Our Constitutional Principles

The United State Constitution - a Foundation of Principles

Thomas Jefferson once said "This is the tendancy of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering..."

Since Thomas Jefferson's words were spoken, we have, in many ways, done as he suggested with the consequences he implied. It is time to return to the constitutional principles which enable us to uniquely be Americans and our country to uniquely be the United States of America. Below we analyze the constitution and reduce each section to one or more principles that all Americans should hold dear. In order for this analysis to be as accurate as possible, we offer a wiki where ongoing discussion may occur and periodically, the principles listed below will be modified to reflect the wiki consensus. Please read, share with others, and provide your input on the wiki. Thanks for participating.

Preamble to the Constitution (Preamble wiki)

Principle: This Constitution is created to define a framework for laws based upon our values: Justice, Peace, Common Defense, Liberty, and the general Welfare

Article I (Article I wiki)

Principles:

Section 1:

• Only Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives together, may create laws.

Section 2:

• Representatives in the House shall be elected in a prescribed manner and must meet qualifying criteria.
• Both taxes and the number of Representatives allocated to each state shall be based on population, calculated periodically.
• Slaves and Native Americans are less than other humans. (some constitutional principles have been rightfully abandoned)
• Vacancies shall be filled by a new election.
• The House of Representatives has the sole power to elect their officers or impeach.

Section 3:

• Each state shall elect two senators who have met minimum criteria of age, citizenship and state residence.
• The terms of approximately 1/3 of the senators shall expire every two years.
• Senate vacancies shall be filled by the state legislature or temporarily by the governor when the legislature is in recess.
• The Senate has the sole power to elect or impeach their officers, except that the Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, without Vote, except to break a tie.
• The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments, with the Chief Justice presiding when the President of the United States is tried. 2/3 vote of Senators present is required to convict, the consequence being limited to removal from office and disqualification for future office, though not precluding separate criminal or civil prosecution.

Section 4:

• Elections for Congress shall be prescribed by each State Legislature, subject to change by Congress. Congress is prohibited from selecting where voting for Senators shall occur.
• Congress shall assemble at least annually.

Section 5:

• Each House shall determine the validity of elections.
• A majority shall constitute a quorum.
• Absent House members may be compelled to attend.
• Each House determines its rules and may expel a Member by two thirds vote.
• Each House shall record public proceedings, excluding items requiring secrecy, but how each Member voted shall only be recorded if at least 20% of the Members request it.
• Consent of the other House is required if one House desires to adjourn for more than three days or to another place.