Posted on 09/14/2016 7:59:06 PM PDT by TBP
Do you know what today is?
Saturday, September 17, is of course a very important and underappreciated occasion which I believe should be a national holiday -- Constitution Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
But it was on this date, September 14, that one of the most important provisions came into being, thanks to George Mason. It was 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; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate."
The Founders were smart enough to know that Congress would never propose amendments limiting Federal power, so if it became tyrannical, the only way was to give the sovereign states that power as well, when the people demanded it.
It's time to claim that power and make use of it.
I would agree with this statement, were it not for the uni-party. With the uni-party, even state legislatures are out for themselves. We the people mean nothing to them, so long as they line their pockets and increase their "power". They will do anything necessary to accomplish those two things. The current safeguards in place do not account for that fact.
Jump over and read through my profile page.
Excellent piece — but I see no suggestions for leading us from the mess we’re in to where we need to go (as you well outline.)
The state legislatures are noticeably more conservative than the Federal government is. (That’s a low bar, granted.)
Besides, isn’t it in their self-interest as state officials to restore more power to the states and to move the Federal officials out of the way (if only in pursuit of their jobs)?
“Vanity” in that it’s not tied to a specific news article or event.
I was just being flippant.
Didn’t mean to put your post down, but I think it did look like that to others.
You used “Vanity” to ask the question...
I used “Vanity” to make a response...
I didn’t know what the day was, and your reminder was a good one.
The answer itself is simple: stop consenting. It's the consequences of doing so that we, as average Americans, have the biggest problem with. Hence the premise of the piece: Americans don't actually want REAL FREEDOM, because the cost of such freedom is just too high for most.
Government only exists - and derives its "just powers" from - the CONSENT of the governed. When consent is withdrawn, those "just powers" cease to exist.
When I first wrote this, I used 'Republicans', but then I started to think about it and, no, it applies well with Conservatives, too. I think of it this way: Leftists use big government to attempt to legislate immorality all the time. Conservatives do the same, only to legislate morality. Either way, the only result is bigger government, and less freedom.
Only marginally.
Besides, isn’t it in their self-interest as state officials to restore more power to the states and to move the Federal officials out of the way (if only in pursuit of their jobs)?
I suppose it may be, however, are you prepared to tell me that there is absolutely no way that any elected GOP officials won't cave to the left's demands, under any circumstances? Can you tell me that with 100% certainty?
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