Amendment: Science and Economics Branch
Having seen the problematic nature of partisan public officials reaching into government services that depend on non-partisan evaluations, reporting, and decision-making, we amend. Some essential functions of government must be based on truthful representations of reality and decision made based on the best science, most honest accounting, and be free of popular influence.
I. A new and independent branch of government, the Science and Economics Branch, and a Chief Science Officer are hereby created. The mission of this agency shall be to (a) provide the best scientific and professional science, health, economic, and other scientific data directly to the citizens so that they can make assessments and decisions about its governance, and (b) provide an honest and professional accounting and a robust governance of the policy-making branches of government. This branch may make policies for its own operations and for accountability procedures of the other branches, but none that govern citizens directly.
II. The Chief Science Officer must have a PhD in any science field and have been a practicing scientist for at least 12 years. The CSO shall be nominated by at least 25 practicing scientists within the US and elected by the at-large population at the next federal election. The CSO shall serve 10 year terms and can only be removed by simple majorities of legislators of both of the two largest parties in Congress or conviction of serious felony. A judge must certify that the charges are not politically motivated before commencement of any relevant trial.
III. The CSO will be responsible for all departments that require independence from political influence for reporting correct information to the People and where making decisions based on scientific method is in the People's best interest. These include the offices of: labor statistics, economic statistics, public health information, accounting and auditing, NASA, NOAA, environmental reports, Federal Reserve, general inspection services, ethics and security evaluations, elected official election sheets and report cards, management/accounting of trust funds, and other services assigned by law.
IV. The Executive and Legislative branches remain in charge of their constitutional duties of making budgets, laws, and regulations, but they can make no regulation or law that prohibits the complete and honest reporting of data that belongs to the People and is necessary for the People to make rational decisions about their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The Executive branch may not hinder, arrest, or harass the CSO or her agents.
V. Congress has the authority to request and audit the Science Branch. The budget of this branch shall not be decreased below 5% (guess...needs work) of the operational budget of the nation unless all other branches experience the same decrease.
