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At the end of the Declaration of Independence it states that we can abolish our government if it no longer meets our needs. The current US Constitution nowhere states how we can abolish the government and create a new US Constitution. Jefferson said, "Every constitution, then, and every law naturally expires at the end of 19 years. If it be enforced longer, it is an act of force, and not of right. Jefferson said, "Thus, the American Constitution should lapse and become null and void in 1808."

US citizens have had their second constitution for 232 years, and according to Jefferson's calculations, we should have had 12 constitutions by now. If you divide 232 by 19, it is 12.21. The Constitution was implemented in 1789, so 1789 + 19 = 1808. I'm not sure how Jefferson came up with "19 years" exactly and why he said that the Constitution should be null and void in 1808. It might be related to the fact that slavery was to end in 1808 according to Article V of the constitution. Essentially then, Jefferson thought we should have a new constitution with every new generation.

The current US Constitution was written in 1787 and implemented in 1789 with George Washington as the first president. Now we know that technology can improve dramatically in 10 years. But there are some people who still believe the US Constitution is a sacred document ordained by God, and it should never be abolished.

There are several ways that the US Constitution can be improved. We could create a new constitution that empowers people to be all that they can be, a constitution that gives power to The People. We could abolish the electoral college system that is becoming increasingly unpopular. How fair is it that California with a large population has the same number of senators as Wyoming? With a new constitution we could totally eliminate the undemocratic US Senate and use proportional representation to create a unicameral federal legislature composed of 7 political parties equally empowered. With a new constitution, we could remove all subtle references to slavery in Article V and Article I, Section 9, Clauses 1 and 4. Article V obscurely states that slavery could not be prohibited until 1808. Instead of enduring a US constitution written in lawyer legalese, we could make it enjoyable for our children to read and understand.

Our current constitution makes it far too difficult to amend it. To amend the constitution it takes a ⅔ majority of both houses of the federal legislature or Congress, and then it has to be ratified by ¾ of the 50 states. Article V tells 2 ways to amend the constitution, but nowhere does Article V tell how to properly abolish the constitution--in an orderly, democratic, and fair way.

The only way that we can make it easier to amend the constitution and have the capability to properly abolish it is to pass a 28th constitutional amendment that totally rewrites Article V. It is very difficult to pass a constitutional amendment; however, the 26th amendment that makes it possible to vote at age 18 was passed in less than 4 months because it had universal appeal. People in the United States don't think much about Article V, and few people talk about the need for a new constitution. But a newly revised Article V, as described in the proposal below, could be the most liberating amendment to the constitution we have ever had.

Years ago I wrote my ideal of an Article V, and I wrote my ideal of what a new US Constitution should look like even though I am not a constitutional lawyer. Periodically I have revised those 2 documents, and I am certain they could be improved by constitutional scholars, historians, and from the input of others. So I will share below my ideal of a new Article V and my ideal of a new US Constitution. In my constitution, called the Third Constitution of the United States, I tell at the very end how it can be properly abolished to create the Fourth Constitution of the United States.

This is a Twenty-Eighth Amendment Proposal that Totally Rewrites Article V:

The New Article V For This Generation

Revised, March 8, 2021

Here is the current Article V of our Constitution which became operational in 1789 with the presidency of George Washington; it has now been operational for 232 years:

Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate. (End of Article V)

Here is a simplified explanation of Article V:

Simplified Article V: There are 2 ways that amendments to the constitution can be proposed. (First Method) Whenever ⅔ of both Houses shall consider it necessary to propose amendments to this constitution, or (Second Method) whenever ⅔ of the 50 state legislatures call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments. Either way, or in both cases, the amendments have to be ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures, or ratified by state conventions in ¾ of the 50 states. Congress will propose (or decide) the method of ratification. Amendment proposals to the Constitution can be made as long as they do not try to prohibit slavery before the year 1808. Every state has the right to have 2 senators. (End of Article V)

Article V as it is currently expressed in the constitution is the epitome of lawyer legalese. It is not enjoyable to read, but it could be. Article V makes it extremely difficult to amend the Constitution, and it does not show any proper way to abolish the Constitution when that is desired by The People. The constitution can be abolished in a democratic way. No violent revolution is necessary.

The Twenty-Eighth Amendment Proposal that Totally Rewrites Article V for the Current Constitution We Are Now Using

The New Article V For the Current Constitution

This New Article V will explain an easier, faster, and more democratic way to amend the current Constitution. This New Article V will also show how to abolish the current Constitution in an orderly way when The People desire it.

The U.S. government is currently changed whenever Congress passes new federal laws, and those laws are either approved or vetoed by the President.

Moreover, under the current constitution, whenever the United States Congress proposes a new amendment to the Constitution, it has to be first approved by 2/3 of Congress and then by 3/4 of the 50 state legislatures.

Two thirds of the states can also demand an Article V Amendment Convention, independent of the federal Congress, but in the history of the United States this method of adding new amendments to the Constitution has never yet been successful.

But when the time comes that We the People want to totally change the constitution and the government in major or radical ways, it will require a constitutional convention for the purpose of creating a new constitution for the nation.

Article V in our current Constitution pertains to making new amendments.

Though the Declaration of Independence states that we have the right to abolish the government (which usually requires a new constitution), there is no place in our current constitution that tells how to properly abolish it. The founding fathers or framers of the constitution apparently never thought that would be necessary. This was a mistake because without a lawful procedure for abolishing the constitution, it will only encourage a potentially violent revolution whenever the people are deeply dissatisfied with their government. We can prevent potentially violent revolutions. We can even create a constitution that plans 7 generations into the future.

To abolish the current constitution, there has to be a Constitutional Convention to rewrite it, and then it has to be ratified. But instead of having ¾ of the states ratify it, we could simply allow it to be ratified if 51 percent of the American people approve it in a referendum vote. Why not give more power to the people?

Having a lawful and orderly procedure for abolishing the constitution is just one reason why Article V needs to be changed. Another reason is that in the 21st century, everything is changing quickly. We need to make it easier to amend our constitution, and we need to make it possible to abolish the constitution. We can abolish the constitution in an orderly, fair, and democratic way whenever The People desire or demand it.

The first U.S. Constitution was the Articles of Confederation. Our current constitution is the second. If we now create a new constitution it will be the third constitution.

The New Way to Amend our Current (the Second) Constitution

Our current Constitution of the United States was written in 1787 and implemented in 1789. It is our second constitution. The Articles of Confederation was our first constitution. Below is the new way to amend our current second Constitution that we are still using.

Here is the change: To change the federal government by adding new amendments to the second Constitution, the United States Congress (including both the House and the Senate) must pass any proposed amendment to the Constitution with a ⅔ majority ( a majority of 66.7 percent in both Houses). After both Houses of Congress pass a proposed amendment with a 2/3 majority in each House, then the American people must ratify (or approve) any new proposed amendment with at least a 51 percent majority in a national referendum (The previous ratification by ¾ of the state legislatures is no longer required in this newly revised Article V).

How to Abolish the Current or Second Constitution

The Constitution is the supreme civil law of the land. A radically new constitution and government can be created by having a Constitutional Convention. If done properly in the way described here, it will be achieved in a fair, orderly, and democratic way.

The American people have a right to choose whether they want a new Constitution on a regular basis. Through their chosen representatives, an entirely new constitution can be written and adopted. Here is the procedure for having a Constitutional Convention to create a new constitution.

The 8-Month Timeline for Creating a New Third Constitution of the United States

Two weeks after a presidential election on the first Tuesday of November, the American people will vote again on the third Tuesday of November to decide if they want a constitutional convention. If American citizens say yes with a 51 percent majority, then they will have until January 14 to officially register with a national political party that truly expresses their values and worldview. Various websites describe all the major national political parties that voters can choose from.

Then during the last two weeks of January, no switching of parties can be made as the official membership count of all national political parties is determined by the National Elections Committee (NEC), which will be selected by a bipartisan Congressional panel initially. The NEC will know by the end of January which national political parties have at least one percent of the registered voters in the nation.

When the NEC determines which parties are the 7 largest national political parties, the current bi-partisan members of the NEC will no longer be needed because an entirely new set of executive directors of the NEC will be selected from the 7 largest national political parties. Each of the 7 largest national political parties will appoint one person to serve on the Executive Council of the NEC that takes over the operation on February 1.

The NEC will be responsible for counting and verifying the membership of national political parties. The NEC will guarantee that local election officials are impartial and professionalized. The NEC may use voting machines that are standardized, or it may decide on other fair methods that prevent dishonesty and corruption in voting.

Starting on February 1, and going till April 14 (for 2 1/2 months), the national political parties that represent at least one percent or more of the nation's registered voters will get official, equal, free, national public television exposure. These national political parties will be able to make public speaking presentations on a nationally publicized television program or station. They will also be allowed to give their written responses to standardized questions, not exceeding the maximum amount of words that the question allows. Each of the political parties will be allowed to share its party platform, any proposed national constitution, and various articles from its website.

It may be that there will be 10 to 20 different national political parties that garner at least one percent of the registered voters. No doubt analysts will emerge that compare and contrast the different parties.

Then during the last 2 weeks of April, there will be a second and final count of the membership of all the registered political parties. Voters will not be able to change parties during that time. Some voters will stay with the party they were registered with back in January, while others may switch and choose a new political party that better expresses their values and worldview--after hearing many speakers from several political parties.

At the end of April, when the count is completed, this is what could hypothetically occur. If the Constitution Party has 6 percent of all the registered voters in the United States, then there will be 6 Constitution Party delegates sent to the Constitutional Convention. If the Green Party has 9 percent of the registered voters, then there will be 9 Green Party delegates sent to the Constitutional Convention. If the Republican Party has 14 percent of the registered voters, then there will be 14 delegates from the Republican Party sent to the Constitutional Convention, and so forth.

On May 1, the Constitutional Convention delegates will meet at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. The 100 delegates will work for 2 full months, from May through June, to create a new constitution that 51 percent or more of the attending delegates must approve.

When the Convention first starts, each of the 7 largest national political parties will nominate one of their attending party delegates to be the potential chairperson of the Constitutional Convention. The 100 delegates will vote to elect one Constitutional Convention Chairperson from the slate of 7 potential candidates.

If delegates reach a 51 percent majority before the 2-month period elapses, they must use the remaining days of the 2-month timeframe to hear dissenting delegate voices in the constant effort to improve the document in order to get an even higher percentage of approval than 51 percent. If at any point 60 percent of the constitutional convention delegates approve a new document, they may choose to adjourn and go home before the maximum 2-month time limit has elapsed.

If only 50 percent or less of the delegates approve the new constitution after working on it for 2 months, then it becomes null and void, and the current, second constitution will continue to be official and valid. However, if the new constitution is approved with a 51 percent majority (51 delegates) by the end of June, then the American people must also approve or ratify the new document in a referendum vote on the second Tuesday of July with at least a 51 percent majority.

From the third Tuesday of November to the second Tuesday of July, it is roughly about 8 months. If the American voters approve or ratify the new document on the second Tuesday of July, it will not be implemented immediately. There has to be an election of new government officers, possibly on the first Tuesday of November, and when the new officers take office, possibly on January 20, the new government under a new third constitution will begin to be implemented.

(End of the 8-Month Timeline for Creating the Third Constitution)

During the Constitutional Convention, the proceedings will not be held in secret. Concerned citizens will also be allowed to express their opinions by voting yes or no on various proposals.

The US Congress, the President, or the US Supreme Court will not have the right to control or interfere with a Constitutional Convention.

There does not have to be any violent revolution to create a new government and constitution. The process can be done in a fair, democratic, and orderly way.

(End of this Twenty-Eighth Amendment Proposal that Rewrites Article V)

Third Constitution of the United States

Proposed by Roger Copple

Revised March 9, 2021

Preamble to the Third Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States of North America establish this Third Constitution to promote human rights, social justice, ecological wisdom, democracy, peace, and happiness for the citizens of our nation and also of the world.

It is hoped by the creator of this Third Constitution that United States citizens will choose to make this constitution subservient to the Earth Constitution: The Constitution for the Federation of the Earth or something similar to the Earth Constitution. It is truly foolish that in this modern age that many nations are spending half of their federal budgets for military defense and offense. That is the primary reason there is no peace on earth.

Racist and imperialist nations can seek forgiveness from those they have harmed. As a nation, let us ask the individuals and nations we have harmed in the past for forgiveness. As a nation, let us vow to promote world peace and happiness for every nation, for every person on earth, for every animal. Let us understand now that we are one world, one earth, one humanity.

The first US government without a constitution was the Second Continental Congress, in effect from 1775 to 1781; it fought a war, raised armies and a navy, and made treaties with foreign powers.

The first United States government with a constitution was under the Articles of Confederation, implemented in 1781. The second constitution was implemented with the presidency of George Washington in 1789, and now this Third Constitution will be the basis for the third constitutional government.

The Third Constitution of the United States

One of the aims of this Third Constitution is to preserve the best of the former constitution and government. It differs from the second constitution in the many ways that it empowers average Americans by making our democracy more inclusive and participatory, and by the fact that it now urges the American people to choose a truly democratic world government to resist the Great Reset of the undemocratic New World Order that currently controls our nation and the world's destiny.

Under this Third Constitution of the United States, there will be 435 Federal Legislators (the same number that was in the House of Representatives under the previous government), based on districts (including Washington D.C.) of equal population. The election of members to the new House of Federal Legislators, under the Third Constitution, will be based on the system of Proportional Representation. United States citizens can choose Federal Legislators from the 7 largest national political parties--each party will be empowered with the same rights and responsibilities.

The United States Senate, which existed under the former constitution has been eliminated in the new Third Constitution, which means that the new federal legislature will be unicameral not bicameral, and it will have 100 fewer federal legislators. All federal laws in this one-chambered Congress must be passed with at least a 51% majority.

Under the second constitution, California, whose population was about 70 times the population of Wyoming, unfairly had the same number of senators as Wyoming. The former undemocratic U.S. Senate has been abolished since it is not based on geographical districts that have an equal number of people.

The Third Constitution reduces the Supreme Court from 9 members to 7 members, and each member may serve an unlimited number of 4-year terms. Each of the 7 largest national political parties--not the President--will vote among themselves and choose a Supreme Court Judge.

The 7 Supreme Court Justices will be selected during the first Tuesday of November, and they will take office on January 20. Supreme Court Justices can serve for an unlimited number of 4-year terms if they are elected by the political party they represent, and if the political party they represent is still one of the 7 largest political parties.

The election of Federal Legislators will occur during the first Tuesday of November, and they will take office on January 20. They can serve an unlimited number of 4-year terms.

The election of the President will occur during the first Tuesday of November, and He or She will take office on January 20. The president can serve a maximum of two 4-year terms.

The Third Constitution eliminates the Federal Reserve, and has the Treasury Department oversee a National Public Banking System. The Treasury Department will be audited by the U.S. Congress.

This Third Constitution also eliminates the previous electoral college system for electing a President of the United States, choosing instead to elect the presidential candidate who gets at least 51 percent of the popular vote, based on the system of Ranked Choice Voting.

This Third Constitution is much shorter and easier to understand. The Constitution is not just for lawyers. Hopefully children will be able to read and understand it. The Third Constitution promotes honesty, fairness, and transparency at all levels of government. Average Americans will now feel more empowered to participate in political decision-making. As we create a truly democratic society, civics and citizenship will become supremely valued as never before.

How Proportional Representation Works

Voters in federal legislative districts will study and evaluate the platforms of the 7 largest national political parties. Each voter will choose just one political party that he or she most identifies with.

If the 7 largest national political parties are Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitution Party, Green Party, Socialist Party, and the Communist Party, then hypothetically the

federal legislature could contain the following percentages: 20% Republican, 20% Democratic, 15% Libertarian, 15% Constitution Party, 15% Green Party, 8% Socialist, and 7% Communist.

Indiana, for example, may have 10 federal legislative districts out of a total of 435 US federal districts. All Federal Legislators must live in the district of the state they represent.

The National Elections Committee

Under the Third Constitution, there will be a National Elections Committee whose 7 executive directors will come from the 7 largest national political parties. The National Elections Committee will guarantee that in every precinct of every county of every state that there will be impartial and professional election officials. The election officials at every poll will insure that uniform or standardized procedures of voting are established. The National Elections Committee will also verify and insure that the national political parties provide an accurate count of their actual numbers.

Equal Media Time for All Political Parties

Free television exposure will be offered to candidates of national political parties that garner at least one percent of the registered voters in the election of the President and Federal Legislators, but in the latter stages of electing a President or Federal Legislators, the presentations and debate will be limited to the 7 largest national political parties.

The Human Rights of United States Citizens

1. We The People have a right to vote on any Amendments added to this Third Constitution, and we also have a right to vote every four years on whether we want a constitutional convention to create a new national constitution. It will take a 51 percent majority to start the process of having a constitutional convention, in which representatives to the Convention will be selected using a system of proportional representation.

1. All individuals have freedom to speak and write about their personal, political, and spiritual beliefs. They may worship God through the religion of their choice, or they may choose ethical behavior or spiritual disciplines not based on any religion.

1. Government has powers granted to it as determined by the people's democratic decision making. Government must protect the human rights of each individual. The government must also represent the collective will of the people, as it is developed through the democratic process.

1. Government authorities must have probable cause to search our bodies, homes, cars, or any other property. What consenting adults do in the privacy of their homes or bedrooms that does not infringe on the property or the rights of others should not be the concern of our government. Thus, individuals have a right to privacy.

1. Property owners are entitled to a generous compensation if through eminent domain the government needs to seize the property for a higher, socially justifiable purpose, such as necessary road construction, for example.

1. No person shall be tried for a serious crime unless there is a Grand Jury indictment that states valid reasons for the upcoming court trial.

1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property unless there is due process (or fair procedures) in carrying out the law.

1. In all criminal cases and prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the district where the crime was committed.

1. In all criminal cases and prosecutions, the accused must be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.

1. In all criminal cases and prosecutions, the accused has a right to a counselor who may or may not be an attorney. The accused, or a counselor of the accused, may confront (or cross examine) all witnesses testifying against him or her.

11. In all criminal cases and prosecutions, the accused may require witnesses to testify if the witnesses have important information to share in the case.

12. Unless it is a minor charge (or a misdemeanor), citizens have a right to a trial by jury. Juries may determine a person's guilt or innocence, and if a person is found guilty, the jury may determine the sentence of the accused, as advised by the judge.

13. Excessive bail shall not be required of a person, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.

14. Citizens may choose where they want to live. Citizens may also visit any country they choose, including Cuba. If they choose to move to another country, they will not be dispossessed of their personal assets by our government.

15. The US Congress shall determine uniform policies regarding a citizen's possession, use, and registration of firearms.

ARTICLE I: The Legislative Branch of the Federal Government

Section I

All federal legislative powers shall be granted to the Federal Congress of the United States, which shall be a unicameral body consisting of Federal Legislators, also called Federal Representatives. There will be 435 separate congressional districts in the 50 states of the United States, including the District of Columbia, based on equal population. Congressional Legislators will be elected based on the system of Proportional Representation. Congressional members must pass bills with at least a 51% majority.

Section 2

All Federal Legislators of the United States Congress will be chosen for four-year terms that coincide with presidential terms of office. Federal Legislators may serve for an unlimited number of 4-year terms. The election of Federal Legislators will occur on the first Tuesday of November. They will take office on January 20.

Section 3

Each state will have at least one Federal Representative under the system of Proportional Representation, and the District of Columbia will also have at least one Federal Representative.

Section 4

When vacancies in the Federal Legislature occur because of sickness, death, or resignation, the state political party of the legislator can pick a new Federal Legislator.

Section 5

The Federal Representatives shall elect one of their own members to be the Speaker of the House at the start of every new term. The elected Speaker of the House will choose the chairpersons for the established committees. The chairpersons, in turn, shall select a diverse group of committee members.

Section 6

The Federal Legislators (or Federal Representatives) will be allowed to try, impeach, and remove any high-leveled federal officer in the legislature, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. Any officer impeached is also liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to the law.

Section 7

Federal Legislators do not have to be present at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to vote on bills, unless the Speaker of the Congress deems it necessary.

All debates among Legislators who are present at the Capitol Building will be televised for public viewing, and Legislators not physically present can participate in the discussions and debates by telephone or Zoom Conference. This protocol will allow the citizens to be as equally informed as lawmakers on all the issues. All bills must be written by elected members of Congress, not lobbyists. All bills must deal with one issue only. Every lawmaker must read every bill in its entirety.

The best arguments for and against a bill must be expressed in writing from various opposing political parties, and they must be made available to the public at least two weeks before there is a vote on a bill. Citizens of a district may electronically register their vote on a particular bill, and Federal Legislators should wisely consider input from their constituents. Citizens input on every bill as to whether or not they favor or oppose something, must be made publicly known to the Federal Legislators and to other citizens.

Representatives who do not abide by the will of their constituents will probably be replaced during the next election.

Section 9

The salaries of Federal Legislators will be three times the federal minimum wage, based on a 40-hour work week. Legislators cannot accept from corporate lobbyists any money, gifts, or fringe benefits at any time before, during, or after their tenure in office.

Section 10

Once Congress passes a bill, the President cannot veto it, if he or she disapproves of it. If a bill is agreed upon by 7 political parties that should be all that is necessary.

Section 11

Congress must strive to balance every budget and not engage in deficit spending, unless there is a national emergency.

Section 12

In all elections of Federal Legislators, the 7 largest national political parties (based on officially registered memberships) will have the same requirements, privileges, media access, and public financing as Republicans and Democrats had under the former government.

For example, if Indiana has 10 federal legislative districts, based on the latest national census, let us pretend for pedagogical purposes that based on the 7 largest national political parties to choose from, Indiana's 10 Federal Legislators will consist of the following: 4 Republicans, 3 Democrats, 1 Libertarian, 1 Constitutional Party legislator, and 1 Green Party legislator. Each of those 10 federal legislators must live in the district in Indiana that they represent.

Section 13

Federal legislators may be elected for more than one term to provide continuity and experience in government, after the corruption of money has been taken out of politics.

ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch of the Federal Government

Section 1

Executive power shall be invested in the President of the United States. His or her term of office will be four years, the same 4-year period in which Federal Legislators and Supreme Court Justices will be elected. The president will choose a Vice President who will serve in the President's absence. Presidents will be elected on the first Tuesday of November, and they will take office on January 20.

Section 2

A president cannot become president unless he or she wins at least a 51-percent majority of the popular vote, after using a system of Ranked Choice Voting.

The former Electoral College System for electing a president has been abolished.

Section 3

If a president resigns, dies, is impeached, or is unable to hold the office, then the vice president will replace him or her. If the vice president is unable to serve at that time, the order of succession will be the Speaker of the House of Federal Legislators, followed by the Secretary of State.

Section 4

The president's salary shall be 3 times the federal minimum wage. The president cannot accept money, expensive gifts, or fringe benefits from citizens or corporate lobbyists before or during his or her term of office. Such money or gifts would bias his or her decisions.

Section 5

The president shall be Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States and also of the National Guard of each state. The President is not required to wait for the approval of Congress

to deploy troops on a moment's notice for international or domestic conflicts if there is a national emergency that requires it.

Section 6

The president cannot make a declaration of war, unless 51 percent of the Federal Congress approves.

Section 7

All past executive orders or presidential directives made by presidents must be fully disclosed, explained, and clarified by the Congress. Congress must approve them with a 51 percent majority. Congress may also rewrite them. Then they can be added to the federal statutes.

ARTICLE III: The Judicial Branch of the Federal Government

Section 1

The Supreme Court, under the Third Constitution, will no longer have judicial review or judicial interpretation of federal legislation, but the Supreme Court may express its opinions to the Federal Legislature on various matters.

However, the Supreme Court will have judicial review and judicial interpretation regarding state legislation that possibly conflicts with the federal constitution. The Federal Congress, however, can annul any Supreme Court decision with a 51% majority.

Section 2

Under the Third Constitution, the Supreme Court will consist of 7 Justices-no longer 9. The 7 largest national political parties will each elect or appoint a Justice for the first Supreme Court. The 7 Supreme Court Justices will be selected on the first Tuesday of November by the 7 largest national political parties, and the 7 Justices will take office on January 20, at the same time that the new president and 435 federal legislators take office. The elected Justices will each begin a 4-year term of office. Supreme Court Justices may serve for an unlimited number of 4-year terms. If a Supreme Court Justice dies or resigns, the political party he or she came from will provide a new Justice.

Section 3

Currently there are over 850 federal judgeships in the United States. A term of office for a Federal judge will be four years. County legislatures will elect Federal judges during the first week of November. Federal judges may serve more than one term. Federal judges not assigned to a particular state will be selected by the Federal Congress. Federal judges may be impeached and removed by the legislative body responsible for selecting them with a 51 percent majority. There will continue to be two distinct federal and state judicial systems under the Third Constitution as there were under the second Constitution.

Section 4

In addition to the 12 Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal based on geographical areas, there will also be, as previously established under the second Constitution, the Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth Circuit, which will have national appellate jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as those involving patent law and those in which the United States is a defendant. The Court of International Trade, The Court of Federal Claims, and similar courts may appeal to this Thirteenth Circuit Court as they did under the previous federal government.

Section 5

The federal Supreme Court can also review and cancel State Supreme Court decisions and state laws if the federal Constitution is violated.

Section 6

States cannot be sued in federal courts of a foreign country.

Section 7

The Federal Congress with a 51 percent majority can make modifications in the structure of the Supreme Court and the federal court system. Congress will determine how much of the federal budget is needed to finance the Supreme Court and the federal court system.

Section 8

The job of the Supreme Court is to make judgments based on the Constitution and federal statutes, not to change or make new laws.

Section 9

Every individual must do what he or she promises to do by contract. An important role of the judiciary is to determine that legal contracts are honored.

Section 10

Government officials in any of the three branches of government will not have immunity from prosecution while they are in office.

Section 11

Every individual shall have equal justice under the law.

ARTICLE IV: States Desiring to Withdraw from the Country

A state cannot withdraw, or secede, from the rulings and protections of the United States government based on the stipulations of this Third Constitution. Too many problems would occur if various states started becoming sovereign nations.

ARTICLE V: Federal Protection of the States

Only Congress has the power to admit new states that desire to be united with our country. If one of the United States protectorates desires sovereignty, Congress will grant it because the days of colonialism are over. The federal government must protect the people of the states when there is an attack by foreigners. The federal government can assist a state governor if the governor's National Guard cannot handle an emergency situation.

ARTICLE VI: The National Debt Problem

The enormous national debt can be paid off in twenty years, largely through a 90% reduction in military spending and a progressive income tax that can ultimately reach 100%. When a nation repeatedly has annual deficits, it causes the national debt to skyrocket, which then puts a large burden on taxpayers of future generations.

ARTICLE VII: The National Census

The US Census will continue to be taken every ten years. Accurate statistics enable the government, private companies, and individuals to have a better understanding of the nation's demographics, which then promotes better planning for the future.

ARTICLE VIII: Approving Corporate Charters

County or municipal governments have the right to approve or revoke corporate charters and to impose taxes on corporations operating within their boundaries. They may revoke the charter of any private corporation in their district if they determine that a particular corporation does not serve the community or benefit the environment.

A corporation is not a natural person and should not have the same rights as a natural person. A corporation cannot make any financial contributions to any local, state, or federal government election campaign.

The federal congress or a state legislature can also revoke a corporate charter in a particular county if it considers the company is detrimental to surrounding counties within the state.

ARTICLE IX: An Alternative to the Federal Reserve

The former Federal Reserve System will be eliminated when the Third Constitution is implemented. Public Banking in the United States shall be organized and supervised by Treasury and audited by the US Congress.

ARTICLE X: The Primary Role of Government

The primary role of government is the protection of its citizens. Actions such as, murder, rape, robbery, pollution, theft, embezzlement, fraud, arson, kidnapping, battery, trespassing, harassment, and nuisance--violate the right of others. The government should investigate, prevent, and have consequences for individuals who engage in these types of illicit or illegal actions.

ARTICLE XI: The Need for Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus is a concept of law in which a person may not be detained by the government unless the government has a valid reason for putting that person in jail or prison. Even in a national emergency, an individual's right to Habeas Corpus should not be violated. Prisoners of war or alleged terrorists, foreign and domestic, must be given a fair trial.

ARTICLE XII: The Need for Social Security

The national Social Security System must not be cancelled. Some American citizens (because their employers did not offer pensions, or because of misfortune or unwise financial planning) will need monthly Social Security payments (money that they themselves paid into throughout their entire life-working history) in order to survive financially in their old age. The federal government does not have the right to take money from the Social Security fund for any other purpose than what the fund was designed for.

Article XIII: Keeping the Best of the Former Government

This Third Constitution does not attempt to totally eradicate the federal government under the previous Constitution, with all its former federal statutes and protocols. That would be foolish. Old policies, statutes, regulations, and protocols can be changed as needed to reflect the ever-changing new attitudes, beliefs, and values of the day.

ARTICLE XIV: A New Era of Honesty and Transparency

The wealth of individuals and of corporations must not be used to influence the political decision-making of voters. A new era of openness, honesty, and transparency in government, private business, the media, and foreign affairs is vital to our well-being. Moreover, it is also important that we are open, honest, transparent, and vulnerable in our interpersonal relationships.

ARTICLE XV: Income Tax Laws

Income tax laws should be simplified in ways that do not allow clever people to cheat the government. Individuals who earn the highest wages will not have wages that are more than 10 times the wages of the lowest-paid worker in a graduated income tax system. The Federal Legislators will determine how private corporations and possibly religious organizations are to be taxed.

ARTICLE XVI: Bottom-up Reorganization of the 50 State Governments: A Recommendation State governments will be encouraged to rewrite their state constitutions so that they are organized from the bottom-up, not the top-down: from the elementary school district (which would also be a voting precinct district) to the township level, up to the county level, up to the state level. Each level of legislative government can make, not just legislative decisions but also make executive and judicial branch appointments for that level. Elected legislators at each level may vote among themselves to send a legislator to the next level above it. This method is better than the previous system in which state and local citizens often voted a straight ticket for many officers from two parties for candidates whom they knew nothing about. States are also encouraged to consider direct democracy at precinct, township, city, and county levels of government. Here is an expanded explanation of how state governments can be reorganized.

ARTICLE XVII: How this Third Constitution Can Be Amended and How It Can Be Abolished When a Fourth Constitution Is Desired.

The United States government can be changed when the Federal Legislature passes new laws with a 51% majority. But the United States Government can also be changed by adding Amendments to the Third Constitution. Butto change the federal government completely and abolish this Third Constitution, there has to be a Constitutional Convention to rewrite a new constitution.

How to Add Amendments to the Third Constitution

To change the federal government by adding amendments to the Third Constitution, the United States Congress must pass any proposed amendment to the Third Constitution with a 60% majority. Then the American people must approve any new amendment with a 51 percent majority in a national referendum. The ratification of federal amendments by 3/4 of the state legislatures is no longer required.

How to Abolish the Current Third Constitution

The Constitution is the supreme civil law of the land. A radically new constitution and government can be created by having a Constitutional Convention. If done properly in the way prescribed here, it will be achieved in a fair, orderly, and democratic way. The American people have a right to choose whether they want a new Constitution on a regular basis. Through their chosen representatives, an entirely new constitution can be written and adopted. Here is the procedure for having a Constitutional Convention to create a new constitution.

The 8-Month Timeline for Creating the Fourth Constitution

Two weeks after every presidential election on the third Tuesday of November, the American people with a 51 percent majority can decide if they want a constitutional convention to create the Fourth Constitution.

American voters will have about 7 weeks till January 14 to officially register with a national political party that truly expresses their values and worldview. Various websites describe all the major national political parties that voters can choose from.

Then from January 15 till the end of January, no switching of parties can be made as the official count of all national political parties is determined by the National Elections Committee, which will be appointed by the 7 largest national political parties. Each of the 7 largest national political parties will appoint one person to serve on the Executive Council of the National Elections Committee.

The National Elections Committee will know by the end of January which national political parties received at least one percent of the national vote.

The National Elections Committee will be responsible for counting and verifying the membership of national political parties, and the National Elections Committee will guarantee that local election officials are impartial and professionalized. The National Elections Committee may use voting machines that are standardized, or it may decide on other fair methods of voting that prevent dishonesty and corruption.

Starting in the month of February and going to the end of March (a 2-month period), all the national political parties that represent at least one percent of the nation's voters will get official, equal, free, national public television exposure. These national political parties will be able to make public speaking presentations and will be allowed to participate in televised town hall meetings, on a nationally publicized television station. They will also be allowed to give their written responses to standardized questions, not exceeding the maximum amount of words that the question allows. Each of the political parties will be allowed to share their party platforms, any proposed national constitutions, and various articles from their websites.

Then during the first two weeks of April, there will be a second counting of registered voters in each political party. Party identifications cannot be changed during this time. As a result of this second counting, it will be determined that some voters will stay with the party they picked before the end of January, while others may choose a new political party that better expresses their values and worldview.

So after the second counting of party memberships, it will be announced on April 14 what are the national parties that captured at least one percent of the registered voters. So here is how the results could be hypothetically speaking:

If the Constitution Party gets 5 percent of the votes, then there will be 5 Constitution Party delegates sent to the Constitutional Convention that takes place for two full months during February and March. If the Green Party gets 9 percent of the votes, then there will be 9 Green Party delegates sent to the Constitutional Convention. If the Republican Party gets 14 percent of the votes, then there will be 14 delegates from the Republican Party sent to the Constitutional Convention, and so forth.

On May 1, the Constitutional Convention delegates will meet at the Capitol building in Washington D.C. The 100 delegates will work during May and June to create the best constitution that 51 percent or more of the attending delegates must approve.

When the Convention first starts, each of the 7 largest national political parties will nominate one of their attending party delegates to be the potential chairperson of the Constitutional Convention. The 100 delegates will vote to elect one Constitutional Convention Chairperson from the slate of 7 potential candidates.

If delegates reach a 51 percent majority before the 2-month period elapses, they must use the remaining days of the 2-month time frame to hear dissenting delegate voices in the constant effort to keep improving their document in order to get an even higher percentage of approval than 51 percent. If at any point 60 percent of the constitutional convention delegates approve the new document, the delegates may choose to adjourn and go home before the maximum 2-month time limit has elapsed.

If only 50 percent or less of the delegates approve any new constitution after working on it for 2 months, then it becomes void, and the current constitution will continue to be official and valid. However, if the new constitution is approved with a 51 percent majority by the end of June, then the American people must also approve the new document on the second Tuesday of July with at least a 51 percent majority in a referendum vote.

From the third Tuesday in November to the second Tuesday of July, it is roughly about 8 months. If the American voters approve or ratify the new document on the second Tuesday of July, the new constitution will not be implemented immediately. There has to be an election of new government officers, possibly on the first Tuesday of November, and when they take office, possibly on January 20, the new constitution will be implemented at that time.

(End of the 8-Month Timeline for Creating the Fourth Constitution)

During the Constitutional Convention process, the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention delegates must be publicized, and concerned citizens will be allowed to express their own opinions by voting yes or no on various proposals.

The US Congress, the President, and the US Supreme Court will not have the right to interfere with or control a Constitutional Convention. They can, however, express their opinions and recommendations in the process.

End of the Third Constitution of the United States

The framers of the US Constitution never told us how to properly abolish it. It is impossible to create a new national constitution in a democratic, orderly, and nonviolent way unless Article V of our current constitution is totally rewritten. A new Article V can also make it easier to amend our current constitution. Adding new amendments to our current constitution is an extremely difficult thing to accomplish. If this 28th Amendment Proposal to rewrite Article V is ever accepted, it will potentially be the most liberating amendment that has ever been added to our Constitution.

Roger Copple was a high school special education teacher of Algebra and English and after that a general education 3rd grade teacher. He retired in 2010 at age 60. His website World Without Empire.com contains articles he has written about spiritual politics. The website also shares links to information about yoga philosophy, mindfulness meditation, and Near-Death Experiences.