Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jeff Clements — When the Supreme Court is this wrong, it’s time to overrule them

Surveys show that a large majority of American citizens across the political spectrum oppose the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that opened the door to unlimited political spending by global corporations and powerful unions. Yet when asked about the prospect of passing a constitutional amendment to reverse the decision, too many people argue that it would be “too hard,” even “impossible.” 

This argument lacks historical perspective. Every step on the path to fulfill the promise of the American Revolution was “too hard,” but Americans did it anyway. Hard, yes; yet constitutional amendments have come in waves during times of challenge — and Supreme Court obstinacy — much like our own....

To hope that the current court will fix things is folly. That is why the 28th amendment is necessary to overturn Citizens United, just as Americans have used the amendment process to overturn the Supreme Court six times before. 

Reuters
When the Supreme Court is this wrong, it’s time to overrule them
Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian, and Jeff Clements, attorney

Lawrence Lessig — NH considers a call for an Article V convention

Lessig explains what's involved in the calls for a "constitutional convention" through state legislatures and the likely outcome. Most of the conventional wisdom is wrong.

Lawrence Lessig's Blog
NH considers a call for an Article V convention
Lawrence Lessig | Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership, Harvard Law School

Emma Roller and David Weigel — Give Me Amendments or Give Me Death

Inside the secretive campaign by state legislators to pass conservative amendments in 34 states and rewrite the Constitution.

Slate
Give Me Amendments or Give Me Death
Emma Roller and David Weigel
(h/t Charles Hayden on FB)

Given that the number of red states exceeds the number of blue states and the criterion is not the popular vote but the vote of state legislatures — two-thirds are required, this has a good chance of being successful. Of course, it would spell the end of US global hegemony unless the military was put off budget. Conservatives know this, of course, so they would create an exclusion. It would also limit federal subsidies to private enterprise, so that would be put off budget, too.

Whose pushing this? ALEC.