"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."
This amendment made it so any pay increase that congress decides on for themselves, only comes into affect in the next session of congress. Before this amendment, congressman were able to increase their own personal salaries immediately if so voted.
This candidate Adam Kokesh post this next video as a call to action for his fellow congressman to decrease congressional pay. While many Americans are suffering to put food on the table and pay their bills, congressman have a hefty salary that includes comprehensive health care that many of them do not wish to extend to the rest of their fellow Americans.
As tax payers, we pay congressional salaries as well as their benefits. One of these benefits happens to be comprehensive health care, something that many of these congressman do not wish to extend to us, and something which we have somehow tricked ourselves into believing we do not deserve. This next video talks about health care and public options.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Twenty-sixth Amendment
"Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18. During the Vietnam war, soldiers would go off to war at the age of 17 or 18 and return before they were 21. They were not allowed to vote in the elections because they were not yet of age, even though they had fought and watched their fellow soldiers die for this country. This amendment was essentially a tribute to those Vietnam vets.
The below video is a Vietnam war protest. Though some Vietnam vets were not old enough to vote, they played their part in politics by joining anti war protests.
As this amendment was a government tribute to the Vietnam vets, this next video is a tribute to them as well.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18. During the Vietnam war, soldiers would go off to war at the age of 17 or 18 and return before they were 21. They were not allowed to vote in the elections because they were not yet of age, even though they had fought and watched their fellow soldiers die for this country. This amendment was essentially a tribute to those Vietnam vets.
The below video is a Vietnam war protest. Though some Vietnam vets were not old enough to vote, they played their part in politics by joining anti war protests.
As this amendment was a government tribute to the Vietnam vets, this next video is a tribute to them as well.
Twenty-fifth Amendment
"Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office."
This amendment fully develops the outline the succession of the president if he or she dies. It states who would take over if the Vice President also died and so on.
Unfortunately, one of our presidents who died while in office was John F. Kennedy. This video is a digitally remastered video of his assassination.
JFK Assassination Digitally Remastered
Uploaded by suprafly. - News videos hot off the press.
This next video is a Family Guy spoof on Dick Cheney's hunting accident in which he shot one of his hunting partners. This guy could have been our president.
Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office."
This amendment fully develops the outline the succession of the president if he or she dies. It states who would take over if the Vice President also died and so on.
Unfortunately, one of our presidents who died while in office was John F. Kennedy. This video is a digitally remastered video of his assassination.
JFK Assassination Digitally Remastered
Uploaded by suprafly. - News videos hot off the press.
This next video is a Family Guy spoof on Dick Cheney's hunting accident in which he shot one of his hunting partners. This guy could have been our president.
Twenty-fourth Amendment
"Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
This amendment illegalized the use of poll taxes, or of having voter pay a fee before they could vote. During the Civil Rights era, poll taxes were used to keep poor blacks from being able to vote.
The below video is about political riots that happened in Britain as a response to the poll tax. It is our right to vote. Remember that. We cannot allow something like a poll tax from hindering our democracy.
This next video is a comedic take on our democratic responsibility to vote.
Voting and YOU!
Uploaded by declareyourself. - News videos from around the world.
Twenty-third Amendment
"Section 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article using appropriate legislation."
This amendment allows for the citizens of Washington D.C. to vote for electors for president and vice president. Before 1961, D.C was not represented in the electoral college.
This video below is a School House Rocks video about the electoral college. As this amendment relates to citizens of D.C. electing representatives in the electoral college, it is important to know how that college works.
This next video contains information about the electoral college and the popular vote given to us by a couple of our own representatives. The electoral college is a dated system that was put in place to give smaller states more power in the electoral process. The system is obviously flawed and does not accurately represent American votes when in elections like the 2000 election the winner did not recieve the majority of the popular vote. Going off of a popular vote alone would simplify the process and better represent American votes.
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article using appropriate legislation."
This amendment allows for the citizens of Washington D.C. to vote for electors for president and vice president. Before 1961, D.C was not represented in the electoral college.
This video below is a School House Rocks video about the electoral college. As this amendment relates to citizens of D.C. electing representatives in the electoral college, it is important to know how that college works.
This next video contains information about the electoral college and the popular vote given to us by a couple of our own representatives. The electoral college is a dated system that was put in place to give smaller states more power in the electoral process. The system is obviously flawed and does not accurately represent American votes when in elections like the 2000 election the winner did not recieve the majority of the popular vote. Going off of a popular vote alone would simplify the process and better represent American votes.
Twenty-second Amendment
This amendment set term limits for president. Though George Washington set the precedent of two terms, FDR ran and was elected for four consecutive terms. Apparently FDR was too successful for too long and conservatives wanted to inhibit that sort of justice in the future."Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. Section 2. 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 to the States by the Congress."
This video is a speech from FDR who was in it for the long fight (i.e. the four successful terms he had which sparked this amendment).
This next video is of George W. Bush, one of our more brilliant presidents. Listen Americans, the 22nd amendment limits a president to two terms, it does not meant they have to have two terms! How did this guy get elected once, and more importantly how the SHIT did he get elected twice!?!?
Twnty-first Amendment
"Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission here of to the States by the Congress."
This amendment repeals the Eighteenth Amendment which prohibited the distribution of "intoxicating beverages." It is interesting that this amendment is the 21st and the age requirement for drinking in the US is also 21. Or maybe I just find that interesting......
This video is a "60 Minutes" piece on lowering the drinking age to 18. In the US 18 year olds can be drafted, tried as adults, and are considered adults in every aspect of the law except for with drinking. It is my opinion that if my country can draft me to fight some bull shit war for oil, or for a display of our "dominance" I better damn well be able to drink a beer.
This next video is from a Family Guy episode in which they legalize marijuana. There has been plenty of scientific evidence that shows the marijuana is less dangerous to both the user and to other than is alcohol. The negative effects that do occur with marijuana use dissipate shortly after usage has stopped. Though there is a plethora of scientific evidence it is clear that corporate America has worked hard to protect their vested interests in keeping marijuana illegal.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission here of to the States by the Congress."
This amendment repeals the Eighteenth Amendment which prohibited the distribution of "intoxicating beverages." It is interesting that this amendment is the 21st and the age requirement for drinking in the US is also 21. Or maybe I just find that interesting......
This video is a "60 Minutes" piece on lowering the drinking age to 18. In the US 18 year olds can be drafted, tried as adults, and are considered adults in every aspect of the law except for with drinking. It is my opinion that if my country can draft me to fight some bull shit war for oil, or for a display of our "dominance" I better damn well be able to drink a beer.
This next video is from a Family Guy episode in which they legalize marijuana. There has been plenty of scientific evidence that shows the marijuana is less dangerous to both the user and to other than is alcohol. The negative effects that do occur with marijuana use dissipate shortly after usage has stopped. Though there is a plethora of scientific evidence it is clear that corporate America has worked hard to protect their vested interests in keeping marijuana illegal.
Twentieth Amendment
"Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
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."
This amendment outlines the succession to the presidency if a president dies or is unable to fulfill his or her duty. It also outlines the dates of which a president's and congressman's terms end and begin.
The below video is the presidential inauguration and address of President Barack Obama in January 20, 2009. The date that this amendment outlines as the date that a new president will take office.
This video below is a speech given by Franklin Delano Roosevelt the first president to take office after the Twentieth Amendment was ratified. In this speech FDR outlines a second Bill of Rights that he wished to add to the Constitution. Unfortunately, FDR died before he could see this Bill through. I find this speech inspiring and it is my life aspiration to, though legislation, provide the rights outlined in FDR's bill to all Americans.
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."
This amendment outlines the succession to the presidency if a president dies or is unable to fulfill his or her duty. It also outlines the dates of which a president's and congressman's terms end and begin.
The below video is the presidential inauguration and address of President Barack Obama in January 20, 2009. The date that this amendment outlines as the date that a new president will take office.
This video below is a speech given by Franklin Delano Roosevelt the first president to take office after the Twentieth Amendment was ratified. In this speech FDR outlines a second Bill of Rights that he wished to add to the Constitution. Unfortunately, FDR died before he could see this Bill through. I find this speech inspiring and it is my life aspiration to, though legislation, provide the rights outlined in FDR's bill to all Americans.
Nineteenth Amendment
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
Though it seemed intuitive that women would have been allowed the right to vote with the incorporation of amendments like the fifteenth amendment, it was not until the 19th amendment was ratified some fifty years later that women suffrage was granted.
The below video is a clever little prank. A guy goes around on a college campus asking students to sign a petition to "end women's suffrage." Obviously these students didn't pay attention in their American government courses because they sign the petition saying "women's suffrage is really bad." Someone should tell them that "suffrage" means the right to vote, "suffering" or "opression" is probably what they are confusing it with.
This video here is a fun School House Rocks video about women's suffrage.
Though it seemed intuitive that women would have been allowed the right to vote with the incorporation of amendments like the fifteenth amendment, it was not until the 19th amendment was ratified some fifty years later that women suffrage was granted.
The below video is a clever little prank. A guy goes around on a college campus asking students to sign a petition to "end women's suffrage." Obviously these students didn't pay attention in their American government courses because they sign the petition saying "women's suffrage is really bad." Someone should tell them that "suffrage" means the right to vote, "suffering" or "opression" is probably what they are confusing it with.
This video here is a fun School House Rocks video about women's suffrage.
Eighteenth Amendment
"Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress."
Prohibition. Obviously the most ridiculous of all 27 amendments. This amendment banned the distribution of alcohol in the United States. Drinking has been a part of our history. It's part of what makes us Americans!
Below is a Budweiser commercial with their famous Clydesdale. These horses have been with us for over a hundred years!
Drinking has been a part of American culture for a very long time and studies show it is becoming an increasingly more popular activity. The below link is to an article that states the number of Americans who drinks is at an all time high. Drink on!
BEER!!!
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress."
Prohibition. Obviously the most ridiculous of all 27 amendments. This amendment banned the distribution of alcohol in the United States. Drinking has been a part of our history. It's part of what makes us Americans!
Below is a Budweiser commercial with their famous Clydesdale. These horses have been with us for over a hundred years!
Drinking has been a part of American culture for a very long time and studies show it is becoming an increasingly more popular activity. The below link is to an article that states the number of Americans who drinks is at an all time high. Drink on!
BEER!!!
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