Petition Tag - constitution

José Belo, editor-in-chief of Tempo Semanal, has been charged following publication of an article in his newspaper and online publication, alleging corruption by Justice Minister Lucia Lobato in the awarding of a prison contract to her husband.

View petition

We, as Americans, must insure that our current and future political leaders cherish and honor The Constitution of The United States of America. We cannot let the 222-year-old experiment called America fail because of a 1-month radical agenda in Washington, DC filled with manipulation and deceit.

Social issues have changed, technology has changed, and our knowledge has changed. However, human nature and behavior have not changed. This is why The Constitution is not out of date or ever will be because it protects us from the frailties and whims of our leaders.

Please sign this petition electronically by clicking the "Sign Petition" button below. Your email address will be kept condfidential. Also, please forward this petition to all of your friends and family.

Sincerely,
Bill Hedgecock

View petition

The Tenth Amendment provides that “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.”

In Accordance to Article I Section 2 of the State of North Carolina Constitution. It also Clearly states:
Sec. 2. Sovereignty of the people.

"All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole."
Also In Accordance Article I
Sec. 35. Recurrence to fundamental principles.

A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.

Sec. 36. Other rights of the people.

The enumeration of rights in this Article shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people.

It is our belief that the federal government has consistently over-stepped its constitutional boundaries and usurped the powers reserved to the states, and therefore the people.

A North Carolina Sovereignty Resolution will remind the federal government of its proper role and place.

Our goal is to have a resolution adopted and passed by the North Carolina State Legislature during the calendar year 2009.

Is North Carolina alone in this movement? The answer is no. There are no less than 31 states that are claiming and/or planning similar legislation.

The State Sovereignty movement clearly arises from the belief that the balance of power has tilted too far and too long in the direction of the federal government and that it’s time to restore that loose balance.

So, would you please join us in support of a North Carolina Sovereignty Resolution by signing the petition?

In Support of:
A Joint Resolution claiming Sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,and Article I Sections 2, 35 and 36 of the State of North Carolina Constitution over certain powers; serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates; and directing distribution.

View petition

"... the people may change the constitution whenever and however they please. This is a right of which no positive institution can ever deprive them."
Constitutional Framer James Wilson

This quote by James Wilson brings up the idea of a popular amendment; an idea lost on many of the students of the Constitution let alone those with the power to enact it. In the Constitution there are four formal ways to amend it:
• Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state conventions (never used)
• Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state legislatures (never used)
• Proposal by Congress, ratification by state conventions (used once)
• Proposal by Congress, ratification by state legislatures (used all other times)
One informal way to “amend” it by changing the interpretation of the document (suffrage rights). The most interesting, however, is the popular amendment. This would involve a proposition by any citizen of the United States and somehow be passed by a National voting body that currently does not exist.

This petition is designed to make the popular amendment a viable option for the American people to change the Constitution. To make this a legitimate option three things must be defined: a national voting body, the Constitutionality of the proposal, and the percent of the population required to pass the proposition.

There is no national voting body. All national elections are done on a local level. I propose using the current presidential election forum, minus the Electoral College. This would allow every legal voter to have their opinion heard directly via the popular vote.

The Constitution is a document unlike any in the history of the World. It is the driving force behind the good our politicians do. When dealing with the Constitution we must be very cautious for it is the cornerstone of our Republic, without it democracy as the world knows it would fail. Noting this, our system of government has allowed for the nine most qualified students of the Constitution to make judgments on the document through the Supreme Court. For a proposition to be proposed as a possible amendment to the predefined national voting body the Supreme Court must issue a binding declaratory judgment ruling that the proposal is constitutional.

Recognizing the magnitude of the proposal (a change to the very core of America) a mere 51% vote will not be acceptable. When dealing with the Constitution partisan alliances and preferences must be able to be overcome in the voting process. We cannot have amendments to the Constitution being thrown in when the Country is upset with a specific party only to “re-amend” it when they switch alliances. I propose that a 90% popular vote be required to pass a popular amendment.

Follow the wishes of our Founding Fathers and sign your name to allow yourself to propose your beliefs to the Nation for ratification.

View petition

UPDATE: April 26, 2011

Kevin was sentenced to 10 years in State Prison for involuntary manslaughter on Oct. 16, 2009. He will be eligible for Parol next January. In fact the Parole Board is currently reviewing his case.

He has thus far served more than 2 1/2 years as a model inmate. He has not received even one disciplinary report since the day that he turned himself in to law officials. He gets along well with prison staff as well as the other inmates. He has completed all required classes as well as some that were not required. He has used this time in prison to grow spiritually and focus on ways to improve his life as an individual. His plans upon release from prison, are to be a responsible parent to his young children and to become involved in some type of programs to warn young people of the dangers of alcohol, drugs and firearms.

I thank God for getting him through all of this safely and for caring people like you who sign this petition asking the Parole Board to Please allow him the chance to come home and prove himself to be a real asset to society.

ORIGINAL PETITION:
On September 27, 2008, Kevin Sutton, 36 years old, shot and killed Jeffrey Kipp Harper, who grabbed a knife off of a table and cut Kevin Sutton across his ribs, kicked him backward out of his own door, and told him that he was getting his gun to kill him. The incident took place at the home of Kevin Sutton. His friend, Jeffrey Kipp Harper became very belligerent and out of control after having an excessive amount of alcohol. Kevin told him to leave his home and Kipp became violent. This is when Kipp attacked him with a knife and kicked him out of the door.

Kevin had planned to go hunting earlier in the day and his gun was still leaning next to the porch when he caught hold of it upon pulling his self up off the ground. Kevin heard Kipp say he was going back in to get his gun and saw him point what appeared to be a revolver at him through he window when he, Kevin, fired the shotgun at Kipp through the window in defense of his own life.

The Investigator admitted at the Preliminary Hearing that there had not been a “real” search of the premises for any additional firearms.

There were two witnesses at the scene during the alleged crime who both admit that they don’t remember what happened because they were high on drugs and drunk on Tequila. These two drug addicts were found back at the scene very early the following morning, inside the house (they did not live there). They had broken down the crime scene tape and gone into the house. The morning after this, it was discovered that two TV’s, a VCR and some other things had been stolen from the residence.

Kevin Sutton was charged with Malice Murder and Felony Murder. The District Attorney reasons that since Kevin was on the outside that he should have been able to get to safety. However, they are not taking into consideration the fact that Kevin has a physical disability (cerebral palsy) that severely affects his ability to run.

What has happened to everyone’s constitutional right to defend oneself and family?

View petition

The 2009 Obama-Biden administration has already demonstrated their intent is to release confusion, discord, distrust, and an attack against the American people and the U.S. Constitution, itself.

Whereas, before they have even been installed into the Office of President and Vice President, they and many of their supporters have continued to disregard and disrespect the Constitution and the American traditions, values, mores, and God.

Whereas, while our military are fighting on foreign shores and at home to protect our rights, their families and ours are being systematically stripped of all rights.

Whereas, at a time of severe national crisis with people losing their jobs, healthcare, homes, and basic sustenances, Barack Obama has not ceased to publicly and arrogantly flaunt his multimillions of dollars purportedly received in multiples of dollar contributions during his electoral campaigns, his own having started in 2004, at the Democratic National Convention and did not end until the November 4, 2008, Presidential general election.

Whereas, Barack Obama has stated many times that, as President, he will form a coalition government of local, national, and international partnerships to decide issues for Americans with him.

Whereas, Barack Obama has stated his plans are to create a participatory form of governance rather than the constitutionally mandated representative form of governance by a sitting Congress, and such actions, if he is allowed to follow through, would facilitate a constitutional crisis of monumental proportions and forever change this nation's credibility at home and abroad as a sovereign democratic Republic and leader of the free world.

Whereas, Barack Obama has proved by his actions that he has no love of God or country, and he has no respect for authority, except his own.

Whereas, Barack Obama has no administrative or military experience and we are a nation at war, but he is not stable and decisive when called for.

Whereas, we do not believe Barack Obama is committed to protecting, preserving, and defending our constitution, by his failure to adhere to even the election laws with impunity and without accountability to anyone and that must no longer stand to be the case.

And,

Whereas, all citizens of this nation, whether natural born or nationalized, we have the right to expect our elected leaders to uphold their vows taken when first admitted to those sacred halls of government. And, no less shall we expect, also, from the President of the United States of America.

View petition

The Democratic National Committee has failed to exercise due diligence with respect to Barack Obama's constitutional qualifications to be elected and serve as President of The United States, and for his inclusion on the ballots across the United States as a candidate for President of the United States.

Essentially, the argument is this:

Senator Obama could put this whole issue to rest by providing an official "vault copy" birth certificate.
Senator Obama has chosen not to do so.
The defendants (other than Obama) have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the electoral system by properly vetting the qualifications of candidates, which they have failed to perform.

Americans, and our system of government are damaged by this failure.
Senator Obama, who has collected $425,000,000 in campaign contributions, has perpetrated a fraud.

Obama is a representative of the Democratic People. However, Obama must meet the Qualifications specified for the United States Office of the President, which he must be a “natural born” citizen. Additionally, Obama must be at least a “naturalized” citizen to hold his Office of U.S. Senator for Illinois. Unfortunately, Obama is not a “natural born” citizen, nor is he a “naturalized” citizen. Just to name one of the problems, Obama lost his U.S. citizenship when his mother married an Indonesian citizen, Lolo Soetoro who legally “acknowledged” Obama as his son in Indonesia and/or “adopted” Obama, which caused Obama to become a “natural” Indonesian citizen. Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro relocated herself and Obama to Indonesia wherein Obama’s mother naturalized in Indonesia. This is proven by Obama’s school record with the student’s name as “Barry Soetoro”, Father’s name: Lolo Soetoro, M.A., and Citizenship: Indonesia.

View petition

This petition is being utilized as a real-time voting tool online. This effort is sponsored by the social network "Candidate Forum 2008: The American Presidential Election". See the web-link above.

View petition

In 2004, Tony Blair, the then Labour Party leader and British Prime Minister, promised the country a referendum on the EU Constitution.

He did this because the EU Constitution altered Britain’s relationship with the European Union and handed over a massive amount of power to Brussels. In 2005, the Labour Party fought and won a General Election with the referendum pledge contained in their manifesto.

Also in 2005, the EU Constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters, ensuring the proposed constitution was scrapped.

Now, in place of the failed EU Constitution, EU leaders, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have signed a Reform Treaty, which is almost identical to the EU Constitution. It also involves a huge amount of powers being transferred to Brussels. However, the Labour Party has gone back on its referendum pledge of 2005 and is refusing to give the people a vote.

We, the UK Independence Party South Sefton Branch, believe that this is a disgrace and a betrayal of the British people. Therefore we are calling on Bootle’s Labour MP to follow the lead of his Labour colleagues on Merseyside, Frank Field MP and Bob Wareing MP, and support a referendum.

View petition

Background can be found on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Pakistani_state_of_emergency

This is a statement from Boston area students, academics, professionals and citizens to voice their concern for the current constitutional and political crisis in Pakistan.

View petition

Black period in Pakistan's history...

03.11.2007:

* disrespected the constitution of 1973
* declared emergency
* suspended and dissolved the judiciary
* banned media

06.11.2007:

* 1000's of people been detained
* 1000's of people harassed and beaten up
* demonstrations trough out the country

10.11.2007:

* 10,000's of people detained
* 10,000's of people harassed and beaten up

14.11.2007:

* Imran Khan arrested, harassed, humiliated by the police

16.11.2007:

* Under extreme pressure from Musharraf and the
government Geo News and Ary Oneworld has been shut
down late Friday night

Generally:

Since the imposition of the emergency in Pakistan, Musharaf have not allowed people to hold demonstrations, public gatherings etc.

When ever or who ever have tried to organize a demonstration have been detained and harassed by the police - not only the organizers but also children, women and elders who are participating in the demonstrations are harassed and detained.

The media are not allowed to show the truth - they were approached by Government to sign a agreement on what they could show on TV - GEO and ARY refused, today, on the 16.11.2007 after tremendous pressure from Musharaf both channels has closed!

Musharaf is doing what ever he can do to hide the truth!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PETITION YOU MAY CONTACT US AT: long.live.pakistan@hotmail.com

View petition

The current Labour government was elected in 2005 on a manifesto that promised to hold a referendum on the constitution of the EU.

Now the name of the constitution has been changed to Treaty and no referendum is planned.

The consequences of Britain signing up to this treaty will massively influence how this country is run and the electorate have the right to vote.

View petition

August 10, 2007

The Chief Justice,
Mumbai High Court,
Mumbai.

Sub : S O S APPEAL FROM RESIDENTS OF SAKET COMPLEX, THANE TO STOP MOVEMENT OF HEAVY VEHICLES ON SAKET ROAD.

Respected Sir,

On behalf of 4000 residents residing in Saket CHS Ltd. and Saket Towers, I am filing this letter to you with an urgent plea to kindly intervene and give us relief for the various reasons mentioned under alongwith facts :

1. Vide its order dated July 26,2006, the Mumbai High Court through its respectable Judges, Justice RM Lodha and Justice Naresh H Patil, restricted the movement of Heavy vehicles in the city of Thane, from Majiwade junction to Meenatai Thackeray Chowk to K Villa up to Kalwa Bridge and onwards towards Vitava and Belapur.

2. Delivering the judgement the Hon. Judges stated that (quote) : Pt. no. 2 : The AGP informs us that a meeting of the Collector, Thane, Commissioner, Thane, Municipal Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner(Traffic), Thane and City Engineer, Thane Municipal Corporation took place on July 24, 2006.

3. Pt. no. 3 of the said judgement further states that (quote) : The AGP placed before us a change route map,marked X for identification purposes. As per the said route map, the traffic from National Highway No. 3 and National Highway No. 4 now passes through the road marked by arrows from Navi Mumbai to Old Agra Rd. According to the decision taken in the said meeting, the traffic from National Highway No. 3 and National Highway No. 4 does not pass through Meenatai Thackeray Chowk ( Castle Mill). We are thus satisfied that the grievance of the petitioner raised through the PIL has been redressed and no further orders need to be passed in the writ petition.(unquote).

4. After this order, the Thane Municipal Corporation and Traffic Police diverted the entire traffic of Heavy Vehicles on SAKET MARG.

5. The area through which the traffic is now passing consists of a cluster of 24 buildings( 7 storied) and 3 Towers ( 19 storied) – all residential premises. There is a School and Junior College in the area which works in 2 shifts. In fact, there are less residential buildings in the so-called city area from Meenatai
Thackeray Chowk to Kalwa Bridge, as the road passes through a big lake on one side, a playground on the other side and a Jail premises later.

6. We would like to stress here that the Hon. High Court does not possess, nor is it expected to possess the specialized knowledge about the effects of the movement of Heavy Traffic from different areas of the City.

7. Looking at the trends seen for the last few years in the High Court regarding PILs, it is noticed that the judiciary is now taking over the role of Bureaucracy without having to take the responsibility and in the course, instead of hauling up the concerned officers responsible for the mess, the Courts are indulging in trying to sort out the mess itself.

8. In the current case, we would like to inform you that there are 4000 people residing in the Saket vicinity who are bearing the brunt of the irresponsible decision to divert Highway traffic through a stretch of a road meant for residential premises and constructed to withstand only LIGHT VEHICULAR movement.

9. This diversion has created daily nuisance to these thousands of people including school going children, pregnant women, senior citizens and office-goers.

10. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE THANE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND TRAFFIC DEPT. PREFERRED TO KEEP THE HON. HIGH COURT IN DARK ABOUT THE REGULAR CIVIL SUIT NO. 239/2005, FILED BY M/S. DAYANAND NENE AND RAJENDRA ABHYANKAR, BOTH RESIDENTS OF SAKET CHS LTD., WHICH IS PENDING IN THE CIVIL COURT, THANE, FOR RELIEFS REGARDING THE VERY TRAFFIC ON THE SAID ROAD ON VARIOUS GROUNDS INCLUDING THE POOR CONDITION OF THE ROAD.

11. A survey conducted by the Thane Municipal Corporation, after diverting this traffic on Saket Marg produced a shocking picture. It was found that in 24 hours more than 14,000 vehicles ply to and fro on this stretch of 4 kms – movement which has destroyed the road and left behind huge craters, rubble, pollution and NOISE POLLUTION.

12. Yes, during night time the noise levels due to constant brakeing and honking by these vehicles reaches decibel levels exceeding 130. The Supreme Court / High Courts have been pro-active in barring usage of Loud Speakers or Crackers after 10 pm. So, our plea is ban movement of Heavy Vehicles near Residential premises after 10 pm!

13. Here, we would like you to consider the following :
• Whether all parties present in the July 24 meeting have acted in conformity with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act?
• If they have acted in conformity with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, whether the diversion of Highway led traffic through an internal residential road can be construed of PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND DOES NOT AMOUNT TO VIOLATION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AS GUARANTEED UNDER ARTICLE 21 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA?

• Whether such disowning of responsibility which leads to residents resorting to remedies of Raasta Roko or Bandhs are in the best interest of society?

On this background, we have no alternative but to invoke extraordinary jurisdiction of this Hon. High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the protection of the rights of people as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and seeking redress of our grievance to implement the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act so as to maintain and uphold the interest of Public Safety and not allow it redundant at any cost and in any circumstances.
Hence this petition!!

Regards,

Dayanand Nene
A7/303, Saket CHSL,
Thane 400 601.
# 3290 4315/ 93239 60475.

View petition

Raoghat needs to be protected if we have to save planet earth.

One of the Newpaper today stated that a MOU to plunder the Raoghat Hills will be signed at Delhi on 6th August,2007.

If at all this projects comes up it will be doomsday to the beautiful flaura and fauna and the rich culture and traditions of the Indigenous people residing in Bastar.

On 3rd july 2007 the Business Community of Narainpur District in North Bastar called for a "Bund"(closure) .The reason was the fight between the Business Communities of Narainpur and Antagarh District for the ownership of Raoghat Township once the Raoghat mines start.

This looks like a well planned conspiracy to divert the mind of the people from the real issues surrounding the RaoGhat Mines and the Rail Project.Is it because this project was rejected in the nineties by the Enviroment and Forest Ministry?Why the State Government feels that now when there is a worlwide concern to save Environment that they will get clearance from the Ministry?

Why are the sentiments of the Indigenous people being completely ignored?

Has anyone bothered to find out about the name "Rao Ghat"?According to the local belief Rao Ghat is home too the Creator of this world Lord "Raja Rao Natraj" and Goddess "Mata Maoli"(sister of Maa Danteshwari) and their family.

Not only the local people come here to worship daily but also they gather in large numbers throughout the year and take out "Jatra"(procession) of the God and Godess.Even lot of foreign tourist come here to enjoy the wonderful eco-system present at Rao Ghat.

So any mining at RaoGhat will be like destroying the God and Goddess of the Tribals thus will come under the SC/ST Atrocities Act of the Constitution of India.

Is the State Government planning a revolt by the Indigenous people so that they can kill and displace more tribals as they have been doing since the start of Salwa Judum??

Just because "Dalli Rajhara" mines are over Bhilai Steel plant now wants "Rao Ghat" mines.What will happen once the "Rao Ghat" mines are also exhausted?

Is it really the BSP which wants the mines or they are playing in the hands of Tata,Essar,Jindal and other Sponge Iron Units of Chhattisgarh? Afterall the "Bailadilla" mines in Dantewada District which belongs to the NMDC is now being allotted to the likes of Tata Steel,Essar Steel and other mining companies?

In the days of Global Warming,Tsunami and Weather Change do we really need to destroy the most beautiful and amazing eco-system still existing in RaoGhat?

Is BSP playing in the hands of Tata and Essar Steel?
Are we not worried that our future generation won't have fresh air to breathe or will there be a future generations at all???

The Locals in Raoghat area have strong belief in their God and Goddess and they feel that if RaoGhat is disturbed it will bring an end to the human race.

Is the State Government and the Government at the Center listening?May be the State Government and the Business Community for once should think about what they are leaving for the future generations and not their immediate gains....

As per the provisions of the Constitution of India, the resolve of the village council is supreme in Bastar District. No body can play with the resolve of the tribal village council. However, contrary to those provisions, state government is acting as the agent of the private industrial houses, did not bothered to educate the tribals about the importance of public hearing at a village council to manage the favorable resolve of the village council.

View petition

Other countries have a No Confidence provision in their laws in order to remove elected officials from office. I believe that this would be a benefit to the United States as well.

Currently, we have an Impeachment process that can be cumbersome, expensive and drawn-out.

A No Confidence Vote is a simple matter and can be written in such a manner as to provide for an orderly transition of power and in a way that the priviledge would not be able to be abused.

View petition

A petition of the American people, declaring our intent to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to work within the lawful Constitutional framework to hold all in conspiracy against us accountable for their crimes.

View petition

Be it known that WE THE PEOPLE as Legal Voting Citizens of a Sovereign United States of America, fully oppose any statute, rule, law, judgment, and act that is inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States of America.

View petition

Targets: The Office of The President of the United States, The United States Congress, all elected and appointed judges, government officers and officials, all law enforcement agencies and their personnel and all personnel of all courts of the United States of America.

Be it known that WE THE PEOPLE as Legal Voting Citizens of a Sovereign United States of America, fully oppose any statute, rule, law, judgment, and act that is inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States of America.

Discussion: If all men and women are created equal and have equal constitutional rights as assured by out founding fathers, we shall live and be governed by one set of laws, rules, and regulations, and one set of consequences thereof, instead of certain privileged individuals/persons, having influence over those laws, rules, statutes and regulations, to be constructed and/or applied differently for them or others seeking to have privileges that the Constitution does not afford them.

America shall once again become, and remain, the land of equal opportunity and equal rights regardless of one’s position and/or role in our society, and regardless of their: race, religion, age, sex, or financial standing.

View petition

Urge State Representative Mike Lahti to introduce legislation to begin the process of amending Michigan's Constitution to define life as starting at conception, and protect all preborn children in Michigan.

View petition

In state of Serbia, republican political parties and other republican organizations want to make the referendum to set up a republican constitution in Serbia.

But, Serbia was always the monarchy, always when she was in freedom, untill in 1945. Serbian monarchy was nullify by the tirrany of the communist party.

Today, republicans in Serbia want to make some referednum, without any possibility for the people of Serbia to vote for their 1000 years old monarchy and King, which is representative of The Dynasty Karadjordjevic, establishers of modern Serbia.

View petition

The United States Congress is currently considering a bill that would allow the District of Columbia to receive one Congressional District and Utah a 4th Congressional District.

This is seen as a political trade as Washington, DC currently does not have a regular member of Congress and would likely vote Democrat. Utah missed receiving a 4th Congressional Seat after the last census in 2000 by about 800 citizens and would likely vote Republican.

According to Article I Section 2 of the United States Constitution it is clear that Congressional Seats are reserved for States. The current proposal to grant a Congressional Seat to Washington, DC is not allowed by the Constitution. In fact, during the 1970's this very act was proposed though it was handled correctly: An Amendment to the Constitution was proposed.

We are greatly concerned by the manner in which Congress is handling this. By acting to "amend" the Constitution by simply changing Federal Law a precedent is being set. A precedent that leaves our Constitution vulnerable to whimsical changes. We do not support that precedent.

I should personally add that I am a resident of Utah, the very state that would be granted another Congressional seat in this effort. We would love another seat in Utah though we want it done properly. This petition does not take a position on the merits of Washington, DC receiving a Congressional District other than if it happens it should be done properly: by a Constitutional Amendment.

View petition

May 30, 2006

Gradually over the years we have found that the judiciary's teeth have been blunted by politicians in parliament.

It's just a matter of time before we can talk in the past tense, of the judiciary as a pillar of democracy. The Supreme Court it seems has taken note of the situation arising out of Anti Reservation protests and asked the Centre for details on how the implementation is to be carried out.

But it will be very naive to expect that the SC can really give the meritorious future of India any justice. This is no pessimism, at one point of time the Chief Justice has made a comment to the effect let the government shut down the courts. The immediate recent examples of mockery that come to mind is that of illegal constructions in Delhi and of course our own Surupsinh Naik in Mumbai who has been sentenced to Jail for contempt but is partying at a government hospital entertaining guests, ordering pizza's and samosa's, we are told he suffers from a heart ailment. The SC may consider sending him a get well soon card.

I request the SC to force a review of the reservation policy which is, as being implemented and practised today, biased and contrary to the principles of equality and justice as enshrined in the constitution.

If at all there have to be reservations (whatever be the criteria), before being implemented let there first be a census as to what castes/class? in what numbers? and where? are in need of reservation in the India of today. There should also be a comprehensive plan, to periodically say every FOUR years, review whether the implementation is in the right direction and if not-why??? which caste/class now does not need the crutches anymore?

Also the likes of Lallu's, Paswan's, Bhujbal's and others should be struck off the list of BC/SC/ST or whatever other class that the politicians may ingeniously create as they now form the ruling elite.

Let there be no politics with the future.

View petition

This petition is in response to the proposal for 27% reservation quota in favor of the backward classes by HRD Minister Arjun Singh.

This letter voices the strong opposition to this recent proposal, and is not by any means, must be seen as an evidence of contempt towards the SC/ST/OBC. In the form of this letter, we attempt to initiate the realization of the major flaws in the whole system.

To do so, we require to carefully examine the legal, economical and the logical aspects as to why these quota reservations could pose a major threat to the well being of our country.

Need for Reservation- Reality or Myth?
The basic motive was to give the students belonging to the SC/ST/OBC equal opportunities because of their social disadvantages and lack of resources & exposure.

We need to ask ourselves: Has this motive been accomplished by the said reservation quotas?? Ask any doctor or engineer who has graduated with the tag of 'quota' and it will be clear that the procedure has failed to achieve genuine equality, depriving us from the Fundamental Right to Equality.

Constitution and Reservation:
Where articles 15 and 16 ensure every citizen freedom and equality before law, the unpractical provisions for reservation only highlight the contradictions in the machinery of the government.

Reservations were a part of the constitution when it was released in 1950. However, that was supposed to be a temporary measure and was to last for 10 years.

Part XVI of the Constitution makes certain reservations for the SC/ ST/ OBC for their election in the Legislative Assemblies and the House of People. Article 334 expressly provides that the reservations and special representations will cease after a period of fifty years. An Amendment (79th amendment w.e.f. 25-1-2000) to the Constitution in 1999 extended this time frame of fifty years to sixty years. Is this justified? Isn't this detrimental to the interests of the general members of the country who will now consider themselves unfortunate for not being tagged as "depressed" classes.

More than 50 years later the reservations continue to exist and have only become higher with passing years. The politicians, in an attempt to woo more votes from the public, continue to reserve more and more seats for SCs/ STs/ OBCs. This makes us feel as if the government covers its vested interests and political peripherals in the large cloak of democracy.

Certain Consequence of Reservation Regime:
The following are the sure consequences in case if the reservation regime is passed inspite of major oppositions by the IITs, and IIMs:

• The caste-hatred in the country will increase, leading to aggravated tensions in the IIT and IIM class rooms.

• Youngsters will lose faith in the democratic system of the country. If vote banks are so important to our politicians then we assure them that they'd lose a considerable part of it. We will not stay unplugged.

• The benefit of reservation is always lapped up by the quota-students coming into the creamy layer, not being entitled for reservation, while candidates who may be more meritorious miss out on those seats. Such candidates might decide to go abroad, considering their encroachment of opportunities, to accomplish their further studies. This results in India losing talented people, who could have been the country's future.

• The quota system, created to facilitate the poor, ends up wrongly being utilized by children of rich people, ministers and IAS officers belonging to SC/ST/OBC. The government and the ministers need to sit and carefully analyze the possible effects on their moves.

• Quota helps students secure seat, not degree. This is a hard truth.

• Brain Drain- With the reservation regime being proposed with ease and pomp, most of the parents are pushing their children to pursue their academics from institutions abroad sans the inequality and the so called privileged treatment confined only to the "depressed" classes. This will result in a major brain drain. There will be a time when we'll have to have reservation.

• It is a well known fact that Where there is a Will, there is a way. If a certain member of the so called SC/ ST/ OBCs is really deserving and hard working then he/ she will surely rise through the ranks. There are already a lot of opportunities. People don't ask you now whether or not you are a member of SC/ ST/ OBCs if you're hard working enough. Then why should the SC/ ST/ OBCs come out and expressly mention their caste details in order to be treated in a privileged manner? Dr. Ambedkar, too, worked his way to the top in an era that was plagued with inequality and untouchability sans the reservation and quota policy. It is surprising to not to know any famous person who has reached the heights that Dr. Ambedkar himself has reached inspite of the quota tainted five decades. This is the biggest failure of the concept of Reservation.

• Most quota students are not able to meet the standards of IITs, IIMs or other Indian institutes which are now globally acknowledged. These places of learning will have to bring down their standards and compromise on quality, which will, as an end-result affect the efficient development of the nation. It remains to be seen if the politicians consider their vote banks as important or the economic development of their country and the integrity of the constitution.

• The placements of these revered institutes too bear the brunt.

Some statistics that highlight that Reservation Regime will lead nowhere:

• The majority of quota students have failed to achieve even average performance:
o At IIM-Lucknow in 2004-05, large number of quota students failed to clear PG prog-I
o At GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, 50%admitted under quota flunk this year,35% get grace marks.
o 60% students fail to clear BSc exam,50% BCom and 40% BA under Allahabad University.

• The government might be pushing for reservations for OBCs, but as things stand on the ground, even the 22.5% quota (SC/ST) in higher educations remains unfilled.

• DATA collected by HRD Ministry for 2003-04 (latest figures available) show that the total number of students in higher educational institutes-a little over one crore-only 16% are SCs/ST. Which clearly means even with the existing quota, 6.5% of reserved seats are going vacant.

• The ministry's data on admission says:
o In classes 1 to 5, as many as 27% of students are from SC/ST category.
o In higher classes, heir number reduces - so that only 24% SC/ST students remain in class 5 to 8, and just 19.1% in class 12.
o Of the 1489 seats in IIMs, 16.4% are filled up by SC/ST students.
o In IITs,it is about 18%.

• Even now more than 60% of the students, whose performance are discussed in the Student Review Committee meetings of IIT Delhi, belong to the reserved categories.

o The cumulative grade point average of these students hovers in 5-6.5 range.
o This despite the fact that a one year preparatory course in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is conducted for them.

• Moreover, its not just academics that suffer in the hands of reservation. We feel that government is dragging down the level of premier institutions instead of trying to bring them up to international levels.

Alternative solutions to the hike in quota:

• The number of seats in premier institutes may be increased, but then the quality of education should not be hampered, to attain which, it will be necessary to increase the teaching faculty as well along with the infrastructure.

• The unavailability of seats is not as big a problem to the SC/ST/OBC as their financial crunch is. Assistance may be provided in the forms of scholarships.

• The expenditure on higher and technical education is 0.4% and 0.1% of GDP, respectively. This should be raised.

• Progeny of those who have got a position through quota should be denied the same privilege. One 'quota-case' in every family is sufficient.

• The misuse of the quota by the powerful and the rich should be taken care of. Proper investigations and checks must be undertaken by the ministers who so loudly advocate the reservation regime.

• The level of primary and secondary education must be boosted. All the problems start from primary level itself, if a student does not have a strong base, then he cannot complete higher education successfully.

• The government should make efforts to uplift backward classes by strengthening the educational base of these classes at the primary level. Caste does not define how intelligent a person is. Rather it is differences in resources and exposure.

• The government should start some campaigns to ensure that students from all sections of society are encouraged to pursue studies atleast till 12th standard.

• Reservations in premier institutes are of no use unless creamy layer of students is kept out of it.

Merit V/s Quota
* FICCI president Y K Modi on September 4, 2004: "No where in the world is there reservation in the private sector".

* CII president Anand Mahindra on May 31, 2004: "The concept of reservation without reference to merit could have a distorting effect on the operations of the private sector".

* Ratan Tata: "Though I do not want to comment on it (reservation), it is bad in some way, it will tend to divide the country into different groups." " While uplift of socially backward classes is important, merit is an important aspect and should not be compromised"

* Assocham president K Sanghi on June 14, 2004: "It will have a far reaching impact on the industry as it may completely destroy the meritocracy in such units and bring inefficiency".

* FICCI president Y K Modi on September 04, 2004: "We oppose it as the move is against industrialisation and will lead to job reduction".

* NASSCOM president Kiran Karnik on May 31, 2004: "It will completely destroy the meritocracy in the private sector".

* Pune-based Alfa Laval India's MD Satish Tondon on August 08, 2004: "If I employ 1,000 staff, 5 per cent reservation would mean I have to recruit 50 people I may not need".

In the end we'd like to mention that the upliftment of socially backward classes is important, merit is an important aspect and should not be compromised. If the quota system has failed to serve the purpose till now, how is it going to help by increasing it?

View petition

March 01, 2006

The Government should not be directly involved in education.

The Constitution of the US mentions nothing of governmental supported education, so why is our government paying and ruling our public school education?

View petition

February 26, 2006

This Is a Petition Stating that the Laws for the use of marijuana in the USA are extremely out of control.

Rape and Murdur can now be less serious offences of that of a marijuana smoker.

View petition

I do not think it is fair that students can only wear hats on exceptional days.

Hats are nothing but an addition to clothing. Thay should be allowed in school.

View petition

Did you know that African-Americans' right to VOTE will expire in the year 2007? Seriously! The Voters' Rights Act signed in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson was just an ACT. It was not made a law.

In 1982, Ronald Reagan amended the Voters Rights Act for another 25 years. Which means that in the year 2007 we could lose the Right to vote!

Does anyone realize that African Americans are the only group of people who require PERMISSION under the United States Constitution to vote!

In the year 2007, Congress will once again convene to decide whether or not Blacks should retain the rights to vote (crazy but true).

View petition

Pennsylvania lawmakers voted themselves a payraise. The increase ranges anywhere fron 16% to 30%.

I would like to petition our State Government to amend our State Constitution to allow the citizens to write and vote on referendums so we can force our legislature to decrease their pay raise to a more reasonable rate.

View petition

Citizens and Friends of Israel:

Israel, despite its periodic multi-party elections, is NOT, nor has it ever been, a genuine democracy.

Unlike all democratic regimes, in Israel the entire country constitutes a single electoral district, where parties compete for Knesset seats on the basis of Proportional Representation (PR).

Knesset Members (MKs) are not individually elected by and accountable to the voters in constituency elections—the practice of all democratic countries, many of which are smaller in size and population than Israel.

In Israel, citizens are compelled to cast their ballots for a fixed party list, and the ballot slips indicate only the name of the party without mentioning the names of its candidates!

Strange as it may seem, this system of Proportional Representation militates against democracy, especially with Israel's low electoral threshold.

Proportional Representation produces a multiplicity of parties, such that no party has ever won a majority of Knesset seats. Hence the Government or Cabinet invariably consists of a multiplicity of rival party leaders, each with his own agenda.

Since these party leaders never have to compete in constituency or regional elections, they remain safely ensconced in power at the top of their party's electoral list, which enables them to influence the order of candidates on those lists despite party primaries.

This makes MKs subservient to their party leaders, especially when the latter are cabinet ministers—which explains why 27 of the Likud's 40 MKs voted for unilateral withdrawal from Gaza contrary to their campaign promise!

Since the Cabinet consists of rival parties, its business, in actual practice, is not to pursue a national program "but merely to divide positions of influence and the national budget"—to quote David Ben-Gurion. The Cabinet in Israel thus turns out to be a collection of fiefdoms.

Given such a Cabinet, it is virtually impossible for a prime minister to pursue a coherent and resolute national strategy. This tempts him—at least on controversial issues—to ignore his Cabinet and act on his own—unilaterally.

By so doing, however, he violates the law, namely, Basic Law—the Government, which requires the premier to submit policies of national significance to his Cabinet for approval. The prime minister may therefore behave like a dictator, since his Cabinet rarely has a strong, unified opinion.

Turning to the flaws of Israel's Supreme Court:. The court's president or chief justice can very much determine judicial appointments. The court is therefore regarded by eminent Israelis across the political spectrum as a "Courtocracy"—a "self-perpetuating oligarchy."

Moreover, because of Israel's dysfunctional Knesset and Cabinet, the court often usurps legislative powers and even substitutes its own judgment on military matters—for example, whether buildings used by Arab terrorists may be destroyed. Deadly consequences have followed some of the court's arrogant rulings.

Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin has rightly said that Israel is governed not by the rule of law but by a "gang of law"—a gang headed by Israel's prime minister and the Supreme Court's president.

Lacking in Israel are institutional checks and balances, without which the rule of law gives way to the arbitrary rule of men. It is in this light that one should understand why 10,000 Jews in Gaza and Northern Samaria have been expelled from their homes and farms, their schools and synagogues, on top of so many other abuses of human rights. Moreover, and as Israel's highest military and intelligence officials have warned, retreat from this Jewish land and surrendering it to the PLO-Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad will encourage terrorism everywhere!

The loss of Gush Katif bodes ill for the future of the Jewish State. Israel is suffering not only from treacherous leadership, but from a system of governance that enables Israel's ruling elites to ignore the convictions of the Jewish People with Impunity.

We therefore urge you to study and sign this Petition. This will help us develop an alternative leadership as well as the means of changing Israel's inept, divisive, and undemocratic system of governance.

Prof. Paul Eidelberg
President and Co-Founder of the Foundation for Constitutional Democracy
President, Yamin Israel Party
Website: www.foundation1.org

View petition

Claims of state sovereignty and secession-rights were denied via the American Civil War, but this denial was never legally examined to determine its validity; rather, they were forced on the states solely through federal brute force. However, various experts have recently challenged such denial, claiming that the states are truly sovereign, and that such denial is therefore in breach of existing law. These experts include such reputable and accredited and educated professionals and professors such as Drs. Thomas DiLorenzo, Walter Williams, Thomas E. Woods and others.

If such experts are indeed correct, then this bears dire meaning for our State, with regard to its sovereignty -- as well as to our rights as Michigan citizens.

The State Sovereignty Project therefore seeks to petition the Michigan state legislature to draft a referendum-proposal in order to examine and verify this issue.

This proposal, if passed, will authorize an official state convention, to examine the political status of the State of Michigan according to valid law. This convention will convene a team of of objective and independent experts in the field of legal research, who will examine all relevant evidence regarding this matter.

From this evidence, this team and Convention will determine the actual meaning and impact of the laws and Constitution regarding the political status of the State of Michigan, in relation to the federal Union and government.

Subsequently, the People of the State of Michigan will then examine the Convention's findings, and determine appropriate action in response to such.

View petition