Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of the United States is a living document that has been amended numerous times since its inception to reflect the evolving needs and values of the nation. While the process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, the specific additions and changes proposed by citizens vary widely. Suggestions range from protecting the rights of peaceful protesters and giving felons the right to vote, to modernizing the language and ensuring equality for all. With a focus on human rights, some advocate for making abortion a human right, while others propose adding protections for nature and cybersecurity. As the Constitution continues to adapt to the changing societal landscape, the question of what else should be added remains an ongoing discussion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Protection of peaceful protesters' rights | |
| Combat disunity of different political groups | |
| Abolishment of taxes for Washington D.C. | |
| End income tax | |
| Reform the U.S. Tax Code | |
| Get rid of the electoral college | |
| Define reproductive rights of women | |
| Add cybersecurity notions for modern society | |
| Annex Canada and Mexico | |
| Include those whose voices aren't heard | |
| Protection against the government increasing taxes | |
| Make abortion a human right | |
| Ensure equal rights, opportunity, and privacy |
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What You'll Learn
Right to peaceful protest
The right to peaceful protest is a longstanding protection afforded by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law [...] abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble". This right is also protected by the Texas Constitution, which specifically mentions the "right to assemble" and the "liberty to speak, write or publish [...] opinions on any subject".
Despite these constitutional protections, law enforcement officials sometimes violate the right to peaceful protest through mass arrests, illegal use of force, curfews, and the use of "free-speech zones". Additionally, new surveillance technologies are being used to collect information on protesters and those in proximity to protests. These actions can chill expressive activity and result in self-censorship.
The right to peaceful protest is critical to a functioning democracy, as it allows citizens to express their views and engage in symbolic speech. This includes the ability to march, leaflet, parade, picket, and circulate petitions. While the government has an interest in maintaining peace and public order, it generally cannot regulate or restrict speech based on its content.
To better protect the right to peaceful protest, the Constitution could be amended to explicitly prohibit the use of force, mass arrests, and curfews against peaceful protesters. Additionally, the use of "free-speech zones" and surveillance technologies to limit expression could be addressed. Such amendments would help to ensure that the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected.
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Term limits for Congress
The concept of term limits is not new and can be traced back to the early days of the United States. During the Civil War, the Constitution of the Confederate States limited its president to a single six-year term. Additionally, the Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, established term limits for delegates of the Continental Congress, stating that "no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years."
In modern times, there have been efforts to impose term limits on Congress. In the early 1990s, a movement in favour of term limits gained momentum, with seventeen states enacting term limits through state legislation or constitutional amendments. However, the Supreme Court ruled in U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton (1995) that state governments could not limit the terms of members of the national government, striking down these laws as unconstitutional.
Despite this setback, supporters of term limits have continued to pursue their goal through different strategies. One approach is to propose amendments to the Constitution, which can be done through Congress or by calling a convention for proposing amendments upon the application of two-thirds of the state legislatures. The proposed amendment would need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states to become valid. The resolution currently introduced in Congress aims to limit Senators to two consecutive terms and Representatives to six consecutive terms.
The debate around term limits for Congress remains ongoing, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to curb the influence of career politicians and bring about positive change. On the other hand, opponents may argue that term limits could lead to a loss of experienced lawmakers and potentially limit the ability of voters to choose their representatives. As with any constitutional amendment, the process of implementing term limits for Congress would require significant support and careful consideration of the potential impacts.
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Felon voting rights
The right to vote is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution, but it appears in five separate places: the 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention the right to vote for felons, it is implied by the text.
The debate surrounding felon voting rights has a long history in the United States. The first felony provisions were introduced in 1792 in Kentucky, and the first law disenfranchising felons was enacted in 1818 in Connecticut. By 1840, four states had felony disenfranchisement policies, and this number grew as more states adopted felon voting bans in the 1860s and 1870s. Scholars have linked the origins of these bans to racial discrimination, as they often targeted minor crimes more commonly committed by African Americans while allowing those who committed more serious crimes, such as murder, to vote.
Today, the debate over felon voting rights continues. Some argue that it is undemocratic to deny the vote to adults who pay taxes, regardless of their past crimes. Additionally, many individuals with felony convictions who pay taxes are denied representation because they are unable to vote. On the other hand, some believe that due to their crimes, disregard for the law, and frequent arrests, felons should not have a say in the law-making process.
In recent years, there have been some efforts to restore voting rights to felons. In 2020, Iowa's Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order restoring voting rights to about 24,000 people who had completed their sentences, excluding those convicted of murder. Similarly, in 2019, Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, signed an order restoring voting rights to more than 140,000 residents with nonviolent felony convictions. In the same year, Nevada passed a law restoring the right to vote for felons who were no longer serving prison sentences.
Despite these changes, the issue of felon voting rights remains unresolved. As of 2024, more than 5.8 million US citizens with past criminal convictions are unable to vote, including over 2.2 million African Americans. Only Vermont and Maine have no restrictions on voting rights for felons. The ongoing debate highlights the need for a clear and consistent approach to felon voting rights, which could be achieved by adding an amendment to the US Constitution.
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Reproductive rights
The topic of reproductive rights in the United States Constitution is a highly debated and polarizing issue. The landmark 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade established reproductive rights as an extension of the right to privacy, encompassed by the Ninth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision struck down abortion bans outside situations where the mother's life was at risk, balancing the interests of the state in the life of the fetus with the mother's right to autonomy and bodily integrity.
However, the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in 2022 reversed this precedent, concluding that abortion services are a matter for legislative action rather than constitutional protection. This decision has had a profound impact on the reproductive rights of Americans, particularly women, and has led to a volatile and fiercely contested political landscape.
The Center for Reproductive Rights has published a report, "The Constitutional Right to Reproductive Autonomy: Realizing the Promise of the 14th Amendment," which delves into the constitutional rights and guarantees that underpin reproductive autonomy. The report emphasizes that the right to reproductive autonomy is deeply rooted in the life, liberty, and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as international human rights that promote the dignity and equality of all people.
The report also highlights how reproductive oppression has been used as a tool to control women, people of color, and those with low incomes, perpetuating stereotypes and second-class status for women. It is argued that courts must uphold the legal rights of individuals who are pregnant or may become pregnant, ensuring they can make decisions regarding pregnancy and childbearing without government coercion.
To address the impact of the Dobbs ruling, Congress introduced the Reproductive Freedom for All Act (S.317). This act aims to guarantee Americans the freedom to make certain reproductive decisions without undue government interference, consistent with previous Supreme Court holdings and international human rights treaty body positions.
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Cybersecurity
The Constitution of the United States is a foundational document that outlines the country's governing principles and ensures the protection of citizens' rights and liberties. As society evolves, it is essential to consider amendments that address emerging issues and challenges, such as cybersecurity.
In the digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of national security and individual protection. With the increasing reliance on technology and the internet, personal and sensitive information is vulnerable to malicious attacks and data breaches. To safeguard the interests of its citizens, the Constitution should incorporate provisions that strengthen cybersecurity measures and establish clear guidelines for protecting digital information.
One key aspect of constitutional cybersecurity amendments could be the establishment of individual rights to data privacy and online security. This includes the right to be informed about data collection practices, the ability to provide or withhold consent for data processing, and the assurance that personal information will be protected from unauthorized access and misuse. These rights would empower individuals to have more control over their digital footprint and hold organizations accountable for their data handling practices.
Additionally, the amendments should outline the government's responsibility in ensuring cybersecurity. This includes investing in robust cybersecurity infrastructure, developing strategies to prevent and mitigate cyberattacks, and establishing protocols for responding to cyber incidents. The government should also promote cybersecurity awareness and education among citizens, empowering them to take proactive measures to protect themselves in the digital realm.
Furthermore, the amendments could establish a regulatory framework for organizations handling sensitive data. This framework would include stringent data protection standards, secure data storage practices, and mandatory reporting of data breaches. By holding organizations accountable for their data management, individuals' personal information can be better safeguarded, and the consequences of cyberattacks can be mitigated.
Finally, the constitutional amendments should address international cooperation in cybersecurity. Recognizing the global nature of cyber threats, the United States should collaborate with international allies to develop unified strategies, share intelligence, and establish norms and standards for cybersecurity. This collaborative approach would strengthen the country's defense against cyberattacks and contribute to a more secure digital environment worldwide.
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