# What Amendment would you add to the US Constitution? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377 "2007-06-17T18:12:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/41 "2017-07-28T19:18:03Z")
Zombie threads are now a misdemeanor, or at least a citation. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/42 "2017-07-28T19:27:22Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > As for me, I would pass an amendment that dictates that corporations are not people OK, so if I’m damaged by the actions of a corporation, who do I sue? Do I have to sue every individual shareholder individually? Because that’s what I’m reduced to. Similarly, if I invest in a corporation, perhaps via a mutual fund, and it turns out to be Enron 2: Scandal Boogaloo, how much am I personally liable for? ETA: Damn zombie threads. My point stands, though. ETA 2: **Quimby** , assume my post is aimed at you now. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/43 "2017-07-28T19:31:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Clothing is _always_ optional, except for reasons of health. The Right to Keep and Bare Breasts (and everything else)… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/44 "2017-07-28T19:35:15Z")
> [@XT](#): > > The Right to Keep and Bare Breasts (and everything else)… Much better amendment name. ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/45 "2017-07-28T19:43:31Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > I’d get rid of the electoral college and move voting to Saturday. Hey! Some of us hafta work on Saturday! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/46 "2017-07-28T19:51:06Z")
> [@2Bits](#): > > Hey! Some of us hafta work on Saturday! 100% mail in ballots. End of proble. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/47 "2017-07-28T19:56:27Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > 100% mail in ballots. End of proble. Well, aside from ‘m’ being the usual end to a problem, I agree with this wholeheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/48 "2017-07-28T19:56:30Z")
You can have the benefits of being a Corporation without them enjoying the benefits of being a person. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/49 "2017-07-28T20:01:39Z")
[QUOTE=That Don Guy] The problem is, define “equal.” Would it still be the case that Stephen Curry makes pretty much about as much on a per-regular-season-game basis as the entire WNBA put together? [/QUOTE] 1. IF a woman can play well enough to shoot 48% from beyoind the arc in the NBA, win MVP Awards and lead her team to championships, you better believe she’s gonna get paid a bazillion dollars. Conversely, a man who convinces them let him play in the WNBA is not getting a million bucks a year even if he scored 75 points a game. 2. The NBA is not a branch of the federal or any state government, so who cares anyway? Here’s the text of the proposed ERA: \*\*Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.\*\* Nothing there says WNBA player have to be paid $25 million a year. You could actually do a twofer and get gay rights in here: \*\*Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex or sexual orientation. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/50 "2017-07-28T20:12:39Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > You can have the benefits of being a Corporation without them enjoying the benefits of being a person. You’re waffling, and I suspect you have no clear idea what “corporate personhood” even means. (Hint: I laid out the main idea in the questions I asked in my post.) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/51 "2017-07-28T20:22:19Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > You’re waffling, and I suspect you have no clear idea what “corporate personhood” even means. > > (Hint: I laid out the main idea in the questions I asked in my post.) Corporations have used the courts to say they are protected by the 14th Amendment. They have used that to limit Corporate regulations. They have used Personhood First amendment arguments to protect political donations and literally the right to lie in their advertising. This and stuff like it is a huge overreach and was never anyone’s intent. It’s a loophole. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/52 "2017-07-29T00:02:49Z")
Cheating a little bit on the “one amendment” part with Section 2; you can think of this as an “omnibus amendment”. Real world, it might be better to split this into two separate amendments, even if they’re both sent to the states at the same time. **Section 1.** In all elections for the United States House of Representatives or for any state legislature, in which the Representatives or members of the state legislature are chosen according to geographical districts, the boundaries of those districts shall be set by an independent redistricting commission. In each state the redistricting commission shall be chosen in such a manner as to guarantee its independence from the state legislature and its neutrality with respect to any political party or interest. The redistricting commissions in each state shall draw the boundaries of electoral districts in such a way as to guarantee, insofar as is possible, equality of representation in the House of Representatives and in the state legislatures; and redistricting commissions may also consider the geographic contiguity and compactness of electoral districts, and the use of existing political subdivisions in drawing the boundaries of those districts: But no redistricting commission may consider the race, color, national origin, religion, or partisan affiliation of the voters thereof in drawing any electoral district. In each state the legislature thereof may only accept or reject a proposal for electoral districts in its entirety; but no state legislature may directly propose or alter the boundaries of any such electoral district. **Section 2.** In all elections for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, for United States Senators or Representatives, or for the executive and judicial officers of a state or for the members of the legislature thereof, a system of counting and recording ballots shall be employed such that, without compromising the secrecy of the ballot, a permanent and independently verifiable and auditable record shall be maintained of all votes cast. **Section 3.** The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/53 "2017-07-29T00:18:09Z")
I want a motor vehicle amendment. To be street legal, all cars and trucks must have their bumpers the same height, their headlights the same height, and must have functional mudflaps behind their rear tires. This must remain true no matter how high the car is jacked up. And their rear window must be angled such that the sun cannot be reflected into the eyes of a driver behind them. And any vehicle with a diesel engine or studded tires can only be used for a purpose that requires those features. Use something else to go to the store. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/54 "2017-07-29T00:52:52Z")
Fascinating that this thread is 10yo, many of the same concerns still exist today! I like **JC’s** amendment, I would add American Protectorates (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia to the House and Senate as well. And give the citizens of these areas voting rights! > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > **Number 3** > Article the first: The apportionment of the House of Representatives will be made according to the population as determined every ten years by the United States Bureau of the Census. > > Article the second: ‘Population’ as considered for purposes of Congressional representation, shall only count United States Citizens, both of voting age and otherwise, whether holding the franchise or not. No one who is not a Citizen of the Several States, whether natural born or otherwise, shall be considered in any apportionment calculation. > > Article the third: Congressional Districts, being of primary importance to the existence of good government, shall be districted by a panel of no more than nine retired judges. Said judges will be appointed on a non-partisan basis and should have not been a member of an organized political party for the last twenty years. > > Article the fourth: Any group of citizens who object to the design of a Congressional district can force a reconsideration with a petition that is signed by 10% of the citizens in that district that are eligible to vote. > > Why, yes, I do believe in frustrating the elected. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/55 "2017-07-29T01:04:07Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’d want an ammendment about privacy, above and beyond what the 4th gives. Not just secure in one’s paper, but also in one’s body, thoughts, private affairs (including who you marry or just have sex with) and so forth. Not only that, but I’d want provisions that keep data about me private – no selling of my driver’s license or voter registration by the state, no distribution of my email address from one company to another, no 5,000-word terms of service agreements that give some company access to my hard drive if I download their app. You can have exactly as much information about me as you need to provide the product or service I want, and you can’t share it with anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/56 "2017-07-29T06:25:26Z")
I’ve got a couple to throw out for consideration. Superdelegates are not a thing. I’m reasonably sure they played a significant role in us having a Trump whitehouse. Another is that all laws apply equally to the Senate and Congress that apply to the public. Get rid of the laws for thee, but not for me carveouts. I’m still mixed on Congressional term limits so I’ll have to get back to you on that. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/57 "2017-07-29T11:00:58Z")
[ol] [li]Seats in Congress SHALL NOT be determined by Geographic Location–rather, it shall be determined by the names of the Citizens resident that year, during the Census. Each Seat in Congress shall be assigned, proportionately, to segments of the State’s Population, sorted into groups, by the first three letters of the Citizens family name. Groups of names shall be rounded up, to ensure no Voter shall not be Represented. This shall be enacted to prevent Gerrymandering.[/li][li]For-Profit Corporations are not people, and may have their businesses regulated, in the interests of Public Order, Safety and Health.[/li][li]All Elections for any & All Federal Offices MUST offer at least THREE choices of candidates for that office. If no Second or Third Candidate qualifies, then A)the closest to qualifying candidate or candidates are certified, and shall appear on the ballor, or B) a “NONE OF THE ABOVE” option shall be offered, a Special Election shall be held, & both the current office holder & all unelected candidates shall be barred from seeking elected OR appointed Federal offices for 8 years.[/li][li]5% of the value of all Unclaimed Estates, of those Citizens who died intestate (without a Last Will & Testament), shall be deposited in an account, & shall be awarded to one Voter, selected randomly, every two years, in the form of a lottery. This encourages voting.[/li][/ol] The above list was made without Coffee. Please excuses any issues. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/58 "2017-07-29T11:30:53Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Superdelegates are not a thing. I’m reasonably sure they played a significant role in us having a Trump whitehouse. I question the wisdom of having a constitutional amendment about the internal workings of a political party. But to an extent, you’re right. If the Republicans had not gotten rid of their superdelegates, some other Republican would have been nominated and likely elected. I have 3 suggestions, but they duplicate others above: 1. The second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. (This one may require a different mode of approval, like the 21st (repealing Prohibition), where the repealing amendment specified state conventions to ratify.) 2. Direct presidential election (get rid of the Electoral College) 3. Reverse Citizens United and allow both the federal and state governments to restrict political spending. OK, maybe a 4th one for the ERA, but expanded to the whole LGBT(alphabet soup) community. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/59 "2017-07-29T16:36:55Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I’ve been thinking about this, and I’d like to add: > > An amendment that repeals the 16th Amendment; implements the Fair Tax; and limits the Congress to submitting a budget no greater than 99% of the tax revenues collected in the preceding year, with no deficit spending except in case of war or national emergency. This would be implemented by _across the board_ percentage cuts in every Federal department. If a 20 percent cut would be needed to balance the budget, every department from Defense to Education would be subject to these cuts. Department heads would be responsible for coming up with a plan in 90 days to implement these cuts. If they weren’t able to come up with a plan, they would be fired. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377/60 "2017-07-29T17:26:31Z")
1. Women can no longer be charged more for an equivalent product than men can. Razors that differ only in color must cost the same. Basic tee shirts, dry-cleaning garments of the same size and material, basing haircuts on the gender of the buyer rather than the complexity of the cut etc. Gender based pricing costs women [more than $1200 a year](http://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/news/a6999/why-do-women-pay-more/) more than men on average, and it’s not right, especially when women also make less a year on average too. 2. To rectify the shameful reality that the US is not only the only developed country in the world, but one of only 3 counties at all, who does not offer paid maternity leave to mothers, the federal government will provide a minimum of six weeks of paid maternity leave to employed female American citizens who give birth. If 180 other countries can make it work, so can the US. 3. Any person who is texting when they cause a fatal car accident shall from this point forward be charged with the same penalties as someone in their jurisdiction who has consumed alcohol and caused a fatal car accident, and no longer be given lesser sentences for this type of “unintentional” accident. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-amendment-would-you-add-to-the-us-constitution/408377.md?page=4)