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"What we do here today echoes through eternity."

Lets say for arguments sake that after all is said and done, we wind up with our country back. Where do we start constitution wise? Will our ggg grandchildren have to do the same thing in 200 years? How would our forefathers have changed things if they were to get a glimpse of the sad state our government has brought upon us now? Was the constitution the absolute best we can hope for? How can we make sure that the courts do not become activist re writers? etc etc.

That's the $64K question: assuming we have to start all over again, the big issues are:

a) I assume almost all Americans agree on most of the bill of rights (freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equality under law, etc.)-- What about the 2nd Amendment? What actually constitutes 'establishment' of religion? When does the 'separation' of church and state become a policy of official atheism and a suppresion of religion?

b) how much 'policing' power do we want to give the Fed gov? Reviewing this issue historically, was the Food and Drug Act the beginning of excessive interference? The income tax? The minimum wage? he Fed reserve? Paper currency? Environmental regulations and takings? What about the incorporaion clause and states rights? What would most even here on FR agree to?

c) What about the military and foreign affairs? Should a new Constitution force a libertarian, isolationist stance with a small military? Allow a draft? Require a draft? Leave things as they are?

Do w want to re-open the whole can of worms; or, do we want 'push-back' on certain critical areas: i) the RKBA an its incorporation against the states; ii) unrestricted political speech (no campaign finance 'reform', no 'unfairness' doctrine), iii) rejection of excessve federal regulation (environmental, economic, etc.) and an expanded sense of the takings clause (make the bastards pay) and re-privileging of private contracts; iv) term limits. Any other ideas?

Term limits three (3) terms for congress, one (1) for senate.
Each and every budgetary item must stand on it's own - no bundling into other bills.
Pay linked to national average income - no pay raise without raising average income of nation.
Fed taxes limited to 10% or less.
Senators appointed by state legislature.
No unfunded mandates on states.
Pay as you go is mandatory.
Every federal law expires every four years and must be renewed by specific reading (reading cannot be waived) or it expires. Note that murder, arson, rape, robbery, assault, etc., are assumed to be illegal under state law.
No govt limousines until every American has one also.
No special retirement for congress/president.
No special health care for congress/president.