We need bipartisan governmental reform in a number of areas, including the codification of sensible norms that should no longer rely on voluntary compliance. Post your proposals in here.
Let's divide these into three categories:
1. Reforms that can be achieved via executive orders. (E.g., certain travel restrictions.)
2. Reforms that can be achieved via federal legislation. (E.g., requirement of Senate confirmations for certain positions that can't be circumvented so easily by an "Acting" designation.)
3. Reforms that can be achieved via constitutional amendment. (E.g., staggered, fixed terms for the Supreme Court.)
My first suggestion is in category number three. Let's shorten the lame-duck period between elections and inaugurations. Right now, each new Congress is sworn in on Jan 3 and the President on Jan 20. I'd move those dates to December 21 and Jan 3, respectively.
My second suggestion is also in category number three. Let's clarify and probably narrow the scope of the president's pardon power. He should not be able to pardon himself. He should not be able to pardon anyone for criminal contempt for violating a judicial order to comply with the federal constitution. He should not be able to pardon anyone for criminal contempt for violating a subpoena to testify about the president, or for committing perjury while testifying about the president.
Let's divide these into three categories:
1. Reforms that can be achieved via executive orders. (E.g., certain travel restrictions.)
2. Reforms that can be achieved via federal legislation. (E.g., requirement of Senate confirmations for certain positions that can't be circumvented so easily by an "Acting" designation.)
3. Reforms that can be achieved via constitutional amendment. (E.g., staggered, fixed terms for the Supreme Court.)
My first suggestion is in category number three. Let's shorten the lame-duck period between elections and inaugurations. Right now, each new Congress is sworn in on Jan 3 and the President on Jan 20. I'd move those dates to December 21 and Jan 3, respectively.
My second suggestion is also in category number three. Let's clarify and probably narrow the scope of the president's pardon power. He should not be able to pardon himself. He should not be able to pardon anyone for criminal contempt for violating a judicial order to comply with the federal constitution. He should not be able to pardon anyone for criminal contempt for violating a subpoena to testify about the president, or for committing perjury while testifying about the president.