March 20, 1995 November 10, 1992 CONSTITUTION OF THE WORLDWe, the people of planet Earth, in order to form a more perfect world based on a sustainable environment for the benefit of all generations of all nature and for the defense of civilization; establish and provide justice; insure tranquility; provide for peace; promote and enhance the dignity and mutual respect among humankind, government, and the environment; accept responsibility for our own free will actions; accept mutual responsibility for each other with all relationships being governed supremely by truth; and secure the blessings of life, liberty, opportunity, and the pursuit of happiness to ourselves and our posterity, establish and accept this Constitution for the World. ARTICLE I: ORGANIZATIONThe world government organization shall be a central sovereign Federation with five Regions that cooperate with all the Nation- States. The Federation and each Region consist of Legislative (Congress: Business Committees in the Federation and each Region; and Houses of Congress - a Senate in the Federation, and a House of Representatives in each Region), Executive (President), and Judicial (Supreme Court, lesser courts, mediators) Powers. ARTICLE II: ENVIRONMENT1. The Federation shall have the responsibility to protect nature. All policies, including economic, shall provide for a sustainable environment. Environmental crimes are crimes against humanity. The responsible person or head of the responsible organization or corporation shall be accountable for environmental crimes. The Congress of the Federation is responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies. 2. Every non-food product shall be designed to have a greater longevity and reliability than the product type it is replacing and will be priced to include a rebate that at least doubly compensates for the environmental impact of its production process, material, use, service, and disposal. The Congress of the Federation shall determine the method of this rebate. Half the rebate shall be used by the product or service provider to improve the environment. The other half shall be provided to developing countries for the preservation of their environment. The rebate amount shall be displayed on the product with other ecologic information. The Congress of the Federation in cooperation with the Regions shall allocate these funds and shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies. ARTICLE III: ECONOMY1. Maintaining a sustainable environment shall be an absolute limit to economic change. 2. The Congress of the Federation shall provide for a central World Bank and a bank in each Region where all deposits shall be secure, a world currency which shall be based on the price of gold, and for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies for dealing with counterfeiting the securities and coin of the Federation. 3. The Congresses of the Federation and Regions shall have the power to levy and collect taxes, and to lend, borrow, and regulate money based on sound economic principles and to distribute Federation funds to Regions and Nation-States for attaining and maintaining the most equitable distribution of opportunity to all citizens in the most expeditious manner within the limits provided herein. Annual monetary growth shall be determined by the population growth, the needs of the citizens, and the desired improvement in the standard of living that can be provided within sustainable environmental limits. The public debt of the Federation and Regions, authorized by law shall be valid, except debt or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the Federation, Regions, or any Nation-State of the Federation shall be held illegal and void. Money can be drawn from the treasury of the Federation or Regions only through appropriations made by law and documented, at least annually, with audited financial statements based on accrual accounting methods that include environmental depreciation. The defense budget shall never exceed the medical or educational budget except during war. 4. The Congresses of the Federation and Regions shall be required to provide five year plans with mission statements and specified intermediate goals and monitoring procedures that balance the budget using accrual accounting methods. The Federation budget shall consider long term important benefits as well as short term and urgent requirements. To this end, at least one, three, and six percent of the annual budget shall be allocated to programs that provide returns greater than twenty-five, ten, and five years respectively. 5. The Congress of the Federation shall regulate Commerce. All member Nation-States shall maintain free trade, free flow of capital, and competitive access to energy and raw materials. Relations between Nation-States shall be founded on respect and cooperation. 6. The Congresses of the Federation and Regions shall pro- vide the means and adequate autonomy to the capable local institutions to implement the desired policies and programs. The Federation and Regions have the responsibility to monitor these programs and provide assistance when necessary. All agencies and programs receiving funding from the Federation or Regions shall specify ethics policy, goals with milestones, responsible parties, and recommend procedures for periodic monitoring. The Federation and Regions shall focus on results and have the option of establishing competition for Federation or Regionally funded agencies or programs. Each agency, or program shall be required to have a periodic vote of confidence to continue. 7. The Congress of the Federation shall fix the standard of weights and measures using the metric system. 8. The Congresses of the Regions shall provide employment for any person who desires work and is unable to obtain employment. All people receiving supplementary benefits shall participate in programs that shall guide them to independence. Supplementary benefits shall be adequate to provide security, meet essential human needs and enable each person to exercise their legitimate rights with dignity. All people have the right of equal access to public service. 9. The wealthiest five percent of the population cannot accumulate in excess of twenty-five percent of the total wealth. Each citizen shall be provided money in an interest bearing account at birth as a gift from the Federation. The citizen can start using this money upon reaching the age of eighteen years. When able, the Federation shall periodical- ly provide additional funds at different threshold ages in order to expand the opportunities for its citizens. 10. The method of providing Social Security, Retirement, Medical, Supplemental Benefits and other Social programs shall be the responsibility of the Nation-States. The retirement age is expected to vary with the average longevity of the people in the Nation-State. The Federation or Regions, however, may provide funds to the Nation-States for these programs based on need and meeting the requirements of the Federation. 11. Federation purchases for product or services require competitive bids based on verifiable data about costs and quality of performance. A non-political body shall be responsible for Federation purchasing and careful monitoring of all contracts and safety. 12. Government and Corporations shall cooperate to protect the environment, develop technology, increase efficiency, decrease transaction costs, and enhance the ability of Corporations to meet their social, moral, environmental and economic responsibilities to the community, consumer, vendors, employees and shareholders. The Congress of the Federation shall provide statutory protection for Corporations and assure fair prices for consumers. 13. An amount not less than ten percent of the shares or revenue of any Corporate public offering shall be provided to the Federation. The Congress of the Federation shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies. 14. Campaign funds shall be provided by the respective Congress of the Federation or Region and shall be distributed equally to qualified candidates. Prior to receiving the funds, the candidates shall be required to answer, in writing, up to five questions on relevant issues submitted by opposing candidates, who shall also, in writing, answer the same questions. No funds shall be provided to organizations that discriminate. The funds can only be used for the election process and any unused funds must be returned after the election. The respective Congress shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies. ARTICLE IV: EDUCATION1. The power and ability to enact and enforce this Constitution is based on educated and informed people. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. 2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote ecologic conservation and understanding, including under- standing the relationship between population size and carrying capacity of natural systems, as well as tolerance, and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the Federation for the maintenance of a sustainable environment and peace. 3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. The family should be limited to a size that can provide the means for education and a loving and nurturing environment for each child. 4. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. 5. The Congress of the Federation, in cooperation with the Congresses of the Regions and designated agency of each of the member Nation-States shall provide, in the most expeditious manner possible the means, including electronic means, available to every person, to educate and inform them and shall make available all published material to all humankind. When literacy reaches at least seventy percent in a Nation-State a determination whether to limit popula- tion growth will be made. 6. Family counseling centers will be provided within one- half hour from the residence of participants. Such services will be adopted to each country's cultural, religious, and social traditions. ARTICLE V: ETHICS1. All Federation and Regional proceedings shall be public unless they are related to the vital security of the Federation, Regions, or Nation-States. The Federation President or the Senate shall have the power to order secrecy for up to six months with a maximum of two renewals. 2. All Federation and Regional programs or organizations shall have ethics policies approved prior to funding. 3. The respective House of Congress shall establish ethics review boards to provide ethics guidelines, and to aid the implementation and monitoring of ethics programs. Any person or organization may bring ethics issues to the board for a binding ruling. 4. Any crimes against the Federation or Regions are crimes against the people. Any indicted Federation or Regional employee shall be tried by a jury of opposite peers (the rich shall be tried by the poor, and vice versa) and if found guilty of violating the law: must return to the Federation or Regions what was taken; be punished at three times the normal punishment of the law; not be eligible for other employment by the Federation or Regions for ten years or for life if the crime is treason unless two-thirds of the respective House of Congress votes to remove this restriction. Punishment is related solely to type and extent of the crime, with no other considerations. 5. A Federation or Regional employee shall not work directly or indirectly for a corporation or organization that was involved in any way with the employee until five years have elapsed since that involvement. 6. Legislative, Executive, Judicial and government employee's decisions shall be made free of manipulation and coercion. No capital, directly or indirectly, shall be used to influence any political agenda other than to provide accurate information which shall be made equally accessible to each legislative, executive, judicial and government employee as well as each citizen of the world. 7. No Federation or Regional employee shall, without the consent of the respective House of Congress, accept gifts, emoluments, or office of any kind whatsoever. ARTICLE VI: HUMAN RIGHTS1. All people are citizens of the world and everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth herein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, equal opportunity and security of person. 2. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of their rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against them. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which they have had all the guarantees necessary for their defence. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed. No person shall be compelled in any penal case to be a witness against themselves. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by a competent tribunal for acts violating the fundamental rights granted herein. 3. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon their honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. 4. Indigenous people in any member Nation-State shall be guaranteed secure rights to their substantive base. 5. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles herein. 6. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their property. 7. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change their religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers except that information must be true and accurate. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. No one may be compelled to belong to an association. Citizens shall have a right and responsibility to express their views, provide recommendations, and criticize government. The Federation and Regions have the responsibility to encourage such activity. To this end, the respective Congress shall provide readily available education that represent all prominent views on major issues to the public at no charge and shall provide mechanisms to receive feedback from the public. 8. The will of the people shall be expressed in periodic fair, and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. All people eighteen years or older shall have the right to vote in all Federation and Regional elections and this shall not be denied or abridged, other than for treason or felonies, by the Federation or Regions. 9. In the exercise of their rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles herein. The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 10. Nothing in this Constitution may be interpreted as implying for the Federation or any Region, Nation-State, group, or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein. The powers not delegated to the Federation or Regions by this Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the Nation-States, are reserved for the Nation-States respectively, or for the people. ARTICLE VII: RELIGIOUS COOPERATION1. The Federation shall support an organization to serve as a forum for the genuine religions in the world, at their option, to discuss issues and make recommendations. ARTICLE VIII: TECHNOLOGY1. The Congress of the Federation shall develop long and short term overall technology policies that include goals, performance, safety considerations, reporting criteria, ethics, social and environmental impact, and methods of monitoring that address energy and social requirements as well as basic research and development and establish mechanisms for the technology coordination between Corporations and the Federation. Particular safety and ethics standards shall be established for biotechnology research and products. 2. The Congress of the Federation shall be responsible for setting communication standards for the Federation, Regions, and between member Nation-States including worldwide allocation of the electromagnetic spectrum, postal service, telephone service, radio and television services, and data and video services and for providing recommendations to the Nation-States for communications standards. The Congress of the Federation shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining equal access to public information. 3. The Congress of the Federation shall promote the progress of the sciences and arts by securing for everyone, for a limited time, the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which they are the author. ARTICLE IX: DEFENSE1. The Congress of the Federation shall provide for the common defense; raise, support and call forth armed services to execute the laws of the Federation, suppress insurrec- tion and repel invasion; declare war, and provide for the security and general welfare of each member Nation-State. 2. No mass destruction weapons shall be permitted when all Nation-States are part of the Federation or when the Federation has adequate, enforceable, and verifiable agreement with non-Federation Nation-States that would eliminate all mass destruction weapons; then all mass destruction weapons and specific material used for mass destruction weapons shall be destroyed in the most expeditious and safe manner and all weapons shall be limited to single action devices. All Regions and member Nation- States shall be limited in the amount and type of weapons such that no Region or group of Nation-States can threaten the Federation. Forces of the Region or Nation-State shall only be used for defense, maintaining internal civil tranquility or providing social services as described herein. In all cases, force shall be limited to reciprocity unless the existence of the Federation, Regions, or Nation- States is at risk. The Congress of the Federation shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies. 3. The Congress of the Federation shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing acceptable policies that shall limit commerce in weapons to single action devices. 4. The President of the Federation or Regions or the respective House of Congress of the Federation or Regions can deploy defense personnel for civil and social service support; including, rapid deployment of goods and services necessary to maintain life. ARTICLE X: TRANSITION TO FEDERATION1. The Federation desires to include all Nation-States. The only requirement for becoming a member of the Federation is that the member Nation-State shall abide by all the principles in this Constitution. 2. All debts between new member Nation-State and other Federation members shall be forgiven upon joining the Federation. ARTICLE XI: GUARANTEES TO NATION-STATES1. Nation-States shall be guaranteed, by the Federation, the option to achieve a democratic form of government, and to be protected against invasion and domestic violence. 2. Nation-States shall be guaranteed, by the Federation, defined boundaries. To change boundaries shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the population of the affected area and a majority of the population of the Region involved. 3. Nation-States shall have the right to maintain royalty only when it is consistent with the rights of individuals. 4. Nation-States shall each determine the laws governing property consistent with the rights of individuals. 5. Nation-States shall have the choice of electing Federation and Regional delegates through a popular vote, typically to be used by more advanced Nation-States, or through an electorate, typically to be used by developing Nation-States. 6. Nation-States shall recognize one another's acts, contracts, wills and civil judgements and the Congress of the Federation may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, contracts, wills and civil judgements shall be proved, and the effect thereof. A person charged in any Nation-State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another Nation-State, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the Nation- State from which they fled, be delivered to the Nation-State having jurisdiction of the crime. 7. Nation-States shall have the right and responsibility to experiment with new political ideas. Any new system shall not violate basic rights. ARTICLE XII: POWERS DENIED TO THE NATION-STATES1. No Nation-State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation, or opt out of the Federation. 2. No Nation-State shall seize property from another Nation State. 3. No Nation-State shall coin money other than coin of face value at the time of coinage. 4. No Nation-State shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts. 5. No Nation-State shall lay any tariffs but may provide for inspection of goods entering that Nation-State. 6. No Nation-State shall keep ships or aircraft of war, or any weapons of mass destruction, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as shall not admit of delay. 7. No Nation-State shall decrease current natural reserves. ARTICLE XIII: POWERS DENIED TO THE FEDERATION AND REGIONS1. No titles of nobility shall be granted. 2. Nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the Federation or any particular Nation-State. ARTICLE XIV: GENERAL1. The dignity of the individual shall always be a primary consideration of the Federation and Regions. 2. During periodic elections, but at least annually, the people will be required to vote separately for or against the current Federation and applicable Regional government. If there is a no confidence vote by the majority of those voting than the entire Federation or applicable Regional government receiving this no confidence majority vote will be required to have elections within a three month period for all members of the respective Federal or Regional government except newly elected members. If there is a pro-confidence vote by the majority of those voting than no additional voting will be necessary. 3. The Federation and Regions shall provide centralized policy coordination and decentralized implementation. 4. The language of the Federation shall be English but the Federation has no right to impose any language requirements on the Nation-States. 5. Cities shall be set aside for felons. The criminals shall be required to reside and maintain themselves within the city limits. 6. The fourth Thursday of every November is declared Trans- Cultural Day and shall be observed throughout the world. ARTICLE XV: SUPREMACY OF CONSTITUTION1. This Constitution, and the laws of the Federation which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all international agreements made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the Federation, shall be the final law of the world; and the judges in the Federation and every Region and every member Nation-State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any Region or member Nation-States to the contrary notwithstanding. ARTICLE XVI: OATH OF OFFICE1. All officers of the Federation shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution, but no discriminatory test other than as described herein shall ever be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Federation. ARTICLE XVII: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESA. QUALIFICATIONS, ELECTION AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Each member of the House of Representatives shall be at least 25 years of age and a member of the represented Region for at least 10 years and a member of the represented Nation-State for at least 5 years. The members shall be chosen every fourth year by the Nation-State at the time, place, and in a manner determined by the Nation-State but the respective House of Representatives may make or alter such regulations. They shall be divided immediately after being assembled into two classes so that one-half may be chosen every second year. Each Representative shall have a vote which represents the population of the respective district that did not vote directly. The terms of members of the House of Representatives shall end at noon on the third day of January, of the year in which such terms have ended, and their successors shall begin. B. APPORTIONMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES 1. Representatives shall be apportioned among the Nation- States according to their respective number based on the last census, or if there is no census, based on the best estimate by the Senate until the next ten year period when a worldwide census shall be required. Each Nation-State with a population of less than two million people shall have one representative in the House of Representatives of the respective Region. Otherwise, the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every two million people. C. OFFICERS 1. The Vice President of the Region shall be President of the respective House of Representatives, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. Each House of Repre- sentatives shall choose its own officers, and also a Presi- dent pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when the Vice President shall exercise the Office of the President. D. IMPEACHMENT 1. Each House of Representatives shall have the power of impeachment of any officers of the respective Region including Business Committee members. The Senate shall have the power to try all such impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of a Region is tried, the respective Chief of Justice of that Region shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 2. Judgement in cases of impeachment shall not extend beyond removal from office. The party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, and judgement according to the law and ethics of the respective Region. ARTICLE XVIII: SENATEA. QUALIFICATIONS, ELECTION AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Each member of the Senate shall be at least 30 years of age and a member of the represented Region for at least 10 years. The members shall be chosen every sixth year by the Nation-States at a time, place, and in a manner determined by the Nations-States, but the Senate may make or alter such regulations. They shall be divided immediately after being assembled into three classes so that one-third may be chosen every second year. Each Senator shall have a vote which represents the population of the respective district that did not vote directly. The terms of members of the Senate shall end at noon on the third day of January of the year in which such terms have ended, and their successors shall begin. B. APPORTIONMENT OF SENATORS 1. The Senate shall be composed of twenty Senators from each Region. Not more than two Federation Senators shall be from any one Nation-State. C. OFFICERS 1. The Vice President of the Federation shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose its own officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when the Vice President shall exercise the office of the President. D. IMPEACHMENT 1. The Senate shall have the power of impeachment of any Federation officers including Federation Business Committee members, and the combined Houses of Representatives of all Regions shall jointly have the power to try all such impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the Federation is tried, the Chief of Justice of the Federation shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 2. Judgement in cases of impeachment shall not extend beyond removal from office. The party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, and judgement according to the Federation's laws and ethics. ARTICLE XIX: BUSINESS COMMITTEEA. QUALIFICATION, ELECTION AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Each member of the Business Committee shall be at least 25 years of age and a member of the represented Region for at least 7 years. The members shall be chosen every second year by a vote among the largest one thousand Transnational Corporations in each Region at a time, place, and in a manner determined by the Nation-State, but the respective House of Congress may make or alter such regulations. Transnational Corporations are Corporations with one or more offices or plants in more than one region. The Transnation- al Corporation shall have one vote for a Federation Member and one vote for each seat of the Business Committee in the Region where the Corporation's greatest assets are located. Each Business Committee Member shall have one vote in the Committee. The terms of members of the Business Committee shall end at noon on the third day of January of the year in which such terms have ended, and their successors shall begin. B. APPORTIONMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES 1. The Business Committee of the Federation shall be composed of one member from each region and the number of members of the Business Committee of each Region shall be equal to five percent of the nearest odd number of members of the House of Representatives of the respective Region. C. OFFICERS 1. The Business Committee shall choose their Speaker and other officers. ARTICLE XX: CONGRESSA. MEETING OF CONGRESS 1. Each Congressional member of the Federation and Region shall be provided with telecommunications equipment that provides voice, video, and data capabilities. All govern- ment communication numbers shall be made available to all members of Congress. This shall be the primary means of holding meetings. Members shall be required to meet at least monthly. B. RULES OF PROCEDURE 1. Each House of Congress and Business Committee shall be responsible for determining the rules of its proceedings and judging elections. A majority of each House of Congress and Business Committee shall constitute a quorum. The time and agenda of meetings shall be made available to all members in advance. 2. Each House of Congress and Business Committee shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same but at least every six months, excepting such parts as may be required for security and then never exceeding two years. The yeas and nays of the members of Congress on any question shall be entered in the Journal. C. COMPENSATION, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS 1. Members of Congress of the Federation and Regions shall receive a compensation for their services to be ascertained by law and paid out of the Treasury of the Federation or Region respectively. No member shall be granted a raise until at least one re-election to office. They shall in all cases except treason and felony be privileged from arrest. 2. No member of Congress of the Federation or Regions shall hold any other office or employment. D. LAW 1. How Federation and Regional bills become law. All bills of the Federation and Regions shall originate in the respective House of Congress. The bill shall be presented to the Business Committee of the Federation or respective Region who shall have two weeks to propose amendments prior to the bill being submitted to the respective House of Congress. Every bill which shall have passed the Senate or the respective House of Representatives by a majority vote of all citizens which is determined by permitting each citizen to vote directly or by proxy through their respective representative, before it becomes law, requires signed approval by the President of the Federation or the respective Region, the head of the Business Committee of the Federation or respective Region representing the majority of the Business Committee, and shall receive no written objections from the House of Representatives of any Region for a Federation bill or from the Senate for a Regional bill, a vote by such House of Congress not being required. If the President of the Federation or respective Region does not approve, they shall return it to the Senate or respective House of Representatives with their objections, who shall proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsid- eration, two thirds of the Senate or respective House of Representatives shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become law. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within two weeks after it has been presented to them, it shall be in like manner as if they had signed it. If a majority of the Business Committee of the Federation or respective Region does not approve, they shall return it to the Senate or respective House of Representatives with their objections, who, with the Business Committee shall proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, a majority of the Senate or respective House of Representa- tives combined with the Business Committee where each member has a vote equal to the average number of votes for the respective respresenatives, shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become law. If any bill shall not be returned by the Business Committee within two weeks after it has been presented to them, it shall be in like manner as if they had signed it. If a majority of the House of Representatives of any Region chooses to vote on a Federation bill or a majority of the Senate of the Federation chooses to vote on a Regional bill and does not approve it by a majority vote, they shall return it to the House of Congress that originated the bill with their objections, who shall proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two thirds of the House of Congress that originated the bill shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become law. If any bill shall not be returned by the House of Representatives of any Region or by the Senate within two weeks after it has been presented to them, it shall be in like manner as if they had signed it. Each law enacted shall have a limit on its duration not to exceed thirty years. The law may be reinstated before it expires after appropriate review. All court decisions related to any reinstated law remain applicable. 2. Inferior Courts. The Senate for the Federation and the House of Representatives for the respective Region shall have the responsibility to constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court including traveling and resident mediators. 3. Supreme Court Balance. A general citizen vote of the Federation or respective Region on any respective Federation or Regional Supreme Court decision shall be called whenever two-thirds of the respective House of Congress deem it necessary. 4. Method of Constitutional Amendment. Two-thirds of any House of Congress or two-thirds of the Nation-States shall, when deemed necessary, propose amendments to this Constitution which shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by three-fourths of the respective member Nation-States, or by conventions in three-fourths of the respective member Nation-States. No member Nation-State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage. 5. Jurisdiction. The Congresses of the Federation and Regions shall have the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and shall have all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the Federation, Region, or in any department or officer thereof. E. POWERS GRANTED TO CONGRESS 1. The Congress of the Federation shall have the power to make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the Federation. 2. The Congresses of the Regions shall have the power to make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the respective Region. 3. The Congress of the Federation shall have the power to make all needful rules and regulations respecting relations with non-Federation Nation-States, international territories, space, and other celestial bodies. ARTICLE XXI: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTA. COMMUNICATIONS 1. The President of the Federation and each Region shall be provided with telecommunications equipment that provides voice, video, and data capabilities. All government communication numbers shall be made available to each President. B. ELECTION AND TERM 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the Federation and in a President of each Region. Each President shall be at least thirty-five years of age. The President jointly with the Vice President shall be chosen every four years by receiving the largest number of votes in the applicable jurisdiction in a general election. If at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died or become incapacitated, the Vice President elect shall become President. No person shall be elected to the Office of the President more than twice. The term of the President together with the Vice President shall end at noon on the twentieth of January of the year in which such terms have ended, and their successors shall begin. C. ELECTIONS 1. The Senate may determine the day of choosing the electors, which day shall be the same throughout the Federation. D. VACANCY 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or their death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. 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 of the respective House of Congress. 3. Whenever any President or the respective Vice President and a majority of either the respective principal officers of that executive department or of such other body as the respective House of Congress may by law provide, transmits to the President pro tempore of the respective House of Congress a written declaration that the respective President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office, such power and duties shall be discharged by the respective Vice President as Acting President, until the respective President and a majority of either the respective principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as the respective House of Congress may by law provide, transmit to them a written declaration to the contrary. E. COMPENSATION, PRIVILEGES, AND RESTRICTIONS 1. The Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall receive a compensation for their service, to be ascertained by law and paid out of the Treasury of the Federation or Region respectively. They shall in all cases except treason and felony, be privileged from arrest. 2. Neither the President or Vice President of the Federation or Regions shall hold any other office or employment. F. OATH OF OFFICE 1. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions, before executing the Office of the President, shall take the following oath or affirmation:-"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Federation (Region) and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the World." G. POWERS GRANTED TO THE PRESIDENT 1. Military Power. The President of the Federation shall be commander-in-chief of the armed services of the Federation and the militia of the Regions and Nation-States when called into actual service of the Federation. The Regional Presidents or Chief Executives of the Nation-States may request military assistance from the President of the Federation who has the option of providing this assistance. The President of the Federation must within three days request the Senate to affirm the decision. A two-thirds majority vote by the Senate within three days of the presentation of the issue shall be necessary to override the decision of the President. The Chief Executive of a Nation- State may request military assistance from the President of the Region who has the option of providing this assistance. The President of the Region must within three days request the respective House of Representatives to affirm the decision. A two-thirds majority vote by the respective House of Representatives within three days of the presentation of the issue shall be necessary to override the decision of the President. 2. Cabinet. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions may each convene principal officers in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. 3. Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the Federation or Regions respectively, except in cases of impeachment. 4. Treaties, Appointments. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the respective Congress, to make treaties. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of a majority of the respective House of Congress, shall appoint judges of the Supreme Court. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of a majority of the respective House of Congress, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and all other officers of the Federation or Regions respectively, whose appoint- ments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law, but the respective Congress may by law vest the appointment of such other officers as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. H. DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT 1. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall from time to time give to the respective Congress information of the state of the respective Federation or Regions and recommend for the respective Congressional consideration such measures as they shall judge necessary and expedient. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the respective Congress, and in case of disagreement, the time of adjournment. 2. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers. 3. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. 4. The Presidents of the Federation and Regions shall commission all officers of the respective Federation or Region. I. IMPEACHMENT 1. The Presidents, Vice Presidents and all civil officers of the Federation or Regions shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes. ARTICLE XXII: JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTA. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Each judge and mediator shall be provided with telecommunications equipment that provides voice, video, and data capabilities. All government communication numbers shall be made available to each judge and mediator. B. THE FEDERAL COURTS 1. The Supreme Court shall function as a socially responsible body and decisions shall be in the context of law and society. 2. The judicial power of the Federation and Regions shall be vested in a Supreme Court for the Federation and a Supreme Court for each of the Regions and in inferior courts including traveling and resident mediators. Each Supreme Court justice shall be at least thirty-five years of age and the judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times receive a compensation for their service, to which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. The compensation shall be ascertained by law and paid out of the Treasury of the Federation or Region respectively. They shall in all cases except treason and felony be privileged from arrest. 3. No Federation or Regional judge shall hold any other office or employment. C. JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERATION COURTS 1. Federation Courts in General. The judicial power of the Federation Courts shall extend to all cases in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the Federation and treaties made or which shall be made under their authority or between Regions; to all Federation ministers and consuls; to all cases affecting Federation or international territory or space; to all cases involving Federation defense personnel; to controversies to which the Federation shall be a party; to controversies involving two or more Regions; between citizens of different Regions. 2. Regional Courts in General. The judicial power of the Regional Courts shall extend to all cases in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the Region and treaties made or which shall be made under their authority; to all Regional ministers and consuls; to controversies to which a sole Regional Government shall be a party; to controversies between two or more Nation-States within one Region; between citizens of different Nation-States within one Region. 3. Federation Supreme Court. In all cases affecting Federation ambassadors, other Federation ministers and consuls, and those in which a Region shall be a party, the Federation Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases, the Federation Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress of the Federation shall make. 4. Regional Supreme Court. In all cases affecting Regional ambassadors, other Regional ministers and consuls, and those in which Nation-States within one Region shall be a party, the Regional Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases, the Regional Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Regional Congress shall make and not in violation with the law of the Federation. 5. Rules Respecting Trials. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; the trial shall be at such place or places as determined by the respective Congress. No attainder shall work against subsequent generations of criminals. 6. Treason. Treason against the Federation shall consist only in levying war against the Federation, Regions, or member Nation-States, or in adhering to the enemies of the Federation, Regions, or member Nation-States. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in front of at least two witnesses. The Senate shall have the power to declare the punishment of treason. Law sets the minimum standard for society; people need to set the highest standard. Use Discipline, Respect, Humility, and Appreciation and continue to evolve to achieve Spirituality, Wisdom, Knowledge, Courage, and Strength, to gain the power, healing, blessing and transformation, to Live in Truth, in Justice, and in Righteousness. Martin Alpert March 20, 1995 ---------------------------------------------------------------- This is meant to be a living document. Please send any recommendations for improvement, implementation, or other help you may have to: Marty Alpert, 180 Basswood Lane, Cleveland, Ohio 44022 |