Poll: Is it time to pass a 28th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution?

Examiner.com ^ | Dec. 7, 2009 | Réne Girard

[RGirard]

The Constitution of the United States is the most important document in United States history following The Declaration of Independence. It was signed September 17, 1787 by George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin ... with "the Unanimous Consent of the States" ... The Constitution establishes the legislative powers that govern our nation via Congress "which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." ...

Just two years later in 1789 the Bill of Rights was established "in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers" by adding ten (10) Amendments to the Constitution. Over the next 200+ years ... a grand total of twenty-seven (27) Amendments. ...

Now there is a new idea circulating amongst U.S. citizens on the internet: A 28th Amendment to the Constitution. It has sprung out of a very real need for the politicians in Washington D.C. to have the same rights and privileges as the people they represent. No more and no less...

AMENDMENT XXVIII "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to United States Senators and those of the House of Representatives; likewise, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."

How This Concept could be Applied: In relation to such controversial topics as Government-run health care, we need not fear that our elected officials will pass into law that which they themselves have not approved out of due diligence for themselves and their loved ones...

Sticking to our Principals: If we still operate under the principals of our Declaration of Independence and believe "that all men are created equal, ...

What do You Think? Submit your response in the Poll ...

[abigail2]

Not until we get these clowns out of office and behind bars!

[Jagdgewehr]

Given there lack of regard for the U.S. Constitution in general, I don’t have any faith that they will follow this law if passed.

[MichiganConservative]

...slavery to the state...

With the income tax and property taxes, I think we might already be there.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I support the amendment.

[quantim]

How about if we repeal the 17th Amendment first?

[ryan71]

TERM LIMITS

[Vendome]

Thing is, where is the exception that allows them to pass any law or obtain benefits, the average citizen can’t get?

[hflynn]

As President Barrack Insane Obama said, Constitution? We don't need no stinkin Constitution.

[RGirard]

Maybe some states should have 1 (like NJ) and some should have 3 or 4 (like TX)?

[MrB]

In his Statist viewpoint,

BO is really disappointed with the Constitution because it leaves people to be responsible for their own lives, and not what the government is responsible for doing for them.

“the so-called founders” wrote a Constitution that “Says what the Federal government can’t do to you, but doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf”

Barry, manchild, it most certainly DOES say what the State is responsible for - provide for the common defense, currency, etc (look in Art I, Section 8). It also says that it can’t do anything else.

[MizSterious]

Thanks! I knew there would be someone here who knows how this works!

[ml/nj]

This comes up from time to time. While its sentiment is noble it is a stupid idea. Congressmen need access to their offices and information that ordinary citizens should not have. It may be reasonable for them to allocate funds to themselves for travel and other costs they incur while supposedly exercising their Congressional duties. None of this can apply to ordinary citizens. What we need is laws limiting the powers of these guys. (Oh, wait! We already have that, and they just ignore it.)

"These are times which try men's souls."

ML/NJ

[YOUGOTIT]

The problem is that the House and the Royal 100 Club do not pass a real LAW. They pass bills that give those in charge of the Executive parts of the government to power to make their own LAW (it is called a requirement by any of the Secretaries and their panels except for the Military) These panels make the LAWS that are required to be enforced on We The People most of which are unconstitutional and there is NO where in the Constitution that says these Secretaries are required or have the power to make their own LAWS or dictatorships upon the people.

Further the 17th Amendment should be repealed as the Royal 100 Club needs to return to its original purpose to keep the States as free and independent places to live.

[concerned about politics]

AMENDMENT XXVIII "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to United States Senators and those of the House of Representatives; likewise, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."

I agree with this completely. Who would vote against such a measure? It seems as though this would already be law, otherwise, the government officials are treated as kings rather than servants.

[FrankR]

I think it's a great idea, and very fair...but, we have to remember that the ones who are most affected are the very ones who will have to vote it in.

I'd like to see the income tax abolished with an amendment, as the fair tax instituted to "redistribute" the tax burden equally to all Americans who enjoy the milk and honey of America, but sit on their asses and let others pay for it.

Make the Presidency one, 6-year term, and that's it. Currently Presidents spend 2 years learning the job, and 2 years campaigning for the next term, and the four years as lame duck doing whatever in the hell they want to do to the country.

And, of course, Term Limits for sure. A tenure in Congress should not be a career; people who want to run to serve the country should have job protections like the Military, guaranteeing their private job will still be there at the end of their term.

A steady flow of fresh blood through the Congress will greatly reduce the amount graft and corruption going on there. Also, it will keep the representative closer to the pulse of the people, and more beholding to them.

But - under this administration in particular - these are just pipe dreams. Congress will never give up the power, not without a national revolt, anyway.

[element92]

I’d rather have Congress in session 24/7/365,

than,

0’bushma decides he doesn’t need Congress

[concerned about politics]

What we do need is term limits.

Yep. These people go to Washington and lose touch with reality. They get so used to the power and privilege, they start using us as slaves.

[kidd]

Might be some conflicts with Article I, Section 6:

“They [Senators and Representatives] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.”

There is good reason for this clause; you might want to ammend your statement to recognize it.

[MrB]

This should be an ASSUMPTION in a country founded on the rule of law.

The fact that it is no longer assumed shows that we are not longer a country of laws.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is time for several new amendments.

1. Repeal the 16th Amendment

2. Repeal the 17th Amendment

3. No agency created by Congress shall have the power to create or change laws or rules with the weight of law without the express consent of the majority of both houses of Congress and the president for each proposed change.

4. Bills may originate in either House; but may be amended, altered or rejected by the other. No bill shall become a law which embraces more than one subject, that subject to be expressed in the title. All acts which repeal, revive or amend former laws, shall recite in their caption, or otherwise, the title or substance of the law repealed, revived or amended.

5. After a bill has been rejected, no bill containing the same substance shall be passed into a law during the same session.

6. No senator may serve more than two 6 year terms in the Senate and no representative shall serve more than 5 two year terms in the House.

7. A member of Congress shall forfeit their seat immediately upon conviction of a felony.

8. No senator or representative shall introduce, vote on, attempt to influence others to introduce or vote for legislation that contains changes in the laws for an entity that the representative shall have received monies. (In other words, the congress critters can no longer whore themselves out).