Goldtent TA Paradise

Gemini on Constitutional Reform (via Ras)

1. pedro_deleon says:

   April 10, 2024 - 10:53 am at 10:53 am

   Ras has been tinkering, so this morning I suggested he pose a request for a Reform agenda. He didn’t expect it to “bite”. But it did.

   He used Gemini 1.5 pro. Found here.

   https://aistudio.google.com/app/prompts/new_chat

   From here, a more tailored invitation might get us somewhere.
   Pretend you also know psychology and that sociopaths tend to acquire positions of power and influence.
   How would you purge corruption, when the institutions themselves are captured?
   In other words, the changes needed will be more radical than around the edges as here.
   Anyhow, let the games begin!

   (Ras): “Pretend that you are both a U.S. Constitutional Scholar, with a Ph.D. in Constitutional Study from Harvard University, and a Political Science expert, with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Georgetown University.

   Construct a new U.S. Constitution which fixes the flaws in the current Constitution.

   Also, include a better set of “Checks and Balances” to prevent the concentration of power into too few hands.”

   Without any hesitation on the part of Gemini whatsoever, it pumped out this reply (followed by my conclusion):

   (Gemini):

   A New U.S. Constitution: Addressing Flaws and Enhancing Checks and Balances

   As a scholar of both Constitutional law and Political Science, I propose a new U.S. Constitution designed to address the flaws of the current document and establish a more robust system of checks and balances.

   Key Issues with the Current Constitution:

   1. Ambiguity and Outdated Language: The current Constitution’s language is often ambiguous, leading to varying interpretations and legal disputes.

   Additionally, certain clauses are outdated and no longer reflect the realities of modern society.

   2. Imbalance of Power: The system of checks and balances, while theoretically sound, has become imbalanced, allowing for the concentration of power within specific branches or individuals.

   3. Lack of Representation: The current system, particularly the Electoral College and the structure of the Senate, can lead to situations where the principle of “one person, one vote” is not upheld.

   4. Difficulty of Amendment: The amendment process is extremely difficult, making it challenging to adapt the Constitution to evolving societal needs and values.

   Proposed Changes and Additions:

   1. Bill of Rights Expansion:

   a. Right to Privacy: Explicitly include a right to privacy, encompassing informational, bodily, and decisional autonomy.

   b. Right to Healthcare and Education: Guarantee access to basic healthcare and education as fundamental rights.

   c. Environmental Rights: Include the right to a clean and healthy environment.

   2. Legislative Branch Reforms:

   a. Proportional Representation in the House: Implement a system of proportional representation to ensure that the House more accurately reflects the popular vote.

   b. Senate Reform or Abolition: Consider reforming the Senate to ensure equal representation for all states or abolishing it altogether in favor of a unicameral legislature with proportional representation.

   c. Campaign Finance Reform: Enact strict limits on campaign contributions and spending to reduce the influence of money in politics.

   3. Executive Branch Reforms:

   a. Curbing Executive Power: Limit the use of executive orders and strengthen Congressional oversight of executive actions.

   b. War Powers Reform: Clarify and restrict the President’s ability to engage in military action without Congressional approval.

   c. Term Limits for President and Vice President: Implement term limits to prevent excessive concentration of power.

   4. Judicial Branch Reforms:

   a. Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices: Introduce term limits for Supreme Court Justices to ensure regular turnover and prevent ideological stagnation.

   b. Oversight of the Judiciary: Establish a more robust system for Congressional oversight of the judiciary, including the power to impeach and remove federal judges for misconduct or abuse of power.

   5. Enhanced Checks and Balances:

   a. Strengthening Congressional Oversight: Expand Congress’s investigative powers and ability to subpoena information from the executive branch.

   b. Independent Commissions: Establish independent commissions with oversight authority over critical areas like elections, ethics, and campaign finance.

   c. Public Financing of Elections: Implement a system of public financing for elections to reduce the influence of private money and level the playing field for candidates.

   6. Streamlined Amendment Process:
   a. Lower the Threshold for Ratification: Reduce the number of states required to ratify amendments to make the Constitution more adaptable to changing times.

   b. Citizen-Initiated Amendments: Allow for citizen-initiated
   amendments through a process of petition and referendum.
   7. Addressing Technological Advancements:

   a. Digital Rights: Include provisions protecting digital rights, such as freedom of expression online and the right to privacy in the digital age.

   b. Regulation of Artificial Intelligence: Establish a framework for the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence.

   (Gemini Conclusion):

   These are just some potential changes to create a more just, equitable, and responsive government.

   The specific details and implementation would require extensive debate and deliberation.

   These core principles of strengthening checks and balances, expanding individual rights, and ensuring greater representation are paramount to create a Constitution that truly reflects the ideals of a modern, democratic society.”

   (Ras Conclusion): There are some radical ideas contained within Gemini’s version of a New Age Constitution. Especially the one regarding perhaps shutting down the Senate altogether.

   Some of the other proposals sound a little too Leftist for my taste, but as I warned upfront, these LLMs lean that way.

   Overall, though, I was shocked that Gemini even accepted the challenge, and was impressed at how quickly and thoroughly it spat out the answer.

2. Strider says:

   April 10, 2024 - 11:14 am at 11:14 am

   Unsurprisingly, Gemini is clearly a Democrat!

3. pedro_deleon says:

   April 10, 2024 - 11:23 am at 11:23 am

   I’m hitting the road soon, but I’m hoping those with interest will give this tool a try but with some tinkering on the questioning. I’ll give a try mid summer. Its on my To Do List.

   eg, scholar at the Mises Institute or the AEI, instead of Harvard!
   And with background in Behavioral Psychology not just status quo Law.