《The American Dream: An Alternate, Time-Travel Timeline》Chapter 47: Drafting the Constitution
Advertisement
Philadelphia, United States of America
September 16th, 1776
“A well-armed Populace, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Does that sound better?” Jefferson asked his colleagues.
John Adams frowned and looked at the text written on the parchment, “A bit more specific than the "other" Second Amendment, but perhaps it’s better to make this Amendment more specific in order to prevent confusion in the future.”
A group of men was in one of the private rooms of the Pennsylvania State House. Five delegates were assigned to the framing of the Constitution and all of them but Madison were the original authors of the Declaration of Independence, with only Franklin missing due to his current duties in France. James Madison was invited by Jefferson personally and was introduced into the Watchmen Society, the official name of the organization that consisted of those that knew of General Kim's secret. Originally, James Madison was bewildered at the sudden invitation to be one of the authors of the Constitution but realized the reasoning behind the invitation after learning of his history in the other world. They were tasked with crafting a new and improved Constitution, that would then be presented to the other delegates and further debated upon.
"We should take into consideration the evolution of culture and weaponry over time, which is why I reasoned that we shift the wording. The term "militia" was considered outdated in modern times due to the presence of a standing military and the "National Guards" of each state," Jefferson stated.
"Perhaps there should be an extension to this amendment to recognize the need for some governmental regulations regarding weaponry, especially the transport of weapons in and out of states," Madison suggested.
Jefferson looked at his fellow Virginian for a few moments and wrote on a separate piece of parchment, "A fine suggestion, but the text will need to be crafted carefully. Too many governmental regulations will result in a tyrannical government in the future."
"This much more tiring than I expected," Robert R. Livingston, a lawyer from New York, mentioned as he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, "I expected the process to be much easier since we had the entirety of the Constitution already written out for us, but there are numerous changes that are critically needed."
Advertisement
Roger Sherman, the fifth delegate in the room who was also a lawyer by trade and originally from Connecticut, placed down a copy of the "other" Constitution onto a nearby table and looked at the other delegates, "It's fairly simple; we have incredible foresight on the problems that this Constitution faced in the "other" America's history. While they did the best they could with the original Constitution and modified it sparingly, they were numerous other problems with the Constitution that politicians were unwilling to change or modify due to their own interests. However, since we know what the problems are, we are able to do our best to fix them. In essence, we are tearing down chunks of the other Constitution and replacing it with "improvements," so to speak."
"We have been working on this for nearly a month now, yet we have just barely reached the Bill of Rights," Jefferson muttered, "But thank heavens that we have managed to finish the "core" of the Constitution."
Article I was modified in several different ways. Slaves were considered as "one person," but all slaves were to be freed twenty years after the ratification of the Consitution. Afterward, a "sunset" policy would go into effect, banning slavery in total across the United States. "Gerrymandering" or the manipulation of district boundaries to favor a certain party or class, was to be illegal in every shape and form and a nonpartisan committee was to draw the district lines fairly and without bias. The Habeas Corpus was only to be suspended in times of rebellion, not during wars. Term limits were to be established for every elected federal and state positions (with the basis being four years, barring Senators and Representatives). The maximum number of terms for Senators (only federal) would be three, while the maximum number of terms for Representatives would be six. In total, a Congressman could only serve in Congress for twenty years maximum. A "Delaware" Rule was to be implemented in order to designate the number of seats in the House of Representatives, with the lowest populated state serving as the number of people represented by one representative. However, there were talks to potentially implement the “Cube Rule” to allow Congress to grow more “naturally.” The redistribution of House seats was to be implemented every twenty years after a national census was taken (the census would be every ten years). Organized territories (with 10,000 settlers or more) were granted one representative in the House of Representatives until their statehood. Congress had to power to levy income taxes when that option became available (the official deal with the other delegates was that tariffs, in turn, would be set incredibly low if that happened). Additionally, Congress was authorized to charter a national bank. Both the representatives and senators would be elected by popular vote, though the state legislature had the power to recall a senator with a supermajority vote. The age requirement for Senators was lowered to match with the age requirement for Representatives (25 years old). Additionally, bribes were specifically banned and donations for active Congressmen were also banned.
Advertisement
Article II was slightly trickier. There were plenty of debates between the five men for the power of the executive, but all of them recognized that a semi-powerful executive was needed during certain times. As such, the powers of the executive were broadened to encompass a new power; the Executive Order. An Executive Order was an order that a president was legally able to use during times of crisis or great interest. Once an Executive Order took effect, it was to be active for sixty days maximum. During those sixty days, Congress would vote on the matter and if it passed through Congress with a majority, then the Executive Order would become permanent. If the Executive Order was rejected by Congress through a vote or expired after sixty days, then the Executive Order would be null. As such, the President had some say in law-making, but even that was limited by Congress. However, the Executive Order power allowed a president to respond to a national or foreign crisis rapidly, which was the main basis for the new addition to Article II. Even then, the president was not allowed to declare wars without explicit Congressional permission. Additionally, the President's form of veto was a "line-item veto," not an over encompassing total veto. The Electoral College was to remain as the method of electing presidents, but electoral votes of each state were not "winners take all." Instead, candidates would be awarded electoral votes according to the voter's preference. The age requirement for Presidents was lowered to 30 years old, and the qualifications were modified to a person that had been an American citizen for at least thirty years and a resident of the United States for at least fifteen.
Article III was also debated fairly intensely, with the five men differing on their views of the Judicial powers. However, they came to an agreement that judicial review was a necessary check to the Legislature. Due to this, judicial review was designated as an official power of the Supreme Court, though the power of judicial review was limited to only the State Supreme Courts and the Federal Supreme Court. Judges were limited to one, twenty-year tenure, including the judges of the Supreme Court. The official number of Supreme Court Justices was to expand by two every century, with the starting basis being seven.
The remaining articles were left alone... for the time being.
Afterward, the Framers moved onto the Bill of Rights. They were aware of the necessity to incorporate some of the later amendments into the original Bill of Rights for a more equal and better United States, but they were careful in choosing the texts of the amendments and implementing them to a new Bill of Rights.
Now they were finishing up on the Second Amendment, which was considered (if what they read were to be believed) a very controversial amendment.
"Moving on," Jefferson announced as he read through the papers that contained the texts of the other Bill of Rights, "Third Amendment is worded well enough, I believe it can remain as it is."
"The Fourth Amendment. Most definitely something I agree with. But in the notes given to us by General Kim, it says that due to the evolution of technology and the expansion of government powers, numerous loopholes have appeared for the government and law enforcement to find exceptions to the Amendment." Adams noted.
"A right to privacy, along with a bit more narrow definition of the Fourth Amendment may fix this," Livingston muttered, "However, this is not an easy one to fix, that is for sure."
Jefferson wrote on a parchment rapidly as the talks continued behind closed doors.
Advertisement
- In Serial71 Chapters
Circumventing Fate
When Lei Xing booked a luxurious cruise as a graduation present to herself, she expected to have plenty of well-deserved rest and relaxation with an ocean view before jumpstarting her career. What she did not expect was to be the unlucky person who would fall overboard to a miserable watery death… or so she thought. To her astonishment, she opened her eyes to find herself in an ancient setting, a different body, and a new life as the eldest daughter of a high court official. {...Okay, at least I'm rich...I can still live happily and freely, it's still a golden opportunity at a second life. I can live it well~...maybe go travelling, start a business, or something…It definitely could be worse...} To Lei Xing’s horror, her new host was scheduled to enter the palace to compete in the concubine selection for the new Emperor. {...What?! I am definitely not interested! Of all places, it’s that viper pit! I’m not built for any Royal BS or harem fights. Please keep your scheming lives to yourselves and leave me the hell out of it, NOT INTERESTED!!!... Can I not go, please? T_T)...No? Nevermind then, failure is always an option... Failure is the only possible outcome. Bring it on! Hahahaha…} While Lei Xing was making plans on how to skip out of town, fate was also very busy working out its own plans for her, mapping out its own course for her life behind the scenes... Poking holes in her plans to her confusion and outrage. "...Little chicken, as long as I'm alive you won't die." "Nonsense, if anyone is going to cause my death, it would be you!!" *** "Do you really feel nothing after all this time?" He asked as he looked at her with searching eyes, trying to see into her soul... "...Who...would..." she mumbled under her breath... *** "That stupid old man, I'm going to end him when I find him...You better hide well!!" |||~~~~~~~~~~~||| Author's Note~~ Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the read as you go along! Please VOTE and COMMENT as you read along and I will be sure to respond~~ Thank you again and HAPPY READING! ~~And if you have the wonderful urge to ever buy me a coffee. Here are the gateways and some love~ Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/miraisaesang Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MiraiSaesang
8 156 - In Serial27 Chapters
Cuts and Bruises
She hears all the locker room talk. She helps when the guys drink too much before a game. She tapes them up when they're injured. And in return, they watch her back. While most students spend their time partying, Lily spends her free time working. But her job as the assistant athletic trainer for the PSU football team comes with the benefit of being friends with every player on the team. Except the entirely too cocky, reckless, and charming golden boy of the team: Vincent Bradshaw. When they aren't spouting insults at one another, Vincent and Lily are doing everything in their power to avoid each other. That is, until Vincent gets injured.
8 147 - In Serial18 Chapters
My Girlfriend is a Demon
This story revolves around a shut-in otaku named Shiro Akashi. When he was a kid, his father disappeared. Because of that, Shiro stopped going to school. In loneliness, he devoted his life playing games and watching animes. One day, as Shiro woke up from his bed, he saw someone sitting on top of the table on the other side of the room. That person, a girl with black wings, two horns and a tail, wearing nothing but a bra and her underwear, covered in a coat, hiding her face, appeared right in front of him. This girl suddenly said that she will be Shiro's girlfriend Will this encounter bring good luck? Or will he continue to waste his time watching animes and games?
8 110 - In Serial12 Chapters
Tales from Drestburg
Interconnected tales of sacrifice and horror In a world and time distant from our own. The story is unorthodox by itself and seldomly follows the protagonist driven stories so please be warned.
8 95 - In Serial25 Chapters
Gluttonous little crow
Aion Corvidae was born a three eyed gray crow, a bird thought to be the weakest creature in the world, but through a mysterious accident Aion was able to obtain a new body and family. Now what he desires most is strength, enough strength to return to the family that abandoned him for his lack of stength.
8 232 - In Serial65 Chapters
Our Eternity : Emmett Cullen x Reader
This a Twilight love story.What if Bella Swan had a sister, and that person was you? Will you go through the same troubles as your sister, or will life be pure bliss for you?What if the Cullen's had two available brother's? Edward and Emmett. And what happens when, the tall, muscular one catches your eye.Will he capture your heart? Or will you choose to love your best friend Jacob Black? I noticed there weren't many Emmett stories on here, and I always loved Emmett, so that's where the inspiration for this came from.This story takes direct lines from both the books and the movies, but there's a lot of original scenes as well. This is my first Reader story. If there's any mistakes in it, it's because I wrote it originally with a character name. I'm going through and fixing them as I transfer the story on here from my archives. So I apologize in advance. I hope you enjoy the story! I OWN NOTHING IN THE TWILIGHT WORLD, CHARACTER'S, NAME's, PLACES. EVERYTHING BELONGS TO STEPHANIE MEYER.#1 ranking's in twilight and Cullen! I cannot thank you guy's enough for the love and support! 01/13/2022Published January 2nd 2022.
8 109

