Is It Ignorance...

Or is it merely a case of Wishful Thinking? Just when there's Yet-Another-Illustration of massive American civic illiteracy, we have New York Times (and Pulitzer Prize winning to boot!) columnist Thomas Friedman telling us that the United States Congress has the power to amend the Constitution! Go ahead, take a look. The United States Constitution is now officially at the Top of The Frank Maunder Reading List. In this particular case where we're talking about amending the Constitution, I think we should perhaps take a look at

Article. V.

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; ..."

You note: Congress Proposes amendments. The states Ratify. How fast does the forward-thinking Mr. Friedman think the states can organize statewide elections, or statewide Conventions?
I think this column is not dissimilar to a Wishful-Thinking Episode of Mr. Friedman mentioned Here, where he talks about a 500 MPG car that mostly runs on some of that Limitless-Inexpensive-Electricity that is also (how fortunately) environmentally cost-free.
Hey, sometimes we all have episodes of I-want-what-I-want-when-I-want-it. I understand. But really, doesn't a writer for a major metropolitan newspaper have an accuracy-in-reporting requirement imposed on his/her umm... Maunderings?

Conclusion: Read Your Constitution (and other governing documents as well, please). Also, it would not come amiss to study up on basic principles of Physics; especially in regard to matters of energy. Look here Energy: Part 1, and also here Energy: Part II if you'd like an easy-to-read Introduction To Basic Principles Of Energy