Can We? : Comments and Recommendations for Preserving Our Nation

EXCERPTS FROM CAN WE?Project No. 350553When we write letters, or send emails to our representatives in Congress, the usual response is a "position paper", and never a direct answer to our concerns or recommendations.This book is a composite of many of letters which were sent to elected representatives and to newspaper editors, as well as current issues. Nine amendments to the U. S. Constitution are among the many recommendations proposed.It is hoped that the comments, opinions, and recommendations presented will generate meaningful discussions and debates for viable solutions for the nation's problems, and forestall some future problems.Today's youth will be our leaders tomorrow. It is in the national interest that our citizens be prepared for life's responsibilities. Therefore some thoughts on "Family Stewardship" is included for fostering the training of our youth.Some officials, at all levels of government, announce how they apprehended suspects, or disclose particular characteristics of a criminal or terrorist activity. Several examples are given when such information was disclosed.There are two methods of proposing Amendments to the U. S. Constitution: one is by both houses of Congress and the other by a Convention. Many fear the Convention method, thus an Amendment is proposed to replace the Convention method with a vote of two thirds of the State Legislatures.The Constitution does not define the size or requirements for the U. S. Supreme Court. An amendment is proposed to define the U. S. Supreme Court as to size, age, and tenure.A Reformed Electoral College Amendment eliminates the election of electors, but instead assigns phantom electors, and the winner-take-all of the popular votes in each State and the District of Columbia.The Constitution does not require that a voter be a citizen of the United States, thus an Elections and Voting Procedures Amendment is proposed. There are three basic criteria for a democratic voting methodology: (1) the voter must be authorized and positively identified as the one casting the ballot, (2) the ballot must be secret, and (3) the ballot must be verifiable. If any one of these criteria is not ensured, the voting methodology is a failure and our democracy is in jeopardy.Other proposed amendments to the U. S. Constitution are Term Limits for Congress, Congressional Benefits and Rights, Filling Vacancies in Congress, Overriding a Supreme Court Decision, and an Anti-Pornographic/Lewd Acts.If we will sell our space and missile technology to other countries, the moon will be claimed by other countries and will be their strategic base. If a foreign country can control the outer space, they can disrupt all communications in our country by knocking out our satellites. We must NOT surrender the United States' leadership in space exploration. A viable space program will ensure a future jobs market in science and technology and provide an incentive for studying math, science, and engineering courses. If there are no jobs, there will be fewer engineering and scientist graduates, which will lead to fewer College offerings, and eventually leads to complete shutdown of future technology.The year 2009 has been a real civic lesson to many Americans who have been naive. We learned that our legislators, most of whom have law degrees, do not read, study, analyze, or honestly debate legislation before voting on it!Complex legislation needs reasonable time to "get it right". A "Caucus of the Whole" might be a method to get legislation right. It is a fact that more often than not, "haste makes waste".The MOVIES have always been the best "advertising" for the tobacco companies. This "advertising" has a negative influence on our youth. Congress should pass a law prohibiting the Tobacco industry from making payments for the having smoking scenes in movies, etc.Because of reduced first class mail, the postal service now puts junk mail advertising (loose newspaper ads) in your residential and rented boxes at the post office. This is a nuisance, and uses precious mail box space. These massive loose advertisements can be a cause for lost mail. Delivery of residential mail should be only three days a week.