The Deserter

by David Nash

  We as sapient beings understand that equal outcome is not guaranteed; yet, we believe that it is the role of government to ensure equal opportunity for such pursuit. Government secures the individual right to life and liberty, the right to think and act in ones best interests, to come and go as one chooses. Government protects the individual from the many, and the many from the individual. Even as actions contrary to the Creator’s intent do not result in eternal happiness, it is his desire to allow individual choice. Forced compliance is slavery; willful compliance to the creator’s law is wisdom. Therefore, We hold that it is the role of government it to protect the citizen’s freedom to choose a path, but not to protect the citizen from the consequences of their own decisions.

  We believe the role of the Government is to serve the needs of its citizens, however, its citizens have civic responsibility to support and defend their community and to worthy of its protection.

  We understand that citizens who serve their communities as civil authorities should serve to undertake such duties protect those they serve, not to gain personal wealth or recognition. Nor should officials use their powers in order to choose winners or losers for any reason other than the public good.

  We believe that Representatives of the people that violate their oaths of office or act on personal rather than public interest are criminal and forfeit all current and future positions of honor and trust within the Republic.

  We believe that it is self evident that any Government with the good of the people and the will of the creator in mind need not fear its citizens. It is the most telling of signs when that government or its officials fear it’s citizens to be either armed or educated.

  We the people of the Republic hold that sapient beings have the ability to be rational and are basically good, yet are corruptible. We understand that fundamental truth does not change with public opinion; therefore, Republic law should not change according to the fickle winds of mass opinion. Judges and officials should always keep in mind the founding principles and strict constructionism of our founding documents when interpreting the meaning of law.

  We hold that laws should be easily understood by anyone with the common education of our Republic. Specialists in the law should not be required in order present a case or defend oneself in court. Law should not be so numerous to become hidden by volume. Law should protect the masses from abuse, but not willful ignorance or disregard of the universal law of cause and effect.

  We believe that all punishment should fit the crime as well as serve to both rehabilitate the offender and compensate the victim. Punishments are for the guilty party alone and none shall profit from crime.

  We hold that the role of a leader to serve those they are appointed to lead, not to be popular with them. Similarly, it is not the role of the citizen to attempt to force adoption of individually held beliefs or opinions on another, but to live in such a manner as to influence by action.

  We affirm that 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 affect their Safety and Happiness.

  This clarifying document was ratified by vote with the Unanimous Consent of the Legion present In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

  General William Tell Davis: Commandant

  Admiral Silmon Johns, Chief of Naval Operations

  Legion Executive Service Level V Adam R. Sabol Special Liaison to the Commandant

  Rear Admiral Alek Volk Commander Strike Force 1

  Captain Thomas Hickerson Commander Air Group Strike Force 1

  Commander Dr. Barbara Farholm, Commander Research Division

  Commander Robert Hall Director of Legion Intelligence Defense Agency

  Commander Lewis Askew Commander, Special Operations Division

  Commander Aegeus Alejandra Udom, Special Liaison to the Commandant

  Lieutenant Commander Isoken Oni, Executive Officer Research Division

  Lieutenant Jones, Aide de Camp to the Chief of Naval Operations

  Lieutenant JG Marvin, Aide de Camp to the Commandant

  41

  Constitution of the Planetary Republic

  We the Sapient entities of the Planetary Republic, in Order to protect the common cause of the protection of justice, freedom, and individual liberty come together to provide for the common defense and general welfare of all sapient beings among the stars, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Planetary Republic.

  Article I: Legislative Branch

  All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the Planetary Republic, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

  Section 1

  The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every third Year by the sapient beings of the several planets with the representatives chosen by such means as the law of their planet allows.

  No being shall be a planetary Representative who shall not have attained majority and citizenship upon the planet they represent. No being shall be a representative of a planet that they have not resided on for a consecutive period of less than 10 standard Earth years immediately prior to selection. Nor shall any being serve as a representative for more than two consecutive terms.

  Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several planets, which may be included within this Republic, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of sapient beings holding citizenship, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every 300 million, but each planet shall have at Least one Representative.

  When vacancies happen in the Representation from any planet, 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 sole Power of Impeachment.

  Section 2

  The Senate of the Planetary Republic shall be composed of two Senators from each planet, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for 9 Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

  Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the third Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the ninth Year, so that one-third may be chosen every third Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

  No sapient being shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the majority on the planet they represent, and been nine Years a Citizen of the Republic, and who shall not, for a period no less than 10 years when elected, be an Inhabitant of the planet for which they shall be chosen.

  The Vice President of the Planetary Republic shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

  The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the Planetary Republic.

  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 Republic is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present.

  Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the Republic: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial
, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

  Section 3

  The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each Planet by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.

  The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December of the standard Calendar, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

  Section 4

  Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

  Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

  Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one-fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

  Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

  Section 5

  The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by a general election of the people of the Republic of Planets, but shall not be less than the common wage of a unskilled laborer, and paid out of the Treasury of the Republic.

  They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

  No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the Republic, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the Republic, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

  Section 6

  No Senator or Representative shall propose a law or article that does not equally apply to citizens and officials of the Planetary Republic.

  Senators or Representatives shall not use their position as representatives of the people to gain personal wealth or otherwise use information privy to the business of government for investment purposes. Nor shall any member of either house receive compensation for their service as a legislator after their term of service ends.

  All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

  All bills shall be fully read in the chambers before voting on the bill. Furthermore, all bills proposed must be disseminated to the citizens of the Republic and a period of time shall be set aside before voting to allow the citizens of the Republic to discuss such proposed laws.

  All Votes of either Houses shall be determined by recorded yeas and nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. Members of both houses shall not abstain from voting if present.

  Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the Republic; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. This objection can be of the entire bill or specific items or amendments to within the bill. If after such Reconsideration two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Standard Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

  Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the Planetary Republic; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

  Section 7

  The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect a tax on the replication of mass. This tax shall be limited to no more than 10%. Congress shall not levy tax on food or oxygen replication.

  Congress shall also have the power to lay and collect duties, imposts and excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the Planetary Republic; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the Planetary Republic and be for the purpose of revenue and not for the purpose of regulating items or activities;

  To borrow Money on the credit of the Republic;

  To regulate Commerce with foreign species and planets, and among the planets of the Republic. Republic planets shall maintain regulation of trade within their respective jurisdictions as long as such trade is in accordance with this Constitution and the Articles of Understanding;

  To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the Planetary Republic;

  To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

  To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the Planetary Republic;

  To establish and maintain Communication between planets;

  To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

  To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

  To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed in space, and Offenses against the Law of Planets;

  To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures in space and on planet-side;

  To raise and support the forces of the Legion;

  To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the Legion;

  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 Planetary Republic, reserving to the Planets respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress. All citizens reaching the age of Majority and are of sound mind and body shall join the militia and maintain arms and equipment and stand ready to be called until for service until the age of 50. Each member of the Militia shall be trained by the Legion to prepare them for service;

  To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such location (not to exceed one planet) as may, by Cession of particular Planet, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the Planetary Republic, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And

  To make all Laws which shall be necessary and pro
per for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Planetary Republic, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

  To regulate and defend occupied interstellar bodies smaller than planets into the Republic whether natural or constructed, in orbit or otherwise as long as they are claimed, occupied, or within the jurisdiction of the Planetary Republic. Whenever such body or collection of bodies equal the population of the smallest planet admitted into the Republic the bodies or collection of bodies may petition for admittance as a consolidated planet within the Republic. Congress shall make no limit to the number or such consolidated planets admitted into the Republic, nor shall they be considered less in status than any other Republic Planet.

  Section 8

  The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

  No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

  No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. Congress shall not have the power to an income tax or other tax that discourages the individual from producing, nor shall they take from a producing person to subsidize an able-bodied individual that could be self-sufficient.

  No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any Planet of the Republic.

  No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to one Planet over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one Planet, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.