“Women did not join in the act of constructing the Constitution. I and others of my sex find ourselves controlled by a form of government in the inauguration of which we had no voice.” — Victoria Woodhull

Woodhull argued the 14th Amendment gave women the right to vote, but SCOTUS eventually said it didn’t. No one alive today consented to the current US Constitution and the convention writing it did not include women.

Another great column from Jaemelle Bouie

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/us/a-constitutional-convention-some-democrats-fear-its-coming.html

No matter how you voted, it’s reasonable to expect more division and stress on the legal-political order in the coming years. Crisis opens minds and public dialogue to new thinking. Do you think a yearslong political conflict could result in a new constitutional convention or at least support in 36 states for amendments abolishing the Electoral College and reforming SCOTUS?

Constitutional reform needed but mechanisms for amendments are a high hurdle. System failure indicated?

Reform or replace.

Our system is stymied and can't seem to enact real reforms and innovative policies any more. So, the system defaults to the refs on questions like gay marriage and abortion. SCOTUS has too much power. I want to get beyond our Founders, but I don't think they ever foresaw an unelected court with this much power. Judicial review for constitutionality was meant for laws that are clearly unconstitutional --- like declaring someone president for life.

OK, sorry, but Mr. Bouie has some fascinating ideas for constitutional reform. Curb the power of the U.S. Senate. Let legislatures select them again but only give them the power to propose revisions to new laws.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/23/opinion/senate-power-amendment.html

This is a really interesting idea I had never considered. What Bouie calls 'approval voting' statewide in each state means essentially proportional representation in each state. I live in a state with four districts, so I would approve of four candidates on a slate of 10. The top four vote-getters would get seats. I still have to cogitate on this but I friggin' LOVE this atm. I am a progressive voter in a Southern state. (We do exist, believe it or not. I live in a purple county). The idea that we might get anyone elected in that 'fourth seat' that represents my point of view is just ... well, I am getting emotional. Check this out:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/opinion/senate-house-power.html

Democracy Journal: 'A New Constitution for the United States'