 

Proposed by Representative Louis Ludlow in 1937. This amendment would heavily reduce America’s ability to be involved in war.

School Prayer Amendment

Proposed on April 9, 2003, to establish that “The people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools.

Every Vote Counts Amendment

 Proposed by Congressman Gene Green on September 14, 2004. It would abolish the electoral college essentially making every vote count and have each presidential election determined by a majority vote. The way the system is set up now, a presidential candidate may win election while obtaining the minority of votes. 

On January 25, 2009 

Senator Russ Feingold put out a press release saying that he planned to introduce an amendment to end gubernatorial appointments to Senate vacancies. This would prevent government official from appointing members to the Senate. Requiring that they all have to be elected.


Bricker Amendment 

Proposed in 1951 by Ohio Senator John W. Bricker, would have limited the federal government’s treaty-making power. Flag Desecration Amendment: Proposed in 1968 to give Congress the power to make acts such as flag burning illegal.

Human Life Amendment 

First proposed in 1973, would overturn the Roe v. Wade court ruling. A total of 330 proposals using varying texts have been proposed with almost all dying in committee.

Removal of Citizenship From Children of Illegal Immigrants 

Proposed by Florida Representative Mark Foley on March 31, 2003.Protecting the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance and National Motto: Proposed on February 27, 2003, by Oklahoma Representative Frank Lucas.

Continuity of Government Amendment 

Proposed in 2004 by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. In the case of emergencies in which a large number of senators or representatives are incapacitated. Such an amendment would allow Congress ITSELF to make appointments to fill vacancies, rather than going through the usual special election process.

Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment 

Proposed also by Senator Hatch. It would allow naturalized citizens with at least twenty years’ citizenship to become president.

The Federal Marriage Amendment 

Introduced in the United States Congress four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005/2006 and 2008 by multiple members of Congress (with support from then-President George W. Bush). It would prohibit same-sex marriage, even at the state level.

On February 25, 2009 

Senator Lisa Murkowski, proposed a Constitutional amendment that would provide a Representative to the District of Columbia. (Because the District of Columbia is not a state and it was supposed to be neutral ground, they were given a representative to voice their opinions, but the representative does not have the right to an actual vote).On November 11, 2009: Republican Senator Jim DeMint proposed term limits for the U.S. Congress, where the limit for senators will be two terms for a total of 12 years and for representatives, three terms for a total of six years.