Forum Post: Occupy America Bill of Rights
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 5, 2011, 8:54 a.m. EST by bartonfunk
(3)
from Trenton, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
WE, the 99% need a new Bill of Rights for all Americans.
- Corporations are not Citizens
(and should not be treated as such.) As stock holder already have the right to vote and contribute to elections, corporations should not give them a double vote or right. End to corporate campaign contributions.
- Direct Popular Election of the President.
An end to the Electoral College. The winning candidate must also garner 50% +1 of all votes cast to be elected.
- Proportional Representation Voting
for all federal elections. An end to winner takes all plurality voting that keep the two party system in power.
- Open Primaries.
WE have a right to participate in all areas of federally elected officials. All primaries should be open to all voter. To avoid the race to be first and disproportionate influence the primaries should be held of a national voting day - Tuesday after the first Monday in April. Limiting federal elections to six month.
- Fair Wages and Fair Jobs.
American deserve to have a fair minimum wage. This should be a constitutional guarantee. As well, American should have the right to spend time with their families. WE must have a Constitutional right to work leave for sickness or vacation recuperation. WE must end "at will" employment. If you do a good job and you work hard you should not be fired for no cause. Employees must have the right to organize and a real right to work. Employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain.
Why don't we just try to repeal the Patriot Act and actually use the Bill of Rights that used to be legal. Also popular election gives advantage to larger populated cities that can over throw a single states vote. This is why the United State are not a democracy. We are a constitutional republic, this allows small minorite groups a level playing field and protects their rights as much as the majority. However we have all been fooled into believing De'mock'racy is the answer. Three wolves and a lamb vote on dinner. No minority rights will come of this, the 99% will fracture upon this school of thought.
But I think the problem now is that we have a minority running the show. I now that corporates are a numerical majority, but they have undue power and influence. I am trying to give the power back to the people. I know that the original intent was to protect the minority states. But why is it good to support a system that give a small, but wealthy, group the right to make decision for the majority - which is how things are now.
The ideas I listed should not take away the US being a republic. The House and Senate will still be proportioned based on population in each State. But they have to have open primaries for these federal offices. But, as the President is the leader of everyone then he should be directly elected I think.
Your concern is very valid and should be discussed further.
how about a new constitutional convention every 20 years put in the bill of rights? I think Jefferson believed a new constitutional convention should be held every twenty years, as he felt no generation should have to live under a constitution it had had no role in crafting. we need a living Constitution and not treat it like a bible. and Nonpartisan redistricting of congressional districts
That sounds interesting. All ideas that give more people more rights are good. All ideas are welcome. I am not trying to cram down ideas. Just want to discuss and generate. Thanks.
While I might agree with you I tried to steer clear of any politically charged issues. Voter ID tends to be seen as a platform of a particular group - which I will not get into as it would take us outside of my parameters. All input is respected.