New Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

[stas]

Should we add a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution? What do you think it should be?

[redsforlife]

Are there any issues in particular you'd like to discuss? This is kind of vague. I have mixed feelings making the laws off a 200yr old document to begin with. I think we need to think about what is good for people in the present. Now, The Constitution is meant to be a living document, so changes are supposed to happen.

[Adi]

Thanks for stopping by Stas.  Would be nice to have you posting around here again... miss your lovely thoughts.

Personally, I would consider adding an amendment to increase the number of years a President can serve (maybe to 12-15 years if the guy deserves it).  Also, replace electoral college with popular vote, legalize gay marriage, and something to balance budgets or get rid of the white collar cheaters.

[redsforlife]

Thanks for stopping by Stas.  Would be nice to have you posting around here again... miss your lovely thoughts.

Personally, I would consider adding an amendment to increase the number of years a President can serve (maybe to 12-15 years if the guy deserves it).  Also, replace electoral college with popular vote, legalize gay marriage, and something to balance budgets or get rid of the white collar cheaters.

I'd agree with the allowing a president to serve more than 2 terms. It used to be traditional not to run more than 2 terms, but FDR did it and won. After that, they decided they must do that to prevent the USA from becoming like a Monarchy.

I hate the electoral college, but there are some good reasons for it. Super small states don't have much say in the popular vote, so candidates may ignore them. With  the electoral college, you cannot completely ignore them, because you might need 4-5pts. I would be in favor of splitting up the electoral points within the states to districts or something. This way states like Texas and Georgia which we live in aren't a lost cause for a non-Republican vote. Also, in states like NY and CA, rural areas that would vote non-Democratic could be heard as well. It would make it more complicated, but it's a good compromise from the popular vote and the electoral vote.

Gay marriage, I really don't care what gays do. I'm not gay, so it doesn't effect me one way or another. Go ahead and legalize it.

You would have to go into more details about your last one for me to really know what you are talking about. There are many things that could be done and many ways people cheat. Also, is that really amendment worthy?

[Cillian22]

Ban all guns outright

[redsforlife]

Ban all guns outright

That will never happen, and that doesn't exist in most countries.

I personally believe in the 2nd Amendment.

Amendment II

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.

I highlighted the portion that many Americans don't realize exist. Now, most people don't know what a militia is. They definitely aren't even a part of one. Also, it says it may be well regulated meaning there can be regulations on what type of weapons and which people are allowed to bear arms.

I think we must respect the 2nd Amendment, but we have to be realistic. No one needs assault rifles or any other high powered weapon that is made for military combat.

[Cillian22]

I don't think it will ever happen either, and guns are now so widespread that banning them now is totally pointless. However I do think the the world would be a better place if noone other than soldiers had guns.

[L_I_S]

Follow Australian law. It's so rare to hear about a shooting, and usually there are no deaths anyway because it's like 1 gun between 4 people. There aren't many crimes other than hit and run(other vehicles or animals), petty theft, drink driving and those sorts of things, but I've never heard of any mass shootings in cinemas or schools.

[Adi]

Follow Australian law. It's so rare to hear about a shooting, and usually there are no deaths anyway because it's like 1 gun between 4 people. There aren't many crimes other than hit and run(other vehicles or animals), petty theft, drink driving and those sorts of things, but I've never heard of any mass shootings in cinemas or schools.

Conservative Americans are starting to use Australia as an example of gun-ban negatively impacting the homicide and crime rate.  Is that true?  Since you banned guns down there, have the numbers gone in the wrong direction or is that just some BS?

[redsforlife]

Conservative Americans are starting to use Australia as an example of gun-ban negatively impacting the homicide and crime rate.  Is that true?  Since you banned guns down there, have the numbers gone in the wrong direction or is that just some BS?

No, it's a complete myth that the NRA made. They actually put fake statistics and paid Google or something to make them come up in searches. It got busted big time.

The truth is, Australia's last major incident similar to the recent shootings in the US was before they made their new laws. Since then, both gun crimes and crimes in general have dropped.

Now, the NRA also uses this statistic to show how gun control doesn't work. Banning guns increases knife attacks. This is 100% true. The thing is, there are still far less deaths from any of these attacks than when guns were legal. I'd be in favor of adopting Australia's gun laws, but I doubt it will happen soon. We'll have to take baby steps first.

[Adi]

Thanks, figured that was the case.  If you stumble upon any legit articles or numbers, let me know.

[L_I_S]

Maybe it's just movies but are there gun shops everywhere in the US?
I've never seen one in Australia and I'm starting to think you can only get guns from a police station lol