Friday, September 23, 2011

White House new website "We the People" up and running

A new official White House Website is up "We the People".  You can write and sign petitions to the government.  If 5000, people sign your petition in 30 days the government will address it.
The White House: "We the People" petition site
From the Website:

The History of Petitions

The right to petition our government is guaranteed in the First Amendment to our Constitution. Throughout our nation’s history, petitions have served as a way for Americans to organize around issues that matter to them, and tell their representatives in government where they stand. Petitions have played an important role in many of the changes throughout our history, from ending slavery to guaranteeing women the right to vote.
The We the People platform on WhiteHouse.gov gives Americans a new way to create, share, and sign petitions that communicate your views about your government's actions and policies.
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.

– The First Amendment, United States Constitution
Of course, I found a great petition to promote, it almost has 5000 signatures already.

we petition the Obama administration to:

Edit the Pledge of Allegiance to remove the phrase "Under God".
The Pledge of Allegiance is said every day in schools across America. It is a government sanctioned speech, and should remain neutral in matters of religion. In its current state, it supports the existence of God, which goes against several religions, and supports others. This bias should not be supported by the country according to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Created: Sep 22, 2011
You'll have to create an account, which just requires a name and email address.  Very simple, then you can petition your government.  In case your wondering the words "under god" did not appear in the original pledge that was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy.  Here is what it looks like without the "under god":
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
The inclusion of the phrase "under god" almost certainly violates the 1st Amendment.  
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
In 2002 in Newdow vs US Congress the ninth circuit court ruled that it did violate the constitution. 

Is including "under god" in the pledge of allegiance lawful?

Wikipedia page for Pledge of Allegiance
Enhanced by Zemanta

No comments:

Post a Comment