The United States was founded on U.S. Constitution Version 1.0 of 1789. Version 2.0, released in 1791, made 10 significant upgrades to protect citizens against viral government overreach.
Since then, Congress and the states have authorized incremental changes, culminating in version 2.27.
However, system administrators authorized in version 1.0 – the executive, legislative and judicial branches – have far exceeded the limitations expressed in the Version 2.0 Bill of Rights.
This new Version 3.0 brings the Bill of Rights in line with contemporary practices that have made amendment approval obsolete.
Amendment I
Congress shall restrict established religion solely to Christianity in name only, without regard to the practice of its actual tenets; it may abridge the freedom of speech of those deemed otherwise, or the press; or prevent peaceable assembly of persons of color or non-citizens, and require fees to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
An unregulated militia as desired by domestic and foreign arms manufacturers for maximum profits, and the right of anyone to keep, stockpile and bear concealed weapons for any reason whatsoever shall not be infringed, even in the event of monthly mass shootings of innocent victims.
Amendment III
Soldiers shall, in time of war or peace, be exploited as profit centers for private colleges and other businesses, and be limited to access to care for service-related and other conditions and injuries.
Amendment IV
The right of some people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be issued, but upon probable cause. Others, as deemed by the executive, legislative or judicial branch, or any state, are on their own.
Amendment V
Any person may be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime solely by a secretly impaneled court without presentment or indictment of a grand jury, especially in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia; and any person may have property seized without any criminal conviction or even upon acquittal in a state or federal court; and such seizures and imprisonment may be based on evidence taken without that person’s consent; and property may be taken with neither due process nor just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the government may choose a slow or speedy, public or private trial. The government need not inform defendants of the full nature and cause of the accusation if obtained surreptitiously as permitted in Amendment V. Only defendants with wealth and stature will be afforded a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in their favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for their defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, the right of trial by jury shall be reserved for those with tremendous wealth, and any fact tried by a jury, may be reexamined again and again to the extent of a defendant’s wealth. Further, a legislative body and judicial appointees may limit presentation of evidence and cap just awards regardless of evidence heard by actual jurors in the trial.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail may be required, excessive fines imposed, and cruel and unusual punishments inflicted, especially on persons of dark skin, foreign origin or limited income.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights retained by the people also apply to profitable corporations that bear neither the responsibility nor tax burden of actual citizens.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are subject to broad interpretation by those with great wealth.
Mark Ridolfi is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of political insight into Iowa, Illinois and Quad-Cities politics. He has covered Iowa caucus campaigns since 1996.
