When in the course of human events it becomes clear that a portion of the American public no longer understands the clear and unambiguous words of our Constitution it is necessary to further clarify already simple and plain language that even your average third grader in 1776 could have understood. As such I propose that the time for a Constitutional Convention to aid in the process of dumbing down the Constitution of these United States is at hand and I do propose the following amendments.

Please forgive me for, what will be seen by many, as a radical step, but I propose nothing that I do not deem absolutely necessary for the furtherance of this good Republic and the proper functioning of our government.

Amendment XXVIII

In order to make clear that there is a limit on the power of Congress to tax the public and spend taxes that are gathered, the words “as defined only by the following list of obligations” should be added to Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution so that it will read: ”The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States as defined only by the following list of obligations; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;” in order to make it clear what James Madison and the founding fathers meant when they wrote it (ref: Federalist 41 by James Madison).

Further it is proposed that the following be added to the end of this article: “That should any representative in the Congress of these United States propose, vote in favor of or in any other way attempt to pass any legislation that proposes either a tax or expenditure on any item or program not justified in Article I, Section 8 shall be immediately impeached by the House, tried by the Senate and upon being found guilty shall be removed from office and barred from holding any future public office or trust.”

Amendment XXIX

In order to make clear that it is the President who is Commander in Chief of the armed forces and that Congress’s only role in the military is to declare war and provide for funds as they see fit it is proposed that Article 2, Section 2 be changed so that it will read as follows: “The President and not any member of Congress (even if she is the first woman Speaker of the House) shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States”

Amendment XXX

That in order to make clear the powers of the Supreme Court of these United States Article 3, Section 2 of the Constitution shall have wording added so that it shall read as follows: “The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority but not to the power to rewrite the Constitution and usurp the role of the Legislature to legislate and create law. But that should any act by any public official violate the limited powers of government granted under this Constitution or infringe upon the rights of any citizen it shall be deemed null and void by this Supreme Court. And that the test for such infringement shall be higher than the claim that one was simply offended by the actions of another or that they were caused severe mental anguish at hearing something they do not like. ”

Amendment XXXI

That in order to make it clear even to a ripe tomato what the blatantly obvious meaning of Amendment I to this Constitution is the words “a national church” shall be added and the first mention of the word “religion” shall be struck and that the word “thereof” shall be replaced with “religion” so that it will read even more clearly “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of a national church, or prohibiting the free exercise religion.”

Amendment XXXII

That in order to make completely crystal clear the meaning of Amendment II to this Constitution additional wording shall be added so that it reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people, as in individual people (i.e. the citizens themselves) and not the government or any government entity, to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Amendment XXXIII

That in order to properly define the words “no” or “not” as used often to state a prohibition on the state from engaging in certain acts all instances of the word “no” or “not” shall be replaced with “no, and we really mean no as in never,” or “not, as it don’t even think about it ‘cause it isn’t going to happen no matter how hard you try to justify it,” respectively.

Amendment XXXIV

That to alleviate some of the confusion concerning the Fourth Amendment to this Constitution the term “unreasonable” shall be underlined, bolded and italicized to draw proper attention to it and that examples of “probable cause” shall be given so that it will now read: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause which includes, but is not limited to, the following non-exhaustive list: threatening to blow up buildings, threatening to commit acts of murder or other terrorist acts, purchasing large quantities of Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer and renting a Rider truck, acting in such a manner that draws suspicion before boarding an airplane, taking flying lessons but not being concerned about how to land the plane, inciting others to commit acts of terror, being caught on video tape or other recording medium accepting a bribe and so on but NOT, for example, the random searching of vehicles and the harassment of citizens on a road on New Years Eve because someone, somewhere may have consumed too much alcohol or other such nonsense, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Amendment XXXV

That in order to make it clear that the death penalty is indeed constitutional and not considered “cruel and unusual punishment” and that it is acceptable to deprive one of life as punishment, an additional sentence shall be added to the end of the amendment V so that it clearly reads: “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 offence 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. That means that we have the right to deprive criminals of life if they are found guilty after due process of law so quit your damn whining.” And that amendment VIII shall be made to read “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted and that depriving people of life after due process is not cruel and unusual punishment because we just said that it was allowed in Amendment V.”

And finally (at least for this go around) …

Amendment XXXVI

That in order to make it clear that government is not the solution to the problems of the people, Amendment X to the Constitution shall be clarified so that it shall read: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people because all you bureaucrats in Washington DC are not capable of managing our lives as well the vast majority of us are. And for those in society who are not capable of managing their own lives they can live off the generous charity of the rest of us. So you bureaucrats please keep your greedy little hands out of our wallets and stop trying to be our parents because you really, honestly and truly suck at it.” ]]> http://www.jordan-parliament.org/time-for-a-constitutional-convention/feed 1 http://www.jordan-parliament.org/illegal-immigration-spurs-constitutional-amendment http://www.jordan-parliament.org/illegal-immigration-spurs-constitutional-amendment#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:47:34 +0000 Admin http://www.jordan-parliament.org/?p=287

Among the millions of Americans frustrated with the refusal by the federal government to forcefully control illegal immigration is South Carolina Senator Glenn McConnell. As President Pro Tempore of the Senate McConnell has explained why he is calling for the nation’s first use of the US Constitution’s Article V provision for a convention of state delegates to propose constitutional amendments.

“While this action is unprecedented, I also believe that the danger facing our country is unprecedented. We need to act now. …Congress has refused or is incapable of acting, thereby leaving the states in the position of burning while Congress fiddles. …the problem of illegal immigration is one that has reached a boiling point,” said McConnell, a Charleston Republican.

He notes that if his resolution is approved by two-thirds of states it “would require Congress to call for a constitutional convention.” What McConnell has not said, however, is that for many decades Congress has refused to obey Article V and call a convention that sufficient states have already asked for. The one and only requirement in Article V has been satisfied and Congress has no discretion in this matter.

McConnell’s proposed constitutional amendment has these provisions:

1. No provision of this Constitution, or any amendment thereto, shall restrict or limit any state from enforcing federal law with regard to immigration violations. In the absence of proof of legal citizenship status, a state may decide what governmental services funded in whole or in part by the state may be provided to or denied from any undocumented alien located within the state’s respective jurisdiction. States shall also have any power to regulate illegal immigration that has not been specifically preempted by an act of the Congress.

2. In implementing the provisions of this article, each state shall have the authority to prescribe civil and criminal penalties in addition to any provided by federal law for entering the United States illegally.

3. A state shall also have the power to apprehend and expel persons who are within the state’s jurisdiction in violation of federal immigration law. The federal government must provide timely assistance to the state in expelling undocumented aliens upon request by a state.

Considering the historic record-low level of just 11 percent public support for Congress and the widespread public concern about the many impacts of unchecked illegal immigration, especially on communities and local governments, this call for an Article V convention is extremely timely. Few Americans are aware of their constitutional right to an Article V convention, provided by the Framers of our Constitution as a kind of escape clause should citizens lose confidence in the federal government. Could it be any clearer that Americans have lost confidence in the federal government?

While there are many other issues that merit debate by state delegates in an Article V convention, many of which have been proposed in previous state applications, the illegal immigration crisis has the potential to put enough political pressure on Congress to obey the Constitution and call a convention which it has refused to do thus far. Opponents of both the convention method of amendment and tough immigration law will assert that 33 more states must apply, assuming South Carolina acts. Senator McConnell has fallen into this trap. In reality, all 50 states have applied 567 times for a convention. Still, a new South Carolina application addressing illegal immigration may bring the failure of Congress to obey the law of the Constitution greater visibility and provoke public anger. We have something worse than a do-nothing Congress; we have a break-the-law Congress.

Americans that laud the Constitution and the rule of law, and want more effective actions to address illegal immigration – surely a super majority of citizens – should tell their state legislators that they support McConnell’s proposal and the call for the nation’s first Article V convention.

We have had more than enough talk, lies and spin. Now is the time for meaningful action. American is not a lifeboat that untold millions of poor, suffering people can illegally jump into – not without lifeboat-America sinking into third-world status. The corporate powers behind both the Democrats and Republicans are eager to sell out middle class Americans to get cheap labor. And their control over Congress has created the crisis that Senator McConnell has courageously addressed through a call for an Article V convention. Let’s assist his bold effort.

We can expect opposition to the McConnell proposal from a number of groups that have always opposed using the Article V convention option. On the political left and right are many groups that fear a convention because they want to maintain their power and the status quo – a political system easily corrupted by corporate and other special interests through campaign contributions and lobbying. They have cleverly propagated the lie that a convention could by itself wreck our Constitution, which is impossible because proposed amendments must be ratified by three-quarters of the states. Elites fear an Article V convention because once convened it is independent of Congress and the White House, and could re-engage distracted Americans in their government by seeing the Article V convention as the means, finally, to reclaim their government.