Search This Blog

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Twenty-seventh Amendment

Amendment XXVII



"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 states that the salary of Congress cannot change until the next term 
of office for representatives of Congress.


Killing all the Rich Monsters






Comment:

The author of this video/slide show, explains the history of the Twenty-seventh Amendment in a way even a child could understand, in the form of a fairy tale. I don't know if I would consider all Congressman monsters, but it is some what of a conflict of interest, that the people who receive the raise are the same ones who decide the amount. There is no other instances in the business world where this would happen. On the contrary, if Congressman receive a generous but reasonable salaries it may keep them more honest and then we could place tighter restriction on campaign funds.


Congressman Mitchell Addresses the House about Stopping the Automatic Congressional 2011 Pay Raise








Comment:


I completely agree with Congressman Mitchell. I don't think it is fair that with high levels of unemployment and,  with some people even taking pay cuts, that congress would get an automatic pay increase. We are in an economic crisis and we should spend conservatively. It makes me wonder if many of the Congressman are there because they really want to help the states they represent or are they there because of the money? This is a time of recession and if other people in the country have to adjust to live with the salary that they have right now so should Congress.

The Twenty Sixth Amendment

Amendment XXVI




"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 power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."


 This Amendment changed the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. Goverment stated that if the young Americans could go to war at age 18 then they should be awarded by being able to vote at age 18.

Repealing the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution



Nov 27, 2010 Michael Streich

American conservatives view the 18-year-old vote as too liberal and influenced by university professors that support the Democratic Party.

In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted, extending voting rights to all citizens that are 18 years of age on the day of the election. The so-called “youth vote” has, however, been token and only became noticeable in the presidential election of 2008, helping to propel Barack Obama to the White House. Similar efforts to revitalize that youth vote in the 2010 midterm election failed, but this has not stopped some commentators like Ann Coulter from calling for a repeal of the 26th Amendment.

Reasons to Repeal the 26th Amendment are Politically Motivated

Lowering the voting age to 18 was directly linked to the Vietnam War. Young men putting their lives on the line should have a say in who makes the policies that sent them into war zones, according to legislators of that time. A New York Times item on the youth vote, however, paints a bleak picture (October 10, 2010). According to Amanda Cox, “…in the last two midterm elections, only one in four people under age 30 voted…”
But conservative writers like Ann Coulter fully believe that when young people vote, they tend to vote for liberal causes and candidates; hence, her call to repeal the 26th Amendment. Many of Coulter’s reasons appear valid, but are only half right. Coulter, for example, states in her November 10, 2010 column (Human Events) that “Eighteen-to 26-year-olds don’t have property, spouses, children or massive tax bills.
But Coulter forgets that property qualifications, long part of segregation policies in the South, were used to deny voting rights. If voting is to be based on property qualifications, only the rich would have the privilege. Property qualifications in voting rights ended with Jacksonian Democracy

Youth Brains and Legal Considerations

Coulter raises a concern being heralded within the educational field: “Brain research in the last five years at Dartmouth and elsewhere has shown that human brains are not fully developed until age 25…” She notes that the affected areas include decision making, “rational thinking, judgment…”
Brain research on teens references the development of the frontal lobe. The same can be said of many senior citizens suffering from the early affects of Alzheimer’s disease, however. At what point does the state preclude voting rights based on brain research?
Socrates was condemned to death for corrupting the youth of Athens. The example reminds readers that young people have always been the voices of change and reform. During the Vietnam War, college students protested and even died, as at Kent State in May 1970. In 1989, Chinese tanks confronted young university students in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Most recently, student riots in Great Britain in November 2010 protested government increases in university tuition (CNN, November 24, 2010)

Legally, anyone at the age of 18 can sign a valid, legal contract. All the laws of privacy and confidentiality disclosures apply to 18 year olds, which is why colleges and universities refuse to release any student information to parents without written consent signed by the student.
In most states, committing a crime at the age of 16 means that the perpetrator will be tried as an adult. The law recognizes eighteen year olds as adults in every respect. Why should they be denied the right to vote?

The Student Vote is Viewed as Liberal

A December 21, 2007 article in the Chronicle of Higher Education (Government and Politics, Volume 54, Issue 17, page A1) notes that, “…Barack Obama is the clear favorite of academics…” An accompanying chart discloses that Harvard University, Stanford University, and Columbia University represented pro-Democratic donations of over 80%. This type of data enrages the American conservative right who use it to postulate that liberal professors unduly influence impressionable students.
One Community College student, commenting on Ann Coulter’s column for a class assignment, wrote that, “I’m twenty years old and in the 2008 presidential election I was eighteen but my frontal lobe was developed enough at this point to be smart enough to vote for neither Republican or Democrat but rather for the Libertarian candidate.”

Repealing the 26th Amendment is Problematic

Ann Coulter wasn’t even a teenager when the 26th Amendment was adopted, but she benefited from it once she turned 18. Repealing amendments has become a popular theme in the last two years. Republicans that seek to reform immigration policy want to repeal the 14th Amendment. Senator-elect Rand Paul favors repealing the 17th Amendment and is joined in this view by several Tea Party leaders. (The Hill, June 2, 2010)
The same reasons given for the 1971 adoption of the 26th Amendment are valid today. As long as 18-year olds are considered legal adults, they should be allowed to participate in the political process, all the more so given that currently enacted laws will affect them and their children for decades.

Source: Repealing the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution http://www.suite101.com/content/repealing-the-twenty-sixth-amendment-to-the-constitution-a314012#ixzz17ZyqTsBF


Comment:
This article talks about some people wanting to repeal the Twenty Sixth Amendment. I do not think it is fair, if people can go to war at age 18 why not let them vote? If they think that being 18 is too young and they can get influenced by other people, why don't they take that in consideration also when they send them to war? I think a person at age 18 is responsible enough to know and decide who they are going to vote for. Yes younger people might rather the liberal party or believe more what they see on TV, but that is part of growing up. I don't think many politicians do not realize how much those guys who are only 18 years old do for us, they fight for their country, they risk their lives every day and giving them the right to vote should be just a given.

Twenty-sixth Amendment Certification Ceremony 



Comment:

This is a video from the moment when the Twenty-sixth Amendment was ratified, giving the younger people the right to decide who they want to become President of the United States. I liked when 3 of those 18 year old got to sign the ratification. I completely agree with this Amendment. I hope it does not get repealed and if they want to repeal the right for an 18 year old to vote, then they should also stop sending 18 years old to war.

The Twenty-fifth Amendment

Amendment XXV



"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."

The Twenty Fifth Amendment states the procedures of the President withdrawing from his position or in case of death or disability the the Vice President would take the position of the New President of the United States of America. It also state who would take the position of the Vice President. The Twenty Fifth Amendment is a  more detailed list of who is next in the Presidential succession.


The West Wing - Twenty Five




Comment:

I have never seen this show, but from this clip it seemed like an interesting one. This clip shows us what would happened if the President decided to withdraw from his position. In this case and I am not very sure why the new President became the Speaker of the house. I am assuming that for some reason the Vice President could not take the position because, according to the Twenty Fifth Amendment the Vice President is the next in line for the Presidency and after the Vice President decided or for some reason could not take the charge then its when the Speaker of the House becomes President. Maybe I will need to find more videos and find out what happened.


 
White House seeks to remove Obama from Presidency via the 25th Amendment , unfit to hold office


 


Comment:

Until I saw this video I had no idea that there were some people wanting to remove President Obama from office. I know the situation in the US is not getting any better and it won't get better from one day to the other, but is this all President Obama fault? This is something that has being happening for a while now and it takes time to get better. With this I am not saying that I support President Obama in all the things he is doing, but I don't know if there is enough reason to remove him from office.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Tweny-fourth Amendment

Amendment XXIV




"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 states that all citizen have the right to vote for President and Vice President or any other election and they cannot be denied of this right making poll taxes prohibited for both state and federal elections. This Amendment was ratified in 1964

RACHEL MADDOW - THE NEW POLL TAX - PAYING TO VOTE






Comment:

This video starts by talking about the taxes people use to pay which discriminated against the poor people. Now the tax is not longer in effect, however having to wait in line for hours is similar to having to pay a poll tax, because it discriminates against those who are unable to wait in line. This could be for reasons of physical conditions, related to age or financial condition due to ones employment circumstances.

MyLatinoNews.com - GOP Pursues Poll Tax




Comment:

This is a funny and interesting video. Before people used to pay taxes to vote and this lead to discrimination, because not everybody could afford  to pay the taxes. Mario Solis-Marichi talkes about how the GOP wanted to pass a law where voters had to present their passport at the moment of voting, and this would also lead into discrimination, since older people, disable and minorities would not be able to vote.

The Twenty-third Amendment

Amendment XXIII



"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 by appropriate legislation."

This Amendment gave the right to the residents of the District of Columbia to vote for president and Vice President. This Amendment was ratified by the states on March 29th, 1961.

Senator Akaka on DC Voting Rights




Comment:

I completely agree with Senator Akaka. I ma not sure if it is still an issue today for the residents of DC to be able to vote in the presidential election, and if it is then I believe that they should have the right like any other citizen of the United States. Just like Senator Akaka mention in the video, they are also paying taxes like any other person, in this country. I don't think it is fair not to count them when it should be the complete opposite since they also happen to live in the capital of this country.

Keep fighting for voting rights

By Ilir Zherka, Washington
Ben Pershing’s Nov. 28 article, “For D.C. voting rights, window appears closed,” offered an overly pessimistic view of Washington’s future.
If recent elections have taught us anything, it is that such bold, blanket predictions regarding the political future are almost always incorrect. None of us knows what lies in store for the next two years, much less the next 10.
“D.C. voting rights is dead” — that is what was said after the House failed to take up a bill in 2006 and after senators filibustered in 2007. After each of those setbacks, we regrouped and pushed forward. Each time the bill was “resurrected” from the ashes, it had more votes in support than it had before.
But we must also remember this fight is about more than voting rights. Equally important is defending and expanding home rule to give D.C. residents the full democracy all other Americans enjoy. While the District has not yet obtained a full vote in the House, it has made many other significant advances.
Congress finally passed the District’s budget without riders limiting home rule. The District was able to implement long-delayed public health programs, serving its constituents as needed like every other local jurisdiction in the nation. This success is a direct result of the collective work of the D.C. democracy movement.
We must defend this progress in the next Congress. In June, a Post editorial stated that “fighting for voting rights is hard. That isn’t reason to give up.” DC Vote, along with our partners in Congress and the D.C. government, will not give up. We will keep fighting every fight that will bring Washington closer to full democracy.

Source: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-opinions/2010/12/keep_fighting_for_voting_right.html

Comment:

This article is also in favor of the voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia.  I believe as I sad in my post above that all the citizens of the United States regardless to where they live, that they should be counted equally. There is a reason for this Amendment, because WE THE PEOPLE are one nation, and we all have the same rights and we all should be counted equally.

Monday, December 6, 2010

The Twenty-second Amendment

Amendment XXII



"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 Amendment sets a term limit for the President of the United States, stating that a President cannot be elected for a third term. He or she can only serve for two terms. Congress passed the amendment on March 21, 1947 and  it was ratified by the requisite number of states on February 27, 1951.

Obama: plans to be in office "8-10 years" - Moving to Repeal 22nd Amendment?





Comment:

According to this video it seems and maybe President Barack Obama made a mistake when he said that he was planning on meeting with the other president for the next ten years. This does lead into a misunderstanding making ourselves ask if he will repeal the Twenty second Amendment. In the United States only one President served for more than two terms, Franklin D Roosevelt. I don't think that on this time something like this would happened. I am sure if Obama would like to change the Constitution many people in the US would be against it.

The 22nd Amendment Could Destroy This Country

The Twenty-first Amendment

Amendment XXI



"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 repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, putting an end to prohibition in the United States.

Budweiser Prohibition Repeal Announcement



Comment:

After the Eighteenth Amendment got repealed, many people in the US celebrated what it is know as the end of prohibition. This video shows us how one of the biggest and most important beer companies in the US Budweiser sent a press message celebrating the end of prohibition. They also state that thanks to this Amendment many men went back to work improving the economic situation in the United States.

Prohibition Ended!



Comment:

This video is also a celebration toward the end of prohibition. They also say that with this new era more men will be back to work improving the economy. No more military busting the barrels of rum, the night clubs re-opened, the bars were opened and everybody who wanted to drink could do it right away.

The Twentieth Amendment

Amendment XX


"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 sets out the basic administrative type items for the Government. I think it is kind off funny how this Amendment says that congress shall meet at least once a year. I hope for the salary they get they make it to more than one meeting. And it also specifies that in case of something happening to the President elect for any reason then the Vice-President would become the new President of the United State.  The Twentieth Amendment was ratified on January 23, 1933.

Death of the President Elect, what happens if he dies before swearing in?



Comment:

This video talks about the rare instances of the President Elect passing away, prior to the electoral college meeting in December. The narrator talks about the possible options, but regardless the Vice -President elected would become the new President.  
The only variable outcome would be if he then gets to choose his new Vice-President or the electoral college makes the decision.

Franklin Roosevelt's first Inaugural Address 1 of 2



Comment:

This is a video of President Franklin D Roosevel inaugural speech. He was the first President Inaugurated on January 20th, a change made by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and also this was the first time the Vice President was Inaugurated outdoors on the same platform with the President.

The Nineteenth Amendment

Amendment XIX



"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."

This Amendment finally gave the right for women to vote in 1920. Saying that this right shall not be denied for any reason, and shall be accepted in the whole country of the United States of America.

Women's Rights



Comment:

This video, shows us the importance of making woman's rights legal. I do not understand why it took so long for the Government to finally pass this Amendment, but I guess it's better late than never. Women have being a very important addition to this country and the rest of the world. It is very sad and upsetting to see how other countries still don't realize this.

Blanche Lincoln: Celebrating the 19th Amendment




Comment:

It took many years for women to be recognize in the United States  Women are part of the US history starting by  Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas who was the first woman in the Senate. 90 years later we remember this important moment for all women in the United States. Even thou this video is more like a political campaign it has very interesting historical moment that should be remembered by all of us. 

The Eighteenth Amendment

Amendment XVIII



"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."

This Amendment was adopted in 1920 and prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. This Amendment later got repeal in 1933 by the Twenty-First Amendment of the Constitution.

Prohibition: To Drink or Not to Drink




Comment:

This is a very interesting video, where it explains when the Eighteenth Amendment passed and how eventually it got overturned. This relates very much to today's case with some illegal drugs the ones that some people want to become legal. In my personal opinion I think that having alcohol is not bad but other drugs I don't think it is necessary since many people misuse them and they can cause some bigger problems.

1920's Anti-Alcohol Commercial



Comment:

This is a commercial from the 1920's when alcohol was prohibited. The church and Christian groups were the main supporters of this cause. IN this video the preacher uses the little girl as the reason for not to drink. Putting alcohol as something very bad for our kids and the society.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Seventeenth Amendment

Amendment XVII



"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election  to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."
This Amendment says that each state gets 2 senators, the ones that will be elected by the people who lives in the state, instead of being appointed by the state legislature. The Senators are elected for a six year term. If a Senator leaves the office before they finish their term for any reason then the governor of the state will appoint someone to cover the position.
What's Wrong with the 17th Amendment?




Comment:

Like the video said the Seventeenth Amendment seemed to be more democratic by allowing voters to elect senators directly rather than being appointed by the state legislation. However this takes some of the powers away from the states, and it wasn't the intended purpose of the Founding Fathers.

Buck Said He Supports Repeal of 17th Amendment



Comment:

According to this video, many people in office are against the Seventeenth Amendment, since this Amendment has beeing misunderstood. The power as I said in my post above, is taking the power away from the states, and this is the cause for wantingto repeal the Seventeenth Amendment.

The Sixteenth Amendment

Amendment XVI



"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration"

This Amendment gives Congress the power to collect and impose taxes on income from any source this income may come, without apportioning it to the states.

Schoolhouse Rock - Tax Man Max




Comment:

This is a funny video, that explains in a nice and sweet way that all the money we get is gone because of taxes, also if we want to use our utilities we not only pay for unisng thme but also we pay taxes o them.  The government states that the collection of taxes is to improve the schools, roads, and other public services. I understan we have to pay taxes but sometimes taxes are a bit to much.

3 Great Reasons to Pay Your Taxes (or Else)!



Comment:

This is a funny video, the two first ones very funny. This pretty much says that we all need to pay our taxes, even fampus and rich people becuase even them got o jail, or their career goes to and end.

The Fifteenth Amendment

Amendment XV



"Section 1. 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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation"

This Amendment gives the right to all citizens of the United States to vote, and they cannot discriminate them due to their race, color, or any other reason.

President Lyndon Johnson - Speech on Voting Rights




Comment:

In this speech President Johnson says that no one shall be denied of their right to vote. He says that all the problems in the United States are "not a white problem, or a black problem, it is an American problem" meaning that the problems Americans face is responsibility of all the Americans as a one.

Emancipation and the New Black Vote



Comment:

This video, explains how important was for the black people, to finally get their right to vote. How they felt after their first time voting and how this was the beginning of a new life for all those who lived under the slavery and discrimination.

The Fourteenth Amendment

Amendment XIV

"Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

This Amendment in section one, states that all person who was born in the US is a citizen of the United States and the state where he/she was born.  The states do not have the right to deny their privileges.  Also the state shalll not punish them without a proper trial.
Section two states that the number of representatives for the house of representatives will be determined for each state by the number of people that lives in the state, not counting Indians who did not pay taxes. Also, any male above the age of 21 be restricted the right to vote for any reason beyond rebellion or an act of crime, then the basis of the representation will be reduced solely to those who were given the capacity to vote in that state.
Section 3 states that no person can hold any elected office under the United States of America if they've committed any sort of felony, act of rebellion against the United States, or assisted the enemies of the United States.
Section 4 states that the validity of the debt of the United States treasury will not be questioned, but the United State will not pay any debt made in the assistance of rebellion against the united states, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of slaves.
Section 5. Congress has the power to enforce what is written in this amendment.

Bye! Bye! Fourteenth Amendment



Comment:

This amendment says very clear that ALL people born in this country shall not be denied of their citizenship from the country and state where they are born.  I do not think it is fair that just because the parents of the baby are not from the USA shall be denied from their rights.  I completely agree with the reporter saying that this act is discriminatory against the new born. 

NEED TO KNOW | In perspective: Dred Scott and the Fourteenth Amendment | PBS



Comment:

The Fourteenth Amendment states that all those born in the USA have all the rights allow to a citizens, it does not say that if the parents of that person are original from a different country they should be denied from their rights. At some point in each of our family origins our ancestors could came illegally and they had kids and you are all citizens today, so wouldn't it be fair to go back and denied their citizenship as well?  

Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Thirteenth Amendment

Amendment XIII



"Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

This Amendment declares that slavery and/or involuntary servitude is illegal. Giving all the slaves their freedom, except as punishment for a crime. It was adopted on December 6, 1865.

Barrack Obama "Thirteenth Amendment" / Slavery



Comment:
This is a very nice video, where it explains how the freedom of the slaves took place, how this was the beginning of a new area, and it did not only gave more opportunities for black people, but also for all the races that now live in the United State

Slavery and the Founding Fathers



Comment:
This video explains to us the original purpose of the Founding Fathers, which was making clear that ALL the people of the United States are equal.  But unfortunately many people did not agree with this.  After many years of suffering finally the slaves got their freedom and the opportunity for a new life.