What else will they wipe out at the convention? There are no Hamiltons or Madisons or Washingtons out there. Do you want the Constitution rewritten by the Barney Franks and the Nancy Peolosis and the Mitch McConnells and the John Boehners of the world?
It would be the state legislatures not the nitwits in DC. It is there as a last resort. The Constitution is really being ignored now anyway.
Right. A constitutional convention with an elite class that despises the constraints of the constitution would be insane. They would use the opportunity to wipe it out.
Why is everybody so panicked by the thought of a con-con?
I keep trying to explain that there is no danger in a con-con, but nobody will listen. I keep saying that the Constitution gives us TWO avenues to propose Amendments — by a vote of Congress or (if they won’t do it) by a Convention of state legislatures. Got that? Either CONGRESS or the STATES THEMSELVES may propose Amendments. (Think “term limits” and ask yourself if Congress would support it?) But still the panic. OK then.
Let’s try this approach — why were the Federalist Papers written?
Answer: To urge citizens to support adoption of the “new” Constitution that was written by the original Convention.
But wait ... those wild-eyed radicals like Jefferson and Madison might propose crazy things! We don’t want changes to our Articles of Confederation, do we? Maybe a little tweak or two, but nothing drastic! Of course, they did propose changes, big ones, but the proposed new “Constitution” had to be approved or nothing would happen. Hence the Federalist Papers, to explain everything.
Bottom line — the Constitution had to be accepted by the states. Same for any “revised” Constitution or Amendment that a modern con-con would propose. The states would decide if they liked it or they didn’t.
A Constitutional Convention CANNOT simply write a revised constitution then throw out the old one and the new one takes effect. Can’t happen. Won’t happen. They may propose any damned thing they like, but WE THE PEOPLE decide if we accept their proposed changes or not.
Personally, I would like to see a Constitution Convention seated and have them propose LOTS of minor changes. Add term limits. Change the word “regulate” to “promote” in the Commerce Clause. Make changes to Article III and give us a judiciary that can’t legislate from the bench. Rescind the 16th Amendment (income tax) and the 17th Amendment (direct election of Senators) and tweak the 14th Amendment to do away with “anchor” babies.
Then we can debate and decide each and every one of those changes and vote to approve the ones we want. And reject the ones we don’t. No danger.