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I live in a state that doesn't give the citizens the powers of initiative and referendum. I also notice that the United States Constitutions doesn't do that either. Therefore, I was considering sending to my Congressman an idea for a constitutional amendment that reads:
1. All governments in the United States shall honor the citizens' unalienable powers of initiative and referendum, in all cases whatsoever, in such a uniform manner as the Congress shall by law regulate, and no law or constitutional amendment adopted or rejected through such powers shall be reenacted or repealled except by the people by initiative or referendum or by the judicial authority of such government. The legislative body may advise their constituents on a vote, but shall not obligate the same.
2. This amendment shall be ratified by special convention.
I threw in the special convention clause because I don't think the legislatures will very readily adobt such an amendment that will lessen their power.
In case you're wondering (and I'm not pointing out names), initiative is the people's power to propose laws and amendments by petition and to ratify the same by ballot. Referendum, on the reverse side, is the power to nullify a controversial law or amendment by petition and then ballot. Since I put in the "only people can change it" clause, this prevents Congress/legislature or President/Governor from limiting the people's power too severely. Only the Supreme Court can nullify a law passed by initiative, and can't even consider reenacting a law abolished by referendum.
I was going to send this to my Congressman and not blink twice, but then I remembered that I am often wrong, so I thought I'd get a second opinion first. I think this would be a great idea, since it would greatly compliment the "We the People" prhase that we know and love. But, like I said before, I'm often stupid when it comes to politics, so I'm coming to you. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
1. All governments in the United States shall honor the citizens' unalienable powers of initiative and referendum, in all cases whatsoever, in such a uniform manner as the Congress shall by law regulate, and no law or constitutional amendment adopted or rejected through such powers shall be reenacted or repealled except by the people by initiative or referendum or by the judicial authority of such government. The legislative body may advise their constituents on a vote, but shall not obligate the same.
2. This amendment shall be ratified by special convention.
I threw in the special convention clause because I don't think the legislatures will very readily adobt such an amendment that will lessen their power.
In case you're wondering (and I'm not pointing out names), initiative is the people's power to propose laws and amendments by petition and to ratify the same by ballot. Referendum, on the reverse side, is the power to nullify a controversial law or amendment by petition and then ballot. Since I put in the "only people can change it" clause, this prevents Congress/legislature or President/Governor from limiting the people's power too severely. Only the Supreme Court can nullify a law passed by initiative, and can't even consider reenacting a law abolished by referendum.
I was going to send this to my Congressman and not blink twice, but then I remembered that I am often wrong, so I thought I'd get a second opinion first. I think this would be a great idea, since it would greatly compliment the "We the People" prhase that we know and love. But, like I said before, I'm often stupid when it comes to politics, so I'm coming to you. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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