Pretty interesting idea there... may use that for something.
America's Funniest President: Mo Udall Presidency & Beyond
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1993- Askew Administration's Proposed Amendments
1993- Askew Administration's Proposed Amendments
Askew's Plan
Many have wondered what was President Askew been working on for the past several years. Ever since he took office in his first term in 1989, he worked on a project in the background for the past 4 years, consulting various current politicians, such as Birch Bayh, an Indiana Senator who was on his final year in office, and former politicians such as John B. Anderson. It was a project that he began tackling as part of a broader plan to tackle political and electoral corruption and inadequacies over in the federal government, with Askew maintaining his open stance and solid reputation from back as a governor.
Various laws were put into place by him and former President Udall such as eliminating gerrymandering back in 1987 and continuing on with reforms that limited campaign spending and usage on various grounds, with the purpose of trying to level the playing field when it came to voting. Even establishing a rule on equal television time on public channels for the various candidates to speak and propose what they want. Most of these were managed through with the power of the support of the people and the remaining old guard leading the charge along with the youngblood supporting it to make them more appealing to the voter base and build up their reputation. It also limited more and more the influence of outside sources, such as corporations and political think-tanks, some even caught in the crossfire of it. However, in the summer of 1993, President Reubin Askew would propose what would be his boldest and grandest attempts at reform yet.
Two Amendments to the US Constitution.
Proposal for the 29th Amendment
The first one was a rewritten version of the Bayh-Cellar amendment proposal from a couple decades prior, where many politicians, including President Nixon, began pushing for changing how US federal voting was done out of concern regarding the Electoral College. It would only fail due to the concerns of various conservaties and politicians who feared it would lessen the influence their state had. The original amendment would've replaced the "first-past-the-post" voting system that the US inherited from the British and transititioned into a two-round system that the French Republic is using. However, that was 15 years ago. While much has changed, alot also remained the same. From the downfall of Goldwater-Reaganian conservatism leading to the decline of the Republican party to the rise of the United Citiens Party and the dominace of the Democrats, it was shown a new system was needed. Indeed, John B. Anderson, who was a big archeitect in reforming the amendment alongside Bayh proposed what the Americans knew as ranked choice voting, otherwise known as instant runoff voting in most parts of the world.
On how it works, voters in IRV-styled elections would rank the candidates in order of preference. Ballots are initially counted for each voter's top choice. If a candidate has more than half of the vote based on first-choices, then that candidate wins. If not, then the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The voters who selected the defeated candidate as a first choice then have their votes added to the totals of their next choice. This process continues until a candidate has more than half of the votes. When the field is reduced to two, it has become an "instant runoff" that allows a comparison of the top two candidates head-to-head. [1] The idea here being that it would give people a real choice in deciding who they wanted and not wasting votes. It would also better represent what the people were wanting regarding satisfication and it would free the US from being locked into the two-party system. It was noted that inspiration came from the Irish system and how Khalistan would adopt it too.
It was this last one that really got people's attention. Naturally, the Unizens hopped on board with this idea because they saw it as the best opportunity to be able to really grow as a proper power and even those on the fence became excited on the possibility of such of being able to do so. Suprisingly enough, the Republicans were also up for this. While a large part of it was pragmatism to show that they were up for helping the nation and to help votes, a couple of the younger ones noted that this was because the Republican Party itself needed to change beyond the past. And that the only way to try and do would be with this new system, though what that meant only they knew. The Democrats themselves were split though many of them from the various factions supported this. The past few days have been regaining the support of the various govenors for this and it looked like that it would have a large chance of succeeding. A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states and it looked like the support for there across the parties for various reasons. While it still needed to go through the processes, it did seem like it garnered the most attention and to discuss the various merits on it along with what to add or remove.
One big question was whether how much this would apply; would it just be for federal elections or also mandate it for state elections for governor as well? What about things for like House Rep and Senators? All of these and more would be debated over the next several months.
Proposal for the 30th Amendment
The second one was not as radical, but many still viewed it as such and it was perhaps more controversial among Congress than the previous one. While not as complicated and some wondered if it would need to even become an amendment in the first place as opposed to just a congressional act, some parts of it still had larger depths to it. The 30 Amendment was a combination of various reforms that all of them focused on reforming various parts of the government.
One of the main aspects of the amendment was the intrdouction of term limits. Namely that the Amendment would establish term limits on the legislative and judicial branches with it being the following:
- House Represenatives, having terms of two years, would be able to serve up to five terms
- Senators, having terms of six years, would only be able to serve up to two terms.
- Federal or circuit judges would only serve for a maximum of ten years and then needing to retirement.
- Supreme Court judges would also serve for a maximum of ten years and then retirement.
Other parts were part of the reformatory package, but were rather basic in its design and function that it was unsure if they would remain in the final draft. One was just a simple redrawing of the various federal districts and circuits, primarily on the western half, likely resulting in one or two more circuits. Others included possibilities of electing judges in some form and one even expanding the Supreme Court, if mainly to conincide with the number of judicial circuits.
The nation began buzzing about and clamoring about this as many of the politicians would begin working to look over these and make their decisions on it while talking with their contituents while the parties saw this as a big change. The 30th Amendment was more divisive given the term limits, but the idea was quite popular. The old guard was willing to consider it and a large portion of the younger saw it as a means to go and help push the old guard out of the way while others saw it intervening with their goals. Regardless, the next several months would be quite interesting indeed.
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[1]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_abolition_amendment#Bayh–Celler_amendment_(1969)
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1993- Compromises and Cataclysms
1993- Compromises and Cataclysms
War in Bosnia
As weeks and months went by, the Bosnian War was in a period of revolving conflicts and ceasefires. Soldiers of both sides licking their wounds or engaging in urban warfare or battling over territory. All while the increased UN forces try to help with survivors or intervene in attempts of "ethnic purging" from the various occupied areas. Overall, the Bosnian War and the greater Yugoslavic Wars was seeing more and more international attention and the search for a reasonable solution, especially as the bodies keep piling up. Meanwhile, there was also the consideration in how to deal with the leadership, especially with the growing protests against Milosevic. However, given the situation regarding the population of Serbs outside of Serbia itself, an unorthodox solution may be needed here.
Additionally, the sooner a solution would be found, the more bloodshed could be avoided right here. While the ceasefires have helped, various discussions and plans between various world leaders, UN reps and so on, including the ruler of Bosnia, trying to come up that would be a good compromise was rather difficult to say the least, especially given the nature of war thinking that a bit more time could cause the other side to cave in. However, NATO's growing influence over with Bosnia was enough to be able to get some concessions out of them and form a plan. The SUSR was present and while officially formed, was also a bit at a loss here. However, over time, a somewhat unusual plan was beginning to form. It would continue with the trend of federalization of Bosnia-Herzegonia, but also take into account what had happened in Ethiopia and begin steering away from ethnic federalization. The more daring aspect though came in from some of the more interesting possibilities the plan would provide, especially when it would come over to realpolitik.
The plan was to deal with the Republika Srpska, a proto-state consisting of the Serbian dominant areas of Bosnia-Herzegonia. And itwas here that much of the attempts of "ethnic purging" was happening and the main focus of peacekeeping forces countering such attempts. Despite this and the numerous lives saves, the pictue was still being shaped of two large Bosnian Serb-populated regions sandwiching the lands of the Bosnian Croats and Bosnian along with some other aspects of distribution such as the Bosnians found in the northernmost part. However, the plan here was to take this sandwiching effect and turn it against them. It took alot of arm twisting, planning and consideration for the plan to be considered, but it would be delivered: The Second Dayton Plan,
The Second Dayton Plan
The Second Dayton Plan was a rather unorthodox one yet also ambitious one. The idea was to deal with the Republika Srpska was by trying to reduce their size. The details of the proposal were still being figured out, but the plan was that the sanctions against Yugoslavia would be lifted if in return they would cease any and all aid toward the attempted and breakway republics over from the area. However, to sweeten the deal and also make matters more interesting was the offer for Yugoslavia to be able to annex the southern part of the Republika Srpska, that which was predominantly Serbian. This was perhaps the big problem point over for trying to get Bosnia-Herzegonia on board with this, but it would also turn out to be quite a clever ploy. By accepting this, it would deprive the remaining Republika Srpska of their capital of Pale, going over into becoming a city over in Yugoslavia.
This did leave questions over leadership though the contract did stipulate that if the leaders of Republika Srpska would end up over in the potential new Yugoslavic region, that the Yugoslavian authorities would need to capture and turn them into NATO due to suspicions of war crimes such as instruction for the destruction of cultural and religious institutions along with leading "ethnic purges" and other accusations. Though many suspected that the Republika Srpska would flee either northward to continue the war and thus make it likely for them to be captured. Leaving the nation would be difficult given they would be searched and staying in hiding in Yugoslavia would be too risky for the Milosevic government to accept.
However, the deal was with Yugoslavia, not with the Republika Srpska itself, due to not being recognized as a party. As such, the southern region's decision to join Yugoslavia would be done by referendum and over seen by Serbia itself. Given the statement of Republika Srpska' Radovan Karadžić over on how he wanted the region to be incorporated into Serbia proper, many believed if the deal was taken, it would lead to that, albeit after a ceasefire and time for transfer of population. The details were still being hammered as to who gets what. However, would be decided that East Herzegovina would remain over in with Bosnia-Herzegovina while the rest of the southern regions would be annexed by Yugoslavia, more specifcally into Serbia itself.
For the Milosevic government, they thought it would be worth it. With the tensions and protests even higher now because of the intense sanctions against them, they were in need of a quick solution. Plus, they would be getting some land out of this and growing Serbia. Of course, this left the question of the northern half. The implications would be that with Yugoslavia backing out, it would leave Republika Srpska, the remains of it, by itself in the war against Croatia and Bosnia, losing its capital and most of its leadership. It would all but offiically be abandoned and left to its own devices. After a bit of time... the Milosevic administration accepted...
Yugoslavic Fallout
Unsurprisingly, the announcement sent a shockwave across Yugoslavia. The Bosnians knew this would be come and many have begun preparing to move away either closer within the mainland or some immigrating to other nations, including the US. Armed guards and reinfocements would watch over the migrations and the passing of the many people traveling to ensure a lack of violence. It was a rather cold compromise it seemed... but it succeeded. In fact, it did far more than people imagined...
The northern half of the Republika Srpska was utterly devastated. Their only ally, the Republic of Serbian Krajina would likely become in trouble too as with Yugoslavia gone from the pictue, the attention would be turned over onto then. Additionally, the decapitation of leadership would occur just as some suspected. Various leaders, including Radovan Karadžić, would attempt to flee over the new territories of Serbia. The Milosevic government no longer supported them and in fact, would begin hunting them down as letting them stay or even supporting them would violate the terms of the contract and likely shatter whatever small chance of growing peace they had. Naturally though, the various forces suspected of what would happened and would be there to intercept them. Individuals like Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić would be tracked, hunted down and caught over the next several weeks.
As the Republika Srpska would scramble to try and find some new leadership, the atmosphere among the people changed. It became one of sadness, disappointment and rage. They were abandoned by Yugoslavia and having lost some of their land too, left to fend for themselves. For many people, the sinking feeling changed and warped into resentment, frustration and outrage. But... the ceasefire still happened and war was not in the air. When the Republika Srpska would finally get a working leadership, at least from those who haven't begun fleeing or going into hiding, they were faced with a choice: continue a losing war or surrender and hope for mercy. There was no real choice. The surrender would come quickly over to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina and new accords were being drawn up. The war seemed to finally be over... but the scars remained and the pain did... yet in ways people not expected. The Serbs now annexed from the former southern half of the Republika Srpska, they were relieved that the war was over and with the sanctions gone, they could begin rebuilding slowly but surely, creating connections with their countrymen. For those of the former Republika Srpska in Bosnia though, it was the contrary. For many a Bosnian Serb, the anger and resentment from the war would have them turn not against their neighbors, but against Yugoslavia... aganst Milosevic and Serbian nationalism. They blamed for giving them false hopes and promises before betraying them. Others would go even further and would blame them for inciting the conflict against their neighbors. A rift would begin growing between the Bosnian Serbs and those over in Serbia proper.
Meanwhule, Serbian Krajina found itself in trouble as the Croatian and Bosnian forces would now turn on them. Potential chances of Krajina uniting with the Republika Srpska would fail because of Krajina's leader in Goran Hadžić's refusal. While the conflict would rage on, it would seem that things were settling down for now... but despite this, the issues of the Milosevic administration remained deeply and it seemed like a spark could cause it to light up once more. Bosnia-Herzogovina meanwhile would go into talks regarding with federalization attempts along with getting some rebuilding efforts.
One wondered if the dust really has settled...
Great writing, even if I have no idea if the plan would work as well as you lay out, not being familiar with the situation in Serbia and elsewhere.
Thak you for the support! I figure Yugoslavia/Serbia would be willing to take a chunk of the land since the squeeze of the sanctions would be getting to them. Of course, they aren't out of the woods yet. Meanwhile, for the Bosnian Serbs who remained, it's quite a game changer. Alot of the negative feelings and frustration are now aimed at Yugoslavia/Serbia.
I suspect that this would lead to the Bosnian Serbs shifting their alliances over to Bosnia-Herzegovina to a significant degree.
Regarding the Amendments, I'm not that well-versed in legal stuff, but would a Constitutional Amendment be able to require the US states to operate under ranked choice voting when it comes to electing people?
Because I know that like a congressional Act is one thing, but figure Constitutional Amendment would supercede it.
Because I know that like a congressional Act is one thing, but figure Constitutional Amendment would supercede it.
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Also just remembered to threadmark this: https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...residency-beyond.515135/page-77#post-23082865
Autumn 1993- Eternal September
Autumn 1993- Eternal September
Hurricane Gert at peak intensity near landfall in Mexico on September 1993
Hurricane Gert at peak intensity near landfall in Mexico on September 1993
The Second Dayton Accord seemed to have brought a compromise that was needed to calm down most of the troubles over during the Bosnian War. Serbia celeberated annexing some more land and getting some relief from the sanctions for the time being. Meanwhile, the remains of the Republika Srpska has surrendered over to Bosnia-Herzegovina with plans being made to reincorporate them into it along with a rift growing between Bosnian Serbs and Yugoslavia. While Serbian Krajina would continue being hammered for the next several months, the people slowly began moving on, wondering how long this would last. However, this would not be the only compromise that the Askew Administration would play a large part. Since the report regarding the failures of the Nixon Administration' War on Drugs had come out and recontextualize even more the problems, questions were raised on how to deal with that. A growing number of people were wanting to push back against it and while the war was shifted to treating the users, some wanted to push for decriminalizing the usage of drugs, mainly marijuana. While the Askew Administration was not sure on their stance there, they would do two major things, heavily encouraged by Vice President Chisholm. The first would be further pardons of those convicted of marijuana charges, with some possibly speculating some form of reimbursment. The second would garner more attention and it was a bill that would appear in Congress: the re-legalization of hemp. Hemp was quite a versatile plant and had many supporters for its myraid of properties. In fact, some veterans would expose the existence of an old US military video promoting the growth of hemp to farmers for rope and other goods. Additionally, a growing number of buisnesses were gaining more interest in hemp as the advocates began promoting more of its properties, drawing on historical precedent along with environmental friendliness: hemp fibers used in a multitude of products, hemp as a sustainable building mateial, including the recent invention of "hempcrete", hemp paper, the potential of hemp oil and so on. Unsurprisingly, with all of this push, Congress would pass the Hemp Renewal Act, legalizing industrial hemp in being grown and utilized in such matters. While the question of cannabis as a drug was left to the states, it did bring renewed hope, especially with the potential of research. Meanwhile, more and more companies were looking more into hemp and what it could do.
This was not the only good news to come out of the United States though. One fascinating obervaton would be the rise of "Usenet", resulting in the so-called "September that never ended". [1] From the 1980s up until the early 1990s, Usenet and the internet in general was dominated primarily by dedicated computer professionals and hobbyists;. New users would traditionally join slowly and in small numbers, ultimately learning the social conventions established already and not disrupt experienced users. However, in the September of every year, there would be a large boom of newcomers due to new first-year students entering college and causing a disruption. The "Eternal September" wuld refer to September of 1993 with the annoucement of internet service providers such as AOL planning on providing more services, meaning that the floodgates would soon be unable to close. [2] With the oncoming growth, many of these veterans were having to face the oncoming boom and on how to deal with it. This was part of growing questions of the internet, especially as some of the more tech-savvy politicians and advocates such as the Atari Democrats would be granting their support in these new areas of prosperity and opportunity.
As it seemed much of the troubles were dying down, there was some more news around the world. The International Olympic Committee would decide on Beijing, China, hosting the 2000 Summer Olympics, having won most of the rounds and entering a tight contest last minute with Sydney. And in the fall, the Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union. In a status referendum, Puerto Rico residents vote with a slim margin to maintain Commonwealth status, [2] despite the growing advocacy for statehood over in Puerto Rico, though this would also bring forth attention to the statehood movement over for Washington DC itself. Speaking of, other acts were introduced and passed, one being a handgun regulation act which included a fie-day waiting period. Other news including how the IRS would refuse once more on giving Scientology any tax exemption status while NASA launches the Space Shuttle Endeavour on a mission to repair an optical flaw in the Hubble Space Telescope. [3] However, some negative news was still present sch as the spark of civil war in Burundi. A tropical storm would be present over in Mexico and Central America. Despite some of these issues and various others, such as the plan of Qatar to retaliate against its neighbors upon securing sufficient evidence regarding supporting the attempted counter-coup, it was truly looking that things would be quieting down.
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[1]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_that_never_ended
[2]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993
[3]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_in_the_United_States
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Nice.
The handgun act reminds me of this line from The Simpsons.
Homer: Five days? But I'm mad now!.
The handgun act reminds me of this line from The Simpsons.
Homer: Five days? But I'm mad now!.