Name:
A New Constitution for 2012
Imagine the unbelievable task of the Founders: create a constitution for a new nation. Constitutions,
which establish the framework/blueprint for governments, are meant to create stability for nations.
They should be able to respond to the realities facing a nation and be able to solve them.
Assignment
Imagine that the United States called a Constitutional Convention, and you have been elected to it.
Along with your group, you must create an entirely new governing document for the nation.
1. What are least 3 threats, problems, etc., currently facing the nation?
2. Explain at least 3 goals of the nation’s government. What are the purposes for establishing a
government in the first place?
3. What should the government look like?
a. Who runs the show? One person, a group of people, all people, etc.?
b. What are the main responsibilities of the government? (Refer to #2.)
c. What powers does the government need to accomplish its responsibilities?
d. How are leaders chosen?
e. How long do leaders get to serve? Life, 5 years, as long as they have support from the
country or the government, etc.?
4. Explain at least 3 responsibilities of the nation’s citizens. What are citizens required to do for
the good of the nation?
5. Explain at least 3 rights citizens have. What are they entitled to from the government?
6. Explain at least 3 freedoms citizens have. How are they protected from government
interference in their lives?
7. How will the constitution create stability? In other words, how will the government last in the
face of potential threats that you explained in #1?
8. How can the constitution be amended (changed) when necessary? What might be a reason or
two that the constitution might have to be amended in the future?
Evidence of Advanced/Extended Understanding
1. Constitutions should be part-idealistic but part-realistic. The nation should strive for
ambitious goals for its citizens, but it must also recognize the reality of where it finds itself.
Refer to the demographic information on the back of this sheet. Your constitution should refer
to at least 4 pieces of information about the nation’s current state in order to make a
constitution that can meaningfully address them.
a. For example: Because 36% of Americans are obese, one of the responsibilities of
Americans (identified in #4) might be a requirement that all Americans at age 18 must
take and pass a physical fitness course.
b. Another example: Because of the nation’s religious diversity, there will be a “Religious
Council” that advises the Congress on all bills that affect religion. Each religion,
including non-religions, whose membership is at least 0.5% of the population gets 1
position on the council.
2. Create more than 3 the rights, responsibilities, and freedoms required in #4-6. It’s obvious
that most of us would put down “freedom of speech” for #6, but what are some other freedoms
we would want that that might not be so obvious?
Assessed Learning Target
3.1 – Pre-Constitution & Formation of the Constitution
U.S. STATISTICS
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U.S. Population (314 million)
o White: 64%
o Hispanic: 16%
o Black: 13%
Percentage of Americans Who Are Foreign-Born (Legally Here): 13%
Number of Illegal Immigrants: 11 million
Percentage of Americans in Poverty: 15%
Percentage of American Adults with a College Degree: 30%
Ratio of Top 1% of Americans’ Wealth to the Average American’s Income: 288:1 (in 1962, it
was 125:1)
Unemployment Rate: 7.8%
U.S. Debt: $16.2 trillion
Percentage of Americans Who Approve of Congress’s Job: 10% (lowest in 40 years)
o House of Representatives: 55% Republican
o Senate: 53% Democrat
Percentage of Congress That is Made-Up of Women: 17%
Percentage of Congress That is Made-Up of Millionaires: 44%
Percentage of Eligible Voters Who Voted in 2008: 62%
Political Identification
o Conservative (usually Republican): 40%
o Moderate (between Republicans and Democrats): 35%
o Liberal (usually Democrat): 21%
Religion
o Protestant Christian: 51%
o Catholic Christian: 24%
o No Religion: 16%
o All Other Religions: 9% (Jewish 1.7%, Mormon 1.7%, Muslim 0.6%, Buddhist 0.7%)
Percentage of Americans Who Serve in the Military: Less than 1%
Percentage of American Adults Who Are Obese: 36%
Percentage of American Adults Without Health Insurance: 28%
U.S. Incarceration Rate: Highest in the World (40% of inmates are non-violent offenders)