Banished! — 12: Constitutional Convention

Jada surveyed the people in the Mess, the ship’s dining room. These fifty or so individuals had been the ones chosen through secret ballots by all the colonists on board. The Leaders of the new government would most likely be from within this group. Many were already names when back on Earth, but dismissed because their politics didn’t line up with the New Liberation Party there.

Their duties here would mainly consist of defining what rights, laws, and obligations should be recorded in a new Constitution. Since nearly all had come from the same party back home, it would seem probable that most would be in agreement on the basic items to include. Jada was surprised to quickly learn that they weren’t all that conforming to one another. There were wildly differing opinions on almost every issue raised.

Jada was relieved that on one thing they seemed in almost total agreement. At least, no one spoke up against the idea that each and every individual deserved a basic set of rights that could not easily be taken from them without just cause. Also, all agreed that punishments should be meted out in an equal amount to fit the offense. She was sure that with those tops and bottoms set, the stuff in between would be bearable by all. Once a Leader or a group of them was elected, and once a congress of sorts was formed, any necessary changes could be…