Tag: constitutional amendment

“Into the seeds of time” 2024

The future isn’t written. It can be changed. You know that. Anyone can make their future whatever they want it to be. – Doc Emmett Brown

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. – John F. Kennedy

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. – Alan Kay

 

Calendar of US House of Representatives
The highlighted days are working days in the US House of Representatives.
2016 Primary by Month
A system that includes no direct ballot vote, no input from all eligible voters.

If you have not read my blog post titled “How Should the Constitutional Amendment Read?”, please read through that for the proposed wording for changing our election system. https://jackcharbonneau.com/2018/04/30/how-should-the-constitutional-amendment-read/

I will attempt to paint the picture I have in my mind’s eye using the two calendars above.

Starting in January of the Presidential election year, each State will begin their State Primary Elections. (House calendar shows term resumes at the beginning of January) A support system of multimedia assistants and directors, staff as needed, press coordinators, will be available for each candidate in each State’s primaries, paid for with Federal Tax Dollars. The focus of this, and the Main Primary, will be in the hands of the candidate, the creative control falling to the candidate. The Federal Election Fund will provide tools, tech, people, staff, communications outlets, as needed as directed by the candidate. The debates and ballots should wrap up by the beginning of March.

The 1st congressional working day in March should be the day the President of the Senate announces, in Joint Session, the names of the candidates eligible for election. I see it being a renewal of our pride, a celebration of our peaceful transition of power. A public recognition of the will of the People. A celebration of what unites us ALL. All States participate, and all States send their best and brightest with hopes that our common good is realized. Proud of ALL candidates, because ONE among them will be the next CinC.

Preparations starting on that day, the first of three National Ballots will fall on the first Tuesday in April, narrowing down the 50 to 25. (Adjustments in number of candidates will be necessary as new States are added to Our Union) Another month of debate and discussion leads us to another National Ballot on the first Tuesday of May, narrowing the remaining field from 25 to 10. One month later, on the first Tuesday in June, the 10 candidates will be narrowed by National Ballot, down to the two final candidates.

At the discretion of the President of the Senate, the two remaining candidates will be announced no later than 4 July, before Congress leaves for the summer. Personally, I believe the tradition of announcement should fall ON The 4th of July for two reasons-

1.) It will provide sufficient time to allow for any contesting of votes or systemic issues that should come to light between the June ballot and announcement.

2.) It is an affirmation! A National Celebration of our Country. Why NOT?!! Fireworks, parades, a Celebration of our INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL POWER! We, The People, realize the dream of our founders, every time we stand up, speak out, and pick a citizen who will lead us ALL into the future.

A fitting date to present extraordinary individuals as the people We choose to represent the US in the world.

This idea must be expanded upon. It is a skeleton to be sure. But it is a starting point for discussion about the size and scope of staff that will be required. MANY thousands of jobs in technology and design, web strategists, media strategists… IF we want participation, this must be a big production. A tour de force in order to captivate our country. AVAILABILITY and OPENNESS with SECURITY and OVERSIGHT. This is an institution of THE PEOPLE, and we demand the BEST system possible. It must ensure that the candidate’s platform is heard by all who seek the information. It must be advertised in all appropriate ways to ensure the public is fully informed about times, places, locations, directions, debate venues.

By working in coordination with Federal level elections officials and the Secret Service, the ability of States to decide how, when, where, certain aspects of the system will work will allow variation. An official set of requirements and laws with enforced punishment, must be met by each State with regard to ballot access and procedures in the process of voting. ALL VOTES MUST BE BOTH DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL. All voters must have their voter ID. A new photo ID, verified via a documentary in-person process (either a citizen goes to a location OR the Elections official will come to them if circumstances demand)  and provided as a FREE SERVICE TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Locations opened in all States to be run by the Federal Government, integrity and security ensured by the Secret Service.

These sites could serve a multifunctional headquarters for press centers, voting centers, registration centers… a community level hub for candidate information and Citizen Voter Initiatives, campaign rallies, etc.

This system will allow for a National voice in the selection of a candidate for president, where our current system is… a potato. NO State seems to hold any power in deciding who will be president NOW. Let’s attempt to ensure ALL States have a say in the CANDIDATES, not just the President.

 

How Should the Constitutional Amendment Read?

What do We want Our government to look like? Who should Our government represent? When the choices that appear on the ballot look and act nothing like me or my family, why should I expect they will make choices with my family in mind?

Our election system currently forces a candidate to acquire money to have their voices heard. Therefore, the more money, the LOUDER your voice becomes. THIS has led to the upside-down view of “government is not the solution to our problems- government is the problem.”

I believe this should change.

When We elect a President born OF this country, A President who is FROM The People, we can see the change We need. Our government is seen by special interest groups and MASSIVE corporations as an obstacle to overcome. But this is NOT the case.

It IS the FRAMEWORK that holds us ALL together. A ‘referee’ in the daily battles of life, for the economic world AND the consumers. BOTH are dependent on the other for survival. And Our government ensures the playing field is fair for everyone. It protects the field’s VERY EXISTANCE.

Money should NOT DECIDE who can become President.

ideas should.

The government (We) should create the “venue”, the “vehicle” for the debate on ideas. A “Coliseum” for a “Battle Royale of the Minds”. To decide the President of THIS Country?!! We deserve No Less!

We need a Constitutional Convention to create a ONE CITIZEN=ONE VOTE, OPEN, SECURE, Election system to change the way the candidates are selected. In an open and honest debate, the BEST ideas ALWAYS rise to the top. We can do better than the system we have now. End the Electoral College.

Considering that an amendment requires 2/3 Congressional approval and 3/4 of the States’ Legislatures for ratification, this is a process that requires everyone to speak up and participate. EVERYONE benefits from this. This change will also require us ALL to take full personal RESPONSIBILITY for the HONOR and POWER of the Office of the Presidency. It is, after all, an embodiment of the unified spirit of all who participate in this system. Whomever holds the Office, holds it for us all. So my following text is an idea.

Proposal for Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America

Article II, Sec I.2 shall be undone.

Article II, Sec I.3 shall be amended to read as follows-

I.3 Each of the Several States shall select, by ballot of eligible voters, in the respective States, an eligible candidate for President. The Chief Executive of each State, the elected Legislatures of those States, as well as the Secretary of State of the respective States, shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate, the name of the selected candidate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives, open and announce the name and State of each candidate.

At the end of the announcement, discussion/ decent shall be voiced and heard by the President of the Senate. At such point, either by determination of ineligibility or by majority vote by both Houses in separate votes, dismiss any candidate. If the votes of the House and the Senate stand in opposition, deference  falls to the original Vote of the State that had certified the candidate.

Article II, Sec. I.4 shall be undone and Amended to read as follows-

I.4 The Congress may determine the timing of a series of primary debates and discussion designed with the goal of narrowing down the list of eligible candidates, by ballot of eligible voters, to a choice of two eligible candidates. The two remaining candidates will be announced by the president of the Senate no later than July 4 of the election year to give the electorate sufficient time to become familiar with the candidates, to be voted upon for President in November.

The integrity and security of Our Intellectual Debates for Our Elections shall be overseen by the Secret Service, with full Congressional oversight and direction.

-END

Keep your head up.

JC

 

 

In the Interest of Full Disclosure…

Running for President of the United States is an honor and a privilege that many people won’t get the opportunity to pursue. I hope offer a real alternative to issues that matter to me, and you reading this starts that ball rolling. But, pursuit of idealist views and a brighter tomorrow are not my only motivation.

Our household income is less than $150,000. When I left my last job in 2008, I became the “housewife”, my wife is the breadwinner. The yearly salary of the job of Commander in Chief (CinC) is THREE times as much. I would be lying if I said this did not have an effect on my decision. I am currently running a “charity”, so to speak, by running the house. I would not necessarily want to start another. My wife and I decided my next job will have to have a salary. I have looked at a couple options, but this one would pay a BIT more…

And when you look at it, the salary of the CinC is pennies to some. Especially when you consider hours worked vs. pay. Look at the last two two-term Presidents. Each, in the span of 8 years, went from middle-aged father to grey-haired granddaddy! The toll this job takes on the person seems to be enormous, and no pay would seem to be a good compensation.

This job demands so much because so much is in their care. It is a HUGE responsibility… it is, after all, the defense of the “last best chance for humanity”.

When we hear about a new candidate for President, it is usually announced via an “exploratory committee” to investigate the possibility, then the wealthy individual has to divest from their companies in order to not enrich themselves through this position.

The position of President has become a “joke” in this way. “Will you run for President?” “I can’t afford the PAY CUT!” “Ha, ha, ha….”

Hmmm…. Good joke. Excuse me while I pawn my guitar so I can put gas in the van until payday this week. Pardon me while I figure out what DECADE I will finally get my mortgage out from underwater and, maybe, break even after all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into modernization and renovation. I’ll laugh about that one as I wait in line to pay more for my insulin this year.

My family and I stand to do better financially just from the salaried position of CinC. As I see it, EVERY family will stand to do better, though.
I believe the Consumer Protection Agency is a GREAT thing.
I believe the new tax structure is insane and believe it should be changed in 5 years when the current structure is set to expire.
I believe in paid maternity leave for BOTH parents.
I believe in alternative energy independence for individual residences.
I believe we all have a responsibility to prepare for climate change.
I believe we should offer Statehood to our island nations, to ensure future natural disasters are treated with the same importance as ones that occur in Kansas.
I believe that mental health care, dental, and vision should be included in your insurance.
I believe our public education system is capable of SO MUCH MORE and should be FULLY FUNDED to reignite a desire to become an educator, and to give our future a strong foundation to build upon.

We all have the chance to gain more, just by uniting under the simple idea that we can GOVERN OURSELVES! Whether or not I get the chance to move any piece of legislation, the goal of Ending The Electoral College is sufficient enough for me. Once we remove money from our election system, the rotten smell will slowly disappear, along with the super-pacs and think-tanks.

Let me know what you think. I’m not doing this for my benefit… and that’s not lip service… If I didn’t feel I had a very good idea that can change SO MANY PEOPLE’s lives for the better, I would not be running for ANY office. My wife suggested I start with a House run or Senate bid. That’s how it works. I GET it. I see this as a unique time, and a solution to the our problem became crystal clear to me. One that has not been offered in an achievable way. I need to be finishing my house repairs, tending to my two boys’ needs, caring form my wife so she can be successful in her career as a cardiac nurse, and… AND take care of my newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. I got a full plate as it is. A political career is NOT usually top of my list.

John McCain’s last public speech spoke to me. He spoke of being a rebellious young man, then growing up and finding he needed to give something back to that system that gave him the ABILITY to be that rebellious young man. As an Eagle Scout, I can understand that desire. That love of THIS country, is a beautiful anomaly. People are ready to fight and DIE for the belief that you should be allowed to SPEAK YOUR OPINION FREELY without fear, Right now! Some guy in a bar has had one too many three hours ago and is ready to go…. And EVERYONE has YOUR back. Every time someone wants to shut someone else up, everyone stops and PAYS ATTENTION. Usually, someone shouts “Let ’em speak!”

THAT’S the Country I know. That’s where I come from. And THAT’S the face I want standing at the helm, steering this ship…. not the guy at the bar… BUT, now that I think about it, “he would be BETTER than the LAST TWO CANDIDATES!” “Ha, ha, ha….”

Now, the real wisdom comes from knowing, if that was a joke or not.

Keep your head UP!!

JC