INTRODUCTION

Hi, my name is Timothy Ehrlich, I am an ordained United Methodist Minister retired and living in Seminole Florida. I wrote this Constitution for A One World Democracy because there are terrible wrongs in the world that burn my conscience that would cease to exist in a one world democracy. For example the 18,000 children who starve to death each day in the world or die from lack of safe drinking water, would be saved if there was a government responsible to care for them.

The main benefit of what I am proposing and the main change to the current order of political structures is that this constitution takes advantage of the computer/information age technology now available to make the voters a branch of government. It gives every citizen of any member nation who is of legal age and who has the right to vote, the additional power to create and introduce legislation on a national and international level, and when voting in a majority, to pass legislation or to veto legislation.

I recognize that the term “One World Democracy” generates fear or suspicion in many people’s hearts and minds, including many who are friends of mine. So let me start by saying that what I’m proposing in this constitution is not socialism or communism or totalitarianism or dictatorship, nor is it against religion.  This constitution:

• Is not religiously or ideologically based nor does it impose a religion or ideology

• It will not establish or impose a new government on any nation nor remove the government of any member nation

• It will not impose an economic system upon any nation.

• It does not take away, or reduce any rights now granted to any citizen by their nation

• It does not take away, reduce or modify any branches of currently existing governments

• It does not take away checks and balances or eliminate existing veto power of national leaders.

• It does not deny the need for an elected government of professional political representatives who can devote full time energy to legislation

This constitution, as I hope you take the time to read and see,

• Allows nations to retain their national sovereignty and identity;

• Makes the voters a branch of government, giving individuals the power to create, and introduce legislation on a national and international level and in a majority, to pass legislation;

• Ends the power of competition between parties and influence peddling within representative governments to permanently derail or prevent many brilliant, compassionate, world-changing peace producing ideas of the common people from being carried out;

• Above all it is strictly logical and reasonable;

• Makes peace, justice and truth available for billions of people who now are deprived these inalienable rights.

The representative and totalitarian forms of government currently used in all the largest and most powerful nations on earth, are models of government from a time when the challenges of horse born transportation and no mass communication, necessitated representative government or some might argue, dictatorships. In this age of mass communication, ease of transport and internet connection, it is wrong and unjustifiable to deny the right of citizens of any nation to have direct impact on the government of their nation and of the United Nations. In this day and age, when the internet makes it possible to connect each person to the world, the time is now to expand democracy to the people of each nation and give all people the constitutional right and power to create, introduce and pass legislation, not just vote to on representatives.

The best solution to the problem of an unresponsive and often failed governmental systems, and indeed possibly the only hope for world peace lies in the universal democratization of the legislative process in a uniform national and international system. The underlying principle is each eligible voter having one vote, and a true and powerful voice: one person, one voice, one vote!

As a first step to introducing this constitution to the world I sent it out to two dozen peace groups and experts on constitutional democracy world-wide. The comments and feedback I received was all positive with no negative comments at all.

I hope that you will read and endorse this constitution and promote it among your friends and organizations. Please contact me if I can answer any questions you may have and/or to extend your endorsement as co-signers of the document.

Grace & Peace To You From God Our Father

Rev. Dr. Tim Ehrlich

Seminole FL 33776

The Constitution of the United Nations of Earth Table of Contents

1. Introduction To The Constitution Of The United Nations Of Earth

2. Preamble

3. ARTICLE I. The Powers, Rights, Obligations And Restrictions Of Member Nations

            SECTION 1. Language

            SECTION 2.  International Tariffs and Taxes On Trade

            SECTION 3.  Treaties

            SECTION 4.  Rules Of Evidence And Trial

            SECTION 5.  Immigration And Emigration

            SECTION 6.  Sovereignty Of Member Nations

            SECTION 7.  Rebellions & Coup-de-tat

            SECTION 8.  Demilitarization

            SECTION 9.  Environmental Protections

            SECTION 10.  Economic Independence and Employment

            SECTION 11.  Government Assistance

4. ARTICLE II. The Legislature

            SECTION 1.   Legislative Powers Granted By This Constitution

            SECTION 2.   The House of Representative

            SECTION 3.   The Senate

            SECTION 4.   Impeachment

            SECTION 5.   Elections For Congress, President And Vice-President

            SECTION 6.   Taxes And Expenditures of UNE Monies

            SECTION 7.   UNE Currency

            SECTION 8.   Other Powers Of The Congress

            SECTION 9.   War Powers

            SECTION 10.  Passing Legislation

            SECTION 11.  Rules Of Order

            SECTION 12.  Salaries of Representatives

            SECTION 13.  The International Election Board

5. ARTICLE III. The Legislative And Other Powers Of The Citizens

            SECTION 1.  Citizenship

            SECTION 2.  The Right To Vote

            SECTION 3.  Voting Blocks

            SECTION 4.  Recording, Transmitting, and Voting on Legislation

            SECTION 5.  Veto Power Of The Citizens And Resubmission Of Legislation

            SECTION 6.  Legislation Passed By The Congress

            SECTION 7.  Veto By The President Of The UNE

            SECTION 8.  Time Allotted For Polling, Proposing Or Voting On Legislation

6. ARTICLE IV. The Other Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of the Citizen

            SECTION 1. Freedom of Religion

            SECTION 2. Freedom of Speech       

            SECTION 3. Freedom Of The Press   

            SECTION 4. The Right To Possess Arms       

            SECTION 5. The Right To Be Secure From Unreasonable Searches And Seizures      

            SECTION 6.  The Right Of Due Process Of Law.

            SECTION 7.  The Right To A Speedy And Fair Trial

            SECTION 8.  Jury Trial, Bail, & Punishment

            SECTION 9.  Prohibition of Slavery

            SECTION 10. The Right of Nations to Prohibit Importation of Drugs and Alcohol

            SECTION 11.  Powers Reserved To The Nations

            SECTION 12.  Right To Receive An Education

7. ARTICLE V. The Powers Of The President And Vice-President

            SECTION 1.  Executive Powers

            SECTION 2.  Election of President And Vice-President

            SECTION 3.  Succession of The President And Vice-President

            SECTION 4.  Oath Of Office

            SECTION 5.  President Is Commander-in-chief

            SECTION 6.  The Power Of Appointment

            SECTION 7.  The Power To Propose Legislation

            SECTION 8.  The Power To Convene And Adjourn Congress

8. ARTICLE VI.  The Supreme and Inferior Courts

            SECTION 1. The Establishment of A Supreme and Inferior Courts

            SECTION 2. Judicial Powers And Jurisdiction

            SECTION 3. Treason

9. ARTICLE VII.  Legal Proceedings Involving The UNE

            SECTION 1. Full Faith And Credit

            SECTION 2. Admission And Formation Of New Nations

            SECTION 3.  Prior Claims

            SECTION 4.  Protection Against Invasion And Domestic Violence

            SECTION 5.  This Constitution The Law Of The Land

            SECTION 6.  Oath of Office Required

10. ARTICLE VIII.  Amending the Constitution

11. ARTICLE IX.  Ratification Of This Constitution

Introduction to the Constitution of the United Nations of Earth

Whereas the members of the United Nations have in their charter affirmed their recognition of universal human rights, and adopted and proclaimed a Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and

Whereas disregard for and contempt of human rights have continued from that day to this day and have resulted in numerous barbarous acts and injustices which have outraged the conscience of humankind; and

Whereas war continues to be a scourge and plague upon humankind; and

Whereas starvation from inadequate distribution of available food, and death from preventable diseases and poor drinking water continue to inflict a terrible toll upon humankind; and

Whereas the right to an education, to freedom of speech and religion, to peace, justice and truth and other rights affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights continue to be denied to countless millions;

Therefore we the people of Earth do affirm the need for these essential human rights to be protected by rule of law, and we do affirm this constitution and the plan of government outlined in this constitution to accomplish these goals.

  THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS OF EARTH

Preamble

            We the people of earth, hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the rights to live in peace and freedom and to pursue happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. We the people desire to form a union of all nations and peoples on earth towards these aims. We seek a world wide government that does not replace national governments, but which reserves to itself those powers which are necessary to affirm and enforce protection of the inalienable rights and the human dignity of all people on earth.

Our goals are:

1. To end the scourge of war and bring about international peace and goodwill between the 

    nations and peoples of earth through the shared enforcement of constitutional law;

            2. To end the suffering of starvation caused by extreme poverty, conditions of nature, or lack

                of economic development;

            3. As much as it is possible, to end disease and crime, and to promote universal education and 

                quality health care;

            4. To protect the environment of the earth ensuring its health and long term ability to support           healthy human life;

            5. To affirm and protect the dignity and inalienable rights of all people;

            6. To constantly seek improvement and perfection in government, and in the quality of life

     available to all; and

7. To enable all peoples to have an immediate and direct input into their government.

            To accomplish these goals and aims; to employ the machinery of international government for the general welfare and economic and social advancement of all people; to provide for the maximum fulfillment of human potential of all people; and to set forth the human rights, goal and ideals of the United Nations, we ordain and establish this Constitution of The United Nations of Earth.

ARTICLE I. The Powers, Rights, Obligations and Restrictions of Member Nations

SECTION 1. The United Nations of Earth (UNE) shall have the power to establish an official language for its government functions and offices, and member nations shall retain the power to establish an official language for their government functions and offices; however, cultural identities and languages being part of the wealth of human society, the right of people to speak, teach, or learn the language of their choice shall not otherwise be impeded.

SECTION 2. All international tariffs and taxes regarding the importation and exportation of goods and services shall be uniform throughout the UNE. Taxes shall be apportioned among the nations in proportion to each nation’s gross domestic product.  Neither the congress nor the president, nor the member nations, nor the citizens of the UNE shall: place a tax or duty on articles exported from any member nation; give preference by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one member nation over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or coming from any nation in the union be obliged to pay duties in another except in direct proportion to the cost of immigration screening and/or prevention procedures in that port.  

SECTION 3. No title of nobility shall be granted by the UNE however member nations may retain or establish monarchies as long as the monarchs do not interfere with the rights of their citizens guaranteed by this constitution. No nation shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederacy with any nation outside of the United Nations without the approval of the Congress. No nation shall grant letters of marquee and reprisal against or make war against any other nation in the union, nor against any nation outside the union with the approval of the congress, except if they have been invaded when the imminent danger posed by the invasion will not admit of delay, in this case the nation will notify the president immediately of the action being taken.

SECTION 4. No member nation shall prohibit the extradition of any suspected criminal who shall have been legally indicted by civil authorities of another member nation requesting extradition. No citizen of the UNE who shall have been extradited to another nation and been found guilty shall receive a punishment for his or her crime which exceeds the maximum punishment for the same crime in the country from which he or she shall have been extradited from. Neither the congress nor the president, nor the member nations, nor the citizens of the UNE shall: suspend the writ of habeas corpus,  pass any bills of attainder declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime, and punishing them, without benefit of a trial, nor ex post facto laws that would criminalize actions that were legal when committed; or by bringing  a crime into a more severe category than it was at the time it was committed; or to change or increase the punishment prescribed for a crime, or to alter the rules of evidence in order to make conviction for a crime more likely than it would have been at the time of the action for which a defendant is prosecuted, or suspend the right of an individual accused of a high crime to a swift, fair and impartial trial.

SECTION  5. The individual member nations of the UNE shall retain control of the immigration of persons to their nation, but the individual member nations of the UNE shall retain control of the emigration of persons from their nation for a period of 15 years after the ratification of this constitution. After this time period the emigration of a person to another nation which has agreed to receive this person shall not be prevented or prohibited.

SECTION 6. The Sovereignty of member nations shall be preserved in this way: UNE shall not have the power to impose policies or regulations on a member nation when ¾ of registered voters voting in a legal referendum in that nation vote against that action. The UNE shall have the power to remove a nation from the UNE or to prohibit trade with that nation by any member nation of the UNE by vote of a majority of registered voters voting and a 2/3 majority of the legislature and upon the signature of the president of the UNE on such a bill or resolution. A nation may withdraw from the UNE upon a majority vote of ¾ of registered voters of that nation voting in a legal referendum in that nation.

SECTION 7. Member nations must abide by and act in accordance with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration Of Human Rights in their laws, policies and actions within their own boarders and in their dealings with other member nations. Member nations who succeed from the UNE by coup-de-tat, rebellion, or otherwise without the benefit of a ¾ approval in a national referendum, or member nations whose properly elected governments become dictatorships through coup-de-tat or rebellion, and whose governments act against their own people in violation of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights will be acted on by the UNE to restore democratic government.

SECTION 8. Nations may retain their military forces and control over the same for the first 50 years after they ratify this constitution, and thereafter may establish or retain such National Guard or national police forces as is necessary to maintain order and security within their national boarders to and provide for the welfare of its citizens in time of national disaster however all other provisions of this constitution still apply. After this 50 year period of demilitarization and unification of military forces, no nation shall, without the consent of congress, keep troops or ships of war in times of peace, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, nor shall any nation engage in or permit covert intelligence gathering. Upon ratification of this constitution all covert military or political actions against any other member nation must immediately cease nor shall any member nation enter into any military agreement or alliance with a member nation, or with a non-member nation, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or as a part of a war by involving the UNE.

SECTION 9. The UNE member nations are expected to promote and create conditions for the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural environment as the conservation of natural resources, prevention of pollution and certain land use actions  to strengthen environmental protections, to improve the ability of the environment within their nation to sustain healthy human life, and on the basis of scientific evidence, to establish and set pollution protection levels that protect the ability of their citizens to a live a healthy life within in that nation. The nations are expected to encourage citizens to take part in voluntary conservation for the good of others, and to support the struggles of indigenous peoples to maintain their way of life.

SECTION 10. The member nations shall have the right to determine whether the economy of their nation shall be capitalist, socialist or other, however, in every case the member nations are expected to promote and create conditions for full employment, to strengthen labor protections, to improve working conditions and, on the basis of production, establish and set minimum salary levels that provide a living wage within in that nation. The nations are expected to encourage citizens to take part in voluntary labor for the good of others. The congress of the UNE shall prescribe maximum working hours and minimum ages for employment as well as minimum vacations for workers.

SECTION 11. Citizens of the UNE have the right to material assistance from the state and society when they are old, ill or disabled. Where they do not exist the nations shall work together develop in each nation the social insurance, social relief and medical and health services that are required to enable citizens to enjoy this right. They shall also help make arrangements for the work, livelihood and education of the blind, deaf-mute and other handicapped citizens.

ARTICLE II. The Legislature

SECTION 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in: the citizens of the United Nations of Earth who are eligible to vote (as described in ARTICLE III below), and in the Congress of the UNE. A person shall be an eligible citizen/voter who shall have reached the age of 18 years, who is not currently awaiting trial in a legal court of law or imprisoned or on probation for a felony or serious crime, or who shall have been convicted of 3 occurrences of felonies or serious crimes over the course of her or his life time. The congress shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives to be elected from the eligible citizenry as described below.

SECTION 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the individual nations in direct elections. No persons shall become a Representative who shall not when elected, have attained the age of 18 years and been seven years a citizen of the nation that he or she has been elected to represent. No representative shall serve more than four terms in the House of Representatives.

            The representatives shall be apportioned among the nations within this union in proportion to their respective population numbers. The first actual numeration shall be conducted under the supervision and control of the UNE and completed within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the UNE, and within every subsequent term of ten years under the supervision and control of the UNE and in such a manner as the Congress shall direct. The number of representatives shall be one for every ten million people, however every nation shall have at least two representatives and no nation shall have more than 60. When vacancies occur in the representation from any nation, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the power of impeachment.

SECTION 3. The Senate of the United Nations of Earth shall be composed of three Senators from each nation, elected by the people thereof for a term of six years. Senators may serve only two terms. So that one Senator from each nation may be chosen every 2 years, immediately after they shall be assembled following the first election and only in regards to the first election, the first senate shall divide, in a random manner, their number into three equal sized groups. One third shall serve a first term of only 2 years; because they will have served less than one half of a term they shall be eligible to run for re-election and serve up to 14 years. One third shall serve a first term of four years; because they will have served more than one half of a term they shall not be eligible to run for a third.  The remaining third shall serve out a full six-year term and shall be eligible to run for a second full term.

            If a senator is unable to serve his or her full term the executive of the nation he or she serves may make temporary appointments or issue writs of election to fill such vacancies, as the legislature of that nation directs by law. A senator filling the unexpired term of a person who served less than one half of a term shall be eligible to run for re-election to a third term and possible total service of up to 15 years.

            No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and be a natural citizen of the nation from which he shall be chosen.

            No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or hold any office, civil or military under the UNE, having previously taken an oath to support the constitution of the UNE and who then shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same or given material aid to the enemies thereof.

            The Vice-President of the UNE shall be the President of the Senate, but shall cast no vote unless the voting is tied. The Senate shall choose their other officers and also a President Pro Tempore who shall serve in the absence of the Vice President.

            The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the UNE is tried, the chief justice shall preside and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present and the voters voting. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall extend to removal from office and disqualification to hold any office or receive any payment from the government. No impeachment proceedings shall be terminated without the approval of two thirds of the members present and the voters voting. Any impeached party shall be tried and if found guilty, all evidence in the case shall be turned over to the public prosecutor of the nation of which the person is a citizen and trial and punishment carried out according to laws of that nation.

SECTION 4. The Senators and Representatives, the President, Vice-President and all civil officers of the UNE, and President, shall, at stated times, receive a compensation, which shall be established and reviewed every 2 years by the congress, and they shall not receive within that period any other salary, gift or compensation, from any group, organization, nation or unrelated individual aside from interest and earnings from holdings attained before taking office. All officers of the UNE are expected to be of the highest moral and ethical character, and shall be impeached for treason, felony crimes or for egregious moral or ethical failures and if convicted shall be removed from office and ineligible for other offices within the UNE.  The taking of any election or re-election contributions or any gifts in value exceeding $1000 year 2000 US dollars from any group, organization, nation or unrelated individual shall also constitute an impeachable offense.

SECTION 5. The time, and date of elections for Congress, President and Vice-president shall be set by the congress of the United Nations. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at 0900 on the first Monday after the third day of January, unless they shall by law appoint another day.

SECTION 6. The Congress of the United Nations of Earth shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the general welfare and defense of the United Nations. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be public record and published monthly. No poll tax, income tax or tax of a uniform, fixed amount per taxpayer shall be laid. A uniform national tax may be laid but only in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. The Senate shall establish a poverty level based on per capita income which shall be reviewed and approved annually by the Senate. Nations whose populations’ average income are below that level will not be apportioned taxes by the UNE. No nation shall emit bills of credit, nor laws impairing the obligation of contracts in the name of the UNE.

SECTION  7.  The congress shall have the power to authorize the printing or coinage of UNE currency and direct that it be legal tender in all member nations.  Member nations may continue in the printing or coinage of their own national currency which may be legal tender in that nation in addition to UNE currency.

SECTION  8.  The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the UNE. The Congress shall have the power to purchase land for and provide for the construction of, a seat of international government. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding forty square miles) as may, by cession of particular nations, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the UNE, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the nation in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings. The Congress shall also have exclusive power to borrow money on the credit of the UNE, to regulate commerce between nations, to establish uniform rules and laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the UNE, to regulate post offices, to promote the progress of science and arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive rights to their respective writings and discoveries.

            Senators and Representatives shall in all cases, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at any session, speech, debate, or official function of their respective house, and in going to the same. No Senator or Representative shall be questioned for any speech or debate except in his or her respective house or by the press.

            Representatives and Senators shall have the right to address inquiries to all state, national or international public or private bodies and officials, on any matter involving suspected violations of this constitution, and to have these bodies of officials reply to them at a session of congress.

SECTION 9.  The Congress shall have the power to declare war or to commit UNE military forces to any action or location except within the theater of a declared war; To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations; and to establish and maintain an electronic voting and legislation system (according to the specifications of Article III). The Congress of the United Nations of Earth shall also have the power to create or maintain an army, navy, air force or other military, paramilitary or intelligence forces as directed by law; to exercise exclusive jurisdiction in all cases whatsoever, over such places owned, used or purchased from the nations, for military bases, emplacements, or depots; and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United Nations or in any department thereof; To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces; To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the UNE, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the UNE, or in any department or officer thereof.

SECTION 10. Every bill, which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President and to the eligible voters of the UNE. The President and the eligible voters will have ten days to decide/vote on each bill, each time it is presented to them. If the president and the eligible voters approve the bill it shall be law. If the President and/or the eligible voters shall not approve the bill it shall not be law but shall be returned to the body in which it shall have originated; which body may then proceed to reconsider the bill. If after such reconsideration, two thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall approve the bill it shall be returned to the eligible voters. For the bill to then be defeated it must be voted on by a quorum consisting of a majority of the registered voters, and be rejected by two thirds of those voting during the ten-day consideration period.

            No quorum shall be required to approve a bill or reject it on the first consideration. With the exception of procedural matters every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence both of the Senate, and the House of Representatives may be necessary shall be presented to the citizenry of the United nations, and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by them, or being disapproved by them, shall be passed again by two thirds of the Senate and the House of Representatives according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

SECTION 11. Each house of congress shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may assemble from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members in such a manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly conduct, and with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. Each house shall keep a record of its proceedings and shall publish the same no less than once in every month the congress is in session. Neither house during the session of congress shall without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, not to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.

SECTION 12. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a salary for their service, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the UNE. The governments of the individual nations may supplement the income and provide for the expenses of their representatives and senators however the Senators and Representatives shall not be permitted other income except that from the interest or dividends accruing to the properties and holdings acquired before attaining office, and which shall have been placed in blind trust funds.

            No Senator or Representative shall, during his or her term of office, hold any job or position other than that to which he or she was elected, nor after his or her term shall expire be employed by any company or organization which was the direct beneficiary of legislation proposed by or voted on by the congress member. No person holding any office under the UNE shall, without the consent of the congress, accept any present, compensation, gift, office, or title of any kind what so ever, from any organization, corporation, or nation during the term of his or her office.  

SECTION 13. The legislature of the UNE shall establish and fund an international election board which will have the following responsibilities: 1) to supply each registered voter a personal voting identification number, and/or such additional voter identification as the legislature shall deem appropriate, to each eligible registered voter; each registered voter shall choose his or her own password. 2) to oversee and monitor the proper use of these forms of identification so that no ineligible voters shall vote, and so that no impediments shall prevent eligible voters for casting their votes; 3) to provide and maintain a uniform election process throughout the UNE, including an international voting computer network and; 4) to maintain a record of the legislation proposed for and against and the votes cast in elections; 5) to maintain such web pages and/or other forums or mediums that shall provide instant and continuous access to information concerning the current status elections and pending legislation to each voting block; 6) to oversee and monitor the compliance of individual nations to the provisions of this section and to report on this annually to the UNE; and to annually review and adjust the boarders of the voting blocks taking into account the populations changes.

ARTICLE III. The Legislative And Other Powers Of The Citizens

SECTION 1. A citizen of the UNE shall be any legal citizen of a member nation of the UNE. Any legal citizen of the UNE shall be able to propose international legislation and shall have executive powers distinct from, and in some ways above, those given to the congress and the president of the UNE, (as described in Articles II & IV). The citizens of the UNE shall as a body, have executive power and legislative powers which overlap and in some ways supercede those given to the legislature and President of the United Nations of Earth as described above.  The executive powers vested in the citizenry of the United Nations, shall reside in those who are 18 years of age and who have legally registered to vote with the appropriate national election board or agency of the country in which they are living.

SECTION 2 . The right of Citizens of the UNE who are 18 years of age or older to register to vote or to vote on and to propose legislation or to vote in any primary or election for the Congress, Senate or the executive and judicial officers, shall not be denied or abridged by the United Nations or by any individual nation on account of sex, race, color, ethnicity, religion, education, political ideology or party, nature of occupation, language, caste, previous condition of servitude, present or previous imprisonment (except in the case of those convicted of three felonies), or for failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.  Member nations or the UNE may legislate that citizens who have reached 18 years of age and are physically able, be compelled to register at the polling places on the day of UNE elections. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

SECTION 3. For the purpose of proposing legislation, and to vote on international legislation or in international elections, eligible voters shall utilize an electronic voting and legislative system of concentric voting blocks. The population of cities, districts, counties or regions shall be divided into voting blocks of more than 9,000 and less than 10,000 eligible voters.  Each voting block shall be a part of a ten block (deciblock) voting unit, which shall be a part of a one-hundred block (centiblock) voting unit, which shall be a part of a national voting unit.

Each voting block shall have a minimum of 20 terminals (or one per every 500 registered voters), which shall have access to that block’s web page, and to the web page for the deciblock and national block web pages. Block terminals shall be housed within the physical limits of the voting block, in a site or sites that will be open to registered voters at least 8 hours per day. Citizens will vote in and be a part of the voting block in the geographic location where they reside. Terminals may be housed in one location or in different locations at the discretion of the nation’s voting authorities. In voting blocks with no electricity, a generator, 20 terminals, a central computer and a satellite link to the UNE electronic voting system shall be provided by the UNE, until such time as provisions may be made for a solar or wind powered generator and permanent computer site can be provided. The UNE shall also pay to staff the voting cite with a trainer capable of teaching voters to use the computer operation. Training in the use of this system shall be provided by the UNE at each site for at least one month annually for the first 5 years after the installation of the electronic voting and legislation system is installed and operational.  

A citizen shall be a member of the voting block in the location where he or she resides or has their primary residence. In voting blocks where there are a minimum of computers a simple majority of eligible registered voters of that block may vote to limit an individual’s access to ½ hour per 10 days.

Countries whose national average per capita income is above the poverty line shall pay for the computers needed for each voting block in its national voting blocks. Nations whose national average per capita income is below the poverty line shall be provided computers needed for each voting block by the UNE. The individual nations shall provide for and maintain the electronic voting system within their boarders unless crime, corruption or warfare make free and reliable access impossible. In such cases the UNE shall provide for the safety of voters to the computers terminals in their blocks for purposes of voting or proposing legislation, and maintain the same until such time as the Congress shall declare that such limiting conditions no longer exist.

SECTION 4. Every level of block voting unit shall have a web site, which will identify and give the registered voters of the voting block access to vote on legislation or at the single block level to propose legislation or amendments.  This web site will record all legislation authored within that block and the number of votes for and against it, and it shall display and enable access to and voting on all the legislation currently under consideration by the voters of that block. Access to input data on a block level web page shall be strictly limited to the eligible voters of that block. Individual registered voters of a given block who own their own computers linked to the internet may access the block web site at will for any legal purpose. Every voting block web page shall be linked in direct communication with the UNE international voting computers via the Internet or its successors for the purpose of tabulating and recording its votes. Eligible voters may propose legislation by entering their proposal in written form on the block web site at a block terminal or through the block web site if they have their own computer. The voting shall be by secret ballot, and each voter shall have only one vote.

SECTION 5. The proposed legislation shall be displayed on the block website for ten days during which time it shall be voted on by the registered voters of that block. Every piece of voter-sponsored legislation shall, be broadcast or transmitted on the designated public legislation proposal information radio and television channels, and made available on the Internet.  Voting may be done at the computer or terminal for the voting block, or by electronic link to the voting block computer. If the bill receives a majority of the votes cast it shall be sent to the deciblock voting unit to which the block of the bill’s origin belongs. Every piece of voter-sponsored legislation being considered and voted on at the deciblock level shall be summarized and reported on a designated public legislation proposal information radio and/or television channel, and made available on the Internet. It will be broadcast or transmitted for ten days and if it receives a majority of the votes cast it shall be sent on to the centiblock. It will be broadcast or transmitted in the same manner to the centiblock for ten days as on the single block level, and if it receives a majority of the votes cast it shall be sent on to the national block voting level. It will be broadcast or transmitted in the same manner to the nation and voted on for ten days and if approved by a majority it shall be sent on to the UNE where it shall be broadcast or transmitted in the same manner to the citizens of UNE for ten days, and if approved by a majority it shall be sent on to the president of the UNE. If a bill receives a positive vote from a majority of the registered voters of any level of voting block it shall be forwarded on to the next level immediately and not required to wait 10 days. For the purpose of proposing legislation each nation shall count as one national voting unit, regardless of the size of its population.

SECTION 6. Legislation passed by the Congress will be presented to the eligible voters of the UNE through the block level web sites, information about this bill will be transmitted to the voters and the voters shall have 10 days to vote on it in an international level vote. A bill will pass or fail by vote of a majority of those voting. If a bill receives a positive vote from a majority of the registered voters voting it shall be forwarded on to the President.

SECTION 7. The President of the UNE shall have 10 days to approve or veto a bill. If at the end of 10 days the President has taken no action the bill becomes law. If the President approves a bill it shall become law immediately. If the President shall veto a bill it shall be returned to its point of origin. The block of origin may amend the vetoed bill or resubmit it to the United Nations voting block unit for second vote. If it is approved by a majority of registered voters or by 2/3 of voters voting it shall be become law.

            If the bill fails to receive a majority at any block level up to and including the United Nations it may be reconsidered and  amended and/or may be resubmitted up to four times per year. Bills, which have been revised, altered or amended in any way, shall be treated as new legislation and must be approved according the procedures outlined above. Bills which have not been changed in any way may upon being resubmitted to and approved by the single voting block of origin may be resubmitted to the level at which it was rejected.

SECTION 8. In any polling or in proposing or voting on legislation the voters shall have 10 days (240 hours) to vote however the in the case of excessive last minute voter turn out or in natural disasters the polls and voting may continue until all those physically present at the polling place at the end of the 240 hours have registered their vote. The Citizens of the UNE shall retain veto power of the legislature by the majority - 2/3 rule: if a law or bill is passed by the legislature but is rejected by a majority of registered voters or by 2/3 of voters voting it shall not be become law.

ARTICLE IV. The Other Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of the Citizens

In addition to those rights, freedoms and outlined above the following rights and freedoms are also guaranteed to all citizens of the UNE.

SECTION 1. Neither the UNE nor any national government of any member nation, shall make a law establishing a religion as the religion of the UNE nor shall they prohibit the free exercise of religions with the exception of such specific practices within a religion, such as forced marriage or human sacrifice, which if practiced would take away the rights of individuals outlined in this constitution.

SECTION 2. Neither the UNE nor any national government of any member nation, shall make a law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble including assembling for the purpose of protest, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The right of Freedom of speech shall include only spoken, written, performed or sung words. Individual nations may decide how to restrict or to extend freedom of artistic expression, including dance, drawings, paintings, holograms or other images, portrayals and representations of human sexuality.

SECTION 3. The freedom of the press is essential to the objective discovery of truth and the proper operation of democracy. Congress and the Citizens shall make no law abridging freedom of the press, with the exception of the protection of person privacy. The potential for conflict of interest is so great that multi-national and national media companies shall not be owned by or own a business other than media and each media company shall be limited in its scope to ten outlets. For example a media company might own up to 5 television channels or stations and 4 radio stations and 1 newspaper and 1 internet site, or any combination of 10 of these.

SECTION 4. Arms in the possession of individual citizens being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people given by laws of member nations to their citizens to keep possession of small arms within their home, shall not be infringed by the UNE. Individuals who shall have been convicted in a court of law of a crime involving a weapon or other felony shall be denied this right. This right shall be guaranteed only to individuals who are at least 18 and of sound mind. 

SECTION 5. The right of the 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, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Neither shall the UNE or any member nations confiscate or make use of the private property of its citizens except by consent of the owner and/or in a manner to be prescribed by law and with just compensation, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

SECTION 6. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall any person be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; and no one shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property for the offenses of a relative, friend or associate, of which crime they had no prior knowledge; nor shall any nation deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

SECTION 7. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him or her; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his or her defense.

SECTION 8. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed a value equal to $2000 year 2000 US dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the UNE, than according to the rules of the common law. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor shall punishments involving torture or dismemberment be inflicted. The death penalty may not be imposed unless there be two eye witnesses or two different and compelling sets of evidence such as one witness and fingerprint evidence or DNA evidence and matching fiber samples etc. The enumeration in this Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

SECTION 9. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the UNE, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

SECTION 10. The transportation or importation into any Nation, Territory, or Possession of the UNE for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, or drugs in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

SECTION 11. The powers not delegated to the United Nations of Earth by this Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the member nations, are reserved to the member nations respectively, or to the people.

SECTION 12. Citizens of the UNE have the right to receive as well as the duty to obtain education at least such a level of education or vocational training as will enable them to be employed and share in the legislative privileges of Citizenship. The member nations are expected to promote the all-round moral, intellectual and physical development of all children and young people.

ARTICLE V. The Powers of the President

SECTION 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United Nations of Earth and in its citizens as described above. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, may be reelected to a second term.  

SECTION 2. The President and Vice-President shall be elected, as follows:  each nation shall conduct a national election to be held at a time directed by the congress, and shall elect two candidates for the office of President of the UNE, of whom one at least shall be a citizen of a different nation from that nation. The president or Chief Executive officer of that nation shall sign and certify the results of this election and transmit them to the seat of the government of the United Nations of Earth, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of member nations. If there be no one who receives a majority of the votes of the whole number of member nations, then the top three vote getters shall face each other in a runoff election by popular vote of all registered voters. The runoff election shall be held 30 days after the results of the first election have been certified to be complete. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January.

In every case, after the choice of the President, the person having the second greatest number of votes of the shall be the Vice President. But if there should be a tie with two or more who have equal votes, the president of the Senate shall choose which will be President and which the Vice-President. No person  shall be eligible to the office of President who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years.

SECTION 3. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the Vice President shall become President. In the case of the President’s temporary inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the Vice President shall serve as Acting President until the President transmits to the leadership of the Senate and of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he or she is again able to discharge the powers and duties of his office. The Congress may by law declare what officer shall then act as President in the case that both of the President and Vice President shall be removed, die, resign or be unable to discharge the powers and duties of their office, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 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 vote of both Houses of Congress.

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the leadership of the Senate and of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his or her written declaration that no inability exists, the Vice President shall have up to four days to accept the president’s declaration or refuse to accept it and to attain a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, and transmit  to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his/her office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. The President shall resume his or her office unless the Congress, determines by a majority vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. The Vice-President shall then continue to discharge the same as Acting President for the extent of the remaining term to which the president shall have been elected.

SECTION 4. Before entering into the execution of the office of President, the President-elect shall take the following oath or affirmation: --"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United Nations of Earth, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Nations of Earth."

SECTION 5. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the Military forces of the UNE, and of the militia of the states within member nations. He/she may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he or she shall have power to hire or discharge such officers.

SECTION 6. The President shall have power to fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate by granting commissions, which appointments shall expire at the two weeks after the start of their next session. The president shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the UNE, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

SECTION 7. The President shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to propose legislation which shall be passed directly to the Congress and Senate where it shall be voted on as by legislation of the Senate and Congress under Article II Section 10.

SECTION 8. The President shall at least annually give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and the President may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, may adjourn them to such time as he or she shall think proper. The President shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers, shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the UNE.

Article VI  The Supreme And Inferior Courts

SECTION 1. The judicial power of the UNE, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall be considered civil officers of the UNE, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

SECTION 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the UNE, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the UNE shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more nations within the union;--between a member nation and citizens of another nation;-- between citizens of different nations;--between citizens of the same nation claiming lands under grants of different nations, and between a nation, or the citizens thereof, and non-member nations, citizens or subjects.

            In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a nation shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

SECTION 3. Treason against the UNE, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in a time of war adhering to their enemies, giving them monetary or material aid or assistance. This does not extend to the removal of the right to free speech in a time of war even when such free speech may be considered to give comfort to the enemy or enemies. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two eye witnesses or two different and compelling sets of evidence such as one witness and fingerprint evidence or DNA evidence and matching fiber samples etc. or on confession in open court.

            The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no finding of treason shall result in the forfeiture of freedom or life or property except of the person found guilty.

Article VII Legal Proceedings Involving the UNE

SECTION 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each nation to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other nation. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. A person charged in any nation with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another nation, shall on demand of the executive authority of the nation from which he or she fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the nation having jurisdiction of the crime.

SECTION 2. New nations may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new nations shall be formed or erected by the division of any other nation nor any nation be formed by the junction of two or more nations, or parts of nations, without the consent of the legislatures of the nations concerned as well as of the Congress.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the UNE, or of any particular nation. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the UNE  under this Constitution.

SECTION 4. The UNE shall guarantee to every nation in this union protection against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.

SECTION 5. This Constitution, and the laws of the UNE which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the UNE, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 6. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the UNE and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the UNE.

Article VIII Amending the Constitution

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, or the people, whenever two thirds of those voting in an international election, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several nations, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several nations, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress.

Article IX Ratification

The ratification of the conventions of one-hundred nations shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the nations so ratifying the same.

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the nations present the ________ day of _________ in the year _______________. In witness whereof we the representatives of the nations have hereunto subscribed our names and nations.