Posted on 06/28/2015 4:59:51 AM PDT by Kaslin
Remember ‘An Army Of One,” that US Army recruiting ad slogan from a few years back? It not only was stupid, it was wrong. An army is, by definition, a group, and “one” of anything is rarely enough to win anything armies try to win, such as taking over countries.
Unless that “one” is named Schwarzenegger or Stallone. Or Kennedy. Or Roberts.
An army isn’t needed anymore to overthrow a nation. One Supreme Court justice is all it takes.
We have gone form a representative republic to a nation of one. One vote, one opinion, upon which so much of our liberty hinges. There are 535 voting members of Congress and one president, but none of them matter anymore. One man holds all the power of God when it comes to governing the United States.
Justice Anthony Kennedy is 78 years old. Justice John Roberts is 60. You need only one of them to fundamentally change the nature of government in this country.
The four liberal justices might as well not even show up to work, or at least take turns and show up one at a time. Their vote is a forgone conclusion. On major social or policy issues, they will come down uniformly on the left, no matter what.
The conservative justices switch and disagree depending on the case, though they tend to err on the side of the Constitution more often than not.
Roberts is a judicial schizophrenic. Rather than calling “balls and strikes” like he promised in his confirmation hearing, he sometimes strictly adheres to the Constitution but sometimes is willing to create or rewrite law as he sees fit, as demonstrated in his two Obamacare rulings. He tortures language and the role of the court to ensure, for whatever reason, government can require individuals to purchase a private product and change the meaning of words.
Kennedy, on the other hand, is a wildcard. He’s the justice everyone waits for. When there’s a case before the court where the choice between constitutionally limited government and expanded, progressive government is on the line, he’s the deal-breaker. Far too often, on which side of the bed he wakes hinges the fate of every American, to one degree or another.
One man decides how much government can do or can make us do. One man. Unelected, unencumbered, unaccountable. One man.
We have become a nation of Anthony Kennedy, held hostage to his whims and bound by his flights of fancy.
As I’ve said before, I’m not too interested in the issue of gay marriage as a moral argument. I oppose it on semantical grounds. I’d also hoped the Supreme Court would rule on the side of law, not wishes. That is, after all, supposed to be its job.
But it’s not Kennedy’s job, at least when Kennedy doesn’t want it to be his job. For reasons laughable on their face, he joined with the liberal justices and changed the definition of the word “marriage.”
Kennedy’s majority opinion begins, “The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights that allow persons, within a lawful realm, to define and express their identity.”
What does that mean? Everything, anything and nothing. Should a similar issue come before the court again in Kennedy’s lifetime, it can mean anything he wants it to mean.
It can be read as liberating, in a way, because one interpretation is no matter what we do, the Constitution guarantees us protection. Of course, that interpretation is based upon the Constitution granting us rights. But Kennedy’s closing lines put a more disturbing spin on his fluid opinion.
He writes, “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
If the Constitution, if the government, “grants” rights, those rights can be taken away by the grantor. The Constitution is specifically worded to avoid the granting of rights. Rather, it is written with the understanding people are born with certain rights and “Congress shall make no law” taking away or limiting them.
“Shall not be infringed” is only ambiguous to those who wish to infringe. Agree with the Supreme Court decisions this week or not, the manner in which they were reached should bother everyone. We have become a people whose rights can be created or infringed upon the whims of one man.
At 78, Kennedy won’t be around forever. The next president may well end up replacing the most important person in the country. Think about that next time you swear you absolutely will not vote for someone, anyone, if they are the Republican nominee.
Problem is we lost our representative republic on June 26th. A republic protects it's minority from the majority. We are now in the minority and not enough votes to see things our way.
The founders of this country were also a minority, they were outnumbered by loyalists, but got the majority to see things their way - unfortunately through less than peaceful means through "open rebellion and revolution".
Our only possible redemption is through the reassertion of OUR sovereignty, which can be done without resort to less than peaceful means.
We are in complete agreement on the above statement.
Based on the latest SCOTUS action, any messing with the present Constitution through article V would IMHO be absolute insanity. It is very difficult to get Democrats to think in terms of Article V due to their focus on the SCOTUS decision in Citizens United. Thus a Republican only Article V action would be deemed one sided and null and void. The assembly of State Legislatures has determined that Article V action must be bi-partisan to avoid the finger pointing from Democrats. Unlike what took place in the Congress with the passage of the affordable care act without one single Republican vote.
It is time to get out of the democrat/republican mindset. They are the two wings of the DC Uniparty and will not be represented at the convention.
As group, the states know all too well that Washington DC is out of control and driving them and their people into misery. Well over half of the states opposed both Obamacare and his illegal amnesty in court. I'm aware of two states taking steps to counter the effect the fag marriage Scotus decision. State legislatures are coming to realize they have the power to arrest and reverse the trend.
I suspect most Article V opponents emotionally refuse to believe that America is not exempt from historic cycles of freedom to slavery, of the sort Aristotle described unless we actively work to stop the process. They believe we can find deliverance if we only elect the right person for president. Our history has proved them to be fools.
Article V opponents equate a state amendment convention with our corrupted congress, a congress in which our freedoms and rights are easily traded away today for money, media support, and reelection tomorrow.
They are wrong. Article V opponents are stuck in static analysis. Men are shaped by the institutions in which they participate. The congressman who sells our rights today would never think of harming his family. Michele Bachmann was run out of congress for being virtuous in a corrupt institution. Had she joined the sleaze and venality that typifies congress, she could be there today. What I describe is identical to the behavioral difference between men in strip clubs and church.
The states will send delegates, meaning serious men/women of character and judgment armed with commissions to promote their state supported amendments. Delegates to an amendment convention will be unconcerned with that which drives congress: money, personal power, and reelection will not be their focus or interest.
We can have every expectation that state delegates will rise to the occasion. They will understand the gravity of their assignment and conduct themselves in a manner precisely opposite that of congress.
That is hoping for a miracle - I am with you, but not holding my breath...
It was too frightening.
FDR was our first transformative president, and whether Lewis had him or European fascists/communists in mind is irrelevant.
Sorry for the delayed response but I have been gone all day.
“We can have every expectation that state delegates will rise to the occasion. They will understand the gravity of their assignment and conduct themselves in a manner precisely opposite that of congress.”
The manner of choosing delegates is not hard and fast, and certainly not focused on conservative constitutionalists. It is really not possible IMHO to get anything other than a mix of mainstream liberal and conservative Republicans, and Democrats transfixed on repeal of Citizens United. Expecting anything more from delegates chosen by the states would be false hope.
I suggest you track the efforts of The Assembly of State Legislatures who have spent time and effort for at least three years investigating the possibility of a Convention of states the rules needed, and possible amendments.
The one hope is that Congress in DC might be moved to improve their votes on some issues, if, and that is a big if, the states get too close to enough support that they might ask Congress to call a convention. My state has already bought in, but there are still many states to go. Eleven to call and fifteen to ratify. If you can reach consensus on what amendment or amendments to present.
In today’s environment, not prudent at all. Again, my state has already drunk the we have got to do something Kool Aid.
All before the ridiculous decision Friday by SCOTUS.
Good grief. I appeal to our God given right to frame our government and all I hear is bullshit about rats and pubbies!!!
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.
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.
Mark Levin’s “Liberty Amendments” Sean Hannity Special
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!
Despite the wishes to the contrary, Rats and pubbies still run the show. That is reality.
“There are far more political and legal constraints on a runaway convention than on a runaway Congress.” - Robert Natelson
I’m going to call poppycock on that one by the father of Constitutional poppycock, Rob Natelson.
That said, please keep in mind that my state has already passed the resolution to call for an article V convention.
What I say cannot override that fact. It is my personal opinion based on my oath to support and defend.
The US is going to be carved into regions, with states retaining token remnant roles, looking more like “counties” than sovereign. At least that was the general plan 30 or so years ago. The offices and framework for “regional govenment” are in place and operational now.
I think Woodrow Wilson was the first. FDR did more damage, but Wilson set the stage.
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