However, I have noticed – over time – that there seem to be some basic shared national values amongst the vast majority of Americans, whether conservative or liberal. So the notion of amending the Constitution is what makes perfect sense. It is Article V that allows us to do this, and it places no restrictions. While Article V is the stroke of genius that anticipates national evolution, it also gives us the ability to destroy the Constitution, if the People so chose. Something very close to this almost happened in Venezuela not too long ago.

Therefore, it has occurred to me that we attempt to identify the most basic national values that most of us agree on, and construct an amendment accordingly. Then establish in the amendment that the principles contained can never be altered once the amendment is ratified. I find it somewhat scary that an extreme political persuasion could overwhelm our country, vote sympathetic representatives into both state, and federal office, and then alter the Constitution to suit their view of the way things should be.

While this seems the remotest of possibilities, the downright terrifying advances the religious right has made in our political system should give any reasonable mind pause to think.

So after some prodding from friends sick of listening to me go on about the problems with our Constitution, I finally starting working on, what would be the 28th Amendment, if nothing else is done before. But no single person should attempt to define the basic tenets which define our nation. Should any one be interesting in taking a look at a very rudimentary beginning at doing something, I’d love to send you what I have, and would love to begin a discussion that just might go somewhere. I can be contacted at bbmr@worldpath.net .

Jim Clark