Replies

I believe to add an amendment to the constitution they have to have a constitution convention. At which point it goes beyond adding an amendment, it opens THE ENTIRE constitution to be changed. In other words the first and second amendment can be disguarded. Presidential term limits can be changed, as well as how long each term is.

The last thing I want to see, with this congress being as brazen as they are, is a Con-con.

Actually, while there is no way we can limit what they can do in a Constitutional convention except in our refusal to ratify anything but a mere amendment, A constitutional convention CAN simply propose an amendment.

So to be strictly speaking, if we do have to call a convention, it would be wise to have at least 13 or more States agree upfront agree that there is no circumstances in which they will ratify anything but an amendment, which says X,Y, and Z.

Thereby constraining the “imagination” of the delegates.

The constitution does allow for amendments through a constitutional convention as you describe. The 18 times the constitution has been amended so far, however, have come as a result of 2/3 vote in both houses of congress and approval by 3/4 pf the states.

Article V - Amendment
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

I appreciate your caution, mountn man, but individual amendments do not require a Constitutional Convention. I wholeheartedly agree with you about the unspeakable dangers of a Con-Con today and made that very case in an editorial a year ago in The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124105694445071685.html