The Massachusetts Senate recently passed the “We the People” Act, sponsored by our senator, Jamie Eldridge. This bill calls on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which has led to a flood of “dark money”—huge donations of untraceable origin that influence elections—since 2010.
The bill calls for an amendment to affirm that (1) only natural persons (not corporations) have unalienable constitutional rights, and (2) political spending is not speech, and therefore can be limited, so that the voices of corporations and the ultrarich do not drown out everyone else’s.
The Massachusetts Legislature has already voted two times asking Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Eighteen other states have passed similar resolutions, but without results. In response, five states (Vermont, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) have called for an amendment-proposing convention to propose a constitutional amendment (for ratification by three-fourths of the states) to overturn Citizens United.
The original bill would have had Massachusetts join these five other states so far in calling for an amendment-proposing convention, but unfortunately, the Senate voted to strike that provision from the bill. I am thankful that Senator Eldridge held firm on his strong original bill.
Even in bucolic Harvard, we need to act to preserve our government from undue influence by corporations and the ultrawealthy. This November, we voters can still push for the constitutional amendment by voting “Yes” on the related referendum #2, sponsored by People Govern, Not Money.
Julie Meyers
St. John Lane
