If you could introduce a Constitutional Amendment What would it be (user search)
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  If you could introduce a Constitutional Amendment What would it be (search mode)
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Author Topic: If you could introduce a Constitutional Amendment What would it be  (Read 71542 times)
ag
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« on: March 07, 2016, 12:22:26 AM »

Oh I have a good one: abandon the two thirds majority needed to ratify treaties.

It would weaken the US in treaty negotiations. Furthermore, it would make treaty ratification easier than passage of regular laws. Treaties then could be passed by a simple majority vote of the Senate - ok, 60 votes, since they would still be subject to filibuster, but so are the laws - whereas regular laws would still need the House. Consequently, you would get presidents, especially if they have the Senate, but not the House majority, go around concluding meaningless treaties with Marshall Islands and Palau, enshrining all sorts of provisions as US international obligations.
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ag
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« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2016, 12:28:16 AM »

Oh I have a good one: abandon the two thirds majority needed to ratify treaties.

Many international contracts are approved by congress via a Resolution; passed by a simple majority in both houses. Back in 1845, President John Tyler got the annexion of Texas through congress by a simple law, after he failed to secure 2/3 of the senate. As far as I know, courts upheld his procedure since then as constitutional.

In fact, US ratifies most international treaties as congressional-executive agreements (or even simple executive agreements). Pretty much all free trade agreements are such, for instance.
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ag
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« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2016, 12:37:37 AM »

1. Redistricting amendment, explicitly prohibiting states from using political considerations in drawing districts. Details should be negotiable, but it should involve either explicitly requiring states to establish redistricting commissions, or simply giving the power to courts. In addition, political considerations should be explicitly banned.

2. Clarification of the 2nd amendment, emphasizing the role of the well-regulated militia and establishing limitations on the individual right to bear arms.

3. DC representation and home rule (or else, statehood).
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