Proposed Constitution

Hope for the future

ARTICLE I: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (Part 1)

 

SECTION 1: The Legislature

a. Dissolution of States’ Rights and their Division 

No District or State shall possess sovereignty or legislative powers outside of those granted by the people of the Republic in this Constitution.

NOTE

This law keeps politicians from benefiting from government contracts and incentives and eliminates the possibility that a Congressperson can create a government job that financially benefits that person while in office. If a person has worked for or financially benefited from a company that was awarded a government contract, within five years from the time that the person runs for Congress, that person cannot be in Congress. Furthermore, no member of Congress, nor any person on any type of Congressional payroll, can work for a company, foreign or domestic, that benefits, in any way, from government financing and/or contracts for ten years after being in Congress. This also reduces the corruption and influence of big business on Congress’ ability to act for and on behalf of the people.



b. Congressional Power to Establish Laws

Term Limits for the Legislative Branch.  All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress elected every four years by the people and limited to two terms each within any period of twenty consecutive years.

c. Requirement to protect Earth.

Legislative powers shall be restricted to acts and procedures in the establishment of laws that support the wants and needs of the people proportionate to the support of the natural laws of Earth and its environs.

NOTE

This law allows a government to provide for the needs of the people circumspect and in consideration of the natural laws of the earth. This provides constitutional authority to protect the earth, and at the same time gives humans the advantage of being the greatest life form that exists on Earth. Congress will be required to cautiously weigh the establishment of laws that promote human life against the protection of Earth’s environment and balance the two for the sake of both. This provision gives Congress greater authority and control over agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, providing a greater power to the EPA if needed. This provision also enables Congress to establish laws that allow business and industry to seek their corporate interests, but restricted to certain boundaries that do not destroy the earth and its natural environment. The provision forces the Free Market and Capitalism to compromise and balance their pursuit of profit with environmental concerns.



d. Houses of Congress

Congress shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

NOTE

This provision eliminates the possibility of titles that viscerally puts one human above another. It also helps Congress focus on the needs of the people instead of pursuing the possibility of receiving accolades, gifts, and honors from foreign entities of any kind. Other nations have their own lobbyists that work hard to influence Congress. Promises of money and prestige from another nation, whose laws are protected outside of this Constitution, would allow a Representative to receive such emoluments during or after serving in Congress. This provision expressly eliminates that possibility, thus reducing the influence that foreign powers can have on Congress.



e. Equality of Congress

Congress shall not choose Seats nor designate Officers. There shall be no Classes, Committees, Chairpersons, or Seats, of any kind, in Congress.  Each Member of Congress shall be equal to all other Members, regardless of tenure, age, ethnicity, gender, economic status, religion, or sexual orientation.

NOTE

This law keeps politicians from benefiting from government contracts and incentives and eliminates the possibility that a Congressperson can create a government job that financially benefits that person while in office. If a person has worked for or financially benefited from a company that was awarded a government contract, within five years from the time that the person runs for Congress, that person cannot be in Congress. Furthermore, no member of Congress, nor any person on any type of Congressional payroll, can work for a company, foreign or domestic, that benefits, in any way, from government financing and/or contracts for ten years after being in Congress. This also reduces the corruption and influence of big business on Congress’ ability to act for and on behalf of the people.



f. Consensus of Unanimity

Without a consensus of unanimity among its elected Members, Congress shall pass no law incumbent on the people outside of those established by this Constitution. There shall be no law without the unanimous consenting vote of each Member of Congress, whether physically present at the time of the vote or not. Congress shall have the option of voting by proxy or electronically, as it may determine from time to time, is in the best interest of any particular Member, or the people of the Republic.

NOTE

This law allows a government to provide for the needs of the people circumspect and in consideration of the natural laws of the earth. This provides constitutional authority to protect the earth, and at the same time gives humans the advantage of being the greatest life form that exists on Earth. Congress will be required to cautiously weigh the establishment of laws that promote human life against the protection of Earth’s environment and balance the two for the sake of both. This provision gives Congress greater authority and control over agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, providing a greater power to the EPA if needed. This provision also enables Congress to establish laws that allow business and industry to seek their corporate interests, but restricted to certain boundaries that do not destroy the earth and its natural environment. The provision forces the Free Market and Capitalism to compromise and balance their pursuit of profit with environmental concerns.



g. Congressional Compensation

 Members of Congress shall receive for their services a compensation as described in Section 7 of this Article. Besides that salary and within the period of their elected term: prior to that period within five years, and subsequent to that period within ten years—no Member of Congress or anyone associated with a Member of Congress shall receive from the Republic or from any of its people, or from any domestic entity of any kind, or from any foreign person or entity of any kind—any present, donation, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatsoever. The provisions of this sub-section shall be construed consistent with the provisions of Section 1(l.) below.

NOTE

This provision eliminates the possibility of titles that viscerally puts one human above another. It also helps Congress focus on the needs of the people instead of pursuing the possibility of receiving accolades, gifts, and honors from foreign entities of any kind. Other nations have their own lobbyists that work hard to influence Congress. Promises of money and prestige from another nation, whose laws are protected outside of this Constitution, would allow a Representative to receive such emoluments during or after serving in Congress. This provision expressly eliminates that possibility, thus reducing the influence that foreign powers can have on Congress.



h. Congressional Conflict of Interest

 No Congressional Representative shall, during the time for which that Representative is elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority or compensation of the Republic which was created, or the emoluments whereof which were increased, during such time; and no person holding any civil office under or within the Republic, shall be a Member of either House during such civil officer’s continuance in authority and office.

NOTE

This law keeps politicians from benefiting from government contracts and incentives and eliminates the possibility that a Congressperson can create a government job that financially benefits that person while in office. If a person has worked for or financially benefited from a company that was awarded a government contract, within five years from the time that the person runs for Congress, that person cannot be in Congress. Furthermore, no member of Congress, nor any person on any type of Congressional payroll, can work for a company, foreign or domestic, that benefits, in any way, from government financing and/or contracts for ten years after being in Congress. This also reduces the corruption and influence of big business on Congress’ ability to act for and on behalf of the people.



i. Age and Residency Requirements for Congressional Representatives

No person shall be a Representative 1) who has not attained the age of thirty-five years; and 2) who has not physically resided in a specified District for at least five years.

NOTE

No person of eighteen or twenty-one years, for example, has the experience of life necessary to run for an office that will direct the affairs of those who have had more life experience in the real world. Society sets determinate factors in relation to when a child becomes an adult. Modern family situations have developed an acceptable age of full accountability, which is generally eighteen to twenty-one years of age. However, just because one is now fully accountable, does not mean that that one automatically becomes experienced in accountability. This law forces a person to have at least a decade of experience living life with full accountability. In addition, teenagers are greatly susceptible to their parents’ prejudices. Well said by Albert Einstein, “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” This being the case, the common sense that a person utilizes in making laws that affect other people’s lives, must be developed. The way to do this is for the individual to gain some experience in the use of their personal “collection of 7 prejudices” and how well they work with other’s prejudices in the real world, outside of the security and support of the family unit. The District where the person lives sometimes produces sub-cultures, ideas, and a way of living different from other Districts. To truly be in touch with the people, one must live among the people and observe their wants and needs firsthand. This law will prohibit a person living in one District and owning a house in another from running in the District where that person does not spend the majority of that person’s time. Furthermore, candidates for Congress should be vetted according to how involved they have been with the people of their particular District. If a candidate has four different residences all over the country, that candidate by default is detached from the general population. Because who, of the majority of the people of America, owns more than one residence?



j. Congressional Replacement Outside of Regular Elections

When vacancies occur in the representation of any District due to death, disability, impeachment, or removal from office for any reasons determined by Congress according to its authority as this Constitution allows, Congress shall prescribe the time, place, manner, and approve and support the cost of a new election by the previously registered voters in the District where the vacancy occurs.

NOTE

This provision eliminates the possibility of titles that viscerally puts one human above another. It also helps Congress focus on the needs of the people instead of pursuing the possibility of receiving accolades, gifts, and honors from foreign entities of any kind. Other nations have their own lobbyists that work hard to influence Congress. Promises of money and prestige from another nation, whose laws are protected outside of this Constitution, would allow a Representative to receive such emoluments during or after serving in Congress. This provision expressly eliminates that possibility, thus reducing the influence that foreign powers can have on Congress.



k. Congressional Immunity from Civil Suits and Harassment

Congressional Representatives shall in all cases—except treason, felony, breach of the peace, or violation of any of this Constitution’s Articles, or those of a personal nature involving domestic issues—be privileged from legal process service or 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 by any other person or authority outside of those appointed by this Constitution.

NOTE

No person of eighteen or twenty-one years, for example, has the experience of life necessary to run for an office that will direct the affairs of those who have had more life experience in the real world. Society sets determinate factors in relation to when a child becomes an adult. Modern family situations have developed an acceptable age of full accountability, which is generally eighteen to twenty-one years of age. However, just because one is now fully accountable, does not mean that that one automatically becomes experienced in accountability. This law forces a person to have at least a decade of experience living life with full accountability. In addition, teenagers are greatly susceptible to their parents’ prejudices. Well said by Albert Einstein, “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” This being the case, the common sense that a person utilizes in making laws that affect other people’s lives, must be developed. The way to do this is for the individual to gain some experience in the use of their personal “collection of 7 prejudices” and how well they work with other’s prejudices in the real world, outside of the security and support of the family unit. The District where the person lives sometimes produces sub-cultures, ideas, and a way of living different from other Districts. To truly be in touch with the people, one must live among the people and observe their wants and needs firsthand. This law will prohibit a person living in one District and owning a house in another from running in the District where that person does not spend the majority of that person’s time. Furthermore, candidates for Congress should be vetted according to how involved they have been with the people of their particular District. If a candidate has four different residences all over the country, that candidate by default is detached from the general population. Because who, of the majority of the people of America, owns more than one residence?



l. Congressional Recognition of Any Person[s].

No Title of Nobility shall be granted to any person, for any reason, by the Congress, nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under this Constitution accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatsoever, from any king, prince, or officer of any foreign state.

NOTE

This provision eliminates the possibility of titles that viscerally puts one human above another. It also helps Congress focus on the needs of the people instead of pursuing the possibility of receiving accolades, gifts, and honors from foreign entities of any kind. Other nations have their own lobbyists that work hard to influence Congress. Promises of money and prestige from another nation, whose laws are protected outside of this Constitution, would allow a Representative to receive such emoluments during or after serving in Congress. This provision expressly eliminates that possibility, thus reducing the influence that foreign powers can have on Congress.



m. Congressional Website for Complete Transparency

Congress shall maintain an official website. Such website shall provide full transparency of all congressional actions and activities, except those that might impede or affect national security as Congress may determine and prescribe with the concurrence of the President. Such website shall be updated on a daily basis and kept current within 24 hours of the preceding day. Such website shall be clear and understandable to the majority of the people.

NOTE

This law keeps politicians from benefiting from government contracts and incentives and eliminates the possibility that a Congressperson can create a government job that financially benefits that person while in office. If a person has worked for or financially benefited from a company that was awarded a government contract, within five years from the time that the person runs for Congress, that person cannot be in Congress. Furthermore, no member of Congress, nor any person on any type of Congressional payroll, can work for a company, foreign or domestic, that benefits, in any way, from government financing and/or contracts for ten years after being in Congress. This also reduces the corruption and influence of big business on Congress’ ability to act for and on behalf of the people.



n. Congressional Oath

Before Members of Congress assume the execution of their office, each shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully serve the people of the Republic of America, and I will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this Republic.”

NOTE

This law allows a government to provide for the needs of the people circumspect and in consideration of the natural laws of the earth. This provides constitutional authority to protect the earth, and at the same time gives humans the advantage of being the greatest life form that exists on Earth. Congress will be required to cautiously weigh the establishment of laws that promote human life against the protection of Earth’s environment and balance the two for the sake of both. This provision gives Congress greater authority and control over agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, providing a greater power to the EPA if needed. This provision also enables Congress to establish laws that allow business and industry to seek their corporate interests, but restricted to certain boundaries that do not destroy the earth and its natural environment. The provision forces the Free Market and Capitalism to compromise and balance their pursuit of profit with environmental concerns.



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© THE HUMANITY PARTY® (THumP®), 2020