The foundations of your ideal government

[reflaxion.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! You have just been granted sovereignty. As the interim leader of your people, the masses look to you for guidance on how to proceed with the rigorous process of building your government. The parchment and quill pen are in your hand - what will you do?

A building should have a strong foundation, and a government should have strong founding principles. If you had to draft a constitution for your own nation today, what would be the core values that you would base it on? What rights would you guarantee your citizens, and what would you restrict? What would be the role of your government - its rights and responsibilities? What parts of your constitution would be adaptable, and what would be consistent?

Blah blah health care socialism town hall astroturfing birth certificate. Now none of you can say this post didn't get through your search filters, so let's see some ideas.

Comments

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

A plain-English version of the current Constitution with current vernacular (to eliminate "confusion" around terms like "well-regulated" and "general welfare"):

* Clearer protections against racial and gender discrimination by the government.

* An explicit ability for the Supreme Court to intervene on legislation that does not meet Constitution muster.

* An explicit, easy way to remove members of the government who act in ways that are not in accordance to the Constitution.

* A clear and precise note that the document, as it does today, assures limited government and passes along rights to the states and the people.

The US Constitution is one of the better, if not the best, foundational document in the world. The only problem with it is the people who insist on distorting it, so that's the major stuff that needs to be addressed.

[reflaxion.livejournal.com]

I think that clarifying the U.S. Constitution would be a pretty good idea for the actual U.S. government.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Good point.

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

I like it - follow the Constitution we already have with a bit more emphasis on accountability. Or else:

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Why the Hell not?

Aliens ruling us couldn't be worse.....

[soliloquy76.livejournal.com]

That's the best thing ever.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd certainly start with that. No reason to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

Works for me. With the possible exception of your Supreme Court idea.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Because? Genuine curiousity.

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

Possibly because I may not understand what you mean.

I kinda think they have too much "power" now, without any real checks and balances. Since too many times what is actually constitutional depends on the make up of the court. Or am I just too cynical?