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To: SMGFan

The 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia also involved states without input from Congress. Most delegates were under the impression the purpose of the Convention was to merely modify the Articles of Confederation but James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay had different plans. They intended all along to use the Convention as a means to replace the Articles of Confederation with a stronger Federal Government via the Constitution. They were able to bargain with most of the delegates, bit by bit, to support a stronger federal government. Some objected and left before the Convention was adjourned but most supported the Constitution.

Article 12 of The Articles of Confederation required approval from all the states and Congress to alter the document. This process did not occur. Only 9 states were needed to ratify the Constitution. Congress under the Articles of Confederation never approved the Constitution. It can therefore be argued the Constitution is illegal.

An equally important point is that delegates and those they represent can demand the Convention for a particular purpose or purposes but all that can change once delegates get behind closed doors. Anything can happen as occurred in 1787 and no one on the outside can stop a sudden turn of events. The result could very well be a document unlike what was originally intended. A Convention would be a dangerous proposition.


3 posted on 08/12/2013 6:00:31 PM PDT by Sherman Hale
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To: Sherman Hale

It. Is. Not. A. Constitutional Convention. It is a process where 2/3 of states propose AMENDMENTS rather than congress. They still need to be ratified in the same manner.

Please read and comprehend before you shoot your mouth off.


4 posted on 08/12/2013 6:08:19 PM PDT by Crazieman (Are you naive enough to think VOTING will fix this entrenched system?)
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To: Sherman Hale

The Constitutional Convention produced the Constitution. The Constitutional provision for states to amend the Constitution does not provide for another Constitutional Convention.


5 posted on 08/12/2013 6:11:57 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: Sherman Hale
The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a an amendment convention; the Constitution does. By your logic, the calling of a convention itself by Congress in 1787 violated the articles.

State delegates today to an amendment convention will arrive with commissions that define their authority. There is no possibility of a runaway convention.

6 posted on 08/12/2013 6:14:10 PM PDT by Jacquerie (To restore the 10th Amendment, repeal the 17th.)
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