The New Bill of Rights
Nearly everything has changed in the United
States since the Bill of Rights was written and
adopted. We still see the original words when we
read those first 10 Amendments to the
Constitution, yet the meaning is vastly different
now.
And no wonder. We've gone from a country of a few
million to a few hundred million. The nation's
desire to band together was replaced by revulsion
of togetherness. We exchanged a birthright of
justice for a magic bullet, and replaced the
Pioneer Spirit with the Pioneer Stereo.
We're not the people who founded this country and
our Bill of Rights should reflect this.
[ For the ] the 21st Century, it's time to bring
the wording up to date showing what we are and who
we are.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law establishing religion,
but shall act as if it did; and shall make no laws
abridging the freedom of speech, unless such
speech can be construed as "commercial speech" or
"irresponsible speech" or "offensive speech;" or
shall abridge the right of the people to peaceably
assemble where and when permitted; or shall
abridge the right to petition the government for a
redress of grievances, under proper procedures.
It shall be unlawful to cry "Fire!" in a theater
occupied by three or more persons, unless such
persons shall belong to a class declared Protected
by one or more divisions of Federal, State or
Local government, in which case the number of
persons shall be one or more.
Amendment II
A well-regulated military force shall be
maintained under control of the President, and no
political entity within the United States shall
maintain a military force beyond Presidential
control. The right of the people to keep and bear
arms shall be determined by the Congress and the
States and the Cities and the Counties and the
Towns (and someone named Fred.)
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered
in any house without the consent of the owner,
unless such house is believed to have been used,
or believed may be used, for some purpose contrary
to law or public policy.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures may not be
suspended except to protect public welfare. Any
place or conveyance shall be subject to search by
law enforcement forces of any political entity,
and any such places or conveyances, or any
property within them, may be confiscated without
judicial proceeding if believed to be used in a
manner contrary to law.
Amendment V
Any person may be held to answer for a crime of
any kind upon any suspicion whatever; and may be
put in jeopardy of life or liberty by the state
courts, by the federal judiciary, and while
incarcerated; and may be compelled to be a witness
against himself by the forced submission of his
body or any portion thereof, and by testimony in
proceedings excluding actual trial. Private
property forfeited under judicial process shall
become the exclusive property of the judicial
authority and shall be immune from seizure by
injured parties.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to avoid prosecution by exhausting
the legal process and its practitioners. Failure
to succeed shall result in speedy plea-bargaining
resulting in lesser charges. Convicted persons
shall be entitled to appeal until sentence is
completed. It shall be unlawful to bar or deter an
incompetent person from service on a jury.
Amendment VII
In civil suits, where a contesting party is a
person whose private life may interest the public,
the right of trial in the Press shall not be
abridged.
Amendment VIII
Sufficient bail may be required to ensure that
dangerous persons remain in custody pending trial.
There shall be no right of the public to be
afforded protection from dangerous persons, and
such protection shall be dependent upon
incarceration facilities available.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in The Constitution of certain
rights shall be construed to deny or discourage
others which may from time to time be extended by
the branches of Federal, State or Local
government, unless such rights shall themselves
become enacted by Amendment.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution shall be deemed to be powers
residing in persons holding appointment therein
through the Civil Service, and may be delegated to
the States and local Governments as determined by
the public interest. The public interest shall be
determined by the Civil Service.
