Amendment XXVIII (Group 4)

Text of the Amendment

The manufacture, transportation, sale, purchase, and consumption of all psychoactive drugs, psychopharmaceuticals, or any other illicit medication formerly prohibited by federal law, is hereby deemed legal within the United States and all territory subject to its jurisdiction.  

Reasons Behind the Amendment

Similar to the eighteenth amendment, federal bans on psychoactive drugs - such as marijuana and cocaine - have not thwarted drug use, rather, they have catalyzed organized crime and created a black market for illicit drugs. Drug laws have also siphoned precious tax dollars to federal agencies that insist on engaging in an endless “war on drugs.”  Rather than impose stricter drug laws, full-fledged legalization of all drugs will dismantle black markets, free up tax dollars, and lessen drug related crimes. Citizens of the United States should have the right to purchase whichever drugs they fancy, and should have the responsibility to deal with whatever repercussions their drug use may bring about.

Amendment XVIII

Amendment XVIII

Text of the Amendment

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

Understanding the Amendment

Any manufacture, sale, or transportation of inebriating liquor within the United States or its territory is illegal. Importation and exportation of liquor is also illegal. This amendment shall be put into effect one year after its ratification. Congress, along with the States, have the power to enforce this law. Still, the consumption and purchase of liquor remains legal.

History of the Amendment

The National Prohibition Act of 1919, also known as the Volstead Act, was the inspiration for the eighteenth amendment to the constitution. The bill was originally vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson, however Congress overturned his veto the very same day. The text of the amendment itself is brief, however the law to implement it was twenty-five pages long and very difficult to understand. The law was violated by tens of millions of Americans, spawning organized crime throughout major cities throughout the nation.  

Effects of the Amendment on the United States

This amendment has been rendered obsolete by the the twenty-first amendment, therefore, it yields no direct effects on the United States today. However, in its time, this amendment, ironically, did not dampen the general use of intoxicating beverages within the United States. Instead, it spawned illicit sales and manufacturing (bootlegging) of liquor, which resulted in a sharp increase in crime. Today, the amendment does have some lingering, indirect effects, as temperance has been more culturally endorsed, and states have imposed stricter age requirements for the use of alcohol.

Effects of the Amendment on Me

Because this amendment was cancelled by the twenty-first, and it is illegal for me to carry/consume alcohol, this amendment has virtually no effect on me. However, through observing how this amendment effected the United States historically, I understand that it is unwise to prohibit alcohol in this country...

Amendment XXIII

Amendment XXIII

Text of the Amendment

SECTION 1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as 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.

Understanding the Amendment

The District of Columbia shall be treated as an official state in the event of a presidential election. Thus, the number of presidential electors in the District must be equal to the number of senators and representatives in Congress, if the District were considered a state, but this number should not exceed that of the least populous state. These electors will act as electors appointed by an official state, and shall execute the duties mentioned in the twelfth amendment. The Congress has the power to enforce this amendment.

History of the Amendment

The amendment was proposed on June 16, 1960, and then ratified on March 29, 1961. During the 1820’s, Congress sanctioned a local government in the city of Washington, and allowed residents to vote for a mayor and city council. In 1871, Congress manually created a territorial government, and the President appointed officials, as well as a legislative assembly. However, three years later, 1874, Congress abandoned the aforementioned system, and took direct control over the city government. From 1874 to 1960, residents of Washington were denied the right to vote for a President, despite their subjectivity to local and federal taxes, as well as military service drafts. This act of negligence was rectified by the 23rd amendment, as its proposition and ratification gave residents of Washington the right to vote for their president, and provided the District with three presidential electors.

Effects of the Amendment on the United States

With the passage of the 23rd amendment, the District of Columbia experienced a substantial political leaning towards the Democratic Party. African-Americans attributed greatly to this, as their voting percentage skyrocketed in comparison to the two previous decades: 1950 and 1940. In fact, since the ratification of the amendment, the District has devoted all of its electorate votes to a Democratic presidential candidate. This amendment has also led to more further legislation within the District. On December 24, 1973, the Congressionally approved District of Columbia Rule Act was established; legislation that provides an elected office of mayor and and 13 member council for the district. This local governing body is endowed with the standard power of municipal administration. The amendment has also acted as a precedent for subsequent demands for District representation in Congress. On August 22, 1978, Congress proposed the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment, a piece of legislation that would give the District full representation in Congress. However, this amendment never came into fruition, as it failed to be soundly ratified.

Effects of the Amendment on Me

This amendment does not affect me directly, nor does it technically pertain to me. Still, the amendment does affect the tide of presidential election, and an elected president may establish legislation that affects me. Thus, logically, the amendment does affect me, even though it does so in an extremely indirect manner.

Amendment IV

Amendment IV

Text of the Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Understanding the Amendment

Citizens of the United States are secure in their ownership and possession of personal belongings, private property, and any legal documentation verifying those assets. Those possessions may not be searched nor confiscated without evidence suggesting that a crime has been committed which warrants any such inspection. When issued, a legal warrant must specify the place(s) where law enforcement is permitted to search, as well as the individuals/items that are to be taken into custody.

History of the Amendment

Amendment IV was added to the Bill of Rights on Dec. 15, 1791 according to the Founders’ belief that freedom from government intrusion into one’s home was a natural right (one granted from God) and fundamental to liberty. This right was first identified nearly two centuries earlier by Sir Edward Coke who said: “The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose.” It was the violation of this right in the Thirteen Colonies by the British Crown which partially motivated the American Revolution, and led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Initially, this amendment was only applied to the federal government but was eventually extended to the states as part of Amendment XIV’s Due Process Clause.

Effects of the Amendment on the United States

When discussing the effects of this amendment on crime, it is necessary to discuss the “exclusionary rule”, which pertains to police searches conducted in violation of the amendment. This rule dictates that should an officer conduct a search or seizure without probable cause (unlawfully), any evidence acquired against a suspect during that search would be suppressed during the trial. Some argue that this is too mild a consequence for law enforcement officers who perform illegal searches, however others claim that our criminal justice system would deteriorate with harsher punishment.

Effects of the Amendment on Me

Many people, myself included, thoroughly appreciate the fourth amendment. It provides a necessary security to U.S. citizens (in theory, perhaps not always in practice), however there do seem to be certain dangers surrounding this amendment. Assurance of the right to private property is integral to the basic functions of a capitalist economy, but it is necessary to implement legislation in conjunction with this amendment which monitors and limits commerce so as to prevent abuse of the lower class by corporate vampires.