| Do we need a better U.S. Constitution? Here's a look | | | | A New Constitution - Preamble |
| at what it might include. | | | | "The government of the United States has only the |
| If you've read it, you may have noticed that the U.S. | | | | powers specified in this constitution, and may not do |
| Constitution, in designating how representatives were | | | | anything which is not explicitly authorized by this |
| to be apportioned by population, excluded "untaxed" | | | | document. The intent of this document is to protect |
| Indians, and counted each black slave as three fifths | | | | the rights of individuals within the country, both |
| of a person. That's in the first couple paragraphs, by | | | | citizens and all others, and that is the only valid |
| the way. Fortunately it was changed when the 14th | | | | purpose of government. When the United States |
| amendment was ratified. | | | | government acts outside its borders, it must still act |
| Obviously the writers had the prejudices of the times | | | | in accordance with this constitution, and refrain from |
| they lived in. The lesson here is that we cannot | | | | violating the rights of individuals. This is in recognition |
| create a perfect constitution that will stand the test | | | | that rights are not a gift of government, or an |
| of time. To think so is to think we have nothing to | | | | earned privilege, but are inherent in every human |
| learn. Any document that is so important will need to | | | | being." |
| be changed as we learn more and progress in our | | | | The idea here is to state plainly what the intent of |
| political and moral ideas. | | | | the constitution is and what the proper purpose of |
| Of course it could be dangerous to create an entirely | | | | the government is. This makes it much easier to |
| new constitution, given the politics that would go into | | | | determine when a law is allowable or unconstitutional. |
| writing and ratifying it. Still, if we were to do so, | | | | Combined with the clear enumeration of powers laid |
| what should it include? I can think of many changes | | | | out in the rest of the document, there would be |
| that I would like to see, including an electoral process | | | | much less room for mis-interpretation than there |
| that is less based on geography and more on citizens | | | | currently is. |
| political beliefs. In such a system, representatives | | | | It also makes it clear that rights are not a matter of |
| would be elected not by districts but by voters | | | | citizenship. Any and all who are within the jurisdiction |
| across the country who share common political | | | | of the government are to have their rights |
| causes or goals. | | | | respected and protected. Also, the government |
| But apart from the specific provisions throughout a | | | | cannot violate an individual's rights just because that |
| new constitution, there is one important change that | | | | person is not within the borders of the country. |
| I would like to see right up front: A declaration of | | | | Finally, this preamble states that government power |
| purpose and intent. The current document governing | | | | is limited. The current United States Constitution is |
| the United States is vague enough that there are | | | | supposed to do this as well, but is vague in many |
| many "gray" areas. The result is laws that may or | | | | ways. A new constitution should state plainly what |
| may not be unconstitutional, based on differing | | | | the government is allowed to do, and should require |
| interpretations. Differing interpretations are inevitable | | | | that all new laws specify the constitutional clause that |
| to some extent, but a clearer statement of purpose | | | | authorizes them. This will prevent much of our |
| would resolve much of the confusion. An example | | | | useless legislation, and help prevent an abuse of |
| follows. | | | | power on the part of the government. |