Constitution Restoration Act Of 2007

This is just a figment of my imagination at the moment; what I'd like to see when the Democrats take back the Congress.

First, I want to see Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, and Gonzales impeached and removed from office. Then they should be handed over to the International Criminal Court at the Hague, and stand trial for War Crimes, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity.

With that out of the way I want to see the Democrats introduce the Constitution Restoration Act Of 2007.

This Act would do several things.

• Repeal the Patriot Act, and related legislation.
  
  
• Re-criminalize warrant-less wiretapping.
  
  
• Restore Habeas Corpus.
  
  
• Restore Posse Commitatus.
  
  
• Revoke "person-hood" from all corporations.
  
  
• Ban political contributions from corporations.
  
  
• Ban corporations from hiring lobbyists.
  
  
• Limit personal political contributions to $500 (or some other reasonable amount), per candidate, per election cycle.
  
  
• Mandate that all voting in the United States is to be conducted with pen and paper, and that vote counting is done by humans, not machines, in some public venue.
  
  
• Restore the Fairness Doctrine.
  
  
• Bust up media monopolies.
  

Well yeah, I know I'm dreaming here. But it's not illegal to dream yet, is it? :shrug:

sounds right to me! what are you all thinking??? I'm thinking right on!

This begins with the return of the credentialing process for White House Correpondents to the peer professional organization and out of the hands of the WH press office where it has been since the end of WW2. The WH should have no power over the journalists who cover it, and no power to ban them from entry. It's time to rein in the idea of reporters needing to trade soft reporting for access.

There is precedent -- the rules governing the credentialing of the press covering Congress are codified.

Not quite the same approach, but an excellent initiative:

http://adbusters.org/metas/psycho/mediacarta/

..I'd like to see the provisions of the Patriot Act and related legislation, as well as warrant-less wiretapping used against the reds in all levels of our government to completely exorcize the neocon cancer that has infected our government over the past six years....

I also believe that if Bush and key members and past members of the House and Senate are indicted for any crimes whatsoever, then Bush's appointments to the Supreme Court should be invalidated... Scalia of course, would be indicted with the first bunch of criminals...

not very realistic, I know, but one can dream...

:hi:

Any corporation that does business in the US should be criminally prosecutable for fomenting coups, lobbying for wars, or having human rights activist killed, no matter where in the world the crime was committed.

Lobbying for a war you will profit from should be treason.

Likewise, domestically, any death that results from willful negligence (like by health insurance companies) should be prosecutable with escalating penalties from the immediate decision-maker to executives and boards.

power.

Next time, the GOP will weld the door shut so no one can pull them out of the driver's seat.

Banned corporate contributions and restoration of the fairness doctrine would result in the complete destruction of the GOP.

Hence even if we win, these things will not happen.

Make marijuana 100% legal, and taxed properly (ala alcohol)

Decriminalize remaining narcotic laws.

Make it so that presidents have confidence/no confidence votes every 6 months or call for special elections.

Hawkeye-X

Dont forget this very very very important piece of the Constitutional "Clarification"...

• Ratify the Liberty Amendment (http://libertyamendment.org)

This is what should occupy the first 100 hours of the new Democratic Congress.

but I agree with everything on your list. Right on!

:headbang:

-Laelth

I mean it is our country too isn't it.

First, I think that you have summed up the direction that we must push the new congress in, very well. After the elections, our real work begins.

When I read your last sentence, it reminded me of what I consider one of the classic debates of the 1960s: is it illegal to dream of a better world? When friend Abbie Hoffman was on the witness stand during the infamous Chicago Seven trial, the following exchange took place:

Q: And what were your thoughts at the time?

A: I'm not sure what you mean by thoughts. Is that like dreams?

Q: Yes, like dreaming.

A: Well, Mr. Schultz, this is difficult. I've never been on trial for dreaming before.

follow-up must have been priceless.

And I didn't even realize it. Thanks for that!

If you're a Congressperson or Senator you need to SHOW UP AND VOTE yea or nay on the legislation!! It's your job! I can see missing 5 votes or something, but more than that - what the hell are we paying you for??

That pisses me off.

edit for clarity

Just as long as they vote!

:toast:

supported by the Dominionists that would essentially turn America into a full-blown theocracy.

Here's Chris Floyd with more
http://context.themoscowtimes.com/index.php?aid=131199

We all know the Dominionists' version was a Orwellian attempt to actually do away with the Constitution.

The OP's version actually does what it says.

Seems like up is down, and hot is cold to those people.

I doubt if that will fly. You mean, ban company employees from talking to elected officials?

I suspect there are better ways to control the power of lobbyists. Annual reports listing contributions. A ban on contributions to election campaigns. I don't know.

But a law that says no company is allowed to hire someone to present their case to elected officials is too far. Would consumer groups and environmental groups also be covered by such a law?

Everything else in your excellent list I'm on board with.

Corporations are personhoods, fine. Then for-profits should each count as ONE PERSON, just like the rest of us, and their contributions should be limited to reflect what the average American's influence is on Congress.

but, were we to do that, we could legally state that corporations have no legal rights of any kind- up to and including that of speech.

I'm all for this. Corporations are not persons and should not be legally treated as such. They are legal constructs, and are not deserving of any rights of any kind, period.

If corporations are persons, then they have the same lobbying limits as persons. Problem solved.

If corporations are something else, then we get to rewrite the rules. Problem solved.

Either way is good. Good work, DU folks.

Let's do it!

Nice.

is there any reason they shouldn't go forward with a clean, strong, effectively written act that would do these things?

Other than their own links to corporate donors, of course.

I, for one, would firmly, loudly, and energetically support any and all Democratic Congresspeople who would put this at the top of their list and work tirelessly, never backing down, until it was done.

i think this congress could not find a better way to spend their time that undoing the last 6 years.

let me add- track down and reclaim all the money that these f'ers stole. start with diebold, et al. this should make tax increases unnecessary for quite a while.

that EXXON made this year. That would be a sizable chunk toward paying for this stupid war.

Yes plz. Got my vote!

What about non-profits?

And lets find people to support who are already living according to the principles we'd like to define our future.
I think it's a great idea to begin constructing the future OURSELVES and take the initiative as much as possible. And then we must learn to be more involved and diligent about being watchdogs.

And we MUST select our leaders much more carefully and hold ANY elected official's feet to the flames if they deviate from the basic Constitutional and Bill of Rights contract.

We need to also get up to speed as much as is possible on all the small but important tweeking that's been done to laws in the form of amendments that have eroded this system.

I do feel that the current structure of our government needs some tweeking too, as it is not able to keep up with the accelerated lives we now live, and there is a decision-making overload. But just how these changes are made must be watched VERY carefully and be participatory. We don't need American Idols. We need real leadership and representation.

And true transparency of intentions to make these changes should be shared with the PEOPLE and voted on BY THE PEOPLE.

I can't think of anything to add to it right now. Everything is 100% dead on.

and impose very thought out restrictions based on the type of company they represent (profit vs. non-profit, etc.).

the re-regulation of utilities and reinstating collective bargaining agreements.

I feel like it's morally and ethically wrong for only straight married couples to be able to get their spouses Social Security benefits, while gays lose theirs when a spouse dies. That person worked just as long and hard as the straight person did. A law should be passed making sure that everyone leave a designate when they die.

:toast: :toast:

Boomer Sooner and Roll Tide. :hi:

Or any of your good ideas will be met with a presidential veto.

That's not why I want them impeached, but there are many good and valid reasons that make the move not just desirable, but necessary.

Not to say I don't think they deserve it, but America will be better served if Democrats focus on making proactive changes first, instead of entangling the country in 2 or more years of impeachment proceedings where nothing else gets accomplished...this in something I agree with Pelosi on.

I realize that the main reason for not making impeachment an issue now, at this point in time, is to prevent Republicans from becoming too energized before the election, but impeachment would be healthy for our nation if for only this one reason: it would send a clear message to the rest of the world that the people of the US will not tolerate our leaders commiting international war crimes, and acknowledges that our nation was WRONG in starting an aggressive war against Iraq using fabricated evidence that was presented before the UN. This will pave the way for establishing a real international coalition against terror and will work towards repairing the very bad reputation this nation has suffered under the Bush Administration.

"immediate impeachment" camp. I've been on the fence about this issue, but you stated it so well...

"it would send a clear message to the rest of the world that the people of the US will not tolerate our leaders commiting international war crimes, and acknowledges that our nation was WRONG in starting an aggressive war against Iraq using fabricated evidence that was presented before the UN. This will pave the way for establishing a real international coalition against terror and will work towards repairing the very bad reputation this nation has suffered under the Bush Administration."

I firmly agree. We need to send a message to the world community that this is NOT the way America is. This is NOT how we, We The People, represent our Nation.

It will also make a mark in History, and send a message to any future wannabe despots, tyrants, sociopaths and would be kings. We The People will NOT tolerate you.

PEACE!

Ghost

Impeachment proceedings would accomplish nothing but tie up the Congress for two years, and open Democrats up to charges of obstructionism. Much better would be ongoing congressional investigations, allowing for Democrats to pass much needed legislation at the same time.

I agree with Pelosi. There will be no impeachment proceedings.

and I would wager that the direction of the media in supporting the Administration will follow the direction of the economy, which some predict will start turning downward as early as this week.

I hear that Congress doesn't achieve much anyway, and with a lame duck presidency they might as well work on something useful. Do you think the resignation of Nixon was worth all the effort?

Have you read the 100 day plan? Granted, the administration could veto the bills, but they may be hesitant to excercise a veto given that they surely wish to retain control of the White House in 2008...with whomever they run.

Impeachment makes no strategic sense whatsoever. The Republicans, especially Rove, would like nothing better than for Democrats to follow that path. It would reinforce their rhetoric that Democrats have no plans or proposals of their own. I hope it doesn't happen, because it would hurt our chances in 08'.

History will judge this administration harshly enough, nothing is gained by revenge or pouring salt into the wounds of partisanship and division. That's their way, not ours.

by being swept under the rug, and the deepest corruption will live on.

Have you read the 100 day plan? Granted, the administration could veto the bills, but they may be hesitant to excercise a veto given that they surely wish to retain control of the White House in 2008...with whomever they run.

Impeachment makes no strategic sense whatsoever. The Republicans, especially Rove, would like nothing better than for Democrats to follow that path. It would reinforce their rhetoric that Democrats have no plans or proposals of their own. I hope it doesn't happen, because it would hurt our chances in 08'.

History will judge this administration harshly enough, nothing is gained by revenge or pouring salt into the wounds of partisanship and division. That's their way, not ours.

anyone found guilty of betraying the public trust (as in WATERGATE burglaries, not to mention the present scumbag doings)--EVEN IF "PARDONED"--can never ever again serve in public office.
sheesh, is that so hard to understand? we've got goddam FELONS in federal office at this moment, I believe there are SEVEN former Watergate criminals in the roach's "administration."

Would they vote for all of this?

lurking out there while everything this country should be all about has been torched in a near scorched-earth attack on the environment, the economy, the infrastructure, public health, jobs, standard of living, value of the dollar, rule of law, freedom and liberty, the Constitution itself, international law and treaties (the supreme law of the land), and international friendships, alliances and standing. But small prices to pay in the 'pukes' eyes for the oil companies, the Halliburtons of the world, and favored contractors to have hauled in maybe extra $trillions. Any vote for a 'puke in November is a vote for all of the above and what is coming down the pike for us.

I would add to your list...


1. Abolish the Department of Faith Based Initiatives.

2. Abolish the Department of Homeland Security

3. Restore the Freedom of Information Act to how it worked before

4. Dispose of any & all of bush*s signing statements



We must restore America! :toast:

require party members to abide by the results of primaries (Joeker "Droopy" Dr. Zaius Lieberman.)

Last, force corrupt politicians to change their legal names to the nicknames dreamt up by their enemies.

Newsprism

This is exactly the brilliant post I've been waiting to see. A summation of the major things that must be changed in order to call this a free country.

Your dreaming is infectious. I have a smile where there was a frown. This could become reality.

Before they can be arrested and charged with war crimes, terraists will dirty bomb the subways in LA, New York and San Francisco. Bush will declare a national emergency. Congress will be abolished for the duration of the emergency. The guvmint will be handed over to the pentagon and operations will be moved to Cheney mountain, formerly known as Cheyenne Mountain. Interstates 10, 5, 70, 80, 75, and the interstates north and south from Harrisburg to New York and DC will be closed to civilian traffic and reserved for Federal traffic only. Parts of these roads will be converted to landing strips for military aircraft by Hallicheney. They are already contracted to build concentration camps. Nuclear satellites will be launched toward N. Korea and Iran from the Bush Space Center, formerly known as the KENNEDY Space Center. WWIII will happen.

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shouldn't settle for less.

Maybe Keith Olbermann for president?

It starts with throwing the corperations favorite whores out of office then making sure they turn the democrats out and have them turn tricks. the media needs to go back to watching the watchmen and not counting thier money. viva freedom.


since we are in the realm of law making, I delcair the right to whack bill o'rielly in the knee with a sledgehammer. or at least put bag of flaming dog doo on his anchor chair.


Be vigilant

the Federal(privately owned bank)Reserve

1) All candidates, above a certain poll rating, get to spend the same amount of money - proportioned to the district’s population.

2) Restrict gerrymandering by having a more objective and less partisan system - so that our government will be forced to answer to the people.

I think you've expressed many of the things I consider essential to restoring some balance of power in the U.S. The right wing has done by far too much damage to America as it is, and it needs to not only be stopped, but reversed.