by David Nash
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
Congress shall have no authority to draw money from the treasury for direct acts of charity or humanitarian aid. Congress shall establish funds for the executive branch to do so as required for the common good.
Congress shall set standards of basic education to allow all residents and citizens of the Republic to share basic understanding. The method in which a planet meets those requirements remain within the jurisdiction of the Planet.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the Planetary Republic: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section 9
No Planet shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No Planet shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the Planetary Republic; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress.
No Planet shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another Planet, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
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Constitution of the Planetary Republic
Article II: Executive Branch
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the Republic of Planets.
Section 1
He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows
Each Planet shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the Planet may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the Planetary Republic, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective Planets, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same planet with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the Planetary Republic, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chose by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chose the President. But in choosing the President, the Votes shall be taken by Planets, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the Planets, and a Majority of all the Planets shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall choose from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the Planetary Republic.
No Person except a Citizen of the Planetary Republic, shall be eligible to the Office of President.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the Planetary Republic, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the Planetary Republic, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Planetary Republic."
Section 2
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Legion, and of the Militia of the several planets, when called into the actual Service of the Planetary Republic; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the Planetary Republic, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the Planetary Republic, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
The President shall have the ability to provide for humanitarian aid and disaster assistance using a fund designated by congress for such purpose.
Section 3
The President shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the Planetary Republic.
Section 4
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the Planetary Republic, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. Upon pain of removal from office, no such official shall sponsor a bill or amendment contrary to this Constitution or the Articles of Understanding.
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Article III: Judicial Branch
The judicial Power of the Republic, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
Section 1
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, an
d shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section 2
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the Planetary Republic, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the Planetary Republic shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more Planets;— between a Planet and Citizens of another Planet,—between Citizens of different Planet,—between Citizens of the same Planet claiming Lands under Grants of different Planets, and between a Planet, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign Planets, Citizens or Subjects.
The supreme court has the power to interpret law to determine whether a law or its implementation is contrary to this Constitution or the Articles of Understanding. The Court shall use the common language understood at the time of the signing of this document and strict constructionism and when making such determinations intent. The citizens of the republic may petition the supreme court to make determination of a specific law or its implementation when a number of citizens equal to twenty percent of the last census sign such a petition.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a Planet shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any Planet, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section 3
Treason against the Republic shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort, or actions by elected or appointed Republic officials that are directly contrary to the Constitution or the Articles of Understanding. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
The Legion, as protectors of the Republic, shall have jurisdiction in matters of defense, extra-planetary intelligence gathering, and prosecution of crimes relating to treason, weapons violations as enumerated, corruption of Republic officials, Terrorism, and organized crime.
The Legion has no authority in civil crime and may not be used for domestic law enforcement or intelligence gathering on Republic citizens outside the enumerated powers mentioned within this Constitution.
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Article IV: Rights and Limitations
The powers not delegated to the Republic by this Constitution and the Articles of Understanding, nor prohibited by it to the Planets, are reserved to the Planets respectively, or to the people.
Section 1
The Citizens of each Planet shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several Planets.
Citizenship is earned by honorably discharging a term of service in the legion of no less than 5 years. No elected or appointed official of the Republic may hold office without citizenship.The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the citizens of the Republic. The rights of the sapient beings as enumerated in this Constitution and the Articles of Understanding are reserved for the lawful residents and citizens of this Republic and are not given to those illegally or covertly present within the jurisdiction of the Republic.
Individuals born with the confines of the Republic are legal residents if their parents were a legal resident at the time of their birth.
A Person charged in any Planet with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Planet or body regulated by the Republic, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the Planet from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Planet having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No citizen shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the Legion, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the Planet and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for their defense.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 100 kilograms of mass, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the Republic, than according to the rules of the common law. Suits deemed to be brought forth based upon a frivolous or abusive cause shall have costs paid for by the entity that is found to be abusing the courts.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The Planetary Republic shall guarantee to every Planet in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
Citizens of the Republic may form political parties for the better understanding of position and ideology of a candidate. The Republic shall not give mass or support to individual parties, nor regulate elections based on party affiliation. Once Elected, an officer of the Republic shall be expected to serve the needs of the people of the republic and the needs of the Republic as a whole rather than a political party.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the Planetary Republic, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Congress shall make no law infringing on a sapient beings right to own, carry, and maintain Arms. Citizens may freely carry individual anti-personnel weapons on their person throughout the Republic. Biological, lethal chemical, or nuclear weapons are disallowed for civilian use or ownership. Crew served, anti-material or vehicle-based weapons shall be registered but not restricted on space capable ships, non-planetary bodies, or personal dwellings or places of business or worship. Unjustified use of weapons more powerful than personal defensive weaponry shall be subject to the discipline of the Legion.
No Legionnaire or Member of the Militia shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.The right of citizens of the Republic to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing th
e place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Section 3
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Planet to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Planet. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the Republic under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the Planetary Republic which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the Republic, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every Planet shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any Planet to the Contrary notwithstanding.
New Planets may be admitted into this Union upon petition of three quarters of its population and the approval of Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the Republic; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the Republic, or of any particular Planet.
