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My take. This will be updated as I feel like it. Add your own views, comment on mine, etc. It's all good.

THE IDEAL POLICIES AND POLITICS OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

Amendments

The Equality Amendment- No law existing in the United States or any of it's territories will discriminate against any people regardless of sexual orientation or theistic/non-theistic beliefs. No oath of any sort, theistic or atheistic in nature, will be rendered upon the achievement of any public offce, save an oath to serve and uphold the Constitution. No institution, free from taxation or recieving government funding, shall discriminate against any person, on basis of sexual orientation, religion, race, or any other differation thereof.

The Effect: Strike all those stupid anti-sodomy laws and end the 'homosexuals in jail' laws. Deprive religious organizations of their tax-free status. Basicly cleaning house where government endorsement of religion is involved.

The Sancity of Privacy Amendment- No branch of the government shall conduct electronic surveillence, of any sort, without a warrant, supportd by evidence, probable cause, and oath or affirmation, according to the detail laid out by the Fourth Amendment. Any attempts to pursue such surveillence without a warrant shall be considered a felony.

It's Effect: Limit the powers of the government to spy on people in their homes. Whilst 'Enemy of the State' and 'Minority Report' were enjoyable movies, I do not wish them to become reality.

The Sexual Freedom Amendment- No law existing in the United States or any of it's territories will prohibit the free excercise of any sexual practice, provided that the practice in question
A) Involves only consenting adults
B) Does not take place in a public area
C) Does not render any physical or mental anguish onto the parties taking part in the act in question

It's Effect: Completely end any anti-homosexual laws, strike those old Puritan laws regarding sexuality.

Laws, Bills, Acts, and Legislations

The War Limitations Act- No active members of the United States military shall be deployed to any foreign country for a span longer than six months unless
A) The foreign government in question requests or otherwise permits the deployment
B) A motion for extended deployment is made in either the House or the Senate and wins a majority vote in both, to be brought up for reconsideration in another six months.

If, at any time, 2/3rds of the assembled Congress passes a declaration of war, troops may be deployed to the nation in question for a term not exceeding 36 months. At the end of 36 months, the issue may be brought up for another vote, at which point the Congress may either decide to withdraw troops, approve another 6 months of deployment, or to uphold the declaration of war.

It's Effect: Limits the President's power to send troops wherever the hell he feels like it. Note that the President may still deploy troops at will; his ability to keep them there is simply diminished. I'm a bit unsure about this and would like some comments on it.

Foreign Policy

General Foreign Policy- The United States will take an active role in world affairs to protect it's interests and the interests of democracy the world over. The age of isolationism passed away when the dust settled on the burning remains of Pearl Harbor, and it is now an obsolete concept. Input from our trusted allies and the United Nations is always welcome, however, if the United States feels it or it's allies is under threat it will not hesitate to act. Further, American soldiers can and will be used to meditate conflicts detrimental to America or the ideals of democracy.

Israel and Palestine- Israel will be told, in no uncertain terms, to withdraw from the Occupied Territories or face a complete severance of economic and military aid, followed by embargoes. Further, they will immediatly address all human right's issues existing within their borders. They will not, in the future, take any aggressive action against their neighbors unless the very dogs of war are upon them, and, in that instance, no territory is to be taken.

The PLA will be disbanded. Hopefully UN peacekeepers can be deployed to the area; if not, American soldiers may have to spearhead the effort. Hamas and other organizations will also be disbanded; if any more bombings or other terrorist activities continue, they will suffer the fate of al-Queda. Palestine will recieve a healthy flow of economic aid to usher in a new era of rebuilding. A national government will be set up, complete with actual elections. I suspect that there is the slight possiblity of guerilla activity waged against American soldiers; I believe a healthy injection of lethal force and education can be used to combat the indigenous hatred that has infused the area for so long.

Other Issues

Economy-

Yes, I will be updating it shortly. Just wanted people's reactions initially.

HemlockGrey wrote:
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The Sexual Freedom Act- No law existing in the United States or any of it's territories will prohibit the free excercise of any sexual practice, provided that the practice in question
A) Involves only consenting adults
B) Does not take place in a public area
C) Does not render any physical or mental anguish onto the parties taking part in the act in question

what´s wrong with sex in public?

WAY too much power to the federal government, and the Sexual Freedom Act may be unconstitutional.

The 3rd Act sounds good, but I think it would work better as an amendment.

And you do realize that not one of these bills could pass through Congress, correct?

Erg. I need complete, detailed analysi here!

Right; threw up the Sancity to Privacy Amendment, thus dealing with what I fear will become a new era of Big Brother-ism.

You forgot the outlawing of telemarketing and reality TV.

Be serious.

HemlockGrey wrote:Right; threw up the Sancity to Privacy Amendment, thus dealing with what I fear will become a new era of Big Brother-ism.

The sad thing is, we shouldn't NEED such legislation. The Fourth Amendment is a pillar of the Constitution and ought to be enough.

But it quite obviously isn't- hence the need for a sledgehammer to make the point.

HemlockGrey wrote:But it quite obviously isn't- hence the need for a sledgehammer to make the point.

Honestly, if someone proposed such legislation they would probably be accused of anti-Americanism or creating "phantoms of lost liberty" or something of the like.

This is the ideal politics. Or, as everything should be.

Put up two bits of foreign policy.

I have my own views on "isolationism" (hate that term, such a damned strawman), and I don't wish to enter into debate on the matter.

As for Israel, I'd go a step further than that. Fuck 'em. I'm tired of subsidizing the continued existence of a shitty little socialist country that practices a racist system that the rest of us have been trying to move away from for the last half-century. No economic aid, no military aid, just pull the fuck out and let Israel make some damn concessions and negotiate its own peace. They won't have the U.S. to back up their bullying anymore.

That said, I understand the moratorium on Israel discussion and will stop now.

HemlockGrey wrote:Be serious.

Of course.

I see you didn't include an admendment addressing freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and the press. Are going to add this in later, or do current laws satisify you?

HemlockGrey wrote: The Equality Amendment- No law existing in the United States or any of it's territories will discriminate against any people regardless of sexual orientation or theistic/non-theistic beliefs.

I'd go for "No law existing in the United States or any of its territories will discriminate on the basis of race, creed (or lack thereof), sexual orientation or sex." Or something worded similarly.

No oath of any sort, theistic or atheistic in nature, will be rendered upon the achievement of any public offce, save an oath to serve and uphold the Constitution.

Fine.

Any attempts to pursue such surveillence without a warrant shall be considered treason against the United States.

Remove this. Arrest them or stop them if you must, but calling this treason (giving aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States in time of war) is too much.

The Sexual Freedom Act- No law existing in the United States or any of it's territories will prohibit the free excercise of any sexual practice, provided that the practice in question
A) Involves only consenting adults
B) Does not take place in a public area
C) Does not render any physical or mental anguish onto the parties taking part in the act in question

Okay.

It's Effect: Limits the President's power to send troops wherever the hell he feels like it. Note that the President may still deploy troops at will; his ability to keep them there is simply diminished. I'm a bit unsure about this and would like some comments on it.

The War Powers Act of 1973 more or less covers this.

I suspect that there is the slight possiblity of guerilla activity waged against American soldiers; I believe a healthy injection of lethal force and education can be used to combat the indigenous hatred that has infused the area for so long.

Slight? I somehow doubt that; the US troops in theatre may simply be considered occupation troops by the more radical groups dedicated to the destruction of Israel (Hamas, etc.)

I do not particularly like the section on Israel/Palestine, but there is a moratorium on that subject so I'll stop with that.

HemlockGrey wrote:But it quite obviously isn't- hence the need for a sledgehammer to make the point.

IMHO simply enforcing it rather than using a sledgehammer is a better solution.

The War Powers Act of 1973 more or less covers this.

I am unfamiliar with the text of that act. Could you provide it?

Slight? I somehow doubt that; the US troops in theatre may simply be considered occupation troops by the more radical groups dedicated to the destruction of Israel (Hamas, etc.)

By 'slight' I meant 'nearly 100%'

IMHO simply enforcing it rather than using a sledgehammer is a better solution.

But when another political party is put into power I can no longer enforce it. Better to do this and ensure that it is followed through for at least another fifty years.

How would the sexual freedoms act be unconstitutional?

How would the sexual freedoms act be unconstitutional?

It may violate the 10th Amendment. However, I believe Number 10 is superceded by Number 1.

Argh. 1st Amendment....I am not having this argument again. I AM NOT HAVING THIS ARGUMENT AGAIN!

That being said, I really don't think we need to bother ourselves with stupid little, rapidly disappearing sex laws that no one bothers enforcing anyway.

HemlockGrey wrote:

The War Powers Act of 1973 more or less covers this.

I am unfamiliar with the text of that act. Could you provide it?

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/statecraft/warpow.html

By 'slight' I meant 'nearly 100%'

Unfortunately, there are two things that may prevent total extermination by US occupied forces:
1. They want Israel dead, and will continue to rally, probably bringing up memories of the occupation of Palestine and calls for vengeance.
2. Palestine is not Afghanistan. It is much more heavily built up, there will not be as many (if any) major airbases to use for airpower and plenty of places for US troops to hide.

It will not be pretty for the US troops in Palestine.

hmmm. It wouldnt be thanks to the sanctity of privacy ammendment, just make sure you pass that before you propose legistlation for the sexual freedoms act

HemlockGrey wrote:

How would the sexual freedoms act be unconstitutional?

It may violate the 10th Amendment. However, I believe Number 10 is superceded by Number 1.

Your SFA may have to be entered as an amendment to get around the issue of the 10th Amendment, since it could conflict with state law; and the SFA is not a power delegated or prohibited by the US Constitution.

1. They want Israel dead, and will continue to rally, probably bringing up memories of the occupation of Palestine and calls for vengeance.

Cut off the head and the body will die. A show of force will temporarly deter the fanatics; a strong bitchslap across Israel's face will stay the hand of the (few)moderates, and a serious attempt at rebuilding will probably, in time, dissipate the backing of the radicals. A Reconstruction will generate thousands of jobs, and if the jobs pay worth a rat's ass it is likely the average Omar will not be filled with thoughts of revolution.

2. Palestine is not Afghanistan. It is much more heavily built up, there will not be as many (if any) major airbases to use for airpower and plenty of places for US troops to hide.

True.

It will not be pretty for the US troops in Palestine.

Which is why an attempt would first be made to insert UN troops.

phongn wrote:

HemlockGrey wrote:

How would the sexual freedoms act be unconstitutional?

It may violate the 10th Amendment. However, I believe Number 10 is superceded by Number 1.

Your SFA may have to be entered as an amendment to get around the issue of the 10th Amendment, since it could conflict with state law; and the SFA is not a power delegated or prohibited by the US Constitution.

Well, although I personally would NOT approve of it, this could be gotten around. The First amendment guarantees freedom of expression, and through the Fourteenth Amendment, judges have applied the Bill of Rights to the states, so this might not be too unvalid based on a loose reading of the law.