The Peanut Amendment: Reclaim Government Accountability Through Constitutional Reform

On October 30, 2024, armed government agents raided a home in Pine City, New York - to seize a pet squirrel. Peanut, beloved by over 500,000 YouTube followers, was euthanized by bureaucratic decree, demonstrating the terrifying reach of unaccountable government power into American homes.

This wasn't just about a squirrel. This was about a system so broken that:

- Multiple agencies coordinated an armed raid over a pet

- No meaningful appeals process existed

- Bureaucrats chose the most extreme solution without considering alternatives

- Local community had no say in enforcement

- Taxpayer resources were spent on militant response to a non-threat

The proposed 28th Amendment would:

- Limit all federal positions to 12-year terms

- Require election of agency heads

- Give local communities veto power over federal enforcement

- Mandate transparency and public oversight

- Require regulations to prove their worth or expire

- Institute ranked choice voting to break the two-party gridlock

- Allow recall of officials who abuse power

- Force agencies to respond to citizen petitions within 90 days

This Amendment has been carefully crafted with input from constitutional scholars and has undergone rigorous legal review. It balances necessary reform with governmental stability.

Peanut's story touched millions of hearts, but this Amendment goes far beyond any single case. It's about restoring government of, by, and for the people. It's about ensuring no agency can raid American homes without real cause and due process. It's about making bureaucrats accountable to the citizens they serve.

Sign this petition to:

1. Show support for constitutional reform

2. Demand your representatives back this Amendment

3. Join the movement for government accountability

4. Honor Peanut's memory with lasting change

Every signature brings us closer to a government that serves rather than rules, that listens rather than dictates, that answers to the people rather than to itself.

Let's make Peanut's legacy one of positive change. Sign now.

The proposed Amendment:

AMENDMENT XXVIII

Section 1. [Elections and Terms] In all federal Elections, each Voter shall rank any Number of Candidates in Order of Preference. The Winner shall be determined thus: Every Candidate shall be compared against each other Candidate, and shall receive one Point for each Contest wherein the greater Number of Voters preferred them over their Opponent. The Candidate with the most Points shall be declared Victor. In Event of equal Points between Candidates, the One preferred by more Voters in their direct Contest shall prevail; if still equal, the One with more first-Choice Rankings shall prevail; if still equal, the Senate shall choose between them. Public education materials demonstrating the Method of Election shall be distributed to all registered Voters before each federal Election, using plain Language and multiple Formats.

No Ballot shall be deemed invalid for ranking fewer than all Candidates. The Names of all qualified Candidates shall appear in random Order on each Ballot, with a uniform Method of ranking. The random Ordering of Candidates shall be performed by an independent Algorithm, publicly available for Inspection and verified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with Results published before Ballot printing. No State shall restrict any Candidate's Access to the Ballot save by requiring Signatures from no more than one-thousandth Part of eligible Voters. A refundable Filing Fee of one hundred Dollars shall be required, returned to any Candidate receiving at least one percent of the total Vote.

No Person shall serve in federal Office, whether by Election or Appointment, beyond twelve Years in total Duration. Former federal Officers having served with Distinction shall be eligible for Appointment to advisory Councils, providing Expertise and Continuity. Implementation of this Method shall proceed first in special Elections for two Years, thence to primary Elections for two further Years, before extending to all federal Elections. The States retain Authority over Registration of Voters and local Elections, provided no Abridgment of voting Rights shall occur thereby.

Section 2. [Transition] All Years served in federal Office prior to this Amendment's Ratification shall count toward the twelve-Year Limit established in Section 1. Any service exceeding six months in a given federal office shall count toward the limit. The following Transition shall apply:

First, those holding appointive Office, save Judges, who have exceeded twelve Years total service shall complete their current Terms but no more.

Second, elected Officials who have exceeded twelve Years service shall complete their current Terms but no more. Any Person knowingly serving beyond their term limit shall be ineligible to hold any federal Office thereafter, and any official Acts performed after exceeding the Limit shall be void.

Third, federal Judges having served beyond twelve Years shall continue thus: Those with least Seniority shall retire after six Years from Ratification; Those of middle Seniority after eight Years; Those of greatest Seniority after ten Years; Providing always that no more than one-third of any Court shall retire in any two-Year Period. "Seniority" for this purpose shall refer exclusively to continuous Service on a federal Court.

A Term begun before Ratification and completed after shall count as a full Term. The Years of service in any Office shall be counted from Day of first assuming said Office, including partial Terms exceeding one Year. Service as Acting Officer for more than six Months shall be counted toward the Limit.

A dedicated Office within the Office of Personnel Management shall maintain a public and regularly updated Record of all federal Service by every Officer, elected or appointed, showing Time served and Time remaining.

Section 3. [Agency Governance] The following Agencies shall be deemed regulatory and subject to Election of their heads: those exercising rule-making Authority affecting private Persons or Property, including but not limited to Agencies governing Commerce, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Labor, Transportation, and Public Health. A regulatory agency is one with "authority to promulgate Rules having the Force of Law affecting private Persons or Businesses." Congress shall by Law designate other Agencies as regulatory upon two-thirds Vote of each House.

The Election of Agency heads shall proceed thus: First, Candidates must qualify by Petition of one ten-thousandth Part of registered Voters; Second, each Candidate shall receive equal funding from the Public Treasury, such Sum to be set by Law at no less than the mean Cost of the previous three congressional Campaigns in the District of Columbia; Third, no private Funds or Things of Value shall support any Candidacy; Fourth, Elections shall occur in Years alternate to presidential Elections.

No Person shall be eligible who, within seven Years prior, has: First, held Position in any Industry subject to said Agency's Authority; Second, owned Shares exceeding one-thousandth Part of any such Industry; Third, represented such Industry before any Government Body; Fourth, received Compensation exceeding one thousand Dollars from such Industry. A two-thirds vote of the Senate may grant a waiver to a qualified candidate with prior industry ties, based on exceptional circumstances and demonstrated commitment to the public interest.

The President may dismiss an Agency head only upon showing clear and specific Evidence of: First, willful Violation of Law; Second, knowing Neglect causing substantial Harm; Third, corrupt Use of Office for private Gain; Fourth, persistent Failure to execute statutory Duties; Each requiring Confirmation by three-fifths of the Senate after public Hearing. The President may also suspend an agency head for up to thirty days pending Senate review, if they deem the head's actions a threat to national security or public safety.

In Event of Vacancy, the senior career Officer of such Agency shall serve as Acting head until special Election, save that no acting Service shall exceed one Year. Each Agency head shall nominate, and the Senate confirm, two Deputies who shall be career Officials serving indefinite Terms, subject to good Behavior and staggered terms.

Congress shall establish uniform Standards for Agency coordination and conflict Resolution, requiring Agencies with overlapping Authority to establish formal Protocols for cooperation.

Section 4. [Enforcement] All federal Enforcement shall be categorized and executed as follows:

Category First: Emergency Action. Such Action may proceed without prior Order of Court only upon: (a) Clear Evidence of immediate Threat to human Life or Limb, requiring Action within hours to prevent Death or grievous bodily Harm; or (b) Clear Evidence of imminent environmental Catastrophe threatening multiple Lives or lasting Damage to water, air, or soil affecting more than one thousand Persons; or (c) Clear Evidence of ongoing or imminent Act of Terror or Mass Violence. In swiftly developing emergencies, agents may act upon reasonable Suspicion, requiring subsequent presentation of "clear Evidence" to a court within 72 hours for continued justification. Any such Action must be reported to a federal Court within twenty-four Hours for review and possible Stay.

Category Second: Criminal Enforcement. All federal criminal Enforcement shall require Order of Court based upon probable Cause, specifically describing: (a) Places to be searched or Persons to be seized; (b) Evidence supporting the Action; (c) Scope and Manner of Enforcement permitted; (d) Duration of the Order's validity, not to exceed thirty Days. This requirement shall apply to all compulsory investigative Actions beyond consensual questioning.

Category Third: Administrative Enforcement. All administrative Enforcement shall require: (a) Written Consent of the State's Governor or Attorney General wherein the Action is to occur; (b) If spanning multiple States, Consent of each affected State; (c) Notice to local Law Enforcement not less than forty-eight Hours prior; (d) Clear showing of Authority and Necessity for the specific Action proposed. A State may withhold or revoke Consent for administrative Enforcement at any Time. Federal Courts may stay such State Action only upon: (a) Clear and convincing Evidence that Delay would cause imminent and demonstrable threat of death, serious bodily harm, or significant property damage; (b) Finding that the State's Refusal is arbitrary or contrary to compelling federal Interest; (c) Limiting such Stay to thirty Days.

All Enforcement Actions shall: First, Use minimum Force necessary; Second, Prefer peaceful Resolution where possible; Third, Respect property Rights where no immediate Danger exists; Fourth, Provide opportunity for Appeal and Review before a federal district court; Fifth, Submit detailed Report of Actions taken within seven Days; Sixth, Compensate for any wrongful Damage or Seizure, including physical, emotional, and reputational damage.

Congress shall establish an independent Review Board composed of retired judges, legal scholars, and community representatives, appointed by a bipartisan panel with Senate confirmation. Its powers would include investigating enforcement actions, recommending policy changes, and referring cases for potential prosecution where warranted. The Review Board shall assess all Category First Actions and any Enforcement resulting in Death, bodily Harm, or Property Damage exceeding fifty thousand Dollars. Such Board shall have Power to recommend Discipline, Policy changes, and Compensation.

Section 5. [Transparency] All Records, Documents, Communications, and Proceedings of the federal Government shall be public and freely accessible, available within thirty Days of Creation, save as follows:

The Classification of Records shall proceed thus: First, Information may be classified only if its Release would pose: (a) Clear and specific Harm to national Security; (b) Grave Risk to ongoing military Operations; (c) Critical Danger to Intelligence sources or Methods; (d) Serious Threat to diplomatic Relations; (e) Substantial Risk to public Safety; Each requiring specific Documentation of the Harm to be prevented.

Second, Information shall be classified at three Levels: (a) Restricted: requiring Review in three Years; (b) Secret: requiring Review in five Years; (c) Most Secret: requiring Review in ten Years; With stricter Standards of Harm required for higher Levels.

Third, a Transparency Commission shall oversee all Classification and Declassification, composed of: (a) Twelve Members serving staggered six-Year Terms; (b) Four Members each from the two Parties holding highest Numbers in Congress; (c) Four Members chosen by unanimous Consent of the other Eight from neither Party; (d) All confirmed by three-fourths of the Senate; (e) No Member having held security Clearance within seven Years prior.

The Commission shall: First, Review all Classifications within thirty Days; Second, Require minimum Classification necessary; Third, Maintain public Database of all classified Records; Fourth, Conduct automatic Reviews at prescribed Intervals; Fifth, Hear Petitions for Declassification; Sixth, Report annually to Congress and the People; Seventh, Investigate leaks and recommend disciplinary actions. In cases of deadlock, an independent arbiter, selected by a majority vote of the Commission, shall resolve disputes.

Any Person may petition for Declassification of any Record. The Commission shall review such Petition within sixty Days. Denial shall specify Reasons without revealing classified Information.

Courts reviewing Classification decisions shall: First, Examine classified Information in camera; Second, Apply strict Scrutiny to Classification; Third, Order Release of any Information not meeting Standards; Fourth, Protect Sources and Methods while releasing Substance where possible.

Public Interest Override: Credible evidence, corroborated by at least two independent sources, of the following shall be released notwithstanding Classification: First, Violation of Law; Second, Abuse of Authority; Third, Substantial Danger to public Health or Safety; Fourth, Gross Waste or Mismanagement; Save only specific Information whose Release would cause immediate and certain Death or grievous bodily Harm.

Protection of Truth-tellers: No Person shall face Penalty for revealing classified Information showing Wrongdoing, having first presented such Evidence to proper Authorities through established Channels and acted in good faith. Procedures for such reporting shall be clear, timely, and free from Conflicts of Interest. The Commission may investigate alleged abuses of this provision.

All Records shall be maintained in digital Form with backup Storage, save those whose physical Nature requires otherwise. Beyond criminal penalties for unauthorized leaks, provisions for enhanced cybersecurity measures, mandatory training for officials handling classified information, and regular audits of security protocols shall be established. The Commission shall establish Standards for electronic Security while ensuring continued Access to historical Records as Technology changes.

Historical Records: All Records shall be published in full after fifty Years save only: First, Names of intelligence Sources; Second, Technical Details of Weapons; Third, Encryption Methods still in Use; Fourth, Records specially designated by three-fourths Vote of the Commission for continued Protection not exceeding twenty-five additional Years; Provided the Commission, with a supermajority vote and judicial review, may extend classification for specific records for up to an additional twenty-five years to protect national security or other vital interests. Funding for timely review and release of records will be drawn from a dedicated fund, automatically adjusted based on a fixed percentage of the federal budget.

Section 6. [Regulatory Review] All federal Regulations shall expire eight Years from Enactment unless renewed thus:

The Government Accountability Office shall: First, begin Review not less than one Year nor more than two Years before Expiration, with Duration proportional to Scope and Complexity; Second, measure Economic Effects using: (a) Standard ten-Year Cost-benefit Analysis; (b) Regional Impact Distribution; (c) Employment Effects; (d) Market Competition Measures; (e) Small Business Burden; All adjusted for Inflation and applying standard discount Rate set by the Office; Third, conduct Impact Surveys including: (a) Random Sample of no fewer than one thousand affected Persons; (b) Targeted Surveys of most affected Industries; (c) State and local Government Impact; (d) Environmental and public Health Effects; (e) Consumer Impact; Each using standard statistical Methods; Fourth, compare Results to stated Goals using objective Metrics established at Enactment; Fifth, calculate total Costs including: (a) Direct Compliance Costs; (b) Indirect Economic Effects; (c) Paperwork Burden hours at standard Labor Rates; (d) Capital Investment Requirements; (e) Technology Adaptation Costs; Sixth, evaluate Alternatives including: (a) Market-based Solutions; (b) State-level Regulation; (c) Industry Self-regulation; (d) Modified Enforcement; (e) Partial Deregulation.

Renewal shall require: First, clear Evidence of: (a) Measurable Reduction in Harm targeted OR demonstrable prevention of further harm; (b) Benefits exceeding total Costs; (c) No less restrictive Means available; (d) Continued Need for Regulation; Second, Certification that: (a) Actual Costs exceed Estimates by no more than one-fifth; (b) No substantial unintended Consequences exist; (c) Compliance Burden is minimally disruptive; (d) Small Business Impact has been mitigated; Third, Public Comment showing: (a) Affected Parties have been heard; (b) Alternatives have been considered; (c) State and local Impacts have been assessed; (d) Technology Changes have been incorporated. The GAO report shall include a detailed summary of public comments and explain how they were considered in the renewal recommendation. The public shall have the right to appeal the GAO's decision to a neutral arbiter or panel.

Emergency Regulations: First, may be enacted for one Year upon Presidential Declaration of: (a) Immediate Threat to Life, Health, or Safety; (b) Natural or Man-made Disaster; (c) Economic Emergency affecting multiple Industries, defined as a significant and widespread decline in economic activity, as measured by objective indicators such as unemployment rates, GDP growth, and market volatility; (d) Critical National Security Need; Second, shall require within ninety Days: (a) Written Justification of Emergency; (b) Estimated Duration of Need; (c) Specific Criteria for Resolution; (d) Plan for Transition to permanent Rule or Expiration; Third, may be extended beyond one Year only by: (a) Two-thirds Vote of Congress; (b) Showing of continued Emergency; (c) Updated Impact Analysis; (d) Public Comment Period.

Cumulative Burden Analysis: First, the Office shall maintain Database of: (a) All Regulations by Industry and Activity; (b) Compliance Costs per regulated Entity; (c) Paperwork Requirements in Hours; (d) Required Capital Investments; Second, Review shall examine: (a) Total Burden on typical Entity; (b) Interactions between Regulations; (c) Duplicative Requirements; (d) Opportunities for Consolidation; Third, where Burden exceeds the overall economic impact, as assessed by the GAO considering factors such as profitability, competitiveness, and employment levels, on the affected Industry: (a) Mandatory Consideration of Alternatives; (b) Required Streamlining Plan; (c) Priority Review of Contributing Rules; (d) Report to Congress on Relief Options.

Congress shall vote on Renewal within six Months of completed Review. Regulations not renewed shall phase out over one Year. Emergency Regulations may be enacted for one Year without prior Review but shall require Review for Extension. Existing Regulations at Time of Ratification shall be reviewed thus: First, those older than fifteen Years within two Years; Second, those between eight and fifteen Years within four Years; Third, all others upon reaching eight Years; Provided always that no more than one-fifth of existing Regulations shall expire in any Year. Any Person substantially affected may petition for early Review of any Regulation. The Government Accountability Office shall begin such Review within six Months if showing substantial likelihood of success based on substantial Change in: First, Technology or Markets; Second, Costs or Benefits; Third, Available Alternatives; Fourth, Public Need. Where multiple Regulations affect same Activity, Review shall consider cumulative Burden. Congress may combine Related Regulations for unified Review.

Section 7. [Recall] The People may recall any federal Officer as follows:

Recall Petitions shall: First, state specific Grounds including: (a) Violation of Oath of Office; (b) Gross Misconduct or Neglect; (c) Failure to execute Duties; (d) Loss of public Confidence due to specific evidence of actions or inactions demonstrating a breach of public trust; Second, require verified Signatures from: (a) One-third of registered Voters who voted in last Election for said Office; (b) From at least three-fourths of States for national Officers; (c) From at least three-fourths of Districts for regional Officers; All gathered within six Months and verified by State Election Officials; Third, face initial Review by federal Courts to: (a) Verify Format and Procedure; (b) Ensure stated Grounds are not frivolous; (c) Confirm mathematical Sufficiency; (d) Order immediate Emergency Recall only upon clear and convincing evidence of exceptional circumstances, such as criminal indictment, clear evidence of corruption, or actions posing an immediate threat to public safety or national security.

Upon Certification of sufficient Signatures: First, Recall Election shall occur within sixty Days; Second, Officer subject to Recall may submit Defense of no more than one thousand Words; Third, Recall Committee may submit Argument of no more than one thousand Words; Fourth, both Statements shall appear on Ballot and in Voter Information; Fifth, Election shall be funded from public Treasury.

The Ballot shall ask two Questions: First, "Shall (Name) be recalled from Office of (Title)?" Second, "If a majority votes to recall (Name), then the following candidate will replace them:"; Using ranked choice voting as provided in Section 1.

No Recall shall proceed: First, in Officer's first Year; Second, within eighteen Months of failed Recall; Third, more than twice per Term; Fourth, within six Months of regular Election, save that a recall petition may be initiated within that six-month window, with the recall election held concurrently with the regular election; Save in Cases of criminal Indictment or clear Evidence of Corruption.

If Recall succeeds: First, Office shall be vacant upon Certification; Second, Replacement shall serve remainder of Term; Third, recalled Officer shall not be eligible for Appointment to fill Vacancy; Fourth, recalled Officer may not seek same Office for ten Years.

Congress shall establish the overarching framework for uniform Standards for: First, Petition Forms and Circulation; Second, Signature Verification Methods; Third, Campaign Finance Limits; Fourth, Voter Information Distribution; All preserving Intent of this Section. States may implement these standards, provided they adhere to principles of fairness, transparency, and equal access.

Section 8. [Implementation and General Provisions] Implementation of this Amendment shall proceed thus:

First, Funding: (a) Congress shall establish Implementation Fund within sixty Days; (b) Initial Appropriation shall be no less than one-tenth of one percent of prior Year's federal Budget; (c) Subsequent Funding shall be based on demonstrated Need; (d) No Section shall fail for want of Resources; (e) Implementation Costs shall be publicly reported quarterly. Agencies may request additional resources from Congress specifically for handling petitions related to this amendment.

Second, Timeline: (a) All Sections must begin Implementation within one Year; (b) Full Compliance required within three Years; (c) Priority given to Enforcement and Transparency Provisions; (d) Existing Officers and Regulations continue until new Systems established; (e) Progress Reports to Congress every ninety Days.

Third, Petition Rights: (a) Any Person may petition any Agency regarding this Amendment; (b) Agencies must acknowledge Receipt within five Days; (c) Substantive Response required within ninety Days; (d) Default Action shall be stayed additional thirty Days for Review; (e) After 30 days, the agency must either grant the petition, deny it with a detailed explanation, or request a specific extension from the Implementation Council with justification. Automatic Grant shall not apply where public Safety is at Issue.

Fourth, Coordination: (a) Implementation Council established with Representatives chosen thus: one appointed by the Chief Justice, one by the Speaker of the House, and one by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; (b) Council shall resolve Conflicts between Sections; (c) Council shall issue Implementation Guidelines; (d) Council shall hear Appeals of Agency Decisions; (e) Council shall report to Congress semi-annually. The council's operations shall be subject to the same transparency requirements as other government bodies.

Fifth, Independence: (a) Each Section stands independent of others; (b) Invalidation of any Provision shall not affect others; (c) Courts shall construe each Section to give full Effect; (d) This Amendment modifies only Powers specifically addressed; (e) In cases of conflict, the provisions of this amendment shall prevail. (f) All Construction shall favor Liberty and Accountability.

Sixth, Oversight: (a) Government Accountability Office shall monitor Implementation; (b) Public Database of Progress maintained; (c) Annual audits of Expenditure and Effect; (d) Public Comments accepted continuously; (e) Recommendations for Improvement published yearly. An independent Inspector General, reporting directly to Congress, shall provide additional oversight, investigate complaints, and ensure accountability throughout the implementation process.

This Amendment shall be construed broadly to promote its Purpose of restoring accountable Government under the People's Control, while maintaining necessary Operations of the Republic, upholding the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

Section 9. [Implementing Clause] Congress shall have the power to enact legislation to implement the provisions of this amendment, provided such legislation is consistent with the principles and objectives herein set forth.