A Driftless Democracy

TRANSCRIPT: The 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Section 1, the role of government in the support of self-determination. A, every born human being has the inherent and inalienable right to self-determination, which encompasses the freedom to make decisions about one's own life, body, mind, and identity without undue interference from the government or other entities. B, the government shall protect and promote the right of self-determination for all individuals within its jurisdiction, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, immigration status, or any other immutable characteristic. C, to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to meaningfully exercise their right to self-determination, the government shall provide, 1, a basic standard of living, including food, water, and shelter. 2, quality healthcare. 3, free, equitable access to education. 4, a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. 5, reliable, affordable access to information, communication, and technology. 6, the right to security of person, including physical safety, digital security, and the integrity of one's image and digital identity. 7, the means to participate fully in the economic, social, and political life of the nation. Section 2, establishment of expert councils. Congress shall establish independent, nonpartisan expert councils to provide guidance and recommendations on matters related to the protection and promotion of self-determination. These expert councils shall be composed of individuals with recognized expertise in their respective fields appointed through a transparent and inclusive process. Section 3, voting rights and political participation. Every born human being who is a citizen of the United States, having attained the age of 16 years, shall have the right to vote in all public elections free from undue burden or discrimination. B, the Congress and the states shall have the power to enforce and facilitate the right through appropriate legislation. Section 4, protection of self-determination in the digital age. A, the right to self-determination extends to the digital realm and includes the protection of one's image, creative work, and digital identity from unauthorized use, manipulation, or exploitation by artificial intelligence systems or other technological means. B, the development and deployment of AI shall prioritize the protection and promotion of human autonomy, privacy, and self-determination in the digital age. C, the right to security of person includes physical safety, digital security, and the integrity of one's image and digital identity shall be protected against all forms of violence, coercion, exploitation, unauthorized surveillance, data misuse, identity theft, and other threats to personal security and privacy. Section 5, interpretation and adaptation. The provisions of this amendment shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that allows for flexibility and adaptation in the face of future technological, societal, and environmental changes. Thank you.

America is not made in the making. It has today to meet an impending crisis, menacing as any in the nation's history. It does not call a sound alarm, but it is nonetheless a call to patriotism and to higher ideals in citizenship. The patriotic citizenship of the country must take its stand and demand the wealth that it shall conduct its business lawfully, that it shall no longer furnish the most flagrant examples of persistent violation of statutes while invoking the protection of the courts, that it shall not destroy the equality of opportunity, the right to the pursuit of happiness guaranteed by the Constitution, that it shall keep its powerful hands off from legislative manipulation, that it shall not corrupt but shall obey the government that guards and protects its rights. Mere passive citizenship is not enough. Men must be aggressive for what is right if government is to be saved from those who are aggressive for what is wrong. There is work for everyone. The field is large. It is a glorious service, this service for the country.