Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution is a living document that has been amended several times since its inception, with the most recent amendment being ratified in 1992. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which states that amendments can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states to become part of the Constitution officially. With that being said, there are many topics that people believe should be addressed in the Constitution, such as reproductive rights, minority representation, and natural resource protection. Other suggestions include reforming the tax code, improving mental health checks for firearm ownership, and enhancing government transparency and accountability. These diverse perspectives highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the evolution of constitutional law to meet modern societal needs.
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What You'll Learn
Add transparency and accountability to the government
Transparency and accountability are essential features of a well-functioning government. By adding provisions to the constitution that promote transparency and accountability, the government can become more effective and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
One way to achieve this is by ensuring that the government actively discloses information to the public. This could be done through the establishment of an official, searchable website that is easily accessible to all citizens. This website would contain all relevant information regarding the government's operations and decisions, allowing citizens to stay informed and engaged. Additionally, the website should provide a platform for public feedback, enabling citizens to identify the information that is most useful to them.
Furthermore, the constitution could mandate the use of new technologies to enhance transparency. Executive departments and agencies should utilize online platforms to make information about their activities readily available to the public. This includes providing access to information maintained by the Federal Government, which is a valuable national asset. By embracing technological solutions, the government can ensure that information is easily accessible and searchable for all citizens.
To promote accountability, the constitution could include measures to strengthen standards for recusal and conflict of interest. For example, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act aims to develop an ethics code for justices and improve recusal standards when conflicts of interest arise. This helps to ensure that judges and justices act with integrity and avoid any potential biases.
Additionally, the constitution could establish an independent body or office dedicated to overseeing government transparency and accountability. This body could be tasked with monitoring the government's compliance with transparency requirements and investigating any breaches of trust or misconduct. This oversight would help to identify areas where improvements can be made and ensure that the government remains accountable to the people it serves.
By incorporating these measures into the constitution, the government can increase transparency, encourage citizen engagement, and strengthen accountability. These steps are crucial in rebuilding trust in democratic institutions and ensuring that the government acts in the best interests of its citizens.
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Ensure citizen panel oversight of legislation
The addition of citizen panel oversight to the Constitution would serve as a mechanism for citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and hold government entities accountable. Citizen oversight panels, also known as citizen juries or advisory boards, have been proposed as a way to increase transparency and ensure that regulatory agencies act in the public's best interests.
One suggestion for implementing this idea is to create a citizen panel that reviews legislation passed by the federal government before it reaches the President's desk. This panel would be selected randomly, similar to a jury, ensuring anonymity and a diverse range of perspectives. The panel would be tasked with determining the constitutionality of the legislation and could send it back to Congress for revisions if necessary. This process would provide a check and balance on the power of the legislative branch, involving citizens directly in the law-making process.
In addition to legislative oversight, citizen panels could also play a role in reviewing bureaucratic decisions and ensuring that regulatory agencies are free from special-interest influence. Citizen oversight juries could deliberatively consider complex questions, such as potential conflicts of interest in awarding government contracts or the integrity of regulatory processes. This model has been successful in other countries, such as Ireland, where randomly selected citizen assemblies played a pivotal role in significant social reforms.
Furthermore, citizen oversight can extend beyond the federal level and be applied to law enforcement agencies and state functions. For example, civilian review boards for law enforcement have become common, focusing on monitoring internal complaint investigations, evaluating police training and conduct, and ensuring effective public reporting. This type of oversight improves transparency, accountability, and responsiveness within government entities.
By enshrining citizen panel oversight in the Constitution, the amendment would empower citizens to actively engage in governance and hold their representatives accountable. This addition would reflect the values of democracy, participation, and responsiveness, ensuring that the government serves the people effectively and justly.
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Define reproductive rights
The Constitution of the United States is a powerful document that outlines the fundamental rights and principles of the nation. Amending this document is a meticulous process, as it should be, with the authority to do so derived from Article V of the Constitution.
One right that has been proposed to be added to the Constitution is the definition and protection of reproductive rights for women. This proposal is particularly relevant in light of the recent ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, where the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion.
Reproductive rights encompass the fundamental freedoms and choices relating to one's reproductive health and autonomy. This includes the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy, access contraception, and make personal decisions about one's body without external influence or coercion. The right to abortion falls under this umbrella, and its removal from constitutional protection has shifted the focus to state constitutions and courts, which now play a critical role in safeguarding reproductive rights.
State courts have stepped up to fill the void left by the Supreme Court's decision, with several states recognizing abortion rights and access as protected under their constitutions. These state courts have interpreted their constitutional histories and traditions more liberally, ensuring that reproductive rights are viewed through a lens of personal privacy, autonomy, and equality.
Adding reproductive rights to the Constitution would provide a federal-level protection, ensuring that all citizens across the nation are guaranteed these fundamental freedoms. It would reaffirm the importance of life, liberty, and equality, and prevent the rollback of rights that have been taken for granted for decades.
The process of amending the Constitution is rigorous and involves several steps. Firstly, an amendment must be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50) to become part of the Constitution officially.
While the process is deliberate and challenging, it ensures that any changes to the Constitution are thoroughly considered and widely accepted. The addition of reproductive rights to the Constitution would be a significant step forward, guaranteeing that women's rights to make decisions about their bodies and reproductive health are protected at the highest level.
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Reform the tax code
Reforming the tax code is a complex and contentious issue, with a range of perspectives and potential implications. Here is a detailed discussion on this topic, presented in 4 to 6 paragraphs as requested:
The Constitution's original text grants Congress the authority to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imports, and Excises" under the Taxing Clause in Article I. This power has been utilised by Congress to impose a Federal income tax, as established by the 16th Amendment, ratified in 1913. This amendment marked a significant shift in how the federal government received funding. However, the effectiveness of this amendment has been questioned over time.
The current tax code has been criticised for its inefficiencies and unfairness. The issue of tax loopholes and special treatment for certain interests has been highlighted. These loopholes, often created by lobbyists, result in a higher tax burden on middle-class families compared to wealthier individuals and corporations. This contradicts the Buffett Rule, which states that no household earning over $1 million annually should pay a smaller proportion of their income in taxes than middle-class households. Closing these loopholes and eliminating inefficient tax breaks would help create a fairer system.
Additionally, the tax code has been criticised for its complexity, with calls for simplification to benefit all Americans. High statutory tax rates, especially for corporations, have been identified as detrimental to the country's competitiveness in the global economy. This has led to proposals for lower individual and corporate tax rates and fewer tax brackets. Reducing marginal rates could be achieved through comprehensive tax reform, including eliminating unnecessary tax expenditures and inefficient tax breaks.
To address these issues, a proposed amendment to the Constitution could focus on several key principles. Firstly, ensuring fairness by eliminating loopholes and special treatments, so that all citizens and corporations contribute their fair share. Secondly, simplifying the tax system to reduce the time and money spent on compliance and filings. Thirdly, increasing progressivity in the tax code to ensure that higher-income households pay a larger share of their total income in taxes. Finally, the amendment could include measures to improve transparency and accountability in government spending, providing clearer insights into how tax revenues are utilised.
The process of proposing and ratifying a constitutional amendment is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. An amendment can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 out of 50) to become part of the Constitution. This process allows for the necessary changes to be made to the tax code, ensuring it remains relevant and fair in a dynamic economic landscape.
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Abolish the electoral college
The Electoral College, which ultimately picks the US president, has been the subject of much debate, with over 700 proposals introduced in Congress over the past 200 years to reform or eliminate it. The Electoral College is based on Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which outlines how the president is chosen. Each state is given electors equal to its representation in Congress, and the top vote-getter chosen by these electors becomes president.
There are several reasons why people argue for abolishing the Electoral College. Firstly, it has been criticized for undermining the will of the people by installing as president the loser of the popular vote. This has happened in two of the last five presidential elections, and in the 2000 election, 73% of Democratic respondents supported amending the Constitution to abolish the Electoral College. Secondly, the Electoral College is seen as an archaic institution, a vestige of the 18th century when voters didn't know the candidates, and pro-slavery Southerners gained electoral strength by counting non-voting enslaved people as part of their state populations. Thirdly, income inequality, geographic disparities, and discrepancies between the popular vote and Electoral College results are likely to become more common, further distorting the popular will and creating a constitutional crisis.
Despite the numerous proposals and widespread support for abolishing the Electoral College, it has proven challenging to enact constitutional change. Amending the Constitution is a laborious process, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, and approval from at least 38 out of 50 states. While Congress came close to eradicating the Electoral College in 1934, falling just two votes short, the conversation has continued, with legislators debating reform or eradication.
In conclusion, abolishing the Electoral College and moving to a direct popular vote for electing the president would address concerns about the current system undermining the will of the people, being a relic of a bygone era, and distorting the popular will. However, enacting such a change would require significant consensus and a successful constitutional amendment process, which has proven difficult to achieve in the past.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of things that people would like to add to the constitution, including:
> A: Yes, perhaps through a required website that displays and tracks government spending.
> A: Yes, a citizen panel, picked anonymously and randomly like a jury, could determine if any legislation passed to the President is constitutional.
> A: Yes, this includes equality for minorities, women, and the protection of natural and reproductive rights.
> A: Yes, this would help to ensure that only those who are mentally stable have access to firearms.
