Citizens United Constitutional Amendment Floated By Senate Democrats

[Tx4obama]

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats, battered by a tsunami of independent campaign spending and without legislative recourse, promoted a constitutional amendment Tuesday to reverse the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling that freed corporations and labor unions to spend freely in elections.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chairing a hearing of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, said he had long opposed a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of money in elections. But he "reached the conclusion that a constitutional amendment is necessary" after the torrent of money spent by independent groups after the Citizens United ruling, he said.

Durbin acknowledged amending the Constitution would be "an uphill battle and it might take years." The assertion underscores the difficulty that Senate Democrats have had in passing simple legislation that would increase campaign spending transparency.

-snip-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/citizens-united-constitutional-amendment-senate-democrats_n_1700269.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Obama would never, never, never, ever, never allow it.

Would be a sign of bad faith towards the Republicans, ruining his dreams of slashing Social Security in a Grand Bargain.

Won't happen.

[Tx4obama]

3. President Obama's second term will be over by the time the amendment gets off the ground. n/t

[Jim Lane]

7. President MALIA Obama's second term will be over by the time the amendment gets off the ground (n/t)

[yourout]

2. What did he think was going to happen after Citizens United?

Either he thought he would be able to milk the Corporate cow or he is pretty clueless.

Anyone paying attention knew this is what was going to happen.

[limpyhobbler]

4. I'm confused over which proposed Amendment would be best.

Clearly something needs to be done but several variations have been offered...

I was liking Move To Amend but need to hear a little debate from others such as Senators Sanders, Durbin, etc.

An important topic to be sure.

http://movetoamend.org/other-amendments

http://movetoamend.org/democracy-amendments

[Scuba]

5. Agreed. Don't go to the trouble of passing a Constitutional Amendment without fully solving the...

... problem. Any amendment that relies on Congress passing laws is fatally flawed. Any amendment that does not rein in both corporate and individual spending is fatally flawed.

I still like the idea of giving every eligible voter a voucher - say $50 - and that is ALL the money that can be spent for political aims in that year. Voters could pool their money, split it among candidates or let their voucher expire, but not another dime may be spent.

Just my 2 cents.

[davidpdx]

6. It will take a decade if it ever see the light of day

I think Republicans will block it either nationally or on a statewide basis. They have more of an incentive than Democrats to see it go down in flames.

[Vincardog]

8. If we are going to all the trouble of an amendment why not go all the way? Public FUNDING

Of all Federal elections. No private money allowed in any form.