Amending the amendment clause first.

“All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.” –Al Smith

American democracy has been hijacked by big money and special interests. Paralyzed and polarized, our democracy and people are dying of despair.

Here’s a proposal to take our country back. To return power to the people. To revive and reinvigorate our country by amending our Constitution, curing our catatonia with an infusion of pure democracy.

The proposal: Create an option to amend the Constitution by popular referendum. This provision would allow any American citizen to propose an amendment to the Constitution by popular referendum.

Today, in our era of polarized politics, it’s is virtually impossible to amend the Constitution— even when large majorities of Americans are demanding change. Article V states that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. In order to be approved, either method requires ratification by three-fourths of the States (38 of 50 States).

Article V needs to amended now. If we are to survive as a democracy, if we are to thrive as a people, we need to give ourselves the capacity to reinvent our Constitution as needed– to be nimble and agile enough to respond to the aspirations and priorities of the People.

So let’s allow any American citizen to propose an amendment to the Constitution by popular referendum. To qualify for being placed on the national ballot, a petition for the referendum must be signed by 10% of all eligible voters. To be ratified, the proposed amendment must receive a super majority of all votes (60%). Additionally, 60% of eligible voters must have voted in the national referendum for its proposed amendment to become effective.

Imagine the impact. It could revive and reinvigorate, enable us to Constitutionally address—

• Voting Rights

• Campaign Finance Reform

• Anti-Corruption

• Democracy Reform

• Climate Justice

• Reproductive Rights

By amending America we have the chance to defeat despair, to reduce the influence of big money and special interests, and to offer a belief that our Constitution and legislative processes offer an opportunity to improve life for all Americans.

This amendment makes our Constitution more responsive, nimble, quick, and improvisational. It reflects our American character of optimism and innovation. And it could get our American Mojo goin’ once again. It’s been a long time.