Anonymous releases new version of U.S. Constitution

 

The hacktavist collective known as Anonymous has released an updated version of the United States Constitution that is more in-line with modern times, along with a video explaining the new endeavor.  The present version of the constitution is a working draft, with hopes that the public will join Anonymous in crafting a finalized version.  All suggestions may be sent to: [email protected]

The information that is presently available shows that the new Anonymous Constitution calls for a three-tiered, tricameral congress to be formed.  The first house will be “The People’s Assembly” which will allow members to be elected at random via voter registration, and to serve two-month terms.  The second house will be known as “The Proletariat’s House” where officials will be elected via income bracket, without mention of duration of term, or limits.  The third house will be the traditionally named Senate, with a new section of rules.  Rather than six-year terms, senators will now serve just two years, with a maximum of four terms, rather than unlimited terms as is presently sanctioned.  Along with these rules, all members of congress will receive a base-pay of what they were being paid privately before joining public service.

Anonymous seeks to remove sweeping presidential power by instead electing five members to the executive branch, which will be known as the ‘Chief Executive Council.”  This council will be selected via a nationwide election, and for six-year terms for a maximum of two terms.  As to whom will be the ‘president’, the executive council will vote amongst themselves to decide which executive will become the ‘speaking executive.’  The speaking executive will be the commander of the military and the chief diplomat to the United States.

A new ‘Economic Bill of Rights’ has also been penned.  In it American citizens are guaranteed certain rights including, ” the right to a free and public education that will prepare them for a job that pays at least the minimum amount of money to live at or above the poverty level.”   Workers have the right to organize and unionize.  All citizens will have a right to shelter for themselves and their families.  Medical care “at least enough to prevent the loss of life, limb, or mobility” is also guaranteed.  There is the guarantee to “the right to at least the minimum amount of food that is necessary to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy.”

Laws for elections are clearly laid out in that, “all political campaigns shall be publicly funded to the same degree as their opponents” thereby neutering previous Citizens United and McCutcheon rulings.   In a section that seems directly aimed at Florida governor Rick Scott who used his office to force drug tests upon welfare recipients, “no elected official or member of the courts may hold a vested monetary interest in any private company they did not found themselves.”

Privatized prisons and private armies will be illegal, “no portion of the United Districts’ prison, military, intelligence, or judicial systems may be directly controlled by private interests.”

While this released draft is by no means finished the suggested changes are certainly a giant step in the right direction.  Now, how will the public respond?

 

FULL TEXT OF THE ANONYMOUS REVISED AMERICAN CONSTITUTION:

 

The following is a new version of the United States constitution meant to deal with numerous problems our founders could not have foreseen. It borrows quite heavily from the original U.S. constitution both in the structure of government and the rights guaranteed to all people. It however, varies slightly in the area of economic rights. It was created by a small group of activists who are more than willing to accept suggestion as far as the contents of this rough draft. If you wish to propose changes, email them to [email protected]

Revised Constitution of the United States of America:

The Nation shall be divided into those states already in existence, and new states shall be added only if approved by the residents of the would be state and the national legislature. States may not be destroyed or joined with other states. States may secede from the nation if and only if seventy five percent of the residents of that state vote in favor of secession, and the national legislature agrees. Each state will be represented in the following ways:

The legislature:

The nations congress will be tricameral. The members of the lowest house, henceforth known as the people’s assembly, will be selected randomly from the voter registration files of each state. They will serve terms of two months before another set is selected. A citizen may be selected any number of times so long as the selection process remains random. The members of this house will be responsible only for approving bills passed by the upper two houses, they will write no original legislation.

The next house, henceforth known as the proletariat’s house, will be elected. The elections will take place based upon income brackets. The population of the nation will be separated into income brackets with equal numbers of people in each bracket. Each of these brackets will then receive one representative, who must also be in the bracket he represents, in the proletariat’s house.
This center house is responsible for all revenue bills, all bills related to social programs, and any bills involved with declaring materials contraband (including but not limited to drugs, firearms, plants, and foreign goods). Members of this house will run for terms of two years, with a maximum of four terms.
The members of the upper house, henceforth known as the senate, will be voted on by citizens of the states they are to represent. Each member runs for terms of two years, with a limit of four terms. The upper house is responsible for approving foreign policy decisions, declarations of war, regulation of inter-district commerce, and impeachment of federal judges. The representation of this house will be based on population of each state. Members of this house will also run for a maximum of four, two-year terms.

Members of all houses of the Legislature will be compensated in the with the same pay they received in their previous occupations. This compensation can be increased to remain consistent with inflation.

The executive branch:

The executive branch will be composed of as many agencies as the chief executive council sees fit. These agencies will be headed by a group of five executives. These executives will be elected by the people of the entire nation, who will vote directly for each candidate. These executives will be responsible for allowing or vetoing a bill passed by the legislature. Each bill that  is debated by the executive branch must either be not voted upon or voted in favor of by three of the five executives. The elections of these executives will be staggered so that only one executive will be up for election at a time. The executives will run for six year terms, with a limit of two terms. Every time a new executive is elected, the five executives must vote for one of them to become the speaking executive. This executive functions as commander in chief and as chief diplomat of the united districts. The speaking executive is the highest point on the chain of command in the executive branch. The executive branch is also responsible for enforcing laws passed by congress, the executive branch may create as many agencies as it sees fit to enforce aforementioned laws, but the legislature has the power to veto these agencies, and controls the budget for all federal agencies.

The judiciary:

The judiciary shall be lead by the supreme court, which has the power to form any lower federal courts it deems fit. The Supreme court will consist of as many justices as the Senate sees fit. The supreme court has the final say on all issues of the constitutionality of any law passed by the legislature. Anyone accused of a crime has the right to appeal any court decision to a higher court, at which point that court must perform a formal review of the case. The case can be accepted or denied by the court. If accepted, a formal trial must take place. Any person accused of a crime must be given the right to know the charges, a trial by an impartial jury of their peers, and the right to know their accuser. The supreme court has the right to impeach members of the legislature and executive branches. It is the role of the judiciary to interpret the constitution (which shall be the highest law, to make any contradicting laws void) and laws passed by national and state legislatures.

Members of the Supreme Court and federal judges are to be appointed by the speaking executive of the executive council. At least two other members of the council must agree to the appointment before it can be sent to the Senate for approval. At this point, a minimum of 50% of the senate must agree to approve this appointment before a justice or judge may be confirmed. If 50% of the legislature does not agree to the approve the appointment, it is rejected, and the appointed Justice may not be confirmed.

The federal system:

Each state is independent of the other states, but must interact with each state amiably. Full faith and credit shall be granted to the contracts granted by one district in any other state. Fugitives of the law in one district are to be considered criminals in all other districts, and in order to maintain rule of law these fugitives must be arrested and extradited to the district in which they committed the crime. This shall not be upheld if the law broken is contrary to the constitution of the united states.

The districts shall have their own governments, which shall be modeled after the national government and represent the cities and towns within that state. These governments shall be allowed to pass their own laws, so long as those laws do not come in conflict with the constitution of the united states, or with laws passed by the national government of the united states.

The national government may do all that is necessary and proper to continue a functional government. However, under normal circumstances, there are certain powers denied to any portion of the government. No government within the united states may pass bills of attainder or ex-post defacto laws. The government may not confiscate property or in any way invade the privacy of citizens without proper authority granted by the judicial branch (this includes wire taps, phone bugs, listening devices, and the gathering of confidential data). These warrants must be granted only in cases where significant proof of a severe threat to public interest exists. Warrants can only be issued by the appointed judges. Federal police or intelligence forces must obtain warrants from federal judges.

The electoral system:

The electoral process is to be implemented by each state individually. Each state will be in charge of setting up its own polling stations and counting its votes accordingly. The federal government may only intervene in the event that there is evidence of discrimination or vote rigging in the electoral process.

Economic Bill of Rights:

Preamble:

In light of the economic hardships faced by many around the world, the writers and signatories to this document have seen it necessary to include a list of certain things that all people are entitled to, regardless of economic status. If a person is for some reason incapable of obtaining these things for themselves, it is the responsibility of the government, and by extension the citizenry, to provide it to them. However, these benefits may be revoked in the event that a recipient commits a felony or there is clear evidence that the recipient is deliberately abusing these benefits. Determining what constitutes abuse will be the responsibility of the federal legislature.

1. All people have the right to a free and public education that will prepare them for a job that pays at least the minimum amount of money to live at or above the poverty level

2. Organized labor being necessary for the protection of the working class, the right of workers to organize and form unions shall not be infringed.

3. All people have a right to shelter, at least in the minimum amount to keep them and any dependents safe from weather and temperature concerns that might threaten life or limb. Families shall be entitled to such shelter that keeps those families safe, in such a way that doesn’t require the separation of said family. All people shall be entitled to medical care at least enough to prevent the loss of life, limb, or mobility.

5. All people will have the right to at least the minimum amount of food that is necessary to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy.

6. Being that democracy has much to fear from the interference of large sums of money, all political campaigns shall be publicly funded to the same degree as their opponents, and any other sources of money shall be prohibited from using funds to influence election outcomes.

7. All people when accused of a crime, shall be entitled to legal representation equal to the representation given to the accusing party.

8. Due to the corrupting influences that plague private industry, no portion of the United Districts’ prison, military, intelligence, or judicial systems may be directly controlled by private interests

9. No elected official or member of the courts may hold a vested monetary interest in any private company they did not found themselves.

10. The free exchange of ideas and information being necessary for the continuation of a democratic society, the right to use of and access to the internet shall not be infringed.

Environmental Bill of Rights:

Preamble:

The safety and health of the people being paramount to the success of any society, the writers and signatories to this document have seen it fit to give all people certain rights as far as environmental circumstance. In such case that a person within the boundaries of the united districts is found to live in environmental conditions below the standards set forth here, it is the duty of the government, and by extension, the citizenry, to protect them from those circumstances.

1. Each person is entitled to breathable air, free of potentially toxic or carcinogenic substances, at least to the point that it will not affect their health.

2. Each person has the right to drinkable water, with low enough concentrations of any toxins or carcinogens that it is, even in the long-term, safe to drink.

3. Each person is entitled to food that is free of toxic or carcinogenic materials or chemicals, at least enough that it is, even in the long-term, safe to eat.

4. Seeing as the numerous chemicals and materials might be put into general public use without the immediate appearance of risk, but are in the long term very harmful, all chemicals must be proven safe to use before being used in food, drink, clothing, or wash products.

5. All food, drink, clothing and wash products must be clearly labeled with all ingrediants listed

Amendments:

1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

3. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4.The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

7. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

11. The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

12. either slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

13. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

14. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

15. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

16. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

17. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

18. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

19. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.

 

 

Original text of revised constitution found by clicking here.

Full text of Anonymous constitutional video found by clicking here.

 

 

Read previous articles about Anonymous by Lou Colagiovanni:

Anonymous vows to target Walmart’s business practices

Anonymous announces first stage of action against Walmart

Anonymous leaks private information of Walmart’s top executives

Lou Colagiovanni is the editor of ruthless-politics.com, National Crime Reporter for Examiner.com, and editor of the political discussion community,”We survived Bush.  You will survive Obama.”  You may contact Lou at [email protected].