Amnesty International is out with a new report on the death penalty – showing that only 20 out of the 198 nations worldwide carried out executions last year – the United States is one of those nations. We’re also the only Western democracy to still use the death penalty. The United States ranked fifth in the world in executions in 2011 – behind nations with upstanding human rights records like China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

On the bright side – worldwide, the number of nations embracing the death penalty has plummeted from ten years ago – when more than thirty counties still executed their citizens. And more and more states in the United States are taking steps to abolish the death penalty.

Then again – 16 states have passed “Stand Your Ground” laws like the one that killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida – leaving it up to average citizens to play the role of judge, jury, and executioner on the streets.

-Thom

(Do you agree with the death penalty? Tell us here.)

Should "we the people" or the Supreme Court decide on Obamacare? Progressive Strategist & syndicated columnist Karl Frisch is in for Thom today with guests from the SCOTUS health care hearings radio row with Families USA - special guests include: Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Doug Kendall-Constitutional Accountability Center, health insurance industry whistleblower Wendell Potter and more

And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...

The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!!!!!!! (OCCUPY SOMETHING!!!!!)

Monday's Daily Stack

Thom live from the U.S. Supreme Court health care hearings radio row with Families USA.

Article: "Federalist 78: The Judiciary Department" by Alexander Hamilton.

Article: "Constitution of the United States", article 3 section 2. "... the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make..."

Case: "Marbury v. Madison", 1803.

Letter: "Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane", 6 Sept. 1819 "The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist, and shape into any form they please."

Case: "Worcester v. Georgia", 1832.

Quote: "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!" Andrew Jackson".

Article: "Republican Debate: ‘Grotesquely Dictatorial’ Courts and More" by Joe Palazzolo.

Book: "The People Themselves: Popular Constitutionalism and Judicial Review" by Larry Kramer.

The Big Picture
- Sam Sacks, The Big Picture producer, progressive commentator

Article: "Sen. Schumer Requests Justice Department Probe Of 'Stand Your Ground' Laws" by Ashley Portero.

In the News: “The Medicaid expansion issue is the real sleeper issue of the health-care challenge”
- Elizabeth Wydra, Constitutional Accountability Society (CAC)

Article: "Justices to tackle epic debate over constitutionality of health care reform" by Bill Mears.

Article: "Founding Fathers Would Approve of National Healthcare Policy" by Elizabeth B. Wydra.

Article: "The Medicaid expansion issue is the real sleeper issue of the health-care challenge" by Edward Adams.

Case: "Gonzales v. Raich", 2005.

Is the SCOTUS Deck Already Stacked Against Obamacare?
- Rick Ungar , Forbes and The Washington Monthly

Article: "Is the SCOTUS Deck Already Stacked Against Obamacare?" by Rick Ungar.

Book: "Unequal Protection: How Corporations Became "People" - And How You Can Fight Back" by Thom Hartmann - new updated version out now!

Case: "Kasky V. Nike", 2003.

In the News: Rep. Andrews' piece for the Courier Post Online - Health care reforms have benefited Americans
- Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ, 1st District)

Article: "Calls for recusal intensify in health care case" by Joan Biskupic, 11/20/201.

Article: "Health care reforms have benefited Americans" by Rob Andrews.

Article: "Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States", 1935.

Hour Two: The proper role of the Supreme Court
- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH, 10th District)

Article: "Constitution of the United States" Article 1, section 8: ...To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries...

Article: "Medicare “Part E”- for Everybody" by Thom Hartmann. Chapter 5 of "Rebooting the American Dream: 11 Ways to Rebuild Our Country".

Article: "Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion" by CDC.

Law: "Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act".

Lawsuit: "Dodge v. Ford Motor Company".

Documentary: "Sick Around the World" by T R Reid.

Documentary: "Sick Around America" by T R Reid.

Bill: "NEED act" by Dennis Kucinich.

Bill: "H.R. 808: Department of Peace Act of 2011" by Dennis Kucinich.

Site: "Dennis Kucinich".

Quote: "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Article: "Tommy Douglas" by Wikipedia.

Movie: "The Healthcare Movie" narrated by Kiefer Sutherland.

In the News: At issue: Can Americans be required to obtain insurance?
- Ron Pollock, Families USA

Article: "US high court weighs historic Obama healthcare law" by Joan Biskupic and James Vicini.

Article: "Plaintiff In Landmark Anti-Obamacare Lawsuit Bankrupted By Medical Bills-You And I Pick Up Her Tab" by Rick Ungar.

Article: "California Muslim Mother Beaten To Death, Left With Note Saying ‘Go Back To Your Country, You Terrorist’" by Ali Gharib.

Article: "Wall Street's Huge Bet on Romney" by Evan Mackinder.

Case: "Brown v. Board Of Education", 1954.

Case: "Plessy v. Ferguson", 1896.

Case: "Dred Scott v. Sandford", 1857.

Law: "Administrative Procedure Act", 1946.

Law: "Second Militia Act of 1792".

Free excerpt, read book for free at Truthout, buy the book!