Georgia on the Brink

Convention of States ^ | January 23rd, 2014 | COS Project Team

[Jacquerie]

Attention COS patriots: Georgia needs your help! Tomorrow, January 24, at 9:30am the state senate Rules Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the COS application. This is a huge step towards passing the application in Georgia, and we need to show the committee we mean business.

So here’s what you can do:

If you live in Georgia, go to the meeting! It will be held at the Georgia State Capitol in hearing room #450. We need to pack the room so the senators know how many Georgians support a Convention of States.

If you can’t make it to Atlanta, you can still help. Send an email voicing your support to info@conventionofstates.com. You can type your own or simply use the sample letter below:

Hello,

My name is [Your Name], and I support the Georgia State Senate resolution (SR 736) to apply for a Convention of States.

A Convention of States is the last, best chance to curb the abuses of the federal government and force Congress to be fiscally responsible. The Founder’s included the Convention of States option in Article V for precisely the situation in which we find ourselves today. It’s our responsibility to use the tool the Founders gave us to limit the federal government’s power and jurisdiction.

Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the Constitution—I want Georgia to be the first state to save it.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

We’ll give your letters to our team in Georgia, and they’ll print them out and bring them to the hearing. We want a huge stack of letters, so get yours in ASAP.

Don’t live in Georgia but want to help? No problem. You can still send us your letters voicing your support for the Georgia resolution. With letters from folks across the country, we can show the Georgia state senators this movement has nationwide support!

Sending an email takes five minutes, but those five minutes will bring us one step closer to preserving liberty in our country. Thanks for standing with us!

[highball]

We would more likely get a pair of amendments legalizing gay marriage and illegal aliens than anything that is helpful.

You don't get amendments. You get amendment proposals. You still need the states to ratify them.

Good luck getting 38 states to ratify gay marriage.

In a couple years, when the process works its way through? With the way polling has been steadily going against us?

Even the redder states are starting to approach 50% approval. I have no doubt that they will find 38 states before the amendment expires, if it ever did. They're already more than halfway there.

I'm not as sanguine as so many, that we can open this can of worms and control the process entirely b

[RobbyS]

Well. the Philadelphia Convention was called to amend the Articles of Confederation, but ended up replacing them. Everything depends on who is there. If Washington had not gone, the Convention would not have been held. But assuming it had, the something more like the New Jersey Plan would have emerged.

[A Navy Vet]

"Am I the only one who thinks a convention would be a bad idea in today’s environment? Calling a convention opens up a multitude of opportunities for mischief. The reason for calling the convention is not binding. We would more likely get a pair of amendments legalizing gay marriage and illegal aliens than anything that is helpful."

I'm no expert, but I believe you are confusing a Convention of States with a Congressional Constitutional Convention. The former only allows certain Amendments to be introduced as agreed by the States; the later allows everything, much like the original Constitutional Convention. Somebody tell me if I'm wrong.

[A Navy Vet]

Again, unless I'm misreading my pocket Constitution, 3/4ths of the States can propose specific Amendments without a general Constitutional Convention convened by Congress. Of course, said Amendments would have to be ratified by the same 3/4ths.

Some say I'm correct; some say wrong. I believe I'm correct.

What I have in mind for a Convention of States is to clarify our current Amendments to eliminate ambiguity in the courts. In no certain order:

1. Clarify the 2nd Amendment in today's legalese so all can conceal or open carry;
2. Clarify and specify the 4th Amendment to stop the NSA and Fedgov agencies from invading our privacy and rights;
3. Clarify the 5th Amendment regarding due process of loss of property. Too many local officials confiscate property even if owner NOT proven to be in violation of law;
4. Eliminate the "general welfare" clause in the preamble as a legal argument. It never has had legal standing, it is just an introduction to the Constitutional Compact.
Also, eliminate "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" in the Declaration of Independence as a legal argument. The DOC has limited legal standing in domestic matters except for our statement to the King of Great Britain and our right to eliminate an oppressive government. It should have NO bearing on attempts to make everyone equal. That wasn't the point other than equal liberty to "pursue happiness", but not equal outcome. The Founding Fathers were very clear in their INTENT;
5. Amendment to restrict the "Commerce Clause" which has so been abused from original intent, it is now obscene. It is the favorite tool of the politicians and they have distorted the original intent so much that it's unrecognizable;
6. Which brings me to an Amendment that ALL laws and regulations should be reviewed by a non-partisan entity like the CBO to insure compliance with ORIGINAL INTENT and reviewed within 30 days before voting in Congress. Not difficult with all the papers, correspondence, writings of the Founding Fathers. They may have debated between themselves, but what was signed in the Constitution is LAW, and so are Amendments. Just need to clarify some according to INTENT.
7. Most importantly, it's apparent that we need another Amendment to spell out States' rights. Seems the 9th and 10th Amendments weren't enough. What's it going to take? A revolution from the States? Looks like many are ready to tell DC to shove it. Yes, I know about the Constitutional clause that says all States must abide by the Federalist contract when they joined the Union under contract.

However, remember, Amendments like addendums to a contract are just that. They eliminate, modify, supersede particular areas of a Contract as does the 10th Amendment, which is now ignored by the Fedgov;
8. Repeal the 17th Amendment. Since that Amendment hasn't worked so well, I'll take my chances with State Legislatures appointing Senators.
9. Amend the 14th to include only natural born citizens or naturalized citizens who take an oath to give up any foreign citizenship. If not the fore-mentioned, they have no rights to welfare nor vote nor hold public office. As of now they supposedly can't vote, but we know they do.
10.Most important Amendment, "sunset" ALL legislation after 4 years, except for military funding. Make the cowards in DC vote for their projects and special interests time and again. Since we can't get term limits, this would make them think twice about their political leanings/careers.

This is just a start. Feel free to add...