November is Coming. Learn This or Lose Again Republicans

Human Events ^ | 07/27/2010 | Ron Meyer

[Bad~Rodeo]

As November approaches, the beltway wonders if the Republicans will produce a new 'Contract with America.' How about this: adopt the Constitution as the platform.

Aviation innovator Kelly Johnson reminded us all to KISS – “keep it simple, stupid.”

Every American loves freedom, liberty, and the Constitution. Why come up with new packaging for the same brilliant ideas embedded in our founding document? No proposal the RNC develops can ever be as popular as the Constitution.

Republicans, being supposed conservatives, have nothing left to conserve but the Constitution. We can't endorse the big government policies of the last 10 years – both the Bush and Obama years. In this age of bailouts and trillion-dollar deficits, America craves limited government.

Coincidentally, the Constitution is the original mandate for limited government. "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite," said the father of the Constitution, James Madison.

Article 1, Section 8 lays down the limited powers of the federal government. Bailouts, commercial mandates, entitlements, and much of what Washington does exceeds this defined role. In the name of progressivism, politicians forgot about adding powers through amendment and acted instead through judicial decree.

We trampled our Constitution, turning it from a functional, living document into a worthless, dead piece of paper.

America needs redemption now more than ever. As the debt grows exponentially, we can't afford to pay the interest, much less the principle. The bureaucracies continue to explode, and our entitlement system is unsustainable. Federalism is our best hope.

The 10th Amendment affirms all powers not in the Constitution go to “the States respectively, or to the people.” Washington's failure to

[Freddd]

‘Every American loves freedom, liberty, and the Constitution.’

Well that has been proven wrong...Bill Ayers, Barack Hussein Obama, New Black Panthers, commies and Muslims in congress....

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I think the winning platform idea for the Republicans is to promise to ask the individual States to debate the idea of holding a constitutional convention, with the idea of balancing federal and State power, and restoring the federal government to solvency and order.

This asserts several key ideas.

The first is to admit that the federal government is out of control. So much so that the branches of government, and the political parties, can no longer, are no longer able, to put the federal government back in its constitutional framework.

The proof of this is that the Republicans totally dominated congress, yet could not change the government, and the Democrats were equally incapable of doing so when they dominated congress.

The next idea is that the States debate among themselves what needs to be done to get the federal government in order. And this, itself, is a major goal.

For a constitutional convention to happen is highly improbable, because 34 States must agree to hold a convention. And the *only* thing that would compel them to do so is first, if their power is threatened; and second, if the country faced a disaster if they failed to act.

But right now, groups of the States are forming blocs to challenge the federal government over what are clearly State prerogatives. This in itself might be a precursor to a constitutional convention.

By officially asking the States to debate what changes should be made, there is a very good chance that they would produce a list of solid ideas. And *that* would be the next “Contract With America”.

A balanced budget amendment? A presidential line item veto? To systematically reduce or renounce the impossible national debt? To recall US military forces from most of the 100 countries they are now stationed, to remain in just a critical few?

For the States just to say that such things are a good idea, would do much to propel the federal government in that direction, because it would include the subtle threat that if, once again, the federal government refuses to reform itself, the States will do it for them.

And what of the next Republican dominated federal government? Their big promise would be that if the States decided to hold a constitutional convention, to do several good things, that the federal government not interfere with it, or try to control or lobby it.

And most of all, if 38 of the States agreed to some change, to carry out that change honorably, without attempting to subvert it, or water it down.

This would be one of the greatest American campaign platforms in the history of our nation.

[piytar]

(He words “Constitutional Convention” scare the bejeebers out of many people, me included. Given the state of our polity, we could end up with a constitution that supports a Euromarxist style government with no First, Second, Fourth, or Tenth Amendments. Sure, those are all hurting now, but they at least exist to some degree. That might end.

I like the author’s idea: “The GOP. Our Platform: The Constitution.” It’s a winner.

[cc2k]

The Constitution scares the heck out of the “Republican leadership.” They will never support it.

I live in Florida’s 5th congressional district. We have had a “Living Constitution” progressive Republican representative. Her position on that, more than any other issue, inspired a primary challenger who believes in “limited government” as defined in Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

Ginny is stepping down due to health reasons, and in a very underhanded way, attempted to “hand pick” her successor. The Washington machine is backing Sheriff Rich Nugent with “Leadership PAC” support to the tune of over $32,000. The incumbent’s almost never rally behind someone who is not an incumbent. This year, they supported Trey Grayson in Kentucky against Rand Paul, and in FLorida's 5th district, they are supporting a weak local Sheriff (who isn't very well liked by the local party machinery, especially because of the way he entered the race) against a 9-12 leader and TEA Party favorite who qualified by petition in one of the most populous districts in the country with one of the highest petition requirements.

---

I stand with Jason Sager in Florida's 5th Congressional District.

[Personal Responsibility]

They are all running on being conservative. If, by the grace of God, we take control of Congress they had better GOVERN like Conservatives. Start defunding things. Shrink the size of Government and begin work on repealing Obamacare.

We’re watching.

[Huck]

Article 1, Section 8 lays down the limited powers of the federal government.

And Article 3 lays down a tyrannical, unaccountable judiciary that ruins the whole concept of limited powers. A fatal flaw.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The very idea that a constitutional convention could be radical at all dates from the early 20th Century, when the propaganda was introduced into the public schools that a constitutional convention was “Unthinkable. It would be controlled by radicals.” And it has been taught that way ever since.

But it is not true. A constitutional convention would *inherently* be the most conservative body ever assembled. To start with, 34 States would need to resolve to call it. So far, the *only* issue that ever got near that much support from the States was the Balanced Budget Amendment.

Even more, to pass *any* change to the constitution, 38 States would have to agree. If just 13 States didn’t vote to *approve*, it would not change the current constitution one iota. That means they could vote “no”, or not vote at all.

So the proposition of radicalism assumes that 13 conservative State legislatures do not exist. In the US, there are 7382 State legislators. This would *require* that about 5,537 of them are radicals, Marxists, socialists, whatever. Otherwise, no changes.

You have got to be kidding.

The other popular argument for radicalism is that the federals would take over the convention. That’s a no go, because all federal officials, officers, and employees are forbidden from participating.

Now granted, every lobbyist, spy, radical, and fanatic in the world would try to get in on the deal, so whichever State hosted it would have to likely put it out in a newly built facility in a rural area, and surround it with a heavy gauntlet of determined State police and armed militiamen.

And if the convention did issue a draft that was approved by 38 States, they would likely have to stay in session with the final power to remove and replace any federal official, officer, or employee who refused to make the changes, with one who would, by a simple majority vote. Likewise, anyone who physically attacked or otherwise tried to coerce or violate the convention could be sent to prison for however long the convention decided, and with no right of appeal.

It is very serious affair, which is why it would be best that changes be debated and resolved even before the convention is seated.

[snowrip]

Note to republicans: you have corrupted the idea of a “Contract With America” forever. Run on it again, and you’ll have every voter in the country rolling their eyes and heading the other way.

[mo]

We the People will be making proposals...to our potential employees...their response to our proposals determines whether they go to DC or not.

[mo]

Constitution does all that buddy. Don’t need a ConCon unless there are some Pseudo-americans trying to shuck and jive whats left of the Constitution off the table and out the door. No Thanks!!!

[JSteff]

Start defunding things. Shrink the size of Government and begin work on repealing Obamacare.

They will screw it up, or at least I have complete faith they will follow their last stint in power. There will still be too many RINO's in office.

[38special]

Well don’t hold your breath on that one

[Personal Responsibility]

Agreed - and that’s what I’m afraid of too.

[piytar]

Well duh, I fell for the govt indoctrination on the issue. You make a lot of sense!

[piytar]

BTW, I still think the words “Constitutional Convention” scares the bejebeers out of most people. The govt indoctrination worked. Therefore, it doesn’t make a good campaign platform.

That said, it does make a good goal!

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

Since schools have not been teaching the Constitution at all or in any meaningful way, how can one expect the word to resonate with the younger half of the population? Ironically immigrants who needed to pass the citizenship test probably know much more about the U.S. Constitution than young native born Americans. There need to be remedial simple crash courses online that explain the basics and cardinal importance of the Constitution for America and the world.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Suggested topics for a constitutional convention *discussion* between the individual States. The list is not inclusive, and includes substantial historical background and commentary for each item. Please save and review this list. Comment is appreciated.

Repeal of the 16th (Income Tax) and 17th (Direct Election of US Senators) Amendments of the constitution.

(Another Form of Federal Tax) Amendment.

Balanced Federal Budget.

Prohibition Of Off Budget Expenditures.

Presidential Line Item Veto.

National Census Enumeration Only

Personal Information and Records Limitation by Government and Private Individuals and Organizations.

Corporate Civil Rights As Distinct From The Civil Rights Of Living Persons.

Oligopoly Antitrust.

Presidential War Powers.

Posse Comitatus.

Limitation of Presidential Authority To Declare Martial Law.

Presidential Authority Only Through Cabinet Officers. Appointment and Impeachment of Cabinet Officers. Term Limits for Recess And Temporary Appointments.

Itemized Congressional Approval of All Bureaucratic Regulatory Authority. Regulatory Sunset Provisions.

The Creation of a State Appointed Constitutional Review Court (50 State Judges To Sit As a Federal Nullification Court, a “Second Court” of the United States).

Structural Reorganization of the Federal Judiciary and Limitations to the Authority of Federal Judges.

Reduction of the Size and Authority of the Federal Government and Enabling Acts.

Congressional and Judicial Term Limits.

Provision For The Abrogation Of Treaties And Agreements.

Restoration of State Lands from Federal Land Takings and Limitations of Eminent Domain.

The Creation of a National Tribal Congress for Indigenous Peoples (renegotiation of treaties and integration of tribal and commercial law into federal and State law).

Limitations of Federal Intelligence and Federal Police Authority, Agency Consolidation and Oversight. Incorporation of the SEC and Related Agencies into the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The “Sheriffs First” Rule.

Renunciation of the National Debt.

Abolition of the FED.

Prohibition of Federal Largess to Individuals.

Single Subject Congressional Acts and Amendments.

Abolition of All Government Employee Unions.

(Importantly, this is not an exclusive list. But these are subjects that our State legislators should be debating right now. Nullification, nor just a constitutional amendment or two cannot correct 200+ years of housekeeping that need to be done.)