a constitutional amendment we really need

we often hear about really dumb ideas for amending the Constitution, such as prohibiting free expression (flag burning) and persecuting minorities (gay marriage ban).  there are countless others that never see the light of day.

but i think there is one area of the Constitution that needs fixing: the pardon power should not extend to the president or anyone in his administration.  so why not have the following amendment:

The President's power to grant reprieves and pardons shall not extend to any person nominated or appointed as an Officer of the United States by the current President or his immediate predecessor.

the cynical, and even the not-so-cynical, among us are certain that libby, rove, and who knows who else will get pardoned before they ever get to trial.  and even if we somehow got bush out of office before his term is up, cheney would immediately jump in and take care of the rest.

getting this on the ground in the current congress may be hopeless, and having a bunch of spineless democrats doesn't help either.

but i can still cling to hope that this gaping hole in our Constitution could be fixed.