Posted on 04/05/2015 7:35:49 AM PDT by cotton1706
Conservative state legislators frustrated with the gridlock in Washington are increasingly turning to a plan to call a convention to consider a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution — an event that would be unprecedented in American history and one that could, some opponents predict, lead to complete political chaos.
Legislators in 27 states have passed applications for a convention to pass a balanced budget amendment. Proponents of a balanced budget requirement are planning to push for new applications in nine other states where Republicans control both chambers of the legislature.
If those applications pass in seven of the nine targeted states, it would bring the number of applications up to 34, meeting the two-thirds requirement under Article V of the Constitution to force Congress to call a convention.
What happens next is anyone’s guess.
“There really isn’t much of a precedent. We’ll be charting new waters,” said Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, a Republican and a supporter of a constitutional convention. Utah became the 26th state to issue an application last month. North and South Dakota have also approved applications this year.
The problem is that while the Constitution allows amendments to be adopted and sent to the states by a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate, or by a national convention called by two-thirds of the states, the founding document is silent on how such a convention would operate. How many delegates each state would receive, the rules under which a convention would operate and who would set the agenda would be left up to Congress — all of those would be open questions.
(Excerpt) Read more at standard.net ...
I’m behind this. The president is a dictator, the congress have abrogated their constitutional duties in favor of corporate pay offs, and the judicial branch has sold out their principles for Washington cocktail party invitations. What more do we have to lose by trying this? Damn them all, full speed ahead!
When rthe president of the U.S. issues executive orders in place of signing laws passed by congress, this is a very natural reaction. It’s sad, but the media is mostly to blame because instead of getting in Obamas face and demanding adherence to the rule of law, they have instead gone silent because they support his goals. The precedent is so very dangerous.
” “If we ever got [to a convention], this would create a constitutional crisis unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes.””
I’m wondering if they quoted this leftist as an example to future politicos of HOW STUPID something you say can be. In this case we follow the rules of the Constitution to have a Constitution Convention and that is classified as a “Constitutional Crisis”?
You do realize that a balanced budget amendment with teeth could result in massive tax increases, right?
Rather than run from danger run to safety. So far I have seen nebulous ideas and half thought out Amendments (Levin’s). Identifying problems and speaking forcefully against them doesn’t mean his idea of a solution is the best. Any plan that leaves the factions unmolested does not remove the danger. Before altering the structure lets alter the staff.
Probably the biggest issue will be the makeup of the constitutional convention. The simplest would be one representative from each state. But that won't fly with many population-heavy states.
This conservative happens to love gridlock. To me, the less the government does, the better.
And a massive tax increase could lead to a national movement toward dramatically smaller government with far fewer social programs.
Dude, taxes will be raised and programs will be cut as appropriate and as political power shifts during normal election cycles. This is what a balanced budget does......it forces all of us to make decisions like adults.
Believe it or not, that would be a good thing. Right now, a lot of spending is tolerated simply because the average LIV thinks someone else is paying for it. If the real cost of these programs had to be paid in full in real time, the taxes that would be required would hit the vast majority of voters. THAT is how you get these programs ended - by making the voters feel the effect in their pocketbook.
We are always one law away from perfection.
The criminals in DC don’t follow the law now. One more will change their behavior? Not.
Someone else will pay for it... the evil rich. Never underestimate the mobocracy lead by demagogues or the havoc they will cause.
“You do realize that a balanced budget amendment with teeth could result in massive tax increases, right?”
Only if everything that’s currently in the budget stays there. Otherwise, it could result in massive tax reductions.
“What’s to fear from a constitutional convention convened to create a balanced budget amendment?”
The Constitution is silent on how this would work only tasking the Congress to call the Convention. Constitutionally, this means Congress will have complete power to call the Convention to include the subjects to be debated and the makeup of the Convention.
I’m sure the elected members of Congress will not allow any representation other than themselves. Too many opportunities for grandstanding to pass that bye. Also, they will want to ensure they are in charge to prevent things like term limits. IOW, the makeup of the Constitutional Convention will mirror the makeup of Congress. Now, exactly how will this improve things?
I think there’s a lot of danger in a Constitutional Convention. Once it starts who is to say what happens. The left will cheat, lie, misdirect and try desperately to stack the thing. Adios 1st and 2nd Amendment maybe.
If we could do that we wouldn’t need the amendment.
All a balanced budget amendment will do is pave the way for higher taxes. The Dems get in control and they will just raise taxes to cover the additional spending so the budget is balanced.
The Article V Convention is simply a deliberative assembly of state delegates discussing what might garner the approval from an overwhelming number of citizens from across the political spectrum.
38 states would need to approve any decision. Congress plays a minimal role in all of this.
Kind of like they are doing right now all day, every day without a convention?
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