Introduction to the Uniting Amendment
A number of factors have led us to a point that is far from our common values of freedom and fairness, but the primary cause is our federal government. Our representatives have the lowest approval rating in history, and it's well-deserved. A combination of gerrymandered districts, government-controlled media, low citizen participation, and a general erosion of values has produced the most corrupt, insular, and incompetent menagerie that Washington has ever seen. The country has endured two of the longest, most costly, graft-ridden and unnecessary wars in our country's history, and some of our leaders are now trying to get us into yet another oil war in the middle east.
We no longer trust our representatives and we don't trust our public institutions. The country needs to rebuild, but the folks currently running the show are not up to the task... so we're doing it ourselves.
As part of a larger effort to rebuild the country, we're drafting an amendment that reestablishes a government that is more fair, more free, and has the integrity and compassion needed to move us forward. With input from just a few hundred people, we've already developed many fresh, innovative ideas that solve long-entrenched, difficult problems.
The current draft of the amendment is based on the two common values that our nation has always had since its inception: Liberty and Justice. Everyone here believes in freedom and fairness (liberty and justice). If someone in the U.S. doesn't believe in liberty and justice, they're living in the wrong country. Using those values as a guide, the Uniting Amendment restores integrity and compassion to our government and provides a stable foundation on which to rebuild our country.
The amendment is written in a language that is more specific than that of the original Constitution, which means it's a longer document: (currently) nine pages, compared to the four pages of the original Constitution. This specificity is needed because of the abuses that have taken place throughout the years while interpreting the text of the original Constitution. We've often heard the phrase "Living Document" when referring to the Constitution. The implication is that the interpretation of the Constitution can change over the years to accommodate changes in society. That sounds good in theory, but which interpretation is correct? Who decides how that interpretation will change, and to who's benefit? In a democracy it should be the people who decide, but under the system we have now our highest law is made up by nine guys who are not even elected by the people. That's not democracy. That's not a republic. It's an oligarchy.
The Uniting Amendment corrects that by writing the law more specifically. To accommodate changes, the amendment makes it a little easier to amend the Constitution in the future, either by the original methods or directly by the people, so any needed changes can be addressed while preserving our democracy. The Justices of the Supreme Court can still issue opinions about the meanings of the words in the Constitution, but they are limited to a textual interpretation of the original meaning of the words and their decisions may be reviewed by a jury of citizens who provide an additional check against usurpation. The jury can veto any part of the opinions of the Supreme Court that overreach and infringe our rights or corrupt justice.
The amendment addresses corruption in Congress by implementing several provisions that: prevent bribes (aka. lobbying), make politicians more accountable to the people, and attract candidates to run for Congress who have the country's best interests in mind rather than their own.
Many other issues are addressed by the amendment. The current draft of the amendment is composed of 23 sections:
Section 1 - Citizenship and Immigration
Section 2 - Suffrage
Section 3 - Taxes
Section 4 - Rights
Section 5 - Duties
Section 6 - Equity
Section 7 - Freedom to Worship
Section 8 - Commerce
Section 9 - Respect for Life and Nature
Section 10 - Powers
Section 11 - Representation
Section 12 - The Treasury and the Central Bank
Section 13 - Defense
Section 14 - Privacy
Section 15 - Legislative Procedure
Section 16 - Supreme Court
Section 17 - Statehood
Section 18 - Integrity
Section 19 - Basic Assistance
Section 20 - Census
Section 21 - Foreign Policy
Section 22 - Amendments and Referendums
Section 23 - Definitions
The sections should not be read or interpreted in isolation; they interrelate with each other and with the original Constitution. The best way to understand the amendment is to read it completely through. It takes less time to read than it takes to watch a movie or a football game.
Some of the specific provisions of the amendment include:
- Establishes a simple tax system with a low rate and no exemptions that provides more than enough revenue
- The poor and middle class pay a tax of only 1/2% on what they bring in†
- Ends poverty and hunger, and provides healthcare for everyone in need with a simple, single fund – at less cost than what we pay now
- Definitively affirms the right to possess, use, transport, transfer, buy or sell guns or other weapons for self-defense
- Keeps guns out of the hands of violent criminals
- Protects the environment
- Recognizes the right to privacy and ends illegal government intrusions
- Ensures a strong defense for our country and prevents politicians from waging war for profit or personal gain
- Prevents discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, or any other condition not under one's control
- Eliminates arbitrary regulation so people have the liberty to pursue their chosen trade or profession
- Protects threatened and endangered species
- Establishes term limits for members of Congress
- Ensures that all of our veterans' needs are met
- Solves the immigration issue: those who wish to move here and become citizens are elected by the people
- Protects the right to learn and teach so curiosity and discovery will no longer be limited by political motives
- Provides a jury of citizens as a check on Supreme Court actions to protect our rights and freedom
- Protects the right to control your own body – politicians can't tell us what we can eat, smoke, drink and enjoy
- Defines a set of responsibilities and duties for all people
- Protects the right of religious expression and prayer
- Mandates fiscal responsibility and other limits on congressional power
- Mitigates corruption in government and encourages honest citizens to participate in government
- And much more...
The document is far from complete. It's still very rough, in concept and execution, so after you've read it, please contribute your ideas to help make it better.
