Posted on 02/02/2014 10:09:40 AM PST by Jacquerie
Conservatives believe, as did our founding generation, a fundamental truth, a maxim that early on differentiated the US from other republics. The first principle of American political society is that government exists to secure our unalienable rights. Our Declaration eloquently expressed it as, “That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, . . . “
That straightforward concept begat the question, “How to best secure those rights?”
The answer was to be found in some form of republican government. By that, the founding generation meant the peoples’ representatives consent to all laws. That determination was all well and good, but was insufficient, for it left the difficult and decade long task of devising the particulars, the nuts and bolts of how to implement republican, freedom preserving government in thirteen suddenly independent societies that sometimes, (as now) confused republicanism with democracy.
Thirteen societies went their own ways in various grand experiments in self-government. About half continued an English tradition, a bill of rights in or alongside their legislatively adopted constitutions. Not all states were very successful in keeping their eye on the ball, of designing government for the single purpose of securing the unalienable rights of their people. The burdens of war exasperated lofty republican ideals such that some states approached something closer to democratic government than freedom enhancing republics. For instance, one’s wealth wasn’t always secure from tender laws and taxation approaching confiscation. Despots around the civilized world silently cheered as the American experiment appeared certain to founder on the shoals of too much of the democratic element.
With these experiences in mind, our Framers learned enough to design a government in 1787 that did not depend on a bill of rights, but rather one which strove to secure freedom by dividing power. They depended on the structure of their design, which set interests against interests, rather than the parchment barrier of a bill of rights, which they knew from experience to be an unreliable bulwark against tyranny.
Other patriots demanded a formal bill of rights and were rewarded with ten amendments that stated in no uncertain terms our rights to religious and press freedom, to protect ourselves and communities through force of arms, to be secure in our persons, personal papers and other possessions from unreasonable searches, to demand search warrants and grand juries, to not be subject to two trials for the same offense, no self-incrimination nor confiscation of property but for public use in exchange for just compensation, speedy and public trials, impartial juries, counsel for trial defense, no excessive bail nor cruel punishments.
Oh, and because the drafters of these amendments knew they couldn’t possibly list all of our unalienable rights, they determined that the rights they didn’t enumerate could not be denied to the people. To cap it off, the states retained every power they didn’t grant to the government they created. Airtight right?
Look at subsequent history. With the exceptions of quartering troops and defense counsel at trials, none of the first ten amendments are in near full force, and most are, for practical purposes, gone from the American scene. Why did our government drop the ball? When did we forget the singular purpose of government? When did government begin to pick off, one by one, our unalienable rights? When did DC begin to shift focus from securing our rights and toward so-called social justice?
They were trampled by a majoritarian government that beginning in 1913 featured popular elections for members of the Senate.
It began when the lessons of our immediate postcolonial experiences were forgotten or ignored, when the Left sold forgetful Americans the snake oil of democracy. Power to the people! Those stiff, rich and out of touch state appointed senators stand in the way of the people!
Our Framers relied on the structure of the constitution, its vertical and horizontal divisions of power, and not a bill of rights to secure freedom. Today, most people actually equate democracy with freedom. The legitimate purpose of government, to secure our rights was forgotten and replaced with whatever a Leftist majority, and recently minority, thinks it can get away with. Obama won twice, get over it and do as you are told.
Until power is divided once again, until the national government is re-federalized, the DC uniparty will chip away at what little remains of our rights, and our continued descent into the hell of democratic tyranny is assured.
It might be too late. Perhaps the people are too corrupt to care, but that is no excuse for conservatives to not support an Article V state amendment convention to reestablish first principles, and correct the Leftist wrongs in our constitution
If 2/3ds of the state agree, an amendment can go to the states, where 3/4 have to ratify it before it becomes part of the Constitution.
/johnny
The movement is building for the time being primarily where it should, in the state legislatures. They will meet in June in Indianapolis to hash out more convention details.
When the time comes, perhaps when the 30th state has filed an identical application to congress, the Obamamedia will get their orders when to come down on us.
I look forward to it, for that means we'll have them for once fighting on our turf.
Well, I don’t know about an Article V convention pros and cons. Like you, I imagine others think they do. The Marxists/Socialist/Democrats will be there (Convention) though so who can guarantee they won’t score some points? And, what points would they score? Bottom line, it would be the Left vs the Right with The Left having the media on their side. Not good odds for the right.
So, clearly, an Article V conventions success or failure depends entirely on who or what is controlling it? Can Conservatives control it? I doubt it because the MSM (Marxist Socialist Media) will be full bore behind their fellow Marxist Socialist Democrats.
So, if you take away an Article V Convention, HOW THE HELL DO YOU FIX THIS F’d UP COUNTRY?
To a certainty, no collection of 536 humanoids in Washington, either in 2014, 2017, 2020 or 2030 will. We know now that these people get elected and travel to Washington and sooner rather than later become corrupted.
So, what’s the fix? I suggest that in places like California, where there is a concentration of Liberals, that they be allowed socially to do whatever the hell they want to do as long as they pay for it! The same would go for such sister states, just to name some, as Massachusetts, Connectticut, Maine, Oregon, Washington and so on.
The ONLY “Union” per se then would be Defense and Foreign Policy. If Maine wants to let boys in the girls bathroom but Texas beats the boys ass with a paddle, so be it! If California only wanted the criminals to have guns, so be it. Not my business here in Texas.
Finally, big media must be broken up, Scotus terms should not be life, Scotus mental faculties physicals should be required past 60, term limits put in place, the National Legislature should adhere to the Texas model, the Capital should be moved to Dallas/Ft Worth because it is the middle of the country and very conservative so we can keep an eye on them, and, most of all, contributions limited to individuals and $1,000 max. Campaign air time to be allocated amongst all candidates and be Free. Double Voter ID, citizenship, and employment required to vote.
Lobbyists should be totally outlawed.
The foregoing would get us headed in the right direction but I could write a book on details and other “fixes”
One thing is for certain and that is, like a ten year old truck with a million miles on it, the owner (USA) is going to have to either rebuild it or get rid of it.
The framers set interest against interest to secure our rights. The states have a different viewpoint than joe blow voter.
Consider this, if the states appointed senators, would anti-10th amendment jurists have a chance to a federal bench if their past writings expressed disdain for the 10th?
Want to repeal Roe and a host of unconstitutional decisions? Repeal the 17th and watch.
Good post. The federal government is lawless and accountable only unto itself.
Article V is worth trying; it is constitutional and it MIGHT work.
But then again it might not work, and I would accept that it probably won’t work.
So then, what are the alternatives?
Conservatives/libertarians could leave the country en masse and colonize and found a new society? Our forefathers did this. Is this still possible?
Is secession a possibility? People are staring to regionally sort themselves out on an ideological basis. NH has a freedom movement encouraging those that believe in smaller government to relocate there. Should we look to parts of the American NW? Can we convince governors and state politicians to adopt this course of action?
When the tyranny hits, and it will hit hard if we fail, will we develop secret societies and safe-houses? Will we have the courage to resist?
At the Virginia ratification convention on June 6th 1788, Madison responded to Patrick Henry’s charge that the Constitution’s enumerated powers would be usurped and our freedoms destroyed by a national government that would quickly seize all power.
Madison: “If the general government were wholly independent of the governments of the particular states, then, indeed, usurpation might be expected to the fullest extent. But, sir, on whom does this general government depend? It derives its authority from these governments, and from the same sources from which their authority is derived.”
Like you, I am under no illusions. We know the regime is ruthless. The consolidated government will do all it possibly can behind the scenes to avoid an amendment convention of the states. Perhaps all they need do is quietly bribe or threaten a few key statehouse members.
I don’t want to think of the alternative, yet I am positive that Marx cannot be indefinitely grafted onto Madison.
Step 1 - Convention of the states.
Step 2 - Impeach Obama.
Step 3 - Indict and try Obama.
Step 4 - Imprison Obama for life.
That is a good list.
Works for me!
I like your ideas. An excellent list to work. Others are coming out in this thread.
You mention the States, and I alluded to some of the problems I see. Example: Last weekend, the AZGOP voted in their annual meeting to Censure Juan McQueeg for his liberal, Democrat loving ways. Before we get all happy about them doing that, let’s bear in mind they had to be dragged to it screaming and kicking by the rank and file (The Censure was a Floor Motion, brought to a vote because 20% of the State Committeemen signed a petition). The rank and file aren’t going to be the people to decide on the delegates who go to an Article V convention. No, they will be the people who were dragged.
Not only will they not do what they want, they will settle scores. With us. In the process they will give the liberals whatever they want because they don’t have an argument.
I have to assume the GOPe is just as sclerotic in more than enough states to yield a pathetic majority of conventioneers.
That sounds like a Constitutional Amendment. I thought we were talking about an Article V convention, called by 3/4 of the states?
It would mean a “new government” when a sufficient number of states ratify the outcome of a convention. If that outcome is a nice, fat socialist package you will see the demagogues come out in volume louder than we’ve ever seen before. You think it’s bad now? Every Fabian Socialist in the Hemisphere will be running ads supporting the new Hope and Change.
The rats control DC. All of it. The America of my grandparents is a memory. America is a police state. Yet there is one avenue, a gift from our framers that is outside the control of our oppressors.
You may be right. Our only hope is enough state legislators act on what they all know. I am under no illusion that America is salvageable. I am however, positive that history will not look well on a people who gaffed off the chance to restore republican freedom. If we do, we deserve the misery that awaits us.
My oops. It is not certain that America can be salvaged.
/johnny
If the States weren’t as rotten as DeeCee, we might have had a chance. The people running the states are too fat, dumb and happy with the current state of affairs.
Nobody on “our” side wants to lead, so we have the situation where the GOPe is more than happy to let the Rats run things. I’m afraid that may be true at the state level too, in which case it’s going to require a complete collapse and Revolution 2.0.
I know the GOP in AZ is a wreck, and no help at all. They had to be dragged feet-first to do just an almost meaningless gesture. I am not as familiar with the other states. I can’t imagine enough of them calling for an Article V, or even a straight Amendment. I do see them ratifying the results if it’s Marxist enough.
Didn’t say my knowledge of it is perfect, I just have a good idea of the players involved.
Your argument is specious. The states must ratify any amendment that the COS proposes. Rabid socialism would not cross the ratification threshold. I see no reason for anxiety here. Beyond that, what is the fear of losing the constitution? The government mearly gives lip service to it now. It is so bad that the leadership of the very people we elected in 2010 are trying to make citizens of invading foriegn nationals for the purpose of...? No, I see very little risk from a convention of states. And I see no hope without one.
Maybe you can first explain to me what "an Article V Constitution" is?
-PJ
A century of government schooling and pro-socialist media propaganda have blinded us to the first cause of government - securing our rights.
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