The next move, post Alito. (PLEASE READ)

[Meldread]

I have been giving things a lot of thought, and win or lose we need to start thinking about what will happen post Alito. I posted the idea of a Constitutional Amendment in another thread which received enthusiastic support, so I am reposting it here in this forum as well.

I believe that our next move should be to push for a Constitutional Amendment called the "Freedom to Privacy Amendment" or something there along those lines. Such an Amendment should ensure the American people the right to privacy from unwarranted government intrusion as well as the right to make personal moral decisions without government interference or intervention.

The purpose of this Amendment would be to prevent the Supreme Court from overturning Roe v Wade and recriminalizing sodomy. It would also make the spying Bush is conducting on American Citizens unequivocally illegal without a warrant.

Such an Amendment should draw support from all sorts, including Moderate Republicans who disapprove of the extremists on the religious right trying to enforce their beliefs on the general population.

I believe that this is the ONLY way to TRULY protect American Citizens and ensure that our Freedoms remain protected. I've never asked this before, but I am going to do so now: If you believe in this idea please recommend this thread and keep it kicked so that everyone can see it. When you call your representative in Congress to oppose Alito demand that this be the next item on the agenda. This is the ONLY way that our basic freedoms and liberties can be protected from the extremists on the religious right. Write to all the progressive blogs and get them talking about this idea so that, if the worst happens and Alito is nominated, we can prevent him from doing long lasting damage to this country.

[back2basics909]

1. I think..

..this is a great idea, for many reasons. This would get bi-partisan support. The libatarians would like it, it would be hard to defeat.

[havocmom]

2. Or we could insist Congress enforce the Bill of Rights as it is now

Make them do their fucking job.

[Meldread]

3. To my knowledge...

There is no Bill of Right ensuring privacy and protection from the government legislating a certain brand of "morality". There is also no Bill of Right ensuring protection from being unjustly spied on by the Government. Yes, what is being done is still illegal, but the fact of the matter is it is not a RIGHT of the American people.

This Amendment should draw wide public support and therefore should be pursued.

[havocmom]

7. LOL I'm still waiting on ERA

It is not the way to manage law enforcement. FISA is clear. Warrant required. Waiting for a Constitutional amendment? Good luck.

Women STILL are not guaranteed equality. Think we have that kind of time on this issue when there are already laws on the books the junta could be convicted of breaking? Hells bells bush ADMITTED it was illegal.

[Meldread]

8. I think you are missing the point.

First and foremost it will be a popular amendment that will be highly supported. Second it will force Republicans to take a stand on issues of privacy and personal choice in the 2006 elections. Even if they voted against it, it puts them on record, and it will anger Moderate Republicans and Civil Libertarians which could further swing some seats toward the Democrats in especially close elections.

It is the equivalent of forcing Congress to vote on a Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage. They know it'll lose, but it forces them to go on record. It's win-win for the Democratic Party. If it passes then it's great for the country, and if it fails it causes Republicans to lose face with the American people.

[havocmom]

9. LOL No, I am not missing the point. What is the arguement against ERA?

There isn't one! But it still has not been ratified. My daughter is now older than I was when they first tried to get it through.

You miss the point that we don't have time to tinker with the Constitution. We can't even defend the one we already have. THAT is job one.

Look again at the process. It is not something you do in a weekend, a month, a year...

We don't have that kind of time.

Spend your energy trying to get your reps to force the junta to obey the laws already on the books NOW. Or hound them to impeach for violations of the law. We don't have time for amending the grand design. That is a windmill even I won't tilt at.

And this thread might not be ignored. Might be everybody is busy calling their reps and trying to save what we already have. Since it's late, you can always email Senators.

An amendment to ban gay marriage is a hot button wedge issue to get the fundies' knickers in a twist. NO equivalent at all.

Defend the Constitution we have NOW for the time being. We'll talk fine tuning things once the nation is out of the grave peril it faces TODAY

[Meldread]

10. There is no reason that we cannot do it all.

I just fail to see the reasoning behind that we can only accomplish one thing at a time. Do we defend what we have in place in the Constitution? OF COURSE! What would be the point of trying to add an Amendment to a document that is worthless? Can we strive to make the government obey the laws already on the books? OF COURSE! In fact, that is why you place it into the Constitution so that it becomes THE HIGHEST LAW. Any law passed by congress can be overturned by the Supreme Court. Even if Alito doesn't make it (highly unlikely) Bush will elect another appointment. Then another, and another... and he has roughly three years to keep on doing it. Do you expect every single last one to be filibustered? At best we can hope for a "moderate" like Sandra, but the fact of the matter is she really isn't a moderate at all - she is only a moderate in today's political climate where the country has moved so far to the right.

So, then, what are we left with? The Constitution. The only thing that cannot be easily tampered with. It'll take time, it is true, it is a long process - but the fact of the matter is it is a process that is completely worth it especially in this case, and as we fight for that Amendment we can also do all of the things you've listed plus more.

[AX10]

4. Where do I sign up?

:kick:

[Meldread]

5. Kick

:kick:

[Meldread]

6. *sigh* Kick

Yet another lame (and perhaps futile) attempt to get this thread noticed.

:kick: