The Real First Amendment

Introduction:
When our Founders envisioned the House of Representatives, they did not assume that the number of people represented by a representative would increase. During the first Congress, one representative represented 62,000 people. This was supposed to be a constant, and as such, the very first amendment of the Bill of Rights - also known as Article the First - was proposed. It would have one representative per 60,000 people. In a modern context, that increases the current 435 to 6200+. Too much you say? Well remember your representative, yes - your representative, has only a mere 700,000+ people he "represents" at present. No wonder you've never met him!

No taxation without representation!

Full Text:

Article the first... After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.

Supporters:
Patriots, the Founders.

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally support the Article the First - Smart aka Reuven.

Links:
http://www.thirty-thousand.org/

“...the House of Representatives will, within a single century, consist of more than six hundred members.”
— James Wilson, November 30, 1787
Delegate to the Convention of the State of Pennsylvania,
on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution.

Parental Rights Amendment

Introduction:
The Parental Rights Amendment is an attempt to clarify the rights of parents in relation to the government. Its advocates are mostly Christian Conservatives and it does not provide for parental responsibilities or for the rights of the child. It has been criticized both by the Home-school advocates and ardent Libertarians who stress it is poorly written, and that the tenth amendment means that it should be done at the state- not federal level.

Full Text:

SECTION 1
The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.
SECTION 2
Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.
SECTION 3
No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

Supporters:
Rep. Fleming in House, Sen DeMint in Senate
Previously Rep Hoekstra in House.

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally reject the Parental Rights Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.
The U.S. should sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child instead.

Links:
http://www.parentalrights.org/
http://pillsworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/parentalrights-bill.html

Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment

Introduction:
The Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment was an attempt to end Government involved in Corporations.

Full Text:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the ‘Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment’.

SEC. 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

‘Article--

‘The United States shall not own, subscribe to, or otherwise have any interest in the stock or equity of any company, association or corporation: Provided, That the foregoing prohibition shall not apply to any investments through any pension funds.’.

Supporters:
Rep Turner from Ohio, 100+ cosponsors in 2009, 0 cosponsors in 2011-2012

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally reject Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.

Links:
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Right to Vote Amendment

Introduction:
The Right to Vote Amendment is an attempt to establish a "right-to-vote" within the realm of the Constitution.

Full Text:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the right to vote.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

`Article--

`Section 1. All citizens of the United States who are eighteen years of age or older shall have the right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides. The right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, any State, or any other public or private person or entity, except that the United States or any State may establish regulations narrowly tailored to produce efficient and honest elections.

`Section 2. Each State shall administer public elections in the State in accordance with election performance standards established by the Congress. The Congress shall reconsider such election performance standards at least once every four years to determine if higher standards should be established to reflect improvements in methods and practices regarding the administration of elections.

`Section 3. Each State shall provide any eligible voter the opportunity to register and vote on the day of any public election.

`Section 4. The Congress shall have power to enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation.'.

Supporters:
Jesse Jackson, Jr. and other Democrats.

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally reject the Right to Vote Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.
It is unnecessary, plain and simple.

Links:
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Term-Limits Amendment

Introduction:
The Term-Limits Amendment would extend the limits already on the President to the Congress. Thereby eliminating the peoples' right to electing whomever they please. Like the 22nd amendment, it is damaging to our Constitution.

Full Text:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve to 3 in the House of Representatives and 2 in the Senate.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States:

‘Article--

‘Section 1. No person who has served three terms as a Representative shall be eligible for election to the House of Representatives. For purposes of this section, the election of a person to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives shall be included as one term in determining the number of terms that such person has served as a Representative if the person fills the vacancy for more than one year.

‘Section 2. No person who has served two terms as a Senator shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Senate. For purposes of this section, the election or appointment of a person to fill a vacancy in the Senate shall be included as one term in determining the number of terms that such person has served as a Senator if the person fills the vacancy for more than three years.

‘Section 3. No term beginning before the date of the ratification of this article shall be taken into account in determining eligibility for election or appointment under this article.’.

Supporters:
Senators Jim DeMint, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul.

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally reject the Term-Limits Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.

Links:
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Internet Freedom Amendment

Introduction:
The Internet Freedom Amendment is a 21st-century amendment guaranteeing the Bill of Rights & Constitution applies online.

Full Text:

No Specific text in mind

Supporters:
Unknown

Personal Comments:
I unequivocally support the Internet Freedom Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.

Links:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-penn/internet-freedom-amendment_b_830524.html

District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment

Introduction:
The title says it all.

Full Text:

Section 1. For purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and article V of this Constitution, the District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall be treated as though it were a State.

Section 2. The exercise of the rights and powers conferred under this article shall be by the people of the District constituting the seat of government, and as shall be provided by the Congress.

Section 3. The twenty-third article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 4. This article shall be inoperative, unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

Supporters:
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Personal Comments:
I unequivocally reject the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment - Smart aka Reuven.

Links:
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