Why is it that people go crazy with hysterical fears about an Article V conference of state lawmakers to propose amendments to the US Constitution?
The Illinois lawmakers referenced in this article are 2 democrats and 1 republican. The 2 dems are concerned about campaign finance meaning they want to amend the 1st Amendment and only that. The republican is spouting about Article V must leave open the door to all proposals.
Yes of course, any state lawmaker can propose whatever they like. For example, a state lawmaker can propose an amendment that requires Congress members to dress in togas and bark at a full moon before adjourning Congress for the holidays.
The reality is that there are going to be only one or two proposals that get the support of 34 States. It takes 2/3’s of the States (34 States) to propose an amendment and then it takes 3/4’s of States (38 States) to ratify an amendment and make it part of the Constitution. I see at most only one amendment making it all the way through to ratification.
But only one amendment will do the job because Congress and the Federal Courts need to be put on notice that the People have had enough and are not going to take any more of their interference in their lives. Once an Article V process is completed, Congress should never again take the American people for granted.
Indeed, if you're a supporter of term limits, an Article V convention is the only way it will ever happen -- as the delegates wouldn't be voting on limiting their own terms.
“Why is it that people go crazy with hysterical fears about an Article V conference of state lawmakers to propose amendments to the US Constitution?”
Only two groups of people object to the Article V convention of the states. The first group doesn’t understand Article V and how a convention of the states works. The second group is vehemently opposed to decentralization of federal power to the states. If you look closely, you may find that the second group is the spurring the first group.
One amendment likely to emerge from the Article V process is restoration of state representation at the federal level. That would get the support of state legislatures regardless of political orientation. However, the fed gov’t stands to lose influence over states if that happens and many online posts are likely to be made by people with a vested interest in the feds having centralized influence. Consider the unfunded mandates that come out of Wash DC and how many special interests like that kind of power over the states.