SB 2016-074: Amend. to Art. 1, Sect. 6 of the Constit. (Passed)

[Anna Komnene]

Aye

I realize that sending this amendment back to the House will likely kill it which is sad, but I think fixing the language is more important.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Aye

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Aye

[Associate Justice PiT]

     This motion has enough votes to pass; Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The motion has passed. This amendment has returned to the floor.

[Anna Komnene]

Okay so here's what we're working with as it stands.  We need to come up with the ideal wording so that 1) the constitution reflects the values of Atlasia, 2) it's obvious to literally anyone that prisons are constitutional, and 3) we're all happy to vote for it.

So far some ideas have been to change "involuntary servitude" to "forced labor," include some sort of clause about prisons, or to make a distinction between slavery and involuntarily servitude my moving the wording around.  What do people think is best?  Any other ideas to make this better?

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[Associate Justice PiT]

     I like changing "involuntary servitude" to "forced labor". I am unsure whether prison in general would be deemed "involuntary servitude", but, supposing I am interpreting that phrase the same as Senator Siren is, "forced labor" conveys the intention far more specifically.

[Mike Thick]

     I like changing "involuntary servitude" to "forced labor". I am unsure whether prison in general would be deemed "involuntary servitude", but, supposing I am interpreting that phrase the same as Senator Siren is, "forced labor" conveys the intention far more specifically.

Yeah, since the ramifications of the clause won't actually affect much beyond clearing up confusion, I think this is a perfectly reasonable adjustment.

[Associate Justice PiT]

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[/quote]

     I am proposing this as an amendment, and we can propose more later if we want to. Does the sponsor accept the amendment as friendly?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

This is really specific, but technically the comma after "slavery" ought to be removed, as the omission of the "except as punishment..." clause renders it grammatically irrelevant.

[Associate Justice PiT]

This is really specific, but technically the comma after "slavery" ought to be removed, as the omission of the "except as punishment..." clause renders it grammatically irrelevant.

     Edited my proposed amendment to axe the comma.

[Anna Komnene]

The amendment is friendly.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Senators have 24 hours to object to the friendly amendment.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I realize that sending this amendment back to the House will likely kill it which is sad, but I think fixing the language is more important.

There is nothing I cannot find a work around for.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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     I am proposing this as an amendment, and we can propose more later if we want to. Does the sponsor accept the amendment as friendly?
[/quote]

I would remind you that the "indentured servitude" that was being declared unconstitutional back in the day was either 1) forced as a means of paying off a debt, 2) Contractual. The (US) Founders sought to ban both. Replacing it with forced labor, would in my view legalize the latter. Also servitude can exist in forms other than labor, correct?

[Associate Justice PiT]

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     I am proposing this as an amendment, and we can propose more later if we want to. Does the sponsor accept the amendment as friendly?

I would remind you that the "indentured servitude" that was being declared unconstitutional back in the day was either 1) forced as a means of paying off a debt, 2) Contractual. The (US) Founders sought to ban both. Replacing it with forced labor, would in my view legalize the latter. Also servitude can exist in forms other than labor, correct?
[/quote]

     If it is contractual involuntary servitude, does that basically just mean a job that you are not allowed to quit?

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With no objections the amendment is adopted.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Any more comments? We can proceed to a final vote in 24 hours if not, but given that we voted on this once and pulled it back we should take more care to be sure we are happy with this language.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Probably a dumb question, but better to ask than not cover all the bases: would community service constitute "forced labor?"

[Associate Justice PiT]

Probably a dumb question, but better to ask than not cover all the bases: would community service constitute "forced labor?"

     That is a good question, given that banning community service as a sentence would promote harsher fines and jail terms for misdemeanor offenders. I don't think anyone particularly cares for that outcome.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I will move to amend the bill again to avoid any possible legal controversies.

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[Associate Justice PiT]

     What is the sponsor's response to the amendment?

[Anna Komnene]

I'm going to say hostile in order to see what everyone thinks.

I feel like community service wouldn't be banned.  There are schools in the US that have mandatory community service that haven't been ruled unconstitutional under the current language, and besides, I don't think a court would decide that lesser sentences are banned in favor of more arduous sentences.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     A 72-hour vote is now open on the amendment. Senators, please vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye.