Working People's Bill of Rights [View All]

[MSchreader]

Note: This is a working draft. I am interested in constructive comments about it (in other words, don't just get on here and tell me it's shit or impossible). -- Martin

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Working People's Bill of Rights

1. The United States of America is a democratic republic. All power to govern rests in the hands, and informed consent, of the citizens of the United States, either directly or through its democratically elected representatives.

2. Working people -- those who engage in meaningful labor as their primary means of subsistence -- are the majority in the United States, and their common interests and desires shall be the guiding principles of this republic.

3. For the purpose of securing real freedom of conscience and thought, Congress shall make no law abridging the separation of church and state, and the separation of church and school, and the right to express one’s self for or against religious teachings shall not be infringed.

4. For the purpose of securing real freedom of speech, Congress shall make no law abridging the right to speak out on any issue. Further, Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to express their dissatisfaction or opposition to the policies and practices of the United States or any State, or any elected representative of the United States or any State.

5. For the purpose of securing real freedom of information, Congress shall make no law abridging the free dissemination of information, including government legislation, executive orders, treaties and agreements, decrees and decisions, minutes and proceedings, and other legal documents issued by the government of the United States or any State.

6. For the purpose of securing real freedom of knowledge, Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to a full education, from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate studies, and shall ensure it is accessible to all people.

7. For the purpose of securing real freedom of assembly, public facilities shall be made available to all citizens for the purposes of holding public meetings, rallies, demonstrations and other events, with all costs associated with the maintenance of these facilities borne by the United States, or by mutual agreement between the United States and any State or municipality within a State.

8. For the purpose of securing real freedom of the press:

a. All dependence of the print media upon private capital is abolished. Printing presses, bookbinderies, and all other forms of conveying thoughts and ideas in written form shall be considered the common property of the people of the United States, and shall be fully accessible to them. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to express their views in print and to have them freely circulated.

b. All dependence of telecommunications upon private capital is abolished. Television, radio and Internet communications networks shall be considered the common property of the people of the United States, and shall be full accessible to them. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to express their views in these forms and to have them freely circulated.

9. For the purpose of securing real freedom of privacy and security of one's person:

a. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of any person residing in the United States or any State to their right to not be subject to a search of their homes, possessions or person without probable cause, as delineated by a duly elected court of the United States or any State.

b. Congress shall make no law abridging the rights of any persons to engage in mutually consensual relations of any kind.

10. For the purpose of securing real freedom of association:

a. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of working people to organize in the workplace for the purposes of bargaining collectively. Further, Congress shall make no law abridging the right of working people to take whatever measures necessary to secure these rights, including the right to strike, to engage in workplace actions in solidarity with other working people on strike, or to elect their own representatives regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, ability, religion, language or political affiliation.

b. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of working people to organize for the purposes of participating in the political life of the United States or any State, including the right of labor unions and other economic associations of working people to directly participate.

11. For the purpose of securing real freedom of health and safety:

a. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of any resident of the United States or any State to seek or receive all necessary medical attention and service, and shall ensure it is accessible to all people.

b. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of any person engaging in meaningful labor to work in a safe and secure environment, unless such risks are clearly delineated in advance.

12. For the purpose of securing real freedom of security and a humane quality of life:

a. Congress shall make no law abridging the right of any resident of the United States to engage in meaningful labor as a means of providing for themselves and their families, and to receive compensation that provides for a quality standard of living, and is equal and/or of comparative worth.

b. Congress shall make no law abridging the right to residents of the United States to obtain quality housing or other acceptable shelter, and shall ensure it is accessible to all people.

13. For the purpose of securing real freedom of due process and equal protection under the law, Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the accused:

a. To remain silent when questioned by civil authorities;

b. To be represented by counsel;

c. To be provided counsel if the accused cannot afford hiring one;

d. To be considered innocent until proven guilty;

e. To not be coerced into confession;

f. To not be tortured or subjected to cruel or unusual punishment;

g. To not be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention;

h. To have a speedy trial;

i. To have a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal;

j. To have a jury trial at their request;

k. To be informed of the charges against them;

l. To confront their accuser and witnesses;

m. To not be tried twice for the same crime;

n. To appeal the decision of the court.

14. For the purpose of securing real freedom to participate in the life of the country:

a. All residents of the United States who can demonstrate that they have engaged in meaningful labor for a period of more than six months continuous shall be granted full citizenship, regardless of race, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, ability, religion, language or political affiliation.

b. All those seeking asylum in the United States due to discrimination and persecution based on race, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, ability, religion, language or political affiliation shall be granted full citizenship rights upon acceptance of their asylum application.

15. For the purpose of securing real freedom from oppression, Congress shall take all steps necessary to secure the rights of all people of the United States to be free from systematic and institutional discrimination and prejudice in employment, housing, health care, education, due process of the law, and all other aspects of society, based on race, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, ability, religion, language or political affiliation, and shall take prompt action, up to and including criminal court proceedings, when such situations arise.

16. For the purpose of securing real democratic representation in the government of the United States, all officers of the United States government, including the President, Vice President, Senators and Representatives, shall be elected by direct universal suffrage of the citizens of the United States, or the appropriate State, on the basis of attaining a plurality or simple majority.

17. Congress shall have the power to enforce all provisions of this article through appropriate legislation.