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Congress remains silent through centuries of convention requests from states
watchdog.org ^ | December 16, 2014 | Kathryn Watson

Posted on 12/17/2014 5:29:08 AM PST by dontreadthis

ALEXANDRIA, Va.— Seven hundred and sixty-three.

No, that’s not how much the national debt is ticking upwards per second, or how much you’ll pay annually for premiums under Obamacare.

It’s the total number of applications that 49 states — every state except Hawaii — have sent petitioning the U.S. Congress to call for a controversial Article V convention of states to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution and rein in the federal government.

The concept of a convention to bring power back to the states may not be widely known, but it’s an idea that’s slowly gaining steam as Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of Congress and fear the federal government has grown too large and too powerful.

The Founding Fathers, recognizing that it wouldn’t be in Congress’ own interest to rein in their power, made a provision in the U.S. Constitution for Congress to be required to call a convention if two-thirds of the states — 34 now — demand one. Any constitutional amendments proposed at a convention of states still would have to be ratified by three-quarters of the states, or 38 states.

But longtime advocates for an Article V convention of states say Congress received more than enough applications decades ago.

Ignoring those applications, says Bill Walker, cofounder of the Friends of the Article V Convention, is a “massive constitutional violation.”

(Excerpt) Read more at watchdog.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism
KEYWORDS:
ARTICLE V PING
1 posted on 12/17/2014 5:29:08 AM PST by dontreadthis
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To: dontreadthis

I have never heard this!!!! This is treasonous, from Congress AND those representatives of the petitioning states who have ignored it. What can be done to MAKE THEM do this? Surely there is something in that particular article that would address how to handle it, if it is ignored.


2 posted on 12/17/2014 5:32:51 AM PST by southernindymom
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To: southernindymom

Read Mark Levin’s book


3 posted on 12/17/2014 5:35:32 AM PST by Nifster
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To: southernindymom

It is addressed properly in the constitution, but nobody wants to start that fight...


4 posted on 12/17/2014 5:35:46 AM PST by jurroppi1 (The only thing you "pass to see what's in it" is a stool sample. h/t MrB)
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To: Jacquerie; Publius

article V PING


5 posted on 12/17/2014 5:36:32 AM PST by dontreadthis
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To: dontreadthis

From here: http://foavc.org/
6 posted on 12/17/2014 5:48:46 AM PST by Repeal The 17th (We have met the enemy and he is us.)
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To: dontreadthis

They can always schedule a one-day convention in Nome, Alaska for Dec. 25...


7 posted on 12/17/2014 5:49:40 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Nifster
<>Read Mark Levin’s book<>

I did. Closely.

On page 16 of The Liberty Amendments, he writes: “Moreover, the state legislatures determine if they want to make application for a convention; the method for selecting their delegates; and the subject matter of the convention.” So far, so good. The states do indeed determine what they will consider, at the convention!

However, I am unfortunately deeply disappointed in regard to the following:

Levin's endnote 29 of page 225: “The state legislatures can recommend specific language or amendment, but cannot seek to impose them through the application process as Article V empowers the delegates to the convention to propose amendments, which the states subsequently consider for ratification. The applications from the states must also be similar in subject area to reasonably conclude that two-thirds of the states are calling for a convention to address the same matters.”

I find his two points to be contradictory. The first acknowledges state power to propose amendments at the convention. The second demands states submit similar subject applications to be considered at the convention.

There is no requirement for single topic applications.

Neither can Congress control the scope of discussion at the convention.

Those extra-constitutional requirements are power grabs designed by those in power to stymie a constitutional and God given right of the people. If congress and the courts had the power to control the process, they would have been enumerated in Articles I and III.

Madison's notes from the Federal Convention, Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 85, and subsequent state ratification debates made it clear that amendments were to be hashed out at their convention. Article V was a critical factor leading to the adoption of the new constitution. It is contradictory to its purpose for congress or courts to control both amending routes.

8 posted on 12/17/2014 6:24:23 AM PST by Jacquerie (Article V. If not now, when?)
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To: dontreadthis

The number of applications has never reached the required threshold of 2/3’s of states.

So this article is much ado about nothing except that it informs a little about the Article V process.


9 posted on 12/17/2014 6:31:54 AM PST by Hostage (ARTICLE V)
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To: dontreadthis

I am completely convinced that this is the only hope of avoiding a hot revolution in the future. The Republicans have proven yet again that they are unwilling to stop the growth of government. Crony capitalism versus crony socialism is NO choice.


10 posted on 12/17/2014 6:35:25 AM PST by HMS Surprise (Chris Christie can STILL go straight to hell.)
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To: dontreadthis

It is an uphill battle with all the LIV’s. Hell they barely know who is VP or can barely name 3 out of 9 of the Supreme Court Justices. Articles and Amendments are just too much for their empty heads.


11 posted on 12/17/2014 6:42:23 AM PST by Qwackertoo (Worst 8 years ever, First Affirmative Action President, I hope those who did this to us SUFFER MOST!)
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To: Qwackertoo

Perhaps its time for the American people to pull a “Ferguson” type riot to get attention to making this happen. Nah, the media would never allow it.


12 posted on 12/17/2014 6:50:34 AM PST by DaveA37
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To: DaveA37

Nope, they wouldn’t report it. Too sad America has to get on a hands up or ice bucket challenge to pay attention. Until it reaches viral stage in the social media no one gives a dang.

And IF they do rise up, they get called all sorts of names IF they are conservatives. The most upstanding, patriotic, law abiding, orderly, clean and American loving people in the whole country and they were smeared unmercifully.


13 posted on 12/17/2014 6:59:25 AM PST by Qwackertoo (Worst 8 years ever, First Affirmative Action President, I hope those who did this to us SUFFER MOST!)
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To: dontreadthis

I suspect that the issue is that they have never received petitions from 2/3 of the states during the same Congress. I don’t imagine the petitions can carry over from one Congress to the next, since too many things can change over the years. You may have the state legislatures change parties in the election, and the new legislature may not support the petition passed by the previous legislature, etc.

Now if anyone can show that 34 states submitted petitions in the same 2-year period in which the same Congress was sitting, and those petitions were ignored, then I will stand corrected.


14 posted on 12/17/2014 7:33:44 AM PST by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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To: Qwackertoo
And IF they do rise up, they get called all sorts of names IF they are conservatives.

And by fellow Conservatives, no less. There have been quite a few folks recently and over the previous 50 years or so who, upon actually taking action, are immediately labeled whackos, scumbags and much, much worse. Face it: There will be no CWII. We will submit to our dear leaders no matter what. The Founders would have jumped into action quite a long time ago. Probably somewhere around 1913, to be more specific. Alas, we have shamed the Founder's legacy. We are too busy paying the mortgage and car payments and electric bills and school loans and just have far too much to sacrifice. May the chains of slavery rest lightly upon us, and may posterity forget we were their countrymen.

15 posted on 12/17/2014 8:26:10 AM PST by dware ("White Privilege" stems from one's ability to lace up work boots and read a work schedule)
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To: southernindymom

I am convinced that the only way that an Article V Convention ever gets going is for the people themselves to do it themselves.

Getting the primates in Versailles on the Potomac to do anything FOR the people (instead of TO the people) is anathema.


16 posted on 12/17/2014 9:17:03 AM PST by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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