Posted on 08/12/2017 8:52:52 PM PDT by Neil E. Wright
Next month delegations of state lawmakers will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend what organizers say will be the first formal convention of states since the Civil War. They’ll gather at the capitol, inside the turquoise-carpeted House chamber, and draw up rules for a hoped-for future meeting: a convention to draft an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
No “amendment convention” has taken place since the Constitution was written over 200 years ago. But the idea is gaining steam now, stoked by groups on the left and right that say amendments drafted and ratified by states are the last, best hope for fixing the nation’s broken political system and dysfunctional — some even say tyrannical — federal government.
“We have a Congress in the United States made up of two bodies — House and Senate — that are incapable of restricting their own power,” said Texas state Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Republican. With the conventions, he said, states are stepping in to clean up the mess.
The current push for a convention began in the early years of the Obama administration, mostly driven by Republican lawmakers. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are big supporters. So are former presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio. Although many amendment topics have been proposed, the most popular would require the federal government to balance its budget.
Twenty-seven states have passed resolutions in favor of a balanced budget amendment since the 1970s, observers say. The Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force, the main group currently pushing the idea, says it could get to 34 states before the next presidential election.
But to get the two-thirds of states required to force Congress to call a convention, the task force and its supporters will need to win over skeptical lawmakers and beat back opposing groups that say a convention called to discuss a single issue could end up rewriting crucial parts of the Constitution or scrapping the nation’s founding document altogether.
The two sides don’t even use the same words to discuss what they’re fighting over. Those in favor talk about an “amendment convention,” implying that only one amendment will be discussed. Those opposed say “Constitutional convention,” suggesting that the whole text could be rewritten.
The Arizona planning event, championed by Republicans and the Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force, will focus on the balanced budget proposal that’s closest to triggering a convention.
Arizona state Rep. Kelly Townsend, a Republican who heads the committee organizing the event, said she hopes it will reassure people that delegates to a convention won’t do anything crazy. “There will not be a quote-unquote runaway convention,” she said. “That’s not going to happen.”
This is an excerpt. Click the link above to read the while article.
Depends how you define victory.
In war, victory is defined by the elimination of one’s enemy.
What I would do personally after such a victory is completely destroy the mechanism and machines being used against the American people, because it is only a short matter of time before those who desire power and control return to them.
The issue is whether amendments can be crafted to make violation of the principles of the Constitution more difficult.And also whether the Seventeenth Amendment can be, if not repealed, somehow defanged. My suggestion for the latter would be to link the election of senators to the election of the state government. If the senators were required to be running mates of the governor, there would be at least some connection between the Senate and the state governments.
Another approach would be to have each state legislature nominate two candidates for senator, one by the majority caucus in the state legislature and one by the plurality of the remaining legislators. The latter method would assure each sitting senator would be beholden to the state legislature, and dependent on it for renomination.
I don't believe that to be possible with the country as it is now. The Constitution is being ignored daily in so many ways that the statement "the rule of law is dead in the USA" is no longer an exaggeration, it is a fact.
An amendment would be ignored just as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are currently ignored and under assault.
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.
As of now there are 12: AL, AK, AZ, FL, GA, IN, LA, MO, ND, OK, TN, TX. For a Convention of the States dedicated to Georgia's application language which would rebalance state and federal powers, the count is now 12 down, 22 to go.
So far, 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 3/4 of the states in order to become part of the US Constitution. That's 38 states.
There are multiple arguments against a COS. Do not be dissuaded. In reality, there are so many checks and balances against a runaway convention that the risk is near zero. As nathanbedford said, “It requires only 13 statehouse legislatures from 13 different states out of 99 legislatures in 50 states to block an amendment. The problem is not a runaway convention, the problem is getting any amendment through."
"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!
***Another good introduction video Convention of States: The Plan to Restore America
Utah Rep. Nelson: The Constitution Hangs in the Balance A good five minute review
Utah's Merrill Nelson: The only way to check federal power is with the power of the states
***For the Young People Overview of the COS Project at Washington Freedom Summit Laura Fennig, a COS Grassroots Coordinator, describes the COS Project plan and how you can get involved!
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.
**** Article V Blog by Jacquerie. Excellent and worth following.
**** Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the Liberty Amendments A great overview of Article V.
Learn about the Convention of States The Problem, the Solution and the Strategy
Can We Trust the Constitution? Answering The “Runaway Convention” Myth For those who are worried about a runaway convention.
A Convention of States - Part 1 Answering the "They're not following it now" Argument
A Convention of States - Part 2 Answering the "Runaway Convention" and other Arguments
Exposed: George Soros launches campaign against Convention of States If Soros opposes Article V, it must be a great idea!
The Convention of States Article V Application
Missouri state senator delivers amazing testimony (video) Reasoned speech on why we need an Article V Convention.
The Indiana Statute: Duties of Article V convention delegates.
Article V Project to Restore Liberty Another good source.
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: Introduction
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: The Federalist I
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: The Federalist II
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: Part IV
Cultural Marxism and the need for an Article V COS by Hostage
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.
Curing Federal Dysfunction by Constitutional Amendment: A Primer Professor Rob Natelson
Our American Constitution, Article V Rob Natelson's Article V articles
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
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)
The 17th Amendment – A Mistake That Keeps on Giving
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.
Publius Huldah vs. Article V: Introduction by Rodney Dodsworth
Convention of States Gaining Momentum
Assembly of State Legislatures – Article V
***Indiana Statute - Duties of Article V Convention Delegates A good example for other states and one of the safeguards.
****Proposing Constitutional Amendments by a Convention of States - An Article V Handbook for State Legislators An important resource.
****State Initiation of Constitutional Amendments: A Guide for Lawyers and Legislative Drafters The Bible on Convention of States
**** 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
From Rodney Dodsworth at Jacquerie’s Article V Blog: “We are the many, our oppressors are the few. Be proactive. Be a Re-Founder. Join Convention of States. Sign the COS Petition
I end this list of links with one of my favorites: Real Answers to Article V Questions by Rita M. Dunaway, J.D. A masterpiece. From the article:
"Our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor when they fought a bloody revolution to secure for us the right of self-governance. They knew a day would come when we would need a way to restrain a power-grabbing federal government. So they gave us Article V’s convention mechanism."
"Once we understand the truth about Article V, there is one question that remains. Are we really so fearful a people that we will stand by and watch our federal government mutate into a socialist regime rather than "risk" sending our state representatives to a meeting?"
"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!
The few 1-5 options we have, plus a long index of A5 resources; nicely done.
An amendment to the Constitution, by definition, can never be unconstitutional.
For those who haven't seen it, check out: Obama’s Army – Organizing for Action
Term limits for presidents is an example of a provision which cannot be violated secretly. All the necessary information is undeniable public knowledge.
Good example, I see your point.
In a word, NO.
If so many manage to ignore our existing Constitution with impunity, what makes anyone believe that they will be faithful to and respect any Amended version?
Let's not create a whole new mess...
That truly childish, stupid level of naivete is already an incredible level of runaway stupidity...
The scariest possibility is that the most ignorant warm bodies that vote without a functioning brain will treat the Bill of Rights as old routine legislation, subject to repeal!
Both electorate and elected criminals!
I am embarrassed that I fell for that quote.
Is the Bill of Rights subject to Amendment?
Who decided this?
When?
Under what authority?
SC decisions are subject to cancellation or reversal by subsequent versions of the Court.
The best outcome for this is nothing changes. This is literally like editing the BIOS of a dysfunctional computer when its hard drives are infested with viruses like “MuzlumBOMR!” and “Feminist_HO” and the teenaged boys need to be locked out from the computer so they quit going to porn sites.
Sending new people every few years to corrupted institutions is like changing out the driver of a car on cinderblocks.
No need for embarrassment. The quote is from an obscure letter; it was red meat for Article V Opponents. I just wish they didn’t misrepresent our Framers or the events that led to the 1787 Federal Convention.
If you don’t have enough votes to change Washington without changing the Constitution you don’t have enough votes to change the Constitution.
Thanks. Got to focus on what’s really important; I’m going to stick to the work on my newer book.
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