Delegates Begin Planning for Changes to U.S. Constitution [Mt. Vernon Assembly : See Article V]

Northwest Indiana Times ^ | June 12th, 2014 | Dan Carden

[Jacquerie]

INDIANAPOLIS | Representatives and senators from 29 states met Thursday in the Indiana Statehouse to begin planning for the first state-led revisions to the U.S. Constitution since the nation's fundamental governing document was enacted in 1789.

The significance of the work undertaken by The Mount Vernon Assembly to prepare for a future Convention of the States was not lost on the 94 official and participating delegates, mostly Republicans, who filled the House chamber.

"Nothing like this has occurred in over two centuries, though certainly the founders of this nation assumed it would have happened long ago," said Indiana Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne, an organizer of the meeting.

However, because an Article V convention never has been called, there are no clear procedures on how it would begin, what rules the convention would follow or whether it could be limited in scope.

The Mount Vernon Assembly, which organized last December at George Washington's Virginia estate and is planning to change its name to the Assembly of State Legislatures, has taken it upon itself to start answering those questions to ensure a future Convention of the States gets off on the right foot.

In the afternoon, delegates organized into four committees to begin tackling detailed planning questions for a Convention of the States, including how many delegates each state should have, whether states must send Congress an identical request and whether past state calls for Article V conventions, such as those submitted by Indiana in 1861 and 1979, are still valid.

State Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, was appointed co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He will help shape answers to those questions and others ahead of the assembly's December meeting, where its proposed rules for a Convention of the States will be approved.

[Norm Lenhart]

If you do the A5 right, the Supreme court does what it’s allowed to do. And nothing more.

[moovova]

I don’t know.

[familyop]

"The courts have undermined the constitution. How do we stop that?"

By having the bar associations lobbies of the states and lawyers in the state legislatures choose senators from now on.

Oh, uh, never mind.

[LeoWindhorse]

so be it

never serveds should not lead those that do

[ZULU]

See my post - # 49.

Democrats getting involved in this is HORRIFIC!!!The Second and First and Tenth Amendments will be thrown out with the bathwater.

DO NOT SCREW AROUND WITH THE CONSTITUTION.

[familyop]

"Lots of alphabets closed. Lots of fed workers back to private industry/business. Lots of offices shuttered for lack of purpose. Lots of laws nullified and programs eliminated."

Why would the state and local governments cut off their supply of federal funding and government employee spending in local stores? Maybe we should continue cutting our personal spending in order to legally and honorably choke the monster from the bottom, up.

[Norm Lenhart]

Because thats not how government is supposed to work perhaps?

[familyop]

"Exactly...All we need to do is enforce the Constitution and Bill of Rights that we have...And put a lock on activist Judges..."

There's a way to do that. Elect only non-lawyers to state legislatures and Congress.

[familyop]

"Because thats not how government is supposed to work perhaps?"

I agree very much that government isn't meant to be an insatiable gobbler of pork, but most people in government want government to continue working that way. The special interest folks want their politicians to work that way, too (anti-competition).

Becoming more self-sufficient is an interesting pastime for many, and personally spending less can be very rewarding. True, that it's not for everyone. That's okay. But we'll all be better off in the long run, if many do (debt/revenues not so easily taken, better leadership).

Another interesting look of many is that of seeing demographics of energy company investors (mostly socialists), and there are certainly some great ways to save much on home heating energy (rocket stove mass heaters, solar hydronic drainback, masonry heaters for those who can afford them,...). Same with bonds. One can call off that long distance vacation for at least a year or two (fuel, junk food, etc.) or put off big building projects (fees and more fees). Gardening can be fun and rewarding for many.

Against the wishes of many government-connected folks in politics, most importantly, people should be "sustainable." Pets, trees and property values are nice, but people are much more important. Many young "hipsters" have learned that valuable lesson over time. Why are the mighty political/regulator folks seemingly incapable of learning that?

[itssme]

Does anyone know what Mark Levin's opinion is, he being a Constitutional scholar/lawyer, where this Delegation is concerned, and what they're proposing to do? Does anyone know of Senator Ted Cruz’ opinion is of this delegation, he also being a Constitutional scholar/lawyer by education?

[Jacquerie]

Spare me your gibberish and silly insults.

From the beginning in 1776, the Framing generation experienced overly democratic state governments . The states relied on public virtue more than governmental structure to secure rights. Bad idea.

It didn't work well at all. For one, property was not secure. Personally moral men passed immoral laws that favored debtors and screwed creditors.

Poor state governments that abused revolutionary tenets are the reason the states called for a convention in 1787.

Learning from experience, our Framers took account of man's fallen nature and designed a government that beautifully divided power and secured rights.

The fact that men and women met yesterday and will meet today to deal with a horribly corrupted system is proof there are still freedom loving citizens among us.

[Jacquerie]

No kidding. Obama has gathered despotic powers, he openly leads an invasion of our southern border, the BOR is just about gone, and many Freepers think we just need to keep voting.

[Jacquerie]

why would anybody think he’d obey a new Constitution?

Through structural amendments that cannot be ignored.

A Summary of Mark Levin’s Proposed Amendments.

[Jacquerie]

Levin supports the assembly. He interviewed its organizer, Senator David Long of Indiana.

[itssme]

Thanx for the info. I listen to his podcasts nightly and value his opinion highly.

[Jacquerie]

It's the nature of man to seek power, and those who legislate in the states are no different from those in DC.

At the Assembly of States meeting in Indianapolis, legislators are reminded that they do not have to put up with an abusive, all powerful national government. They can retrieve the freedom securing power of our original constitutional design.

[Jacquerie]

You are welcome. I'm amazed at the number of Freepers who would abort this absolutely necessary movement to reassert our freedoms.

[Jacquerie]

The courts have undermined the constitution. How do we stop that?

Restore the governmental structure of 1787. Anti-10th Amendment judges were unknown before the 17th Amendment of 1913.

Return the states to the senate, and no anti-state judicial nomination will ever again get out of the senate judiciary committee. Eventually, no president will bother nominating such men.

Division of power between the states and the government they created is absolutely necessary to the restoration of republican freedom.

[mdmathis6]

Most folks haven’t served in the army, should they be forced to vote for someone who has? I think you have a laudable sentiment but your opinion if enacted would start a whole new slippery slope of chains of events! US Grant was not a good president and scandal marked his administration. Good soldiers don’t always make good politicians...witness John McCain!

[Faith65]

I for one am concerned about what might go horribly wrong with this movement and only end up handing over more control to our elitist rulers. As it stands now- our govt does whatever it wants regardless of laws.

I wish I saw a glimmer of hope for our country but without the true intervention of our God, I think our country is lost forever.