Amendment XXVIII (Amendment 28 – National and/or State of Emergency Crises)

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MUST ACT NOW AGAINST FUTURE PANDEMICS

Fellow Americans,

Given the current pandemic that our country is facing due to the impacts of COVID-19, these are frightening times, filled with constant changes to our daily routines as we adhere to the ever-changing safety precautions released by our local, state, and national leaders in response to COVID-19.  COVID-19 has affected 43,449 cases, resulting in 545 deaths, and only 295 have recovered as of March 23, 2020, 23:03 GMT and the numbers in each category continues to grow by the minute. These are the times when we as a nation from the Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen Z must work together for the security of this nation and for the protection of our future generations if we wish to recover successfully from these challenging times and prevent future pandemics. 

From 2007-2008 citizens, families, consumers, and businesses of the United States of America suffered due to the financial crisis, price gouging was a big issue. The crisis resulted in many citizens and families having to face hardships across all 50 states. The result of the crisis not only took away homes from families, but the financial crisis also prevented them from being able to afford the necessities for their families due to the allowance of price gouging. 

As of January 2019, there are 34 states that have adopted an anti-price gouging law during the declaration of a state of emergency. Some of these states have listed within their laws as exemplified by California "Selling commodities, household essentials, fuel, etc. after a declared state of emergency for more than 10% over the cost of these items immediately preceding the declaration." PEN § 396 Other states only have it anti-price gouging is protected in the areas of mortgages, oil, gas, etc.

While politicians have been requesting that we each work together as Americans during this crisis no matter your party affiliation, this should also include the anti-price gouging laws within all 50 states. Neoclassical economists will argue that the introduction of anti-price gouging laws, as a way of security for all citizens will prevent allocative efficiency. The dangerous thoughts of theses economists led to the financial crisis of 2008. They will try and argue that the matter in which we handled the crises, will fix the state that we are in now. Which I find to be dishonorable and inefficient.

We must also ensure job security for the American people, that will ensure if businesses are to lay off workers, that a sustainable compensation will be provided to those affected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) had inefficient funding to prepare for such a pandemic like COVID-19. Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion was provided a budget of $1,184,587 in the year of 2019, and increased by $55, 327 to $1,239,914 for the year of 2020. Prevention Research Centers under the CDC were provided a budget of $25,374 in the year of 2019 and increased by $1,087 to $26,461 for the year of 2020.

That being said, I am asking that every American not only help yourself and your state, but the remaining 49 states as well by signing this petition in the request that the U.S. Congress and the White House where the Honorable Donald J. Trump Presides over our nation, enact within the Constitution of the United States of America Amendment XXVIII (Amendment 28 – National and/or State of Emergency Crises)

1 : In the case of these United States facing a national and/or state of emergency which leads to a national disaster, pandemic and/or crises, all 50 states must not allow a price gouge in any department that will affect the way of living to the American people during said national emergency;

2 : In the case of these United States or any state facing an national and/or state of emergency which leads to a national disaster, pandemic and/or crises the United States Department of the Treasury will prevent a Global Financial Crises from occurring by holding and producing annually an efficient, reliable, and adequate amount of funding in preparation of such an event to occur, as well as assist in helping the American people financially and medically in the event that the States alone cannot produce the results needed;

3 : Ensure job security if layoffs are to occur, and a sustainable income for all Americans who may be affected and impacted for the duration of the national and/or state of emergency due to the national disaster, pandemic and/or crises

4 : Provide a budget suitable to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention        under the departments of National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) and to the Prevention Research Centers that will accommodate the United States of America human population entirely should said national disaster, pandemic and/or crises occur;

5 : Provide a budget suitable to the United States Department of Education that will ensure all K-12 and Higher Learning students are able to achieve academically and financially without any hardships should said national disaster, pandemic and/or crises occur

These are times where it does not matter whether you are left-winged or right-winged right now we need to be American-winged, and we each are relying on one another during these crises. 

Please, join hands with me, and others who are being affected and suffering losses financially, medically, with their livelihood at stake by this current pandemic of COVID-19. SIGN the petitions, SHARE the petitions and CALL your Governors, Mayors, Representatives, Congressmen and the President of these United States of America to review and enact this amendment into our Constitution to prevent such an epidemic like COVID-19 from being as impactful and devastating to our nation for those who will be here past our time and may have to face challenging times as we are now. 

"Let us be Proactive as a People and not Individuals."                               -Justin M. H. Cowling