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[Duuvian]

From: http://sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c

Sen. Bernie Sanders has proposed a constitutional amendment that would overturn the Supreme Court decision in a case called Citizens United vs. FEC. 

The Saving American Democracy Amendment states that:

    Corporations are not persons with constitutional rights equal to real people.
    Corporations are subject to regulation by the people.
    Corporations may not make campaign contributions or any election expenditures.
    Congress and states have the power to regulate campaign finances.

139993
signatures
so far

+1; thanks to Stephen Colbert having Senator Sanders on his show so that I could hear about this.

[Strife26]

Interesting bit of play from a government theory standpoint. Shared powers and all. Supreme Court fighting with the Legs is always interesting (although a SC v Exec fight would be even cooler). While I'm normally a pretty strict supporter of the SC, I really don't agree with their view on the conflicting rights of speech vs. democracy.


I do, however, disagree with the view that corporations may not make any election expenditures. Without a doubt, that's restricting speech too far and just gives even more power to the personal fortunes of candidates (if you are running, you have literally *no* limits on how you can spend your money, campaign-wise). I'd say that there are two separate amendment issues here.

1) Corporations are not people (and therefore able to be regulated, although people are regulated too, so meh)

2) Congress and the States may regulate campaign finance (something that needs to be said, I think). However, it'd need to come with, you know, actual cf reform.

Doesn't really have a ghost of a chance to pass, but oh well.