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.

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

By Michael Pomper

Here we go again. Another reason for Americans to be afraid of this administration and do anything peacefully necessary to get this President and all the far left followers he has out of office. Or to at least begin to listen to the American people. The 22nd. Amendment to the US Constitution which limits the amount of time one person can serve as President to two terms or a maximum of ten years. In 1951 a bill was passed putting the 22nd. Amendment into law, limiting terms in office to two, four year terms plus two years if you were put into office by means other than a vote such as the case with Gerald Ford when President Nixon was impeached.
What would this mean and how could Obama make this happen? Right now, President Obama has another issue he is dealing with. That issue is illegal immigration. How could he use this to his advantage? Just think of the gratitude the immigrant community would have for the President if all of a sudden he rewarded them for coming here illegally by automatically giving them all citizenship.
The President would have a huge benefit to his Presidency by having all illegal immigrants so grateful, they would use their new found freedom to vote and cast that vote in favor of Obama. Not only would he get that vote, he would also get the vote of all the family members associated with their once illegal relatives.
This is another issue we Americans need to pay close attention to. You will see fraudulent groups out there spending yours and my tax dollars to get this passed anyway they can in order to keep Obama in office so they can continue their illegal operations without any consequences for squandering our tax dollars for their personal agenda. We cannot let that happen. This President is destroying this country at a rapid rate, far more excelled with spending our money than any other President in US history.
Has anyone noticed how many issues have been on the table with this administration? Foreign affairs,(Speeches apologizing for the US), Economy which includes auto, housing, banks etc... Health care,Global Warming, Illegal Aliens, Iraq, Iran, N.Korea,Russia to name a few. I could go on but I will be here all night long listing the things Obama is dealing with. The biggest problem is that he seems to want to do everything all at the same time. Why? His agenda is socialism. He can't afford to wait for people to realize how bad his plans are for this great country, and that it is destroying the country right in front of our eyes.
It is crucial that we start to understand just how urgent it is for us to do something about it right now. Plan now to get the word out that those we voted for to represent us, have sold out and do not represent our best interests any longer and it is time for them to go.
As I have mentioned in the past,The President has a habit of showing urgency to push one of his policies through to the point of not giving enough time to read these enormous bills with thousands of pages. The President is again trying to push two bills through.The Health Care plan and the Cap and Trade. These may not be on the table to be set in stone yet, even with the Cap and Trade passing through the House, It still needs to go through the Senate and if those Politicians want to continue their careers, it would be wise for them to vote no.
These are what we need to pay attention to. President Obama has been in office just over five months now and look at what he has done so far. It is ludicrous what is happening in Washington. The President continues to defend his policies, but his approval is declining. That shows that Americans strongly want to see a shift in the policies of this administration.
One reason this country has been able to remain strong over the years is the ability to ensure a new President within a reasonable amount of time so we don't get stuck in a situation that is going on with other politicians such as the Kennedy's, Barney Frank to bring up a couple names from the State I grew up in. It's this kind of politics that breed corruption, and we cannot let this continue or get worse, by allowing a President to manipulate the system in his favor.
So in conclusion, we Americans need to make sure we preserve the 22nd. Amendment as it is written, to keep our government from becoming a dictatorship. It's scary, but this concept is not too far off base the way things are going. Don't let the 22nd. Amendments demise happen and destroy this countries tradition.

Michael Pomper An American Citizen concerned for the very freedoms we have enjoyed for over 230 years and counting...

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-22nd-Amendment-Could-Destroy-This-Country&id=2554248

 

Comment:

 

In this article the author states that for many reason that are happening right now in the US President Obama would be thinking about repealing the Twenty-second Amendment. The author also says that if he does get to repeal the Amendment he would get many votes from the illegal immigrants if he gets them to solve all the problem that they are facing at the moment. I don't think Obama is planning on repeal the Amendment and even if he is I don;t think he would get elected and for many reasons I don't think he would even get to win a second term.

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.