[thescourged1]

Indeed it does. Sorry for not being more succinct, but I meant striking off to chart their own course outside of a Constitution that is no longer being followed anyways.

We are hobbled by our own laws, while the lawless govern. That cannot stand. And why should we? Because serfdom is safer? Is leaving the republic in order to escape the tightening noose around our necks that frightening?

I'm not raging at you, FRiend, but I do truly wonder where this is all going to end. Elections are worthless, we've all seen this now. Laws are ignored. Politicians are bought and sold like trading cards. What recourse is there?

Article V would be an answer if our government wasn't so corrupt. Amending a Constitution that is routinely ignored or sidestepped will solve nothing. If anything, I believe it would instigate a Federal push-back, much earlier than our overlords have planned.

/seditious rant off

[nathanbedford]

I do not advance Article V with the Pollyanna faith in the process. To get favorable amendments through (which is entirely different from preventing unfavorable amendments which is very very easy) is a daunting challenge. I do not believe it will be accomplished apart from some sort of national trauma which I call a "black Swan" event which so jars the national psyche that the people become ready to accept real reform. When that happens the left will also be ready to strike; they will not be likely to let a good crisis go to waste. Will we be prepared?

Assuming that reasonable amendments are enacted, if the amendments are well founded and if they are process amendments, we have good prospects that they will be observed for a long period of time.

But even with process amendments, you are both right in the end culture trumps politics and if we are not a virtuous people no words on paper or even parchment will save us. Nevertheless, our duty is to soldier on and never take counsel of our fears (Stonewall Jackson).