I agree...a Con-Con is a bad idea.
But, just for the heck of it, if you could make just one change to the Constitution, what would it be?
not with the sh!t in DC right now.
A constitutional convention would really be a bad idea and it is unnecessary. The Feds and states only need to live up to it as it exists and all the problems go away.
Iceland is going to hear cheering from every corner of their country, and every corner of the world, as the march into slavery that will cost the blood of many to put to a halt.
Ugh. When will this urban myth stop! A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CANNOT RATIFY AMENDMENTS. IT CAN ONLY PROPOSE THEM.
The proposed amendments still must be ratfied by the states in the same manner as amendments proposed by Congress, a process that virtually guarantees a conservative constituency. Even Democrats at the state level are more conservative than at the federal level. Opposition to conventions would assure that only the ruling class in Washington ever proposes amendments. And that ruling class will never do anything that will permanently limit the federal government.
Again, a convention could propose permanently giving the White House to Big Bird. It wouldn’t matter a lick unless the states ratified the amendment.
Fist, there are two types of Conventions mentioned in Article 1, Section 5 of the United States Constituion. The first is "a Convention for proposing Amendments." It is exactly what it sounds like. Yes, such a convention could propose an amendment which says, "Scrap the whole thing and replace it with ...." That doesn't mean that it would happen. "A Convention for proposing Amendments" serves only as an alternative to amendments being proposed by resolutions in both Houses of Congress passing by 2/3rds majorities. Those are proposed amendments, they are not ratified amendments.
In the history of the United States (since 1789, under the current Constitution), there has not been a "Convention to Propose Amendments." However, in the 1990's (I think), the Congress actually codified some laws as to how such conventions would be held. Also, when states propose such a convention, they usually do it with specific resolutions whish state precisely which amendment they wish to propose. Indeed, the best way to get Congress together for the required 2/3rds votes on a proposed amendment is to bring them Applications from 2/3rds of the states for a Convention to Propose a specific amendment. Rather than lose control of the process, the proposed amendment generally sails cleanly through the House and Senatate at that point. It's a very good tactic if you wish to advance a constitutional amendment.
The second convention mentioned in Article 1, Section 5 of the United States Constituion is the ratifying convention. This exists as a way for states (one convention in each state) to ratify an amendment. It is an alternative to ratification by the state legislatures. In our history, only one amendment was ratified by state convetions. That was the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition). All other amendments have been ratified by state legislatures.
Although many people find the concept of Constitutional Conventions scary, the reality is that they aren't that bad. Actually the situation of 2/3rds of the states requesting a Convention to Propose a specific amendment has been used several times to propose amendments which were eventually passed by the Congress. Congress does this to make the requests moot, and to maintain control of the process.
A “Constitutional Convention” would be the quickest way to destroy America as we know it. IMHO.
Nothing good would come of that.
It is needed, but would be insane given the rot that is so prevalent today.
The key to our freedom is the 10th amendment. The states can literally end run the feds by engaging in compacts, which obviate the need for the federal gov’t. No need for conventions. No need for amendments. Just the assertion by the states, acting collectively, will do the trick. Ah, the genius of the founders...
A new convention, given today's America, would lead to a total replacement that would codify all the best of the fascist, socialist, and communist versions of marxism...
The marxists who now rule us, both in and out of government, are the driving force behind this movement....Just as they are behind the promotion of every left-wing RINO as GOP candidates for office...
From his private ring in hell, Felix Dhzerzinsky must laughing his ass off.