Section. 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Wow!!! There's a lot to digest here. Immigration and State's rights alone can take years to debate. Look at the trouble we're having right now with ILLEGALS entering our country and the blind eye being turned by our servants. I have solutions trust me. Neither the democrats nor the republicans, UNFORTUNATELY, want to hear these solutions nor address the problem. The democrats see these illegals as future votes and the republicans see these people as cheap labor - good for the bottom line!
We can get into an indepth discussion on this topic after we finish our trek through the Constitution. I'll spell out my platform in detail on this subject and you can either tear me apart or agree with me; either way it will be fun.
Also, note that "No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken."
OOOOPS!!! What does that say? Am I reading that correctly? No DIRECT TAX shall be laid upon YOU unless in proportion to the Census. Does that mean NO TAXES on WAGES? I think it does.
Let me explain! The government has a budget (allegedly - supposed to have anyway). The government can collect money through: taxes, duties, excises and imposts. If the government does not collect enough money to run the government; then (according to Thomas Jefferson - I believe) the government is too large and must be purged of the excess fat (PORK - as it is referred to in the bills that congress tries to pass without our permission.); or the Secretary of State must send each individual an invoice for each person's obligation over and above what congress did not collect. Upon the receipt of an invoice for their fair share of the government's budget overrun, each citizen is supposed to write a check for his or her obligation to balance the budget. Thus, a tax in direct proportion to the census.
I contend that if we actually followed the Constitution, 99% of all congresspersons would be out on their collective ears and be replaced by fiscal conservatives that would work within the budget and would balance the budget every year or face the consequence of their predecessors. I also contend, that our SOCIALISTIC-COMMUNISTIC DEMOCRATIC WELFARE STATE would cease to exist and we'd get back to the Constitution instead of following the ten planks of the Communist Manifesto.
Go ahead, I dare you to prove me wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until next time, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot
Monday, March 31, 2014
What's a Congressman To Do?
Well let us see! Section eight tells us what a Representative and a Senator is entrusted by the people who elected them to office to do.
They can lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general welfare of the United States.
Back to the dictionary (Bouvier's of course).
Duties: In its most enlarged sense, this word is nearly equivalent to taxes, embracing all impositions or charges levied on persons or things; in its more restrained sense, it is often used as equivalent to customs, or imposts.
Excises: The word is used to signify an inland imposition, paid sometimes upon the consumption of the commodity, and frequently upon the retail sale. (i.e. a sales tax).
Imposts: This word is sometimes used to signify taxes, or duties, or impositions; and, sometimes in the more restrained sense of a duty on imported goods and merchandise.(Ah, an import tax)
Taxes: This term in its most extended sense includes all contributions imposed by the government upon individuals for the service of the state, by whatever name they are called or known, whether by the name of tribute, tithe, talliage, impost,duty, gabel, custom, subsidy, aid, supply, excise, or other name.
Please notice that there is no tax on a person's wages!!!!
Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;
— And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
As you the reader can see, Congress has a lot of power(s) to act in our best interest. They do not, however, have the right to lay laws that will infringe upon your (the sovereign's) inalienable rights; nor to extort you in any way shape or form.
We can get into these different aspects later on and debate their allegiance to us their employer's. I'm particularly interested in their ability to coin and borrow money.
Until next time, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot
They can lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general welfare of the United States.
Back to the dictionary (Bouvier's of course).
Duties: In its most enlarged sense, this word is nearly equivalent to taxes, embracing all impositions or charges levied on persons or things; in its more restrained sense, it is often used as equivalent to customs, or imposts.
Excises: The word is used to signify an inland imposition, paid sometimes upon the consumption of the commodity, and frequently upon the retail sale. (i.e. a sales tax).
Imposts: This word is sometimes used to signify taxes, or duties, or impositions; and, sometimes in the more restrained sense of a duty on imported goods and merchandise.(Ah, an import tax)
Taxes: This term in its most extended sense includes all contributions imposed by the government upon individuals for the service of the state, by whatever name they are called or known, whether by the name of tribute, tithe, talliage, impost,duty, gabel, custom, subsidy, aid, supply, excise, or other name.
Please notice that there is no tax on a person's wages!!!!
Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;
— And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
As you the reader can see, Congress has a lot of power(s) to act in our best interest. They do not, however, have the right to lay laws that will infringe upon your (the sovereign's) inalienable rights; nor to extort you in any way shape or form.
We can get into these different aspects later on and debate their allegiance to us their employer's. I'm particularly interested in their ability to coin and borrow money.
Until next time, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot
Monday, March 17, 2014
Section 7 - Huge!
Okay Boys and Girls here comes a biggie, section 7 of article one:
Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States;[2] If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
So, what happened with the 16th Amendment? For those who do not know, that is the amendment that made income taxes legal.
Well, let's see. Philander Knox, the Secretary of State,
Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States;[2] If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
So, what happened with the 16th Amendment? For those who do not know, that is the amendment that made income taxes legal.
Well, let's see. Philander Knox, the Secretary of State,
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Meat and Bones
Alright! Let the fun begin. Now we get into the part of the Constitution that clarifies just what our elected representatives can do and what they are supposed to do.
First, however, let us discuss their compensation.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
So, we see that their compensation for service(s) shall be, ..."ascertained by Law...."
Let me ask you a question. Who makes and passes the laws? Would that not be the same people who get paid by that law? Isn't that kind of like leaving the hen house door open and inviting the fox to visit?" No wonder they make more as our servants then we do as their employer. No wonder that they get a raise every year even during a depression while you and I can't get a raise - not even a cost of living raise to your social security benefit. BUT, your congress people, almost all of whom just happen to be wealthy vote themselves a raise every year. Why?
I contend that enough is enough. A salary or a contract price for their services should be set by the citizenry and should be commensurate with the average wage of the average American citizen.
I remember back in (I believe it was August 9) 1974 when Richard Milhouse Nixon left office he said that it was impossible for a man to live on $50,000 a year. While in office, however, he proclaimed that a family of four could live comfortably on $15,000 per year. Oh my how things change when the shoe is on the other foot.
I believe now is a good time to discuss a term called "Status." Status, I contend, was established by the Declaration of Independence when Thomas Jefferson enumerated the natural order of things: God created man, man created the Constitution, the Constitution created the government (a Republic). Hence, in the order of things, man (you and I) sit on top of the government. Government is there to secure our, "... life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..." (absent of government interference - protected by those who serve us; our government representatives).
So the hierarchy of status would be established as follows:
1. Free born citizen of this country with all of the Constitutional rights availed and accorded
at all times with NO rights taken away at any time.
2. Civil Servant: A person who gives up his absolute rights of a Free Born citizen for a period
of time while he/she serves the needs and protects the inalienable rights of the Free Born
citizen. These servants include elected government officials, those who work for those
officials, other government employee's and the military.
3. Political Refugees: Those people who have asked for political asylum from their own
government; and are here under privilege without all of the benefits accorded to a Free Born
citizen.
4. Legal Alien Status: A person granted entrance into this country to live and work who is
not a citizen, but after a period of time may apply for citizenship. These people are here
under PRIVILEGE not RIGHTS!! This privilege may and can be revoked at any time
without cause. They are guests in our country, that's all!!!
5. People here under a "Visa": These are usually foreign people who have come to this
country to either go to school or work on a temporary basis for six months at which time
their visa expires and they are either required to leave leave our country and return to their
country or go though the visa process again and gain another six months in our country.
They are not and should not be granted the rights you and I have as Free Born citizens.
6. Illegal Alien: An outlaw in our country who has no right whatsoever to be in our country.
He/she has no status - zero standing in our society. They have broken our laws and need
to be tracked down and deported. They cheated to gain entrance into our country. They
jumped the line. Other people apply to migrate to this country (God Bless them and
welcome!). They fill out the paperwork and stand in line. Illegals have no Constitutional
rights regardless of what the ACLU proclaims!!
Okay, now that we have established that government slaves, our civil servants our of a lesser status and are there to serve and protect, I think that we should establish the remuneration for their service. They should not be allowed to establish their pay grade.
Here is my proposal. I would argue that most congressmen and senators are pretty much independently wealthy. I propose, therefore, if a congressman or senator has a net worth of one million dollars or more that they should serve without monetary compensation. If their net worth is less than one million dollars but more than 500,000 dollars, they should receive minimum wage. And, if they are the average "Joe" living from paycheck to paycheck, like the rest of us, they should receive what the average American citizen earns.
Also notice, "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."
Definition: "Emoluments" : The lawful gain or profit that comes from holding office.
In other words, NO DOUBLE DIPPING. With our professional politicians these days, I don't believe that we have to be concerned about them working two offices. It's hard enough to get them to work one.
I believe the bigger problem lies in them taking huge sums of money from lobbyists groups and selling their constituency down the river for untold profits through bribes.
What say you?
I look forward to your input.
Until next time, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot.
First, however, let us discuss their compensation.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
So, we see that their compensation for service(s) shall be, ..."ascertained by Law...."
Let me ask you a question. Who makes and passes the laws? Would that not be the same people who get paid by that law? Isn't that kind of like leaving the hen house door open and inviting the fox to visit?" No wonder they make more as our servants then we do as their employer. No wonder that they get a raise every year even during a depression while you and I can't get a raise - not even a cost of living raise to your social security benefit. BUT, your congress people, almost all of whom just happen to be wealthy vote themselves a raise every year. Why?
I contend that enough is enough. A salary or a contract price for their services should be set by the citizenry and should be commensurate with the average wage of the average American citizen.
I remember back in (I believe it was August 9) 1974 when Richard Milhouse Nixon left office he said that it was impossible for a man to live on $50,000 a year. While in office, however, he proclaimed that a family of four could live comfortably on $15,000 per year. Oh my how things change when the shoe is on the other foot.
I believe now is a good time to discuss a term called "Status." Status, I contend, was established by the Declaration of Independence when Thomas Jefferson enumerated the natural order of things: God created man, man created the Constitution, the Constitution created the government (a Republic). Hence, in the order of things, man (you and I) sit on top of the government. Government is there to secure our, "... life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..." (absent of government interference - protected by those who serve us; our government representatives).
So the hierarchy of status would be established as follows:
1. Free born citizen of this country with all of the Constitutional rights availed and accorded
at all times with NO rights taken away at any time.
2. Civil Servant: A person who gives up his absolute rights of a Free Born citizen for a period
of time while he/she serves the needs and protects the inalienable rights of the Free Born
citizen. These servants include elected government officials, those who work for those
officials, other government employee's and the military.
3. Political Refugees: Those people who have asked for political asylum from their own
government; and are here under privilege without all of the benefits accorded to a Free Born
citizen.
4. Legal Alien Status: A person granted entrance into this country to live and work who is
not a citizen, but after a period of time may apply for citizenship. These people are here
under PRIVILEGE not RIGHTS!! This privilege may and can be revoked at any time
without cause. They are guests in our country, that's all!!!
5. People here under a "Visa": These are usually foreign people who have come to this
country to either go to school or work on a temporary basis for six months at which time
their visa expires and they are either required to leave leave our country and return to their
country or go though the visa process again and gain another six months in our country.
They are not and should not be granted the rights you and I have as Free Born citizens.
6. Illegal Alien: An outlaw in our country who has no right whatsoever to be in our country.
He/she has no status - zero standing in our society. They have broken our laws and need
to be tracked down and deported. They cheated to gain entrance into our country. They
jumped the line. Other people apply to migrate to this country (God Bless them and
welcome!). They fill out the paperwork and stand in line. Illegals have no Constitutional
rights regardless of what the ACLU proclaims!!
Okay, now that we have established that government slaves, our civil servants our of a lesser status and are there to serve and protect, I think that we should establish the remuneration for their service. They should not be allowed to establish their pay grade.
Here is my proposal. I would argue that most congressmen and senators are pretty much independently wealthy. I propose, therefore, if a congressman or senator has a net worth of one million dollars or more that they should serve without monetary compensation. If their net worth is less than one million dollars but more than 500,000 dollars, they should receive minimum wage. And, if they are the average "Joe" living from paycheck to paycheck, like the rest of us, they should receive what the average American citizen earns.
Also notice, "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."
Definition: "Emoluments" : The lawful gain or profit that comes from holding office.
In other words, NO DOUBLE DIPPING. With our professional politicians these days, I don't believe that we have to be concerned about them working two offices. It's hard enough to get them to work one.
I believe the bigger problem lies in them taking huge sums of money from lobbyists groups and selling their constituency down the river for untold profits through bribes.
What say you?
I look forward to your input.
Until next time, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot.
Monday, March 3, 2014
OK Fellow Patriots continuing onward and upward.
ARTICLE I
Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof [Modified by Amendment XVII], for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies [Modified by Amendment XVII].
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment s for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
[Article. XVII.]
[Proposed 1912; Ratified 1913; Possibly Unconstitutional (See Article V, Clause 3 of the Constitution)]When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
Well, this is all rather straight forward as do sections 4 and 5.
Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December [Modified by Amendment XX], unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Article. [XX.]
[Proposed 1932; Ratified 1933]Section. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Section. 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
Section. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
Section. 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.
Section. 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.
That's enough elephant today. Easy reading - easy to understand. Section 6 next time, however, will be fun and should stir some conversation(s).
Until then, I am Eldee Charles Spratt, "The" American Patriot.
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