Good question. I think we should go back to the founding fathers while using 20/20 hindsight. To begin with, here's the opening of the declaration of independence (slightly modified/modernized):
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by virtue of their humanity with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...."
I think perhaps we have reached the point where it becomes necessary for one political group to "dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another". The political mindset in this country is diverging and the two are becoming incompatible with each other. A country should have more or less the same philosophy of governing throughout its population. The country can't keep switching back and forth between conservative and progressive. It's just nuts. So the political side with their head on straight either needs to bring the country back to its roots, or separate and start fresh.
So then we bring up the Constitution. It's mostly fine the way it is. In hindsight I would make a few tweaks, like make clear the separation of church and state. Religion should not be tied to politics (aka the religious right). The government should have nothing to do with religion, and the people shall continue to be free to practice it - so long as it's out of publicly funded schools and government property. Oh, and take "under God" out of the pledge too. The pledge should unite us, not divide us. Remove the swearing on the bible, in god we trust on the currency, and make it clear where our laws come from. Not the 10 commandments... something more fundamental I think: "Treat others as you would like to be treated". That's the Golden Rule, and I think all laws in a free democratic society originate from there, and the Golden Rule has its roots in simple common sense.
In this new nation there shall be no slavery, so hopefully it can avoid the permanent stain of that and not be guilted into reverse discrimination policies such as affirmative action, and other civil rights policies designed to give disproportional rights to a group of people. Like the Constitution says, every one is equal. And no, that doesn't mean every one shall be made to be equal. It means race, color and creed are not a factor.
And then there's the Tytler Cycle which predicts a certain ~200 year path for any democracy:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tytler
A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
* From bondage to spiritual faith;
* From spiritual faith to great courage;
* From courage to liberty;
* From liberty to abundance;
* From abundance to complacency;
* From complacency to apathy;
* From apathy to dependence;
* From dependence back into bondage.
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We must make changes to the Constitution that prevents this as much as possible otherwise, our new nation has a 200 year life expectancy. The key there is "A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." So we have to nip that in the bud. Socialists and progressives will have to find another government to infest. Personal responsibility is expected for every able citizen. The nation grants each citizen Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness. It isn't there to guarantee happiness. A free society allows citizens to pursue happiness. To guarantee it, and in turn provide welfare is to take us down a slippery slope of bankruptcy. A society that expects personal responsibility will be more robust. It will challenge its citizens to excel, or at least pull their own weight, which is good for them, and good for the country.
The nation's currency will forever and always be based on Gold! This will avoid all kinds of sticky financial problems. And congress shall produce a balanced budget. The only exception being during defensive wars.
And free boob-jobs for any citizen, male or female who wants one.