UPDATE to the US Constitution

By John Machado

This is not your typical book. It’s not a story you read, enjoy and put on the shelf or relegate to the back of your mind. It's a proposal, food for thought .. and an opportunity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781312102439

Book preview

U*P*D*A*T*E

to the

US CONSTITUTION

.. not your typical book

A PROPOSAL, FOOD FOR THOUGHT,

AND A SALUTE TO AMERICA’s PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE

UPDATE to the US Constitution

e-book

JOHN MACHADO

© 2023  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ISBN: 978-1-312-10243-9

INTRODUCTION

This is not your typical book.  It’s not a story you read, enjoy and put on the shelf or relegate to the back of your mind.  This is the sequel to a 240-year old success story, and it’s a sequel that may or may not be in its final form. 

  You’re invited to read, enjoy it .. or hate it .. and suggest alterations or fully endorse it as is .. but, most importantly, to live the drama. 

  You are a member of the cast of characters, none of whom are fictitious.  You play yourself as the ‘story’ unfolds.  And, talk about exciting, unlike the original US Constitution .. on which this work is clearly and respectfully based .. working citizens and their neighbors get to witness and influence its journey to glory.

  It might be necessary to challenge yourself a bit, to look at things from the point of view of another individual or of a community.  It may not be easy, but it surely is important. 

  Above and beyond all else, we .. you and I and millions of 21st century Americans ..

we, the people .. are adjusting a precious document to improve its suitability for the generations to come. 

  Thanks for being you, and for playing your part.

    John Machado

—

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire,

it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

-– George Washington

The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.

– Robert F. Kennedy

                                                                                            By permission

—

  A constitution, original or updated, is an instrument of the fine art of civilizing, the noble attempt to live together in harmony despite differences of every sort imaginable. 

  Many ancient orders were considered ‘civilized’ because they were large groups that lived and worked together peacefully.  But, most of them - as with many nations to this very day - were groups of homogeneous people; not just alike in language and appearance, but alike in cultural heritage.

  The American ‘melting pot’ .. a diverse population .. was and is a civilizing challenge, a challenge the USA has met, though not always well.  Here, we continue addressing that challenge, and attempt to do so more perfectly than we ever have. 

UPDATE

to the

US CONSTITUTION

I      Legislative branch … Congress

II     Executive branch … President

III    Judiciary branch … Courts

IV     States

V      Amendments

VI     Religion

VII    Individual rights

VIII   Voting

IX     Basic election funding

X      Due process

XI     Citizenship … Immigration

XII    Asylum

XIII   Public safety … Firearms

XIV    Reserve force … Education … Business

XV    New Constitution

© 2023 John Machado    All rights reserved

UPDATE TO THE US CONSTITUTION

Revised 2023

ARTICLE I

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a House of Representatives and a Senate.

Section 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every third Year by direct vote of the People in each of the Congressional districts of the several States and the District of Columbia and the various territories to represent the people of that one Congressional district of that state, district or territory.  (altered from the original.)

> PROPOSED:  3 year term for representatives.

  The current two-year term keeps representatives on

  the campaign trail, literally, the whole time they’re serving.

Each representative shall be limited to three terms, except that, the people may override the term limit.  If a candidate seeks a fourth term, consecutive or not, and receives 60% or more of the popular vote in the general election, that person is elected to a fourth term. 

That representative shall be deemed to have earned re-election by popular acclaim, and, the people shall be deemed to have overridden the term limit rule.  (new, 7/25/23)

> PROPOSED:  The people have power to override Congressional term limits.

  Again, more authority directly to the electorate.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who is not, when elected, an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.   (affirmed from the original)

Section 3.

Congressional districts shall consist of seven hundred sixty thousand citizens, more or less,