Posted on 10/02/2017 1:19:11 PM PDT by Jacquerie
THE I’s had been dotted; the T’s were crossed. The 55 delegates to America’s first and so-far-only constitutional convention had hammered out compromises on the separation of powers, apportionment of seats in the legislature and the future of the slave trade. But on September 15th 1787 George Mason, a plantation owner from Virginia, rose to his feet to object.
Article V of the draft text laid out two paths by which future amendments could be proposed. Congress could either propose them itself, or it could summon a convention of representatives from the states to propose them. Mason warned that if the federal government were to become oppressive, Congress would be unlikely to call a convention to correct matters. To protect the people’s freedom, he argued, convening power should instead be vested in the states. Should two-thirds of their legislatures call for a convention, Congress would have to accede to their demand: a convention they should have.
The constitution was signed two days later, with Article V changed as Mason had suggested. Since then 33 amendments have been proposed, with 27 subsequently ratified, a process which requires approval in three-quarters of the states (see chart 1). Whether the issue was great (abolishing slavery) or small (changing the date of presidential inaugurations), all 33 of the proposals came from Congress. Mason’s mechanism for change driven by state legislatures has never been used. Even politically informed Americans often have no idea it exists.
That could soon change. In recent years the Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force (BBATF)—a shoestring group that received just $43,000 in donations in 2015—has been campaigning with great success for such an “Article V” convention. There are now 27 states in which the legislatures have passed resolutions calling for a convention that would propose a balanced-budget amendment . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...
Don’t hold your breath on that one Bucky,
Ergo, we must have a COS.
Congress will NEVER author an amendment to repeal the 17th.
OTOH, states themselves are potentially VERY motivated to repeal it. Even leftest states like here in MA, sending leftist delegates, could be swayed, if they are ensconced in state politics and excluded from national up to now.
A scotus comfortable with redefining marriage will not have to walk very far to justify, under the 14th Amendment, voting by citizen and alien alike, as well as the “right to medical care, college tuition, a house and a job.”
Much of government, especially scotus, recognize no power superior to their own.
Article V.
No one is going to rewrite the Constitution. The states are simply going to propose Amendments that will pass with either 3/4 of the state legislatures ratifying or conventions in 3/4 of the states ratifying.
The way you said it I thought you could just snap your fingers or something.
It helps to read before posting.
It scares the crap out of the Left, you meant to say.
State level is where conservatives have power.
If Leftists had their way, they would propose all sorts of amendments NOW. But they would never be able to get them through the states for ratification. They know this, so they try and use scare tactics against any conservative movement to use Article V.
Apparently, the scare tactics are working on you quite well.
You realize of course that the Congress can propose amendments to the Constitution now right? Any delegates to the convention would be as good as or better than the clowns that got us into this mess. having said that I contend making new laws or amendments will mean absolutely nothing to those that ignore the current Constitution and laws we have already.
Will this country survive till we got an Article V Convention? The left is hell bent on overthrowing the Trump government and declaring civil war. Antifa and other radical groups have already declared these things as well as the leftist/muslim attacks on Americans.
I believe there is enough evidence and sedition out there for the President to ask the military to open up tribunals and start bringing in people like Soros, who is one of those funding the sedition. This could lead to all kinds of corruption being exposed from the swamp in DC and bringing them to justice.
One positive consequence from all that could be the reigning in of the Fedgov. I hope President Trump is thinking along the same lines.
CGato
Agree. The imaginary danger from the Left at a COS is a phantasm. Thanks to the 17th Amendment, few rat Presidents since FDR, and none recently, nominated judges not hostile to the 10th Amendment. The Left’s march through our institutions since 1913 didn’t need a COS.
Hell no. This is akin to the Second American Revolution. We all need to get on board. It’s not about a freaking Convention of States which misses the mark by amending the Constitution like Mark Levin thinks.
It’s about about the American People ENFORCING the Constitution through their elected representatives and the federal, state, and local levels. Trump is the first shot over the bow. More to come.
I wrote, "Such men, Machiavellian Men, who use power to establish free institutions that outlive them, are rare."
Thanks, I will go read.
CGato
Few people realize how far to the left the influential state and local government lobbies are leaning. Give ‘em a couple of constitutional amendments for more control, and we’ll be heading even more quickly toward communism.
The only thing in their way is what little remains of the real private sector.
Thanks for that information. I knew there had to be a lot more steps, and player involved. (I recall the ERA amendment process — so, I know it won’t be easy.)
The point I was trying to make was: either “the people” amend the constitution; or, the Courts will continue doing so. (In this case, “the people” would be acting through the legislative branch and the states). It seems that this Convention is one of the ways to get things started.
The left is much in favor of it. It only takes a few minutes to search and find their plans for it.
The #1 priority would be to declare the United States to be once again a CHRISTIAN NATION.
Also kill off Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. All are unconstitutional and unfunded. Get rid of them now.
You said it. God forbid.
Held together now with duct tape, the Constitution is at the mercy of these do gooders who know not what they wrought.
If the Constitution isn’t followed now, what ever tinkering will not be any better followed.
It’s as if believing only they can save the nation and Constitution.. carte blanche, with no input from the Left.
Wait until the other side gets a hold of this wind fall opportunity to add and subtract their brand of damage and destruction, as well.
We’re so doomed by fools or traitors.
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