Ping
How would a Convention of States end the tyranny of the federal government?
This is a really really bad idea. First if a convention is called it will not be a conservative only affair. About half the country is firmly monnbat. Secondly it is Congress that will set the rules for the convention, not the several states. In theory you could have the entire Constitution open to revision.
Sorry, but what these folks are selling, I’m not buying.
Disagree with this entirely.
The Democrats and Republicans have already shown that they’ll ignore the constitution we already have in place - That goes for those in the federal AND state government.
Do you think “hard rock Republican” conservatives like Mike Pence in Indiana will stand up and fight for individual liberties and rights in a new constitution when the social media comes a-knockin’?
I don’t.
Unless it contains a low tax ceiling, like 15%, a balanced budget amendment would be a disastrous mistake because it would justify the feds raising taxes without censure - just what the Leftists want - and does NOTHING to deal with the REAL PROBLEM: unchecked increase in government size and spending - also just what the Leftists want.
The issue is how to knock out the unconstitutional 80% portion of the $4 trillion federal government.
Contrary to the fears of many, a large federal deficit doesn't kill the economy as has been seen in the last few years. We've had a growing economy (howbeit very slow for other federal government-caused reasons) while we've had unprecedented and deliberate federal deficits.
But the ONE thing that WILL kill our economy and create poverty and hardship is HIGHER TAXES. That is an economy killer and must be avoided. LOWER TAXES, not a lower deficit, is what will energize the economy.
Politicians will always spend more than they get but they can only go so far in doing so. The key to cutting deficits is drastically reducing the size of government, so their deficit spending is relatively small.
Now I'm not opposed. Leftists are destroying the U.S.A. as it is, and they could not do it more thoroughly at such a convention.
We need a convention of states arranged in such a way that Leftists are excluded.
Until the Article V pushers come up with a singular comprehensive list of what amendments they intend to offer AND GUARANTEE THAT ONLY THOSE AMENDMENTS will be addressed, I still remain skeptical.
Progressives will have their delelates present and lawyers will be lined up from Sacramento to DC to challenge every iota they do not like.
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Those pushing for the Article V have their hearts in the right place, but their heads are in the clouds, if they think this will produce what they want.
Once the doors close, it is no-holds-barred. Considering the history of the Republicans as the fold-and-compromise party, I would not trust them in any venue with progressives.
I’m not sure a convention would do anything. We already have the 10th amendment which, if followed, would end the current tyranny. Liberals are like the Russian Communists-they don’t care about what the constitution says.
What all the nay-sayers here seem to be missing is that any Article V convention will only be able to propose amendments, regardless of the composition of it (their fears about that are also not well thought out, but that’s another post). Those amendments will still need to be ratified by the legislatures in 3/4s of the states to become part of the Constitution. Do you really think the left could get over that hurdle? If you do, then you should just give up now. Me, I’ll keep fighting.
They don’t obey the Constitution we have now, why would they obey a new one?
The states would increase the tyranny. Most Americans right now don’t believe government should be limited, and most do not believe in any protection for religion or speech that disagrees with them. It would be like asking infants to write a textbook.
Besides, the anti-Constitutionalists were right - words on paper never limit the power grab of a government that exists in reality. The courts and legislatures will ALWAYS redefine things until black means white and they have power. If you create the structure that supports power, then no words will stop it from taking power.
I don’t have any particular illusions that a Convention might solve any problems. But I support it, because at this point, I look at America and see there is no longer anything left to lose.
This is true. And state legislatures have sold out.
To summarize from a previous post by GraceG, I see it as:
1. Elect More Republicans - Failed due to RINO/Uni-party confluence.
2. Article V Convention of States to propose Amendments - Needed to try to take power from the federal government back to the states and reel in the federal leviathan.
3. State Nullification - Last ditch effort to try to take power back from the federal monster, though by this point it may be too late.
4. State Secession - Could either end up peaceably like the breakup of the Czechoslovakia in 1993 or a brutal:
5. Civil War II like the first one.... The longer we wait on #2, the more likely #3, then #4 and finally #5. .
Quick review: We need 34 states to pass an application, then Congress shall, by law, call a Convention of States as soon as it receives applications from 2/3 of the State Legislatures. That's 34 states. We now have 30 working on it. Amendments are proposed and voted on at the convention. Each Amendment must be ratified by ¾ of the states in order to become part of the US Constitution. That’s 38 states. “There are far more political and legal constraints on a runaway convention than on a runaway Congress.” - Robert Natelson
Most FReepers are aware of these links, but I post anyway for review and for people new to Article V. It is our responsibility to make Article V the most understood aspect of the US Constitution.
****Please see this summary video from Alabama first: Convention of States - Alabama Way to go Alabama! A great introduction!
Rep. Bill Taylor introduces a Convention of States
The Case for an Article V Convention. Great explanation of an Article V convention to the Massachusetts State Legislature.
**** Convention of States Lots of information here.
Call a Convention A call for a Convention of States
Article V Project to Restore Liberty Another good source.
Convention of States model Resolution
A Summary of Mark Levin’s Proposed Amendments by Jacquerie
Chapter 1 of Mark Levin’s Book, The Liberty Amendments
Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the Liberty Amendments
Mark Levin: “The Liberty Amendments” - Complete Sean Hannity Special + other Links
List of Mark Levin You Tube Videos
Mark Levin Article V, Liberty Amendments youtube video hub
Three hour video of C-Span interview with Mark Levin
*** Mark Levin’s ALEC Speech, Dec 4, 2014
Gaining Steam? Nearly 100 Lawmakers Descend on Mount Vernon to Talk Convention of States The beginning.
Mark Levin’s “Liberty Amendments” Sean Hannity Special
We can fight the uniparty! States, the Natural Second Party by Jacquerie
Convention to Propose Amendments to the United States Constitution
The Other Way to Amend the Constitution: The Article V Constitutional Convention Amendment Process
Friends of Article V Convention Links
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a Convention:
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part I)
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a convention. (Part II)
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part III)
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part IV)
Congress’ Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part V)
Congress’ Failure to Call an Amendments Convention. (Part VI)
Ulysses at the Mast: Democracy, Federalism, and the Sirens' Song of the Seventeenth Amendment by Jay Bybee. Repeal the 17th. Shorter Abstract here: Ulysses at the Mast, one page Abstract
****For those of you that still have doubts about the Article V process, please review: Responses To Convention Of States Opposition My initial concerns were resolved after reading these articles. My attitude now is Go For It!
Update: Convention of States by the numbers The current State count
Convention of States Gaining Momentum April 8, 2015, the most recent status
Article V Handbook - for State Legislators An important resource.
**** State Legislators Article V Caucus State Legislators, Join up at this site!
Most State Legislatures are in session now. Send this list of links to your State Representatives and Senators here: Contact your State Legislators.
Sample Letter to state Representatives regarding the Convention of States Project and also, Talking Points.
Excellent Article V Letter to a State Assemblyman by Jacquerie
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke.
Let’s all work together to get this going.