The impossible needs to happen. We need constitutional amendments to further define and protect our democracy. But that would require those in power to be willing to close the gaps to limit individuals and party power, and I think very few in state houses (states have to ratify amendments) or Congress want to do that. It's like the poor man who wants to protect the rich man's wealth from taxes because someday he will be rich too.
A constitutional amendment will never occur again, because it is an incredibly high bar to overcome even when the legislative process in the country isn't as dysfunctional.
One party would need a super majority in both houses of Congress, where the bar is 2/3 but you're probably going to need at least ten more than that to prevent the amendment from being scrapped by a contingent of Joe Liebermans.
Then that same party will need a majority in the state legislatures of 38 states to ratify the amendment.
It's just not going to happen.
Completely agree.
Although if we could get away from the partisan political mess we have now and get back to when members would work together instead of punishing them for crossing the isle there could be a chance. Maybe in 40 or 50 years, but that's still a chance.
The impossible needs to happen. We need constitutional amendments to further define and protect our democracy. But that would require those in power to be willing to close the gaps to limit individuals and party power, and I think very few in state houses (states have to ratify amendments) or Congress want to do that. It's like the poor man who wants to protect the rich man's wealth from taxes because someday he will be rich too.
A constitutional amendment will never occur again, because it is an incredibly high bar to overcome even when the legislative process in the country isn't as dysfunctional.
One party would need a super majority in both houses of Congress, where the bar is 2/3 but you're probably going to need at least ten more than that to prevent the amendment from being scrapped by a contingent of Joe Liebermans.
Then that same party will need a majority in the state legislatures of 38 states to ratify the amendment.
It's just not going to happen.
Completely agree.
Although if we could get away from the partisan political mess we have now and get back to when members would work together instead of punishing them for crossing the isle there could be a chance. Maybe in 40 or 50 years, but that's still a chance.
https://www.vox.com/2015/4/23/8485443/polarization-congress-visualization
A house divided and all that.