(1976) The R Document Read Online Free PDF Page A

with a three-person ruling council, to get rid of the Vice-Presidency, to change the name of the United States of America to the United States of the Earth, to change the Electoral College vote system, to change the free-enterprise system so that no one individual might possess more than ten million dollars. Of the handful of 5,700 amendments that did not die in Congress, that did get out to the states, only thirty-four have been ratified by the necessary three-fourths of the states. There has usually been no limitation as to the time the states have to ratify or reject. The most quickly approved amendment in our history was the 26th, giving 18-year-olds the vote. Only three months and seven days after it came out of Congress, it was ratified by three-fourths of the fifty states. Which brings us to the latest amendment, the 35th, which we may see killed or made law of the land tonight.’
    Collins heard the movement of bodies, the scraping of chairs, and observed the guests who were beginning to crowd around the television set on either side. Then he devoted himself to the television screen once more.
    ‘The controversial 35th Amendment, designed to supersede the first ten amendments - or the Bill of Rights - under certain emergency circumstances, grew out of a desire by Congressional leaders and President Wadsworth to forge a weapon to impose law and order on the nation if required.’
    ‘Weapon?’ interrupted the President, who had just sat down near Collins. ‘What does he mean, weapon? If ever I
    heard prejudicial language, that’s it. I wish we could pass an amendment to take care of commentators like that.’
    ‘We’re passing one,’ Director Tynan boomed from his chair on the opposite side. ‘The 35th will take care of those troublemakers.’
    Collins caught Karen’s sharp glance, and squirmed uncomfortably toward the television screen again.
    ‘ … and so after it came out of committee and was introduced as a joint resolution,’ the commentator was continuing, ‘it went to the floors of the Senate and the House for final vote. Despite vocal - but limited - opposition from the liberal blocs, both bodies of Congress gave the 35th Amendment overwhelming approval, far exceeding the two-thirds vote required. Then the new amendment was sent out to the fifty states. That was four months and two days ago. After a relatively easy passage in the first states voting on it, the voyage of the 35th became increasingly stormy, as opposition was organized against it. To date, forty-seven of the fifty states have voted upon it. Eleven have turned it down. Thirty-six have approved it. But since the Amendment needs thirty-eight votes of approval, it is still two states short. As of tonight, there remain three states that have not voted - New York, Ohio, and California. New York and Ohio are concluding their voting this very night - a historic event that will be seen shortly on this network - and California has scheduled its vote a month hence. But will California be needed? If both New York and Ohio turn down the Amendment tonight, it will be dead. If both ratify the Amendment tonight, it will become part of the Constitution immediately, and President Wadsworth will have his arsenal to combat the growing lawlessness and disorder that is slowly strangling the nation. The voting tonight in New York and Ohio may be fateful, may change the course of American history for a century to come. Now, after a brief commercial break, we will take you to the State Assembly in Albany, New York, where the floor debate is just concluding before the final roll-call vote will be taken.’
    The commercial for an oil conglomerate, which declared that at least one conglomerate was in business only as a public service to make life happier and easier for the people,
    was quickly drowned out by the rising babble of voices in the room.
    Collins came to his feet, ready to refill his drink. Karen had covered the top of her glass with her fingers,