The Renewal Amendments

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

United States Constitution Article V

In this country we have many arguments about whether the United States Constituion is a living document. Meaning, does it mean different things at different times? Yes and no.

For starters there are items that are vague and interpretive. Example, the right to free speech. What is speech? Is it only the words that come out of one's mouth? Does speech include wearing a tshirt with a message on it? Does it include stripping? And what if that speech causes harm to someone else? What if someone yells fire in a crowded theater that is not on fire and causes mass panic that injures someone? Can students exercise their freedom of speech at school or school related events? As you can see, one part of one amendment can create tons of questions. Yet even with these parts that can have some subjectivity there are still absolutes. It does not change from generation to generation that speech is protected. 

There is another way the Constituion is a living document in a sense. It is the amendments process. This is how we can make needed changes. Of course, it is a process that ensures very few amendments are added. As you can see, it takes much approving. And once the changes are made, the changes cannot be taken back without the same process. Just look at the 18th and 21st Amendments. 

While it's a difficult process, it is time to make amendments and changes. We have a government that is not working for the good of The People. It had sold out for power. When politicians only highlight their opponents weaknesses and not their own positives then we know they have found loopholes in the system. Why do something positive that might give someone else a little bit of  credit? It's just easier to obstruct and then blame it on the other side. 

The first proposal needs to be that laws are applied equally. No one can be exempt based on position, group or social status. 

The second needs to be that elected (autocorrect made this work "wrecked" the first time I typed it) officials do not receive pay in times that no budget has been passed. That includes the House, Senate, Vice President and President. 

The third needs to be to reform the electoral college. It needs to be decided if it is time to abolish it or to revamp it. 

The fourth needs to change the rule that someone must be born in the United States or to U.S. citizens in order to become president.

The fifth must be to define life. We as a nation need to start a discussion on when a person's right to life begins. Is that at conception, birth or somewhere in between?

The sixth needs to clarify the 2nd Anendment. The extremes have hi-jacked this amendment and we are all losing.

The seventh needs to be to abolish the 16th Amendment and come up with a new tax system or go back to the original system.

The eighth needs to change the way in which we elect both houses of Congress. 

The ninth needs to set term limits on elected officials along with their retirement pay.

The tenth needs to clearly define when the executive can and cannot use military force.

It is understandable that these amendments will be open to interpretation. They will not be simple. They will need to be carefully written. And they will need to be written in a way as not to stifle freedom but expand it for ourselves as well as future generations. It is time to renew our freedom and get a fresh start.