Posted on 08/10/2015 5:24:43 PM PDT by thomasryan
With Republicans controlling more than half the state legislatures across the country, some want to use that power to push for a federal spending limit through a mechanism unused since George Washington's day.
Their plan: Persuade enough states to call a national constitutional convention so that a federal balanced budget amendment can be added to the Constitution.
It would be a historic move. The United States has not held a constitutional convention since Washington himself led the original proceedings in Philadelphia in 1787.
"Everywhere I'd go at town hall meetings, people would say, `What are we going to do? There's no hope. How do we fix our country?' And the fact is, this gives great hope," said former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, an outspoken budget hawk and longtime supporter of a federal balanced budget amendment.
There also are risks if the movement succeeds. A convention could expand to take on myriad issues beyond the federal budget, including campaign finance reform and other changes sought by Democrats.
Calling such an assembly would require approval from 34 states. The GOP now controls both legislative chambers in 30.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
Still trying to get a copy of the draft rules that came out of ALEC’s convention in San Diego. I know the person inside the COS Project that has them but she’s not been easy to get hold of.
I may have to get one of the local state legislators around here to get the copy for me.
It would be nice if ALEC put them on their website for reference purposes.
Thanks for the ping.
It has been a while since any news.
I have some arguments with the author of this article as far as nomenclature is concerned, but it would appear that some serious research was done before the author started writing.
My understanding is the COS Project is overwhelmed by the number of state legislators that are involved right now. There are a total of 7,398 state legislators and between 2,000 and 3,000 are believed to have attended the ALEC Convention in San Diego.
So I will call in the middle of this month to the local state legislator here and ask to get a copy.
If possible, and you can get it scanned and formatted for HTML, it would be a worthy addition to these threads.
If an Article V Convention/Convention of States gets close to becoming a reality, look for Congress to propose watered-down versions of the amendments the Convention would propose.
Just to be sure somebody says it:
There is no provision in the Constitution for a “Constitutional Convention.” Therefore, it’s not going to happen, unless a revolution brings down the current occupation government of the “United States.”
An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.” An Article V Convention of the States is NOT a “Constitutional Convention.”
As if certain repeat individuals to these threads ever read that, let alone comprehend.
I’m on it!
Long, perhaps, but getting shorter.
Almost all of the 55 delegates had taken part in the Revolution, with at least 29 having served in the Continental forces, most in positions of command. All but two or three had served in colonial or state government during their careers. The vast majority (about 75%) of the delegates were or had been members of the Confederation Congress, and many had been members of the Continental Congress during the Revolution. Several had been state governors. Just two delegates, Roger Sherman and Robert Morris, would be signatories to all three of the nation’s founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
More than half of the delegates had trained as lawyers (several had even been judges), although only about a quarter had practiced law as their principal means of business. There were also merchants, manufacturers, shippers, land speculators, bankers or financiers, two or three physicians, a minister, and several small farmers. Of the 25 who owned slaves, 16 depended on slave labor to run the plantations or other businesses that formed the mainstay of their income. Most of the delegates were landowners with substantial holdings, and most, with the possible exception of Roger Sherman and William Few, were very comfortably wealthy. George Washington and Gouverneur Morris were among the wealthiest men in the entire country.
I certainly wouldn't mind it if a cross-section of non-politicians was also included in the delegate mix today in an Article V convention.
-PJ
We have to inform people with facts. Even the dummies at DU can understand the basics of an Article V convention. . that is if they would just read. . I know, they won't, so here goes for the rest of America:
For those who think the Article V process is too risky, I ask, "What other options do you see?"
To summarize from a previous post by GraceG:
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. .
So, do we do nothing and just wait for # 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. (So far both legislative chambers of 4 States, {Alabama, Alaska, Florida and Georgia}, have completely passed their resolutions and 36 state legislative chambers or bodies have filed or passed resolutions.) 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
Convention of States Live! with Mike Farris
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.
Learn about the Convention of States The Problem, the Solution and the Strategy
Call a Convention A call for a Convention of States
Missouri state senator delivers amazing testimony (video) Reasoned speech on why we need an Article V Convention.
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
Citizens for Self-Governance: Convention of States Project Youtube hub – Lots of educational videos here
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.
Curing Federal Dysfunction by Constitutional Amendment: A Primer Professor Rob Natelson
Our American Constitution, Article V Rob Natelson’s Article V articles
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
The Indiana Statute that will Govern their Delegates
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!
Sarah Palin: Debunking the myths of a Convention of States
A Single-Subject Convention Addresses the “runaway convention” fear.
John Birch Society Denies Its History and Betrays Its Mission The original Birchers were for an Article V Convention.
Update: Convention of States by the numbers The current State count
Convention of States Gaining Momentum
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!
This graphic gives me the heebeejeebies.
His solid character, background and reputation are certainly good for the movement.
However, what is ultimately needed is a major serving politician like Ted Cruz to support and promote the COS.
Thank you that needed correcting.
Why?
say goodbye to the second amendment. if you think you’re gonna control this pandora’s box - think again - every democrat, every media outlet, and half the republicans will end up touting the ‘progressive’ stance on most, if not all issues present...
and make no mistake - if this ever happens, it will only be the first of many until the left gets what they want.
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