Sunday, December 4, 2011

Twenty-seventh Amendment

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.

The twenty-seventh amendment makes sure that congress cannot give themselves a raise.
Here is a clear stating of the twenty-seventh amendment.
Here is a congressman sending a message to his fellow colleagues advising them to not take a pay raise.
 

Twenty-Sixth Amentment

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.


Then twenty-sixth amendment set the minimum voting limit to be no more than eighteen years of age.
Here is a clip from the twenty-sixth amendments certification ceremony.
Here is a man stating the effects of the twenty-sixth amendment.

Twenty-fifth amendment

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 addresses the issue of succession involving the president.
In this video the past presidents who have been involved in succession are shown.
Here is the current line of succession for the president of the United States.

Twenty-fourth Amendment

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 poll tax or other tax.

Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.



The twenty-fourth amendment prohibits a poll tax to be in place on any federal election.
Here is an overview on what a poll tax is all about.
Here is a video of a riot that broke out due to the usage of a poll tax.

Twenty-third 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.



The twenty-third amendment allows citizens of the District of Columbia to vote for electors for president.
This clip tells the importance of the twenty-third amendment.
Here are some beautiful scenes from our nations capital.

Twenty-second Amendment

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 President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by 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.



The twenty-second amendment sets a term limit on the president of the United States.
This video shows FDR as he was inaugurated for a third term before the twenty-second amendment
This is essentially the entire meaning of the twenty-second amendment.

Twenty-first Amendment

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 hereof to the States by the Congress.



The twenty-first amendment repealed the eighteenth amendment.
Here is a good look at the eighteenth amendment and how it led to the twenty first amendment.
This is just a clear cut showing of the twenty-first amendment.

Twentieth Amendment

Section 1.
The terms of the President and the 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 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.



The twentieth amendment sets the beginning and end of the terms of elected federal officials.
















This video tells when each elected official will begin their term by the means of music.
In this clip a man talks about who will succeed a president in the case of his death by the means of the twentieth amendment.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Nineteenth Amendment

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.

The nineteenth amendment gives women the right to vote.
Here is a history on women's suffrage.
 Here is the story of one of the leaders in the woman's suffrage movement.

Eighteenth 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.



The eighteenth amendment made it illegal to manufacture, sell or transport alcohol.
This video gives a detailed and entertaining background on prohibition.
Today there is no longer alcohol prohibition, however, this video gives a different view on prohibition today.

Seventeenth Amendment

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.

The seventeenth amendment states that each state will have two senators no matter what the population of the state is and they will serve six year terms.
This video hits on each major part of the seventeenth amendment.
Here a judge gives his take on why the seventeenth amendment should be repealed.

Sixteenth Amendment

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.



The sixteenth amendment gives congress the right to levy an income tax on its citizens.
This video tells the story about how political leaders brought the sixteenth amendment about.
A theory that the sixteenth amendment was never ratified.

Fifteenth Amendment

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 the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.



The fifteenth amendment prohibits governments in the United States from denying the right to vote to people based on race or color.
This video shows the history behind the fifteenth amendment.

A description of the fifteenth amendment given by a man in his garage.

Fourteenth Amendment

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 the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.



The fourteenth amendment defines citizenship and goes over other complications involving citizenship.
This video shows the definition of a citizen.
Here Lindsey Graham discusses immigration issues and citizenship.

Thirteenth Amendment

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.


The thirteenth amendment officially abolished slavery.
This short documentary shows the after effects of the thirteenth amendment.
This shows life for African Americans leading up to the thirteenth amendment.

Twelfth Amendment

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.



The twelfth amendment set up the electoral college which is still in effect today in out nations presidential elections.
This is a quick and accurate description of the twelfth amendment.
This video shows an example of past controversy created by the twelfth amendment.

Eleventh Amendment

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.



The eleventh amendment protects states from being sued by a person in federal court.
The text of the eleventh amendment is given along with a brief summary of its context.
Here is an example of a violation of the eleventh amendment.

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.



The tenth amendment states that powers not given to the federal government or prohibited by the states in the constitution are reserved for the states or the people.
In this video you get a modern look at how the tenth amendment is applied.
A politician gives a summary of the tenth amendment and tries to use it for his campaign in running for governor.

Ninth Amendment

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.



The ninth amendment makes sure that our rights are not limited to only what is in the constitution.
Here is a young male nerd explaining the ninth amendment in excruciation detail.
In this video we have a much more well put together and slightly biased view of the ninth amendment.

Eighth Amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.



The eighth amendment protects us from excessive bail. excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
Here is a middle aged nerd doing a good job of explaining the eighth amendment.
This is an accurate display of what the United States would be like if we did not have the eighth amendment.

Seventh Amendment

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.



The seventh amendment gives us the right to a jury trial in civil cases.
This video is very thorough in explaining the seventh amendment and it also has some good flow.
This high school student was able to demonstrate the rights the seventh amendment provides and he also added in some information on the twenty dollar clause.

Sixth Amendment

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.



The sixth amendment gives those accused of a crime a number of rights throughout the process of a  prosecution.
This video tells all of the rights included in the sixth amendment in a time efficient way.

Here are several real life examples of how the sixth amendment could help you.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Fifth Amendment

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.



The fifth amendment guarantees us the protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination, gives us the right to a trial by a grand jury and makes sure we are given compensation for property taken from us by the government.
Here is a clear interpretation of the fifth amendments core concepts.
This video takes a stab at President Obama in saying that he is damaging our right to the fifth amendment.

Fourth 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.



The fourth amendment protects us from being unreasonably searched and our property from being seized without probable cause or a search warrant.
The senator does an excellent job of explaining why we need the fourth amendment.
Here is a look at a current event that is on the borderline of violating the fourth amendment of citizens in Boston.

Third Amendment

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.



The third amendment makes it illegal for the government to quarter troops in the homes of its citizens in times of peace.
Here the third amendments meaning is explained and the reason why it was created is give.
This video shows the horrors of what life would be like if we did not have the second amendment.

Second Amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.



The second amendment allows us to bear arms in order to protect ourselves and families from possible dangers.
This video does a solid job of explaining the original purpose of the second amendment and also how it applies today.

 Here is a demonstration of some of  the debates going on today in our news about the second amendment.

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.



The first amendment gives you the right to say what is on your mind, praise whichever God you believe and to write freely.
This Video gives a passionate view on the realities of the right to free speech today.
This clip tells the true purpose of the first amendment in a humorous manner.