The Constitution of the United States of America provides checks and balances for every branch of government on every other branch of government. It is time that the people are given a check on their government.

In order to make America a more democratic country I propose an amendment should be added the constitution that allows for national referendum. This amendment would allow for a piece of legislation measuring up the requirements for national referendum to be decided upon by a national popular vote. National referendum would allow for a more democratic society and take power away from the special interests that influence the government and put it in the hands of the people.

There are issues now where elected officials are unwilling to make headway in. For instance the sloth with which the powers-that-be have proceeded with campaign finance reform. National referendum my also get the American people interested in politics again, to care about government once more. Their cynicism alleviated with the knowledge that they have control over the government and not vise-versa. In the future there maybe circumstance where national referendum would be beneficial.

There is the thorny issue of what the requirements for National Referendum should be, the criteria a piece of legislation must meet before it can be voted on nationally. If the requirements are very demanding the people will still have little access to their government. On the other hand if the requirements are too loose then the system could be flooded with unimportant legislation and the voters would lose interest, allowing for small, but interested minorities to push their own agenda. I don't think there is any doubt the requirements for National Referendum will be hotly debate. I believe that the approval of two state legislatures and 200,000 signatures would be sufficient to restrain small, commuted, minority groups and allow Americans fairly easy access to their government.

Attaching an amendment to constitution allowing for national referendum should receive bipartisan support. Making the United States a more democratic nation is more important than small minded factionalism and petty partisan bickering.