PDA

View Full Version : Constitutional Amendment Proposals




Galileo Galilei
06-17-2010, 03:03 PM
Galileo's Constitutional Amendment Proposals

In my opinion, the worst change to the Constitution has been the 17th Amendment, when the Constitution of the Founding Fathers & James Madison was overturned by the States in the name of over-zealous democracy.

But I don't think repeal of the 17th Amendment is politically possible, because the People still treasure democracy.

Instead, here is what I propose:

Amendment # 28

"All Supreme Court Justices shall be confirmed by a majority of the State legislatures, rather than by the U.S. Senate."

Amendment # 29

"For the US Senate for each State, one Senator shall be elected by the People at-large, and the other shall be elected by the State legislatures under the original vision of the Founders."

Commentary

Amendment # 28 would begin to restore the correct balance State and federal powers under the text of the Constitution.

Amendment # 29 would be a compromise between repeal of the 17th Amendment and leaving it as-is.

Thoughts?

TCE
06-17-2010, 03:34 PM
The Founders original intent was that the Senate be elected by the State Legislatures and thus, the Senate (essentially the State Legislature Representatives) would confirm any Presidential appointments. So, if the 17th Amendment is repealed or your 29th Amendment is accepted, it would be redundant for the State Legislatures to confirm Supreme Court Justices. Especially considering pretty much every Justice will be confirmed anyway.

Galileo Galilei
06-17-2010, 04:40 PM
The Founders original intent was that the Senate be elected by the State Legislatures and thus, the Senate (essentially the State Legislature Representatives) would confirm any Presidential appointments. So, if the 17th Amendment is repealed or your 29th Amendment is accepted, it would be redundant for the State Legislatures to confirm Supreme Court Justices. Especially considering pretty much every Justice will be confirmed anyway.

The 17th Amendment can't get repealed at this time, there is not enough political support. Amendment # 29 still provides for direct elections of Senators, but also can educate the public and gives the State legislaturse more power. It has a waay higher probablitiy of getting enacted.

The two Amendments are not redundant either if you think about it.

Austrian Econ Disciple
06-17-2010, 04:55 PM
Galileo you still living in the delusion that the Government actually even listens or follows the Constitution? If the Government doesn't even abide by the 2nd Amendment, the 4th, or 5th, or 9th, or 10th, what makes you think they will these two? How about we work on a real solution? A solution that doesn't pawn off your responsibilities to "politicians"?

nate895
06-17-2010, 05:15 PM
Galileo you still living in the delusion that the Government actually even listens or follows the Constitution? If the Government doesn't even abide by the 2nd Amendment, the 4th, or 5th, or 9th, or 10th, what makes you think they will these two? How about we work on a real solution? A solution that doesn't pawn off your responsibilities to "politicians"?

The government follows the outward forms of government as established by our Constitution. It just doesn't follow the limitation of powers.

Galileo Galilei
06-17-2010, 05:28 PM
Galileo you still living in the delusion that the Government actually even listens or follows the Constitution? If the Government doesn't even abide by the 2nd Amendment, the 4th, or 5th, or 9th, or 10th, what makes you think they will these two? How about we work on a real solution? A solution that doesn't pawn off your responsibilities to "politicians"?

Prior to 1913, the federal government only accounted for 1.75% of the GNP, before the State legislatures abrogated their powers and adopted the 17th Amendment.

Amendment # 29 brings us halfway back to 1913 while staying within the bounds of political reality.

Amendment # 28 binds the Supreme Court even more tightly than the original Constitution. Can you imagine if each State had their own debate over Kagan? She would not get past 1st base.

These Amendments are very very simple, so simple that even a child, people in a sound-bite society, or those who haven't read the Federalist Papers can understand.

Also, the positive educational value of these Amendments is of immense value in itself, unlike the negativity exuded on a routine basis by the extremists.

lx43
06-17-2010, 08:35 PM
I want more constititional admendments such as the following.

Balance Budget Admendment--the balanace budget admendment will require that a) federal expenditures never exceed federal revenue b) when there is a budget deficit the govt can't raise taxes; there must be an across the board spending cuts to bring the budget back in alignment c) when there is a budget deficit--no member of Congress or the President will be allowed to run for federal office again. d) the federal govt is no longer allowed to issue debt of any kind.

lol I clearly like C the best. That would be a perfect way to limit terms of members of Congress.

Strangle the Beast--this admendment would require that total federal spending never exceed 1% of the entire GDP.

Repeal 16th Admendment--No more income taxes will be allowed on any income whereever derived.

muzzled dogg
06-17-2010, 08:40 PM
1. The right of citizens of the United States to health care of equal high quality.
2. The right of all citizens of the United States to a public education of equal high quality.
3. The right to vote.
4. The right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.
5. The right to decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
6. Equality of rights and reproductive rights. This amendment is essentially a modified version of the Equal Rights Amendment which would bolster Roe v. Wade.
7. The right to full employment and balanced growth.
8. Taxing the people of the United States progressively.

White Knight
06-18-2010, 12:00 AM
Human Life Amendment is what I want.

Galileo Galilei
06-18-2010, 08:02 AM
1. The right of citizens of the United States to health care of equal high quality.
2. The right of all citizens of the United States to a public education of equal high quality.
3. The right to vote.
4. The right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.
5. The right to decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
6. Equality of rights and reproductive rights. This amendment is essentially a modified version of the Equal Rights Amendment which would bolster Roe v. Wade.
7. The right to full employment and balanced growth.
8. Taxing the people of the United States progressively.

People already have the right to health care, just like they have the right to bear arms. You have the right to buy a gun and you have the right to buy health care.