owens@gatech.UUCP (07/14/84)
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How is this for a potential equal rights amendment?
Equal protection under the law shall not be denied due to
race, sex, creed, age, or physical handicap.
I think I've copied the old ERA pretty closely, but expanded it to
cover all the human features that have been used as excuses to discriminate
against people.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem with this amendment.
I think fetuses are covered, since their physical handicap is not being
able to live outside of the womb before reaching the age of nine months
after conception (or fewer, depending on technology). We could strike out
the offending parts, but then are the aged and the handicapped to be denied
equal protection? Or should we add the phrase "...except those too young
and weak to defend themselves, and whose continued existence would
inconvenience those who can vote."??
Gerald Owens
Owens@Gatech
p.s. I might take a while to reply to any responses to this article, so
please be patient.