The resistance needs to begin in the state capitols. The next Gubernatorial campaign needs to be centered upon support for the invocation of the 10th amendment with regard to the new national health care scheme.
Supreme Court decisions have given the states the right to regulate insurance business. Federal regulation of the insurance business would seem to contradict that settled law. Additionally, mandates like Medicaid are paid by the state, with federal money subsidizing. If the state is willing to go it alone on the Medicaid payments, the Federal Government loses all say so on the administration of those programs.
Each state will have a chance to opt out of this program, just the same as they had the chance to opt out of social security. Look at Galveston, TX and where their retirement system stands now compared to social security. It is purely a matter of whether or not the state will take its mouth off of the Federal tit.
Secondly, although I agree that a Constitutional Convention TODAY would be a bad idea, I do believe that a promise to either call one, or propose and pass a series of Amendments in the next congress would be an excellent campaign issue. Ideas for amendments would include:
1. Explicit reiteration of state sovereignty to include the right to opt out of specific Federal mandates whether funded or unfunded.
2. Reservation of the rights of states to determine their own abortion laws.
3. Requirement that the Federal Government produce a balanced budget with the exception of times of Declared War or National Emergency.
4. Requirement that Treaties be approved by two thirds of state legislatures.
5. Declaration that the sovereignty of the United States shall not be subordinated to any international body or government.
6. Requirement that all persons running for the office of President, Vice-President, or any office in the line of succession must be held by a proven Natural Born Citizen, and that qualification must be proven prior to the applicable election or appointment.
7. 10 year terms for all Federal Court Appointees. Additional terms require re-appointment and re-confirmation.
I am sure there are other good ideas, but the constitution definitely needs some more explicit language to prevent liberal perversions of the penumbra.
I think there is great potential in all of the ideas you have suggested.
We have been going about it as if the way to handle this were through reforming the Federal government; perhaps it lies in the states, not through secession, but through the reassertion of their powers.