Free Republic

Rep. Duncan Hunter on Tuesday asked Congress to evaluate whether enough states have officially called for a constitutional convention to propose a balanced budget amendment — marking the next step toward what could be an historic gathering. Mr. Hunter, California Republican, said Congress should take stock of where things stand after Michigan last week approved an official call for a balanced budget amendment convention. According to some analysts, Michigan’s move makes it the 34th state to request a convention.

Most sentient humans have ideological beliefs. When they become acceptable substitutes for rational thought they can be pernicious.Jonathan Turley, whom I consider a liberal in the old-fashioned sense and not what I refer to as a "librul," today testified before the House Judiciary Committee on usurpations of congressional authority by the President, regulatory agencies and the courts -- often with congressional acquiescence if not encouragement. The transcript of his prepared remarks is at the second link. He neither had an epiphany on the road to Damascus nor became a "far right" conservative; he has long held and expressed the views stated in his...

We often hear talk about pressing for a constitutional convention as a means to address issues that Congress keeps avoiding, especially on debt and spending levels as well as intrusion on states’ rights. States have that option, as long as two-thirds agree on a demand for such a meeting — which hasn’t taken place since the US Constitution was put forward more than 220 years ago. Did a recent call from Michigan for action on balancing the budget hit the two-thirds mark? A similar issue came up during the debate over the Equal Rights Amendment, which stalled and died in...

Elections matter in republics. I question the practical, modern purpose of American elections. Their traditional purpose was to determine who will represent us in a law-making congress and who the electoral college appoints as President. Subsequently, these people were to promote the general welfare and happiness of a free people. Is that what we have? Is it our recent experience? Does Congress draft, debate and send to the President the rules that govern a free people? Instead of responsible, accountable government, we endure a lawless executive whose perception of constitutional powers is that which he and his handlers believe he...

State Rep. Paulette Rakestraw Braddock announced that on Wednesday, March 19, the Georgia Senate passed by a vote of 30-25 the Compact for a Balanced Budget Amendment. "I am thrilled to see Georgia take the lead to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington," said Rep. Rakestraw Braddock, the lead sponsor of the legislation. Our Georgia lawmakers are saying, 'Enough is enough' to the burgeoning $18 trillion federal debt. We are the first in the nation to call for an Article V constitutional convention of states to rein in out-of-control Washington spending." The Amendment now awaits Georgia Governor Nathan Deal's signature. Read...

Ever since 1998 when I first learned of the Convention process (Precinct, County, State and then National) I have gone to my precinct and county conventions. Sometimes I have gone on to the State Convention but I like being involved in writing the State Republican party platform. Each convention works the same way, elect delegates to go to the next step and pass resolutions to go to the next step. This is the true grassroots. Today was my 1st County convention in my new county that I moved to after “Going Galt”. Mostly things went well, a few didn’t work...

Today, Florida took another step toward reclaiming federal powers foolishly given away in 1913. The Senate Rules Committee passed by 8-5, the following resolution: Amendments to the Constitution of the United States; Applying to Congress to call a convention for the sole purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States which impose fiscal restraints on the Federal Government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. Every Republican voted yea, every Democrat nay.

The Rules Committee of the Florida Senate will take up SM476 this coming Thursday, March 20th at 10:30 AM. SM476 is an application to Congress for an Article V state amendment convention: Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: (1) That the Legislature of the State of Florida does hereby make application to Congress pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of the United States to call an Article V convention for the sole purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States which: (a) Impose fiscal restraints on the Federal Government. (b) Limit the power and...

Just having to vent against all the damned ignorance concerning an Article V convention of the states to PROPOSE new amendments to reel in Federal power and hand it back to the States. Too many people just seem to think that an Article V convention of STATE Legislatures is a RE-WRITE of the entire constitution which it is NOT. Here are some points to counter the ignorance: 1. The congress can propose ANY new amendments RIGHT NOW already!!!! The Potomac fevered morons that comprise both parties could decide tomorrow to propose a new amendment to repeal the Presidential Term limit...

If you’re interested in the Convention of States Project and enjoy a good, old-fashioned debate, you’re in for a treat. Convention of States Project director Michael Farris will join Oklahoma State Senator Rob Standridge on March 19 and 20 to debate leaders of the Oklahoma John Birch Society on the efficacy of calling a Convention of States to stop the abuses of Washington, D.C. Questions have been swirling around the Convention of States issue, and Michael and Rob look forward to answering many of them. A Convention of States is our best chance to stop the overreach of the federal...

Oklahomans committed to liberty united to defeat the the money spent by con-con supporters.The Inside Story of How Oklahomans Beat the Con-Con 16 March 2014 “Whenever our affairs go obviously wrong, the good sense of the people will interpose and set them to rights.” — Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 1789 Jefferson would be proud of the constitutionally minded citizens of Oklahoma and their recent defeat of the forces pushing for a second constitutional convention. As we reported last week, the Oklahoma State House of Representatives decided not to vote to apply for a constitutional convention (con-con) under the...

The Oklahoma state House of Representatives decided not to apply for a constitutional convention. Oklahoma Won't Apply for Con-Con, Votes Not There 13 March 2014 After a close battle that featured several late nights, the Oklahoma State House of Representatives has decided not to vote to apply for a constitutional convention (con-con) under the authority of Article V of the Constitution. Put simply, the votes needed to approve the con-con application were not there, and it's now dead for this year's legislative session in Oklahoma. This is a crucial victory in the struggle to protect the Constitution and the...

The John Birch Society describes itself as a constitutionalist organization, yet it is highly critical of a very important component of the Constitution. The JBS does not like Article V’s provision that allows the States to unilaterally propose and ratify amendments to the Constitution. George Mason demanded that this provision be included in Article V because he correctly forecast the situation we face today. He predicted that Washington, D.C. would violate its constitutional limitations and the States would need to make adjustments to the constitutional text in order to rein in the abuse of power by the federal government. Current...

In North Korea, an untouchable dictator and tiny cadre of supporters rule every aspect of the lives of tens of millions. In the United States, an untouchable president, and a tiny cadre of cabinet secretaries and federal judges write illegitimate laws that increasingly rule more and more aspects of the lives of hundreds of millions. What happened? Our framing generation knew that undivided power inevitably lead to undivided tyranny. Set aside all the theories of government, and one thing pops out as an historical certainty. The fewer the number of men ruling from one locality, the more oppressive that government...

Great news! Thanks to your calls and letters, the Florida Judiciary Committee passed the COS application earlier this morning. The vote was a bipartisan 7-2. You can watch the video or listen to the audio here. You can also email and call members of the committee by referencing our previous blog post. Here’s how everyone voted. In Favor: •Sen. Lee •Sen. Soto •Sen. Bradley •Sen. Gardiner •Sen. Latvala •Sen. Richter •Sen. Thrasher Opposed: •Sen. Ring •Sen. Joyner Congratulations to our team in Florida for a job well done. And thanks to our team across the country for lending their support...

Having been dormant for centuries, a potent section in the U.S. Constitution is now in the minds and on the lips of a new generation of reformers who are determined to keep the nation out of an abyss. As America stares hard at the darkness ahead, the new reformers have begun to popularize this forgotten constitutional provision that might well become Official Washington's undoing.

Does a state have the right to nullify federal statutes the state considers unconstitutional? This depends largely on how you define “nullification.” It also depends on what you mean by “right” and what kind of document you understand the Constitution to be. IOW, it depends on your premises. Unfortunately, people often discuss/debate, and attack each other over—the merits or demerits of nullification without making their premises clear. The result is quarreling among people who are fundamentally on the same side. The Constitution has been characterized as: * A compact (i.e., contract) to which only the states are parties, by which...

This just in! The Georgia Senate has passed the COS application by a vote of 37-17, becoming the first state legislative body to do so. The resolution has six sponsors: Majority Whip Cecil Staton (R-Macon) of the 18th District, Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer (R-Duluth) of the 48th District, Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) of the 16th District, Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) of the 49th District, Judson Hill (R-Marietta) of the 32nd District and Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) of the 51st District. Both state senators representing Bartow County, Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) and Bruce Thompson (R-White), are among the resolution’s co-signers. We'll post more...

Check out his month's COS Project Scholarship Contest winners! The picture we posted is the Viral Award winner in the 12-17 age division. The Staff Choice winner in the 12-17 division --> http://ow.ly/tfe4C The Viral Award winner in the 18-22 age division --> http://ow.ly/tfeGL And the Staff Choice winner in the 18-22 age division --> http://ow.ly/tfdZ7

In what is taking shape as a sort of Great Awakening, state legislators have begun to learn that they hold equal status with Congress when it comes to proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Indeed, a handful of state legislators from each state, as yet unknown, are destined for the annals of American history the moment the nation's first Convention for Proposing Amendments is gaveled to order. The process, found in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, requires the legislatures of at least two thirds (34) of the states to pass resolutions demanding that Congress call a "Convention for Proposing...