Each Sept. 17, we observe Constitution Day to honor the founding document that defines our democratic republic. It is a moment to reflect on the principles of equality and representation, which our nation was built upon. It is certainly something to be proud of, but it is also a time to ask hard questions about whether our system still lives up to those ideals.
One of the most serious threats to self-government today is the outsized influence of big money in our elections. Elite donors, special interest groups and foreign and out-of-state actors have poured unprecedented sums into political campaigns, drowning out the voices of everyday Americans, and our elected leaders cannot do anything about it, given recent Supreme Court rulings. This is not what the framers of the U.S. Constitution envisioned.
Here’s the good news: The Constitution was designed to be amended, and that’s exactly what we must do if we truly want to honor our framers’ vision for our country. Americans, from all backgrounds and political affiliations, must come together to support a constitutional amendment that will restore the ability of Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on campaign spending and political contributions.
The For Our Freedom Amendment, proposed by the cross-partisan organization American Promise, does just that. Twenty-three states, including Delaware, have already signaled that they are ready to ratify the amendment and called on Congress to introduce it or one like it. Though we can be proud that we’ve taken a stand here in Delaware, we must also continue to build the network of support necessary to ensure ratification of the amendment.
Let’s fight to make sure every citizen’s voice counts. It is time to stop elite interests from buying our elections. It is time to add the For Our Freedom Amendment to the Constitution and protect self-government for ourselves and future generations. To learn more, visit americanpromise.net.
Al Liebeskind
Millsboro
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
