A Humble Address to the People of These United States
Saint Telemachus “tuh-LEM-uh-kus” (/təˈlɛməˌkəs/), a devout monk of the Christian faith, is reputed to have dwelt in the waning days of the Roman Empire. As the annals of tradition recount, he journeyed unto Rome, and upon beholding the savage spectacle of gladiatorial combat, his soul was stricken with such righteous indignation that he cast himself into the very arena to interpose betwixt the combatants. For this act of divine courage, he met his mortal end by the hands of an enraged multitude. Yet his martyrdom, soaked in the blood of conviction, is said to have stirred the heart of Emperor Honorius, compelling him to decree the abolition of such barbarous games.
Behold, our own republic now suffers under a grievous yoke not unlike that which burdened ancient Rome. The cruelty and folly that infect our political establishments evoke the bloodlust of the amphitheater, though the swords have been exchanged for words as sharp as daggers and ambitions as ruthless as any gladiator’s thrust.
The levy exacted by our politics is no mere tribute of coin, but a relentless tax upon the faculties of our minds, the vigor of our bodies, and the very sanctity of our souls. The corruption of our civic virtue lies not solely in the malice of wicked men, but in the perpetual failure to enact righteous deeds in the appointed season.
‘Tis banal to posit that our nation stands precariously upon the precipice, suspended betwixt the tempestuous seas of passion and the steadfast shores of reason. For as power, in its natural course, tends to corrupt, so too does the citizen become feeble and bereft of influence beneath the shadow of such towering authority.
Thus, with no pretensions of grandeur but with the earnestness of a humble patriot, I lay forth this proposed amendment to our sacred Constitution — not as a decree, but as an offering. May it serve as both a beacon and a challenge: to kindle anew the fires of accountability, to stir the embers of reformation, and perchance, if Providence wills it, to ignite the flame of peaceful revolution.
Let it be read, pondered, and weighed in the hearts of all free persons, that they may discern the measure of its worth.
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
We, the people of the United States, in order to restore the integrity of our government, do hereby establish the following:
Article I: Re-Establishment of Government
Section 1: Term Limits for Federal Officeholders
No person shall serve in any elected federal office for more than twenty (20) cumulative years. If the next term of an individual would cause their total service to exceed twenty (20) years, they shall be ineligible to seek re-election to that office.
Upon reaching the limit of service prescribed herein, no individual shall:
Seek re-election to the House of Representatives, the Senate, or election to the Executive Office.
Hold a position within the Cabinet or any other appointed federal office.
Engage in lobbying or otherwise exercise undue influence within the current federal legislature, provided such actions do not infringe upon the individual’s right to freedom of speech as protected by this Constitution.
Section 2: Terms of Service for the House of Representatives
The term of office for members of the House of Representatives shall henceforth be four (4) years, replacing the former two-year term.
Section 3: Terms and Powers of the Executive Office
The President of the United States shall serve a single term of six (6) years and shall be ineligible for re-election to any federal office after the completion of this term.
The Executive Office shall be restructured to enable the President to direct Congress to act on matters of national significance, in addition to their duties as Commander-in-Chief, without conferring upon the President the powers or responsibilities of an elected legislator.
The President’s authority to issue Executive Orders shall be confined to the following matters:
The declaration of federal holidays.
The review and oversight of federal policies and procedures, subject to the advice and consent of Congress.
The release of federal records deemed to serve the public interest, in furtherance of government transparency and national trust.
The issuance of a National Referendum as described in Article V: National Referendum, compelling Congress to act upon a matter of national significance.
The President may, at no time, request more than one (1) National Referendum in any period of three (3) years.
No additional enumeration of Executive Orders shall be made, except through the consent of Congress, or by measures as provided in Article II: Accountability in Political Conduct.
Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or otherwise infringe upon the President’s authority as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, as expressly provided under the Constitution of the United States, nor shall it affect the President’s power to grant reprieves or pardons, as expressly provided by the Constitution, for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
Section 4: Realignment of Federal Election Cycles
The terms of office for all federal elected offices, including those of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Executive, shall commence at the beginning of the term of the President of the United States.
This provision shall take effect at the next general election, wherein the election cycles for members of Congress and Executive and all subsequent elections shall be adjusted to align with the term structure of the Executive, with the Executive’s term set at six (6) years, as established herein.
Article II: Accountability in Political Conduct
Section 1: Accountability of Public Officers
No person holding office within the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of the Government of the United States shall be exempt from the judicial process for acts of dereliction of duty, breach of oath of office, or criminal conduct outside the scope of their official duties.
Section 2: Exemption for National Defense and Wartime
In matters concerning national defense or during times of declared war, certain actions may be exempt from criminal prosecution, but only when such actions are directly related to the execution of official duties vital to national security. Provided, however, that such exemption shall not apply to crimes of war, crimes against humanity or crimes against the citizens of The United States.
Section 3: Impeachment for Criminal Conduct
Should any individual within the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of government be charged with criminal conduct as defined herein, impeachment proceedings shall be conducted without undue delay.
The legislative body shall act with all deliberate speed to ensure due process of law, the impartial administration of impeachment, and the timely resolution of the matter, consistent with the rights and protections guaranteed to individuals under this Constitution.
Article III: United States Court of Legislative Review
Section 1: Establishment of the United States Court of Legislative Review
A nine (9) member judicial body, to be known as the United States Court of Legislative Review (USCLR), shall be established to review proposed legislation prior to enactment, for the purpose of determining its constitutionality and compatibility with existing federal law.
Section 2: Appointment and Term of Members
The members of the United States Court of Legislative Review shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, subject to the same appointment process as members of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).
Members of the United States Court of Legislative Review shall serve for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years, subject to the same term limits as members of Congress.
Section 3: Constitutional Reviews of Preeminent Legislation
The United States Court of Legislative Review shall conduct mandatory constitutional reviews of preeminent legislation under the following circumstances:
Upon formal request by a majority of the elected members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, each member of Congress being required to cast a vote; abstentions shall not be permitted, and all members must be present and vote, except in cases of health or vacancy. The request for review shall proceed only if both bodies of Congress, individually, have approved by a simple majority vote.
When a National Referendum is initiated by the Executive in accordance with the provisions of this Amendment.
Section 4: Limitations on Appeals
Nothing in this section shall limit or infringe upon the ability of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to hear appeals or otherwise review the constitutionality of laws or legislative acts after they have been enacted in accordance with this Constitution.
Section 5: Vacancy and Nomination Process
All vacancies on the United States Court of Legislative Review shall be filled prior to the expiration of the incumbent President’s term of office.
In the event that a nominee to the United States Court of Legislative Review has not been subjected to a confirmation vote by the Senate before the conclusion of the President’s term, such nomination shall be deemed confirmed by the Senate in absentia, and the nominee shall be considered duly appointed.
A recorded vote of non-confirmation by the Senate shall not be construed as confirmation in absentia.
A nominee confirmed in absentia shall assume office immediately upon the expiration of the President’s term, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law.
Article IV: Supreme Court of the United States
All vacancies on the Supreme Court of the United States shall be filled prior to the expiration of the incumbent President’s term of office.
In the event that a nominee to the Supreme Court has not been subjected to a confirmation vote by the Senate before the conclusion of the President’s term, such nomination shall be deemed confirmed by the Senate in absentia, and the nominee shall be considered duly appointed.
A recorded vote of non-confirmation by the Senate shall not be construed as confirmation in absentia.
A nominee confirmed in absentia shall assume office immediately upon the expiration of the President’s term, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law.
Article V: National Referendum
Section 1: National Referendum and Congressional Action
The incumbent President, in their discretion, may initiate a National Referendum on any matter of national significance, thereby requiring the will of the people to be determined. The Executive order to initiate the National Referendum shall be made no later than the third (3rd) year of the President’s term.
Upon such initiation, Congress shall, within two (2) years, draft, have reviewed by the United States Court of Legislative Review (USCLR), and pass enabling legislation to facilitate the public vote.
Section 2: Timing of the National Referendum
The National Referendum shall be held no later than the expiration of the President’s term following the Executive order initiating the National Referendum.
Section 3: Failure to Act and Vote of No Confidence by the People
Should Congress fail to act within two (2) years following the Executive order, such failure shall result in a vote of no confidence by the people regarding the entire legislative body.
Section 4: Vacancy of No Confidence and Special Election
Upon a determination of no confidence and the resulting intentional vacancy, all elected members of Congress shall be deemed to have vacated their offices. The seats of those members shall be contested by eligible voters within their respective constituencies.
Section 5: Timing of Special Elections
Special elections to fill vacancies resulting from a vote of no confidence shall be held within one hundred eighty (180) days of the vacancy declaration or, alternatively, within the next regularly scheduled election cycle, whichever occurs first.
Section 6: State Authority in Vacancy Elections
States shall retain the authority to conduct vacancy elections in accordance with their laws and procedures, consistent with the principles in Article VIII: Voting Rights. Election dates shall be determined by the states, subject to the requirements of this Constitution and applicable federal law.
Section 7: Terms of Office
Newly elected members shall serve only for the remainder of the term of office created by the vacancy and shall not be eligible for re-election until the completion of that term.
Article VI: Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
Section 1: National Budget Allocation and Public Vote
In every year in which a Presidential election is held, the electorate shall vote upon the allocation of national budget dollars by simple majority. Upon such vote, Congress and the Executive shall be bound to use this allocation as the basis for the national budget to be submitted by the Executive.
The term of the budget allocation shall coincide with the term of the Presidency, lasting for six (6) years, after which a new National Budget Referendum shall be held to determine the allocation for the subsequent presidential term.
Section 2: Budget Allocation Choices
The National Budget Referendum shall present three distinct allocation choices, each representing a breakdown of the total federal budget in percentages to be voted upon. These choices shall outline the major portions of the Federal budget, wherein appropriations shall be limited to the following categories, each expressed as a percentage of the total of 100% of national spending:
Arts and humanities
Education
Foreign aid
Funding of Federal Agencies
Healthcare and the welfare of the people
Military and defense
National infrastructure
Science and technology
The reduction and repayment of the national debt
Section 3: Public Information and Voting
In advance of the public vote, an informational report detailing the pros and cons of each budget allocation shall be made available to the public in digital form. Any citizen may request one printed copy of this report, which shall be provided at no cost to the citizen, and at the least cost to the government.
Section 4: Congressional Authority and Emergency Appropriations
Congress shall retain the authority to appropriate additional funds in times of emergency, calamities, or other force majeure events, as deemed necessary to preserve the general welfare and security of the nation.
All such appropriations shall be made with full transparency, and an accounting of expenditures shall be made available to the public within one year of disbursement.
Section 5: Establishment of the Independent Budget Commission
The development, preparation, and presentation of the budget allocation choices for the National Budget Referendum shall be the responsibility of an Independent Budget Commission. This Commission shall be bipartisan in composition and independent of the legislative and executive branches of government, with no authority vested in Congress or Executive to control, direct, or unduly influence its operations.
The Commission shall consist of an equal number of members appointed by the leadership of the three largest political parties in the United States, together with an equal number of members selected by a panel of nonpartisan civic organizations, as prescribed by law. Members shall be chosen based on their expertise in economics, public administration, and fiscal policy, and shall serve staggered terms to ensure continuity and independence of no more than ten (10) years in service of any individual member.
The Independent Budget Commission shall operate with full transparency, and its proceedings, deliberations, and reports shall be made publicly accessible. Its sole mandate shall be to develop fair, balanced, and fiscally responsible budget allocation options for submission to the electorate, without favor to any political party, interest group, or branch of government.
Article VII: Healthcare Bill of Rights
Section 1: Right to Healthcare
The right to healthcare for the citizens of the United States is hereby declared to be a fundamental and protected right under this Constitution.
No law shall be enacted that unduly burdens an individual’s right to make personal healthcare decisions, nor shall the government impede access to or funding for necessary medical services to United States citizens.
Section 2: Emergency Medical Care
Emergency medical care, required to preserve life or prevent serious harm, shall not be denied, nor shall it result in excessive financial burden.
Section 3: Rights of Medical Professionals
No law shall be enacted that restricts or impedes the right of a licensed medical professional of good standing to provide imminent care when, in their judgment, such care is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious harm.
Article VIII: Voting Rights
Section 1: Abolition of Gerrymandering
Congressional and legislative district boundaries shall be drawn by independent, nonpartisan commissions, which shall be structured and composed according to the laws of each state. States shall retain the authority to establish their own redistricting commissions, provided they adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal representation for all citizens.
Section 2: Nationally Unified Voting Format
A standardized federal voting process shall be established to ensure consistency, security, and accessibility in all elections for federal office. States shall retain the authority to administer and regulate their own elections, provided their processes do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of all voters or the integrity of federal elections.
This system shall include:
Uniform ballot design, language, and voting procedures across all states.
Standardized early voting and mail-in voting options for all eligible voters emphasizing voters with Disabilities, Uniform Service Members and Citizens Abroad.
Nationally recognized voter identification requirements.
Election Day for federal elections as a federal holiday.
Mandatory paper ballot backups for all electronic voting systems.
Risk-Limiting Audits to be conducted for all federal elections to ensure accuracy and detect any discrepancies, with audits escalating in scope if inconsistencies arise.
Section 3: Protection of Voter Access
No law shall be enacted that infringes upon the right of any eligible citizen to vote.
Measures shall be taken to ensure that polling places are equitably distributed and accessible to all citizens, including those in rural, disabled, and disaffected communities.
Section 4: Standardized Voter Registration Auditing and Interstate Data Sharing
A nationally coordinated voter registration auditing system shall be established to detect and prevent fraudulent voter registrations, duplicate registrations, and ineligible voters.
States shall be required to participate in a federal interstate voter information-sharing program to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter rolls while safeguarding voter privacy and security.
The federal government shall provide guidelines to ensure regular, impartial audits of voter registration databases, while preventing unjustified voter purges or disenfranchisement.