Constitutional Amendment - A Modern Check on Government

We, the people of the United States, declare that the expenditure of money in politics does not constitute free speech but instead amplifies certain voices disproportionately. To restore fairness and ensure equal representation, we find this practice no longer acceptable. Through this amendment, we affirm the necessity of limiting the influence of money and external entities in American elections, enhancing transparency, and implementing measures for ethical modern governance to preserve our democracy for future generations of Americans.

Section 1 - Elections

Public Funding:

1. A General Election Fund shall be established to publicly finance campaigns for federal elections.

2. Congress shall allocate funds annually, to be equitably distributed among states and territories based on the number of candidates.

3. Election officials in each state and territory shall be responsible for distributing funds equally among qualified candidates.

4. Any candidate found in violation of funding regulations shall forfeit all campaign funds and may be disqualified from candidacy.

5. Audits shall be conducted biannually to ensure compliance, with penalties imposed for misallocation or misuse of funds.

Donations and Contributions:

1. Individual contributions to political campaigns shall be permitted with a maximum limit of $5,000 USD per individual per calendar year, subject to adjustment for inflation by a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Representatives.
2. Contributions must originate exclusively from United States citizens. Contributions from foreign entities, organizations with foreign affiliations, or non-citizens are strictly prohibited.
3. Political Action Committees (PACs) are prohibited.
4. Anonymous or pooled contributions are prohibited.
5. Immediate family members and staff of government officials are prohibited from making contributions exceeding the individual limit.
6. Audits shall be conducted biannually to ensure compliance with penalties imposed for violations.

Spending on Campaigns:

1. All election-related expenditures must be conducted solely by the candidate's official campaign.
2. Outside organizations are prohibited from funding, advertising, or otherwise influencing campaigns directly or indirectly.
3. Candidates are prohibited from accepting funds, goods, or services from any organization for personal or campaign purposes. Violations shall result in the forfeiture of campaign funds and immediate disqualification from the election.
4. Audits shall be conducted biannually to ensure compliance, with penalties for violations.

Elections:

1. All general elections for federal offices shall be conducted by popular vote.
2. The Electoral College is hereby abolished.

Political Parties:

1. Political parties are prohibited from directly interfering in election activities beyond advising and organizing.
2. Candidates shall function as independents in all respects except for alliance-building purposes.
3. Political parties shall implement ranked choice voting for primary elections and candidate endorsements.

Election Cycles:

1. Campaign activities, including fundraising, advertising, and public appearances for election purposes, are restricted to the six months preceding an election.
2. Any candidate violating this timeline shall be disqualified from participating in the current election cycle.

  Section 2 - Government Officials: Limits and Accountability Term Limits:

1. Members of the House of Representatives may serve a maximum of four terms (8 years).
2. Senators may serve a maximum of two terms (8 years).
3. Supreme Court justices are limited to a single term of 25 years.
4. Term limits shall apply prospectively to officials assuming office after the ratification of this amendment.

Post-Government Employment Restrictions:

1. A five-year waiting period is required for former government officials and employees before engaging with industries or businesses that interact with the government.

2. Immediate family members of officials and staff are similarly restricted.

3. Individuals transitioning from industries tied to the government must observe a five-year waiting period before campaigning or assuming elected office.

Judicial and Executive Accountability:

1. The head of the Department of Justice shall be an elected position, independent of presidential oversight, to ensure impartiality in upholding the law.

2. Members of the judicial branch may be publicly investigated, impeached, and prosecuted for violations of the law.

3. Investigations shall commence promptly upon the discovery of credible evidence, without preference to position or status.

Government Immunity and Accountability:

1. The President of the United States is subject to prosecution under the law, with no immunity for actions related to constitutional, official, or personal conduct.

2. Government officials and employees may be held accountable for state, local, and federal crimes.

3. Government officials, their staff, and immediate family members are prohibited from receiving pardons for crimes committed during their tenure.

Executive Branch Oversight:

1. All actions taken by the executive branch must be documented and accessible to the public unless classified for legitimate national security reasons.

2. Executive orders shall not contradict existing laws or circumvent legislative authority unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

3. Emergency powers must be approved by Congress within 30 days and renewed periodically by a simple majority vote.

4. Pardons powers must be approved and reviewed by the judicial branch for conflicts of interest, The president may not pardon friends, family, employees and others close to the president.

Section 3 - Transparency and Financial Ethics Prohibition on Receiving Items of Value:

• Government officials and employees are prohibited from accepting items of value, including but not limited to trips, vacations, food, drink, entertainment, monetary gifts, or educational benefits, in connection with their official duties.

• Immediate family members and staff of officials are similarly restricted.

Stock and Cryptocurrency Ownership:

1. Government officials and employees are prohibited from owning, trading, or profiting from stocks, cryptocurrencies, or similar assets during their tenure.

2. Officials must divest such assets three years before assuming office and are prohibited from trading for three years after leaving government service.

3. Immediate family members and staff are subject to the same restrictions.

Non-Profit Campaign Organizations:

• Campaigns shall no longer be classified as non-profit organizations and shall be treated as taxable entities.

Financial Disclosure:

1. All government officials and employees must submit annual financial reports detailing assets, debts, income sources, and any items of value received.

2. Financial disclosures shall be publicly accessible in a centralized database.

3. Additional disclosures may be requested by public petition or congressional inquiry, with findings made publicly available.

Section 4 - Digital Bill of Rights

• Individuals have the right to digital privacy, including control over personal data and protection from unauthorized surveillance. • Internet access shall be recognized as a fundamental right, with measures taken to ensure equitable access. • Freedom of expression in digital spaces shall be upheld, provided it complies with lawful standards. • Digital creations and data are the property of their creators, with ownership rights protected. • Decisions made by automated systems must be transparent, equitable, and non-discriminatory. • Cybersecurity shall be prioritized as a public good, with protection for all citizens. • Digital literacy shall be promoted to enable effective exercise of digital rights.

Section 5 - Business entities, labor and fair tax

Labor and Fair Taxation:

1. Right to Organize: Workers shall have an unalienable right to organize in any manner they choose, including but not limited to unions or alternative organizational structures.

2. Pay Equity: Regardless of class, creed, religion, ethnicity, or heritage, pay equity shall remain a top priority.

3. Taxation of Executive Compensation: Compensation for CEOs and other executives shall be fully taxed, regardless of the form or structure of the organization providing it.

Business entities:

Corporate Accountability and Limitations:

1. The people shall be free from censorship of any kind by Business entities.

2. Business entities shall not be considered "people" under the law and, therefore, shall not receive the same rights as individuals.

Taxation on Global Cross-Border business Entities: All global cross-border business entities shall pay a standardized tax on their total revenue.

1. Initial Tax Rate: 23.01% for all cross-border businesses.

2. Tax Adjustments: Changes to this tax rate require a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Representatives.

Government Employment Restrictions:

1. Individuals transitioning from industries tied to the government must observe a five-year waiting period before campaigning or assuming elected office.

Obligation to Serve Social Good:

1. Business entities operating in the United States must prioritize the public's well-being above profits and losses.

2. Business entities shall not discriminate for or against any individual based on class, creed, religion, ethnicity, heritage or sexual identity.

Internet Neutrality Obligations:

1. Business entities must maintain a neutral internet environment, offering services and results without bias, favoritism, or discrimination.

2. Adherence to the Digital Bill of Rights, all business entities operating within the United States must comply with the provisions outlined in the Digital Bill of Rights. Ratification Clause:

3. States must ratify this amendment within one calendar year of its passage by Congress.

4. If a state fails to ratify the amendment within the allotted time, it will be presumed to have no objections, and the amendment shall proceed as if ratified by that state.