Group of 50 legal scholars call for 28th Amendment to overturn Citizens United: 'A root cause of

[applegrove]

Group of 50 legal scholars call for 28th Amendment to overturn Citizens United: ‘A root cause of dysfunction in our political system’

By Alex Henderson, AlterNet, Raw Story

https://www.rawstory.com/2019/09/group-of-50-legal-scholars-call-for-28th-amendment-to-overturn-citizens-united-a-root-cause-of-dysfunction-in-our-political-system/

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The legal experts, according to the Law & Crime website, have signed a joint letter they plan to release on Constitution Day that calls for a constitutional amendment ending Citizens United. Those who have signed the letter range from former Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter to Zephyr Teachout (a law professor at Fordham University in New York City) to two professors at the Harvard Law School: Lawrence Lessig and Laurence Tribe.

The letter states, “As attorneys, law professors and former judges with a wide variety of political beliefs and affiliations, we are convinced that our nation’s current election spending framework is a root cause of dysfunction in our political system and requires fundamental reform.”

Jeff Clements, an anti-Citizens United activist, discussed the campaign to end that hated decision with Law & Crime. Clements is the president of American Promise, a nonprofit that has been fighting to end Citizens United — which struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, a.k.a. the McCain-Feingold Act, and equated large campaign donations with free speech.

Clements told Law & Crime, “The Supreme Court has really made a mess of the First Amendment with the theory that money — unlimited money — is an expression of free speech. What this amendment would do is put us back on a strong foundation of free speech for all Americans, not just those with unlimited wealth.”



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[blm]

1. This needs spreading

[Nevermypresident]

2. This is imperative. What's our chances with the current Supreme Court?!

[erronis]

6. Does the SC have any say on a constitutional amendment?

Don't know. But would be surprised if they could override the will of 2/3 of the votes.

Still a long shot.

[2naSalit]

3. K&R

[defacto7]

4. Kick

[keithbvadu2]

5. Unrealistic, neat idea but money talks and lobbies.

Unrealistic, neat idea but money talks and lobbies.

[certainot]

7. just destroy the talk radio monopoly and the rest will be easy. years and years of

"money is free speech" 'corporations are people" "deregulation will lower prices" repetition on 1500 radio stations with no challenge from the left paved the way for citizens united. so did the supremes who rw radio was so important in getting on the court. all endorsed by 100 +university and pro sports teams and thousands of advertisers shuffled onto those stations by the ad industry to pay for it.

and that massive unchallenged messaging advantage in 40 states with 80 senators will ensure nothing like this gets done.

[Mersky]

8. Money is time

And I've spent too much time deciphering whether this company or that will sell out my democracy.

Corporations live well beyond a natural life, and can't go to jail, etc, etc.

I've been done with the Citizens United decision since it was decided.

[applegrove]

9. +1

[Mersky]

12. Thank you, Applegrove.

Was difficult to type, because it shouldn't have to be said.

Shouldn't have to be said if you've sat thru modern economic classes and paid attention.

[dlk]

10. It Doesn't Take a Genius to Figure Out That Money Isn't Speech - It Merely Buys Speech

The Citizens United Decision was so blatantly corrupt, it defies all logic and reason. It would not be surprising if money changed hands or some other quid pro quo happened somewhere along the line.

[keithbvadu2]

11. I refuse to believe corporations are people until Texas executes one. .

I refuse to believe corporations are people until Texas executes one.
.

[Mersky]

14. Ha, yeah, won't happen.

Texans need long commutes, crap for internet, and a dying landscape before they'll consider having been had.

I said the pledge of allegiance the loudest in a room today. I'm pissed off.

[Mersky]

13. The thing about Citizens United: people don't know what it is

It needs to be explained and re-explained. Talked about, because it's out in the ether.