Recommendation for American and Mexican Constitutional Changes
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Recommendation for American and Mexican Constitutional Changes
All forms of constitution should focus on how a country can uphold the sovereignty and freedoms to live fulfilling lives within a government of their choice. In most governments, the legislature performs the necessary constitutional changes that bind the whole country. Several possible changes can make the Mexican and American constitutions better.
Recommended Mexican Constitutional Changes
According to the Mexican constitution, every individual has the right to make reasonable decisions in a free, informed, and responsible manner on the number of children and to time he or she desires. It also gives individuals the freedom to decide the timing between their children. In my opinion, the government should restrict the number of children allowable per family for purposes of national planning in the provision of basic amenities, such as health care, education, resource allocation, and development projects. Currently, Mexico is the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world and 11th globally with a population of nearly 118 million.
The Mexican constitution also provides that all persons have the right to leave or enter the country, travel around its territory, as well as move houses without the need of possessing a passport, letter of passage, safe conduct, or any related document. Despite a few limitations based on criminal records or state restricted movement of persons, this provision appears to have loopholes that need amendment to uphold both national and international security. This provision endangers the security interests of Mexico’s neighboring countries, such as the U.S. and Guatemala. Provisions of this legislation are a possible reason for illegal migrants moving into the U.S. freely.
In addition, the Mexican constitution provides that inhabitants have the legal right to possess and keep firearms at their homes for purposes of personal protection and legitimate self-defense. Despite minimal restrictions with respect to criminal records or state directives, this provision plainly allows citizens to possess arms. This is a possible reason for high crime rates in Mexico, with increased dealings in drug trafficking and insecurity. For purposes of national peace and minimal possession of illegal arms, the Mexican constitution should contemplate instituting restrictions on firearm’s possession and provide citizens with state security. Only under special cases should individuals be allowed to possess and keep firearms in their homes.
The Mexican constitution also stipulates that only Mexicans have the legal right to own lands as well as obtaining licenses to exploit mines, lands, and waters. It though stipulates that foreigners may be granted exploitation licenses provided they consider themselves as Mexican citizens in relation to owning the given property. In addition, such foreigners should not invoke state protection from their respective governments relating to the said property. Moreover, the foreigners are not allowed to acquire any property 50kms along the beach and 100kms along the country’s international border. This law is restrictive for foreign investment. If repealed or amended, it can encourage foreign investments in luxurious hotels, resorts, and encourage international cooperation.
Political parties’ freedoms in terms of media attention are also restricted. According to the Mexican constitution, media airtime is allocated to political parties based on their popularity. For example, only 30% of media airtime is equally allowable to all political parties. The rest, 70%, should be distributed to political parties according to the vote percentage they managed during the previous election. Additionally, political parties not represented in the Mexican Congress will only get the 30% of media airtime based on their proportionality. This legislation is prohibitive to democracy, especially where smaller political parties try to gain popularity and representation. Amending this law to allow media to control their content will ensure that political parties get airtime based on the policies they propose and not mere popularity.
Recommended American Constitution Changes
Currently, the U.S. constitution only has two major political parties (Republican and Democrat) with three other minor parties that hardly make an impact on national politics. These two parties have dominated American politics for many decades and have always upheld traditional policies and ways of doing things. A real change is only realizable with newer parties with different perspectives. Americans should consider amending this policy to create room for newer ideologies.
Historically and still presently, some members of the U.S. senate have been using filibusters often as a tool for shooting down bills they do not approve off, or those they wish members do not debate. A filibuster is parliamentary procedure that allows members to extend debates deliberately through, for example, talking for too many hours, thereby obstruct, delay, or prevent the deliberation of a vote or motion. This delays government business and may disfavor great bills; it should be repealed from the constitution.
The U.S. Electoral College system also requires amendments in the way it determines presidential elections. Currently, the president may not necessarily be the holder of majority votes. For example, the election of president Bush in his first term. In addition, Electoral College votes allocated to individual states should be based on population. Currently, California has a higher population than Wyoming (nearly 18million to 280,000 thousand respectively), but with similar senate representation. This undemocratic representation needs amendment.
