Fun Monday 07.28.08

The week's Fun Monday is being hosted by Mommy Wizdom.

The Rules:

If you were ruler for a day/week/month/year (your choice on the time) you would...

ex...make coffee free to all citizens. Or you'd abolish the penny. You may also specify if you're ruler of the world or just your country. Have fun with it; be creative.

If you like to dress up, you may also choose to take pictures of yourself in your "ruler" outfit(s) and post them up with your entry.

Robocop's Comment:

This one is going to be fun. It is too bad that I could not upload or download images for this post (thank you Vista), but I will work with what I have. Of course, the rules do not specify one thing, which is good for me, because I have a number of things which I would do...

If I were ruler for a year (in this case, the year 1787) of the United States Of America, I would do a number of things. These things would not necessarily be in this order. Before I proceed, here is a quick SITREP of the year: It has been about four years since the American Revolutionary War was officially over with the Treaty Of Paris. The novice politicians were in the process of establishing a new form of government for the United States Of America. Now there are a few things I would have done to clarify our great country, and to avoid the future misunderstandings that would plague our history.

I would have freed the slaves,

gave women, and all races the right to vote (as long as they were US citizens),

legislated racial and gender equality,

actually paid the Revolutionary War Veterans their due,

and made common English the national language from the get go.

In addition to the above, I would have clarified The United States Constitution. Did I mention that I we would be using common English? I think the snobbish intellectual mindset of our founders caused them to write the document too formally, paving the way to future confusion. I would have it state things as what they actually meant. Now for a small example, I will use the Bill Of Rights, which are the first ten Amendments to The US Constitution. I might even tweak it out a small bit.

Amendment I

Before:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

After:

Congress will not force the people to worship God, or prevent them from worshiping God on their own free will. The peoples' right say what they want, write what they want, assemble in peaceful protest, or complain to the Government will not be interfered with.

Amendment II

Before:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

After:

The people have the individual right to keep, and carry arms for the purpose of defending their safety, and liberty.

Amendment III

Before:

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

After:

No homeowner or tenant will be required to house a soldier.

Amendment IV

Before:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

After:

There will be no unreasonable searches and seizures of the people, their homes, their property without a warrant attained due to an actual reason. The warrant will specify person, place, or thing to be searched and/or seized.

Amendment V

Before:

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

After:

No Citizen will be charged with a serious crime without a Grand Jury indictment, unless in the service of the armed forces in time of crisis. No one will be tried twice for the same crime, forced to testify against himself, or deprived in any way without due process. Private property will not be taken for public use without just compensation that reflects the current market value.

Amendment VI

Before:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

After:

In all criminal prosecutions, the citizen who is accused has a right to a quick public trial by jury not to exceed 30 days, at the State and district the crime was committed. He will be told what he is accused of, confront and obtain witnesses, and to have legal representation.

Amendment VII

Before:

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

After:

In Civil suits that involve values exceeding twenty dollars, the right to trial by jury will be preserved.

Amendment VIII

Before:

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

After:

Excessive bail or fines will not be imposed. The punishment shall always fit the crime.

Amendment IX

Before:

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

After:

If a right is not listed in the Constitution, it does not meant a right does not exist, as long as it does not harm anyone.

Amendment X

Before:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

After:

Powers not given to the Federal Government specifically are reserved to the State governments.

Would this have changed history? Yes. This might have even prevented Civil War. Would this have prevented interpretation by the courts? No, but it would be harder for judges to make up stuff too.

I hope this was not too boring.