If the Constitution were yours to change...

[Avatar4321]

I would scrap it entirely and name myself King. Now get back to building my monument, peasants.

Problem with that is we would have you beheaded within a week.

 

[aaronleland]

I would scrap it entirely and name myself King. Now get back to building my monument, peasants.

Problem with that is we would have you beheaded within a week.

Quit ruining my fantasy... and get back to work.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Campaign Finance Amendment

This amendment would have language to accomplish the following:

No individual would be allowed to donate more than (approximately) the average amount that a middle income American donates to any presidential campaign. This upper limit would also apply to congressional campaigns.
No presidential or congressional campaign would be allowed to raise more than 150 times the amount above. Any excess goes to the treasury's debt reduction.
Advertising for or against any candidate for national office is forbidden.
All parties organized and registered with the Federal Elections Commission must have their candidates listed on the ballot.
Repeal the Electoral College in favor of popular votes for presidential races.

Naturally, this would not repeal the entire first amendment, but would be considered an exception to it.

That doesn't even make sense. The average donation of middle income Americans is less than $1. If we applied your standard candidates would have less than $150 dollars to spend on a campaign. How, exactly, are they supposed to talk about themselves when they don't even have enough money to get a plane ticket? And then you have a blanket restriction on advertising, how the fuck is that supposed to work?

I have to give you credit though, that is, hands down, the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Some might want to consider the fundamental genius of the Constitution and wisdom of the Framers to refrain from specifics when and where appropriate. The Second Amendment is one such example.

 

[PaulS1950]

I would only change a few little things:
1. the federal government would pay only the average national prevailing wage.
2. the presidential powers would be the same as a diplomat, he could use the White House for affairs of state but would have to support his own household on his salary.
3. Congress would be elliminated as unnecessary and cumbersome. The people would vote in place of congress by attending informational hearings and after discussion would vote.
4. Place the missing preamble on the bill of rights to explain that these rights are incorruptable and the only way a person could lose their rights is through a conviction of a felony or other high crime or treason.
5. The joint chiefs would be controlled by the people through direct vote. The only action they would be allowed to take upon themselves would be the defense of American territories against attacks from foreign powers. War would require a vote of the people.
6. Constitutional rights and responsibilities would be taught in grades 1 through 12 along with the history of the revolutionary war and the reasons behind it.

 

[Contumacious]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

Repeal the 16th and 17th amendments

Clarify that the purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to emphasize that no authority was granted to the Federal government to regulate firearms in any way shape or form, That the Commerce Clause can not be used to regulate firearms.

Clarify that Article III Judges have NO Judicial immunity

.

 

[TheOldSchool]

I would scrap it entirely and name myself King. Now get back to building my monument, peasants.

I suppose I've rep'd you too recently because I can't right now but anyways...

Bulletproof the 2nd amendment (pun intended ), save the tobacco industry by extending rights to marijuana, and set a maximum number of 30 amendments. I bet no one thought of that one.

I just gave aaronlelend a rep. Hope that makes you feel better.

 

[The Professor]

I suppose I've rep'd you too recently because I can't right now but anyways...

Bulletproof the 2nd amendment (pun intended ), save the tobacco industry by extending rights to marijuana, and set a maximum number of 30 amendments. I bet no one thought of that one.

I just gave aaronlelend a rep. Hope that makes you feel better.

Thanks, but I'd prefer a little less rep and a little more monument building.

Yes, your highness. You shall have a splendid monument.

 

[GHook93]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

14th Amendment:
Citizens of the united states shall only be ones that are naturalized or ones born to at least one parent that is a lawful US citizen. All African slaves, and children of African slaves, that were born or forcefully brought to America prior to the emancipation proclamation will be granted US citizenship and all the rights that come along with it. Naturalization requirements will at a minimum require fluent speaking and writing of the English language, no prior criminal records and never entered or remained in the United States or any of it's territories illegally.

The Federal government has a moral obligation to secure and seal both the South and North borders, US coastlines and ports. If the Fed is unable to secure and seal the borders, ports or coastlines than the states along the borders, coastline and ports shall maintain the right and obligation to secure and seal the borders, coasts and ports.

16th Amendment:
Set the tax rate at the 9-9-9 plan of 9% income, 9% corporate and 9% consumption; repealing the payroll tax, estate, gift and eliminating the old corporate and income tax systems. The income tax may be lowered to half or lower for those making under the poverty level. The child and charity tax deductions are all the deductions that shall remain. However, all income, capital gains, stock option capital gains above $2 mil shall be taxed at 20% minus chartible deduction! Even 20 years the $2 mil market shall be adjusted for inflation.

Unfunded collective pensions plans of Federal and State workers shall be illegal. All plans shall switch over to individual employee funded plans with a employer match rate that is equivalent to what the median private sector match rate is. Public pension plans shall be illegal.

Social Security shall be modeled after the individual private sector Chilean model. Workers will get the option of have 6, 8 or 10% of their income being contributed to the SSN. The worker flip back and forth annually between these percentages as they choose.

The government shall have an obligation to cover catrosphic medical (with private insurance paydowns on the deductibles) and for the young and old. Age 0-18 the government covers 100% of the medical costs for all US citizens. Age 18-40 the government imposes a $15K deductible. Age 40-65 $30K deductible. Age 65-80 $10K deductible. 80K $0 deductible flips to the medicare system.

26th Amendment:
Eliminate electoral collegse. Top 2 national primary for President. The country shall have one day where the entire country votes for the two candidates they want to run for the Presidency. These two candidates may be from the same party. It's the top two regardless of party or affliation. It's based solely on popular vote. Whichever two candidates at the end of the wins the most votes wins the election.

Vote Fraud Prevention: First, voters must register to vote in the area they are live in. Voter registration update is required every five years. Registration requires: (1) A Birth Certificate or naturalization card, (2) One valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID) and (3) Proof of continued residency. At the polling place, you must provide valid identification of (1) Your voter registration card and (2) Photo identification in the form of either (a) state driver's license with identical name and address or (b) state ID card with name and address. If an individual is too inpoverished to obtain a state ID or driver's license than he/she can apply for at no cost, including free postage, a free of charge state ID card.

Not unlawful gerrymandering of districts to make the most favorable districts to a political party or candidate. Districts shall be constructed solo on geographical location and population. Unlawful gerrymandering shall be grounds for impeachement, removal from office and criminal prosecution for fraud.

Amendment 27:
Laws or bills presented to Congress shall 20 pages or less and of normal 10-12 sized font. Bills 20-50 pages require an accurate 1-5 page summary and a month for review. Bills 50-100 require a 1-10 page summary and 4 months for review before a vote. Bills over 100 pages shall be deemed unlawful and shall not be presented to Congress for a vote.

The Federal government is required to present a balanced budget each and every fiscal year. This requirement may be suspended in times of war or grave financial crisis.

 

[thereisnospoon]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

An amendment banning the designated hitter.
All kidding aside.
Number one....An amendment mandating a balanced federal budget to be passed and signed by the president on or before the end of each fiscal year.
An amendment banning "poison pill" items from being added to bills.
An amendment banning both the Senate majority leader and/or the Speaker of the House from preventing legislation from going to the floor for a vote.
An amendment mandating that all House and Senate Members be term limited to 12 consecutive years service. Each member must vacate for one six year Senate term or 3 House terms before the former member can run for the office again. All former members are barred from serving as lobbyists.
An amendment increasing the time of service to 20 years for any House or Senate Member to collect government pension.
Finally, an amendment barring ALL federal employees from joining a labor collective and subject to "at will employment".
An amendment giving the President line item veto powers.
An amendment barring "Lame duck session" legislation.

 

[JWBooth]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

An amendment banning the designated hitter.

Absodamnlutely!

 

[JWBooth]

Limit the Supremes to matters between the states, and between the states and national government.

 

[rightwinger]

I would dump the third amendment

 

[editec]

Depends on what kind of government we'd like to have.

Clearly a constitution written for the 18th century isn't making it.

 

[GHook93]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

14th Amendment:
Citizens of the united states shall only be ones that are naturalized or ones born to at least one parent that is a lawful US citizen. All African slaves, and children of African slaves, that were born or forcefully brought to America prior to the emancipation proclamation will be granted US citizenship and all the rights that come along with it. Naturalization requirements will at a minimum require fluent speaking and writing of the English language, no prior criminal records and never entered or remained in the United States or any of it's territories illegally.

The Federal government has a moral obligation to secure and seal both the South and North borders, US coastlines and ports. If the Fed is unable to secure and seal the borders, ports or coastlines than the states along the borders, coastline and ports shall maintain the right and obligation to secure and seal the borders, coasts and ports.

16th Amendment:
Set the tax rate at the 9-9-9 plan of 9% income, 9% corporate and 9% consumption; repealing the payroll tax, estate, gift and eliminating the old corporate and income tax systems. The income tax may be lowered to half or lower for those making under the poverty level. The child and charity tax deductions are all the deductions that shall remain. However, all income, capital gains, stock option capital gains above $2 mil shall be taxed at 20% minus chartible deduction! Even 20 years the $2 mil market shall be adjusted for inflation.

Unfunded collective pensions plans of Federal and State workers shall be illegal. All plans shall switch over to individual employee funded plans with a employer match rate that is equivalent to what the median private sector match rate is. Public pension plans shall be illegal.

Social Security shall be modeled after the individual private sector Chilean model. Workers will get the option of have 6, 8 or 10% of their income being contributed to the SSN. The worker flip back and forth annually between these percentages as they choose.

The government shall have an obligation to cover catrosphic medical (with private insurance paydowns on the deductibles) and for the young and old. Age 0-18 the government covers 100% of the medical costs for all US citizens. Age 18-40 the government imposes a $15K deductible. Age 40-65 $30K deductible. Age 65-80 $10K deductible. 80K $0 deductible flips to the medicare system.

26th Amendment:
Eliminate electoral collegse. Top 2 national primary for President. The country shall have one day where the entire country votes for the two candidates they want to run for the Presidency. These two candidates may be from the same party. It's the top two regardless of party or affliation. It's based solely on popular vote. Whichever two candidates at the end of the wins the most votes wins the election.

Vote Fraud Prevention: First, voters must register to vote in the area they are live in. Voter registration update is required every five years. Registration requires: (1) A Birth Certificate or naturalization card, (2) One valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID) and (3) Proof of continued residency. At the polling place, you must provide valid identification of (1) Your voter registration card and (2) Photo identification in the form of either (a) state driver's license with identical name and address or (b) state ID card with name and address. If an individual is too inpoverished to obtain a state ID or driver's license than he/she can apply for at no cost, including free postage, a free of charge state ID card.

Not unlawful gerrymandering of districts to make the most favorable districts to a political party or candidate. Districts shall be constructed solo on geographical location and population. Unlawful gerrymandering shall be grounds for impeachement, removal from office and criminal prosecution for fraud.

Amendment 27:
Laws or bills presented to Congress shall 20 pages or less and of normal 10-12 sized font. Bills 20-50 pages require an accurate 1-5 page summary and a month for review. Bills 50-100 require a 1-10 page summary and 4 months for review before a vote. Bills over 100 pages shall be deemed unlawful and shall not be presented to Congress for a vote.

The Federal government is required to present a balanced budget each and every fiscal year. This requirement may be suspended in times of war or grave financial crisis.

<Bumped for Brilliance >

 

[JakeStarkey]

 

[peach174]

Depends on what kind of government we'd like to have.

Clearly a constitution written for the 18th century isn't making it.

It would if our Government would actually follow it.
They not suppose to be in Health Care,Human services, Education,welfare,, social services, insurance, job training,housing,transportation or agriculture, gov. grants, just to name a few.

 

[eflatminor]

What changes, if any, would you make to it?

An amendment to make CRYSTAL clear:
1) That the general welfare clause refers to protection of the borders of ALL states and not some magic phrase to allow control outside of the enumerated powers; and
2) That the commerce clause means the feds can stop states from imposing tariffs and not some magic phrase to allow control outside of the enumerated powers.

Further, I would repeal the 16th and 17th amendments.

 

[eflatminor]

Depends on what kind of government we'd like to have.

Clearly a constitution written for the 18th century isn't making it.

It would if our Government would actually follow it.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Depends on what kind of government we'd like to have.

Clearly a constitution written for the 18th century isn't making it.

It would if our Government would actually follow it.
They not suppose to be in Health Care,Human services, Education,welfare,, social services, insurance, job training,housing,transportation or agriculture, gov. grants, just to name a few.

And were into sexism and racism and 1 percent ism.

We do not live an agrarian 18th century nation.