The Article V Initiative: The way for the states to end Washington’s spending

Canada Free Press ^ | May 20, 2014 | By Herman Cain

[kingattax]

If you’re frustrated by the refusal of Congress to stop its fiscal insanity – and how could you not be? – it’s time to start realizing that the Constitution gives states and the people more power over Congress than most realize. And right now there is an effort called the Article V Initiative that would wield and deploy that power.

Most people don’t know, because they have never been taught, that Article V of the Constitution empowers the people through their state legislatures to propose amendments. Specifically, Article V proscribes a process in which two-thirds of state legislatures (34 total) can vote to direct Congress to call a meeting of the states for the purpose of proposing amendments.

This is not a constitutional convention, which would be for the purpose of writing an entirely new Constitution. It is solely for the purpose of voting to enact amendments. Once such a meeting of the states is called (and Congress cannot refuse if two-thirds of the states call for it), then any amendment would require a vote of three-fourths (38 total) of state legislatures for ratification.

I spoke this past weekend to the people leading the Article V initiative. They are determined to work with state legislatures to bring on board the 34 states that would call for this meeting of the states.

[kingattax]

spending isn't the only issue that needs to be addressed.

[Lowell1775]

Not to be a negative nellie, but.....if the DC Imperium on the Potomac can not be compelled to obey existing clauses, articles and amendments....how will new restrictions fare any better?

[kingattax]

very good question.

[familyop]

Oh, yeah. We can trust state and local politicians and their boss constituents. [Little irony there.]

[Art in Idaho]

Good article by Herman Cain.

Research links on the Article V process and the Liberty Amendments:

Convention of States - Alabama Way to go Alabama! A good introduction.

'Convention of states' to rein in government? Another great summary explanation.

The Case for an Article V. Convention. Fantastic explanation of Article V convention to the Mass State Legislature.

I would recommend watching the above three videos first and then:

Convention of States Lots of information here.

A Summary of Mark Levin’s Proposed Amendments by Jacquerie

Chapter 1 of Mark Levin’s Book, The Liberty Amendments

Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the Liberty Amendments

Article V Project to Restore Liberty

Rep. Bill Taylor introduces a Convention of States

Citizens for Self Governance: Convention of States Project – a hub of 15 youtube videos on the Convention of States

Mark Levin Article V, Liberty Amendments youtube video hub

Three hour video of C-Span interview with Mark Levin

Amendments Convention Links

Gaining Steam? Nearly 100 Lawmakers Descend on Mount Vernon to Talk Convention of States The beginning.

Convention to Propose Amendments to the United States Constitution

The Other Way to Amend the Constitution: The Article V Constitutional Convention Amendment Process

Friends of Article V Convention Links

Ulysses at the Mast: Democracy, Federalism, and the Sirens' Song of the Seventeenth Amendmentby Jay Bybee. Repeal the 17th!

Article V Convention: Path of Least Resistance by Robert Berry

The Final Constitutional Option

Article V Handbook - for State Legislators An important resource.

State Legislators Article V Caucus State Legislators, Join up at this site!

Send this list of links to your State Representatives and Senators here: Contact your State Legislators.

Sample Letter to state Representatives regarding the Convention of States Project and also, Talking Points. Both from Here.

Excellent Article V Letter to a State Assemblyman by Jacquerie

Let’s all work together to get this going.

The Federal Government is broken. We owe it to The Founders and ourselves to attempt a rational Article V amendment process. If it doesn't work, or is hijacked, then fine, it's on to what we're all expecting anyway, revolution. It's your call America.

[Jacquerie]

....how will new restrictions fare any better?

With structural amendments that cannot be ignored. Repeal of the 17th amendment would restore essential, freedom saving separation of powers between the states and the government they created.

A balanced budget statute is all well and good, but out of control spending is a symptom and not the cause of our distress.

[Jacquerie]

Article V ping!

[nathanbedford]

how will new restrictions fare any better?

The old Constitution retarded the progressives for a century until they have degraded the document to the point where it has virtually no original meaning left to us today. We watch the Constitution, or what's left of it, being amended willy-nilly by a president with a telephone and a pen, a Congress with changing rules, or by four progressives and an unreliable, rootless, Justice and by an army of faceless, nameless, unelected bureaucrats.

Instead, why don't we at least try Article V and hold the bastards back for another century?

The realities of the the conservative count of the state legislatures are such that the downside risk is minimal and the upside potential is attractive.

[VRW Conspirator]

2 + 2 = V

[TurboZamboni]

Our rulers are not even considering the Constitutional issues involved. Not once have I heard or read that 0bama , Reid, Pelosi or anyone in a position of real power has even brought up the Constitution as a serious matter for discussion in regards to the current expansion of government.

The only time our rulers invoke the Constitution is when they think they can use it for political advantage. But this tactic is waning rapidly as our rulers have come to understand that the vast majority of the electorate either don’t understand what they are talking about or don’t care.

The Constitution is now whatever our rulers say it is. It has no intrinsic meaning. Our rulers find rights where there are none and abrogate rights that are clearly stated in the document. We are now a nation ruled by caprice and political fad. This is a recipe for chaos and, eventually, tyranny and rebellion.

[Graewoulf]

Well said, to a point.

For example “ - - - and hold the bastards back for another century - - - “ is a defensive stance.

In politics or War, one must go on Offense to win.

I support the Article V Initiative, and a many other defense and offense-based initiatives.

For example, if we are to benefit from what has and what has not worked in our Republic, we need to pause, from time to time and reflect on a skeptical examination of the basic assertions of the counterculture activists.

Ponder this:

The Obamanation formula for the successful financial “Fundamental Transformation of the United States of America” can be defined, in part, as follows:

Mc + Vf = Sg

Where:

* Mc = Marxist Communism, defined by Englishman Intellectual Karl Marx as: “FROM EACH ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS NEED.”

* Vf = Volker Failure threshold of permanent financial failure as defined by Economist Intellectual Paul Volker: “The Federally Regulated stimulation of financial debt, Private, State, or Federal, until that financial debt exceeds what can be recovered in a court-managed bankruptcy.”

* Sg = Single Government, which is the system were everybody must pay a single Government entity, historically it has been an oppressive Dictator.

With over FOUR years of consistent refusal by Doormat Republicans, such as Boehner and Cantor, to enforce the Constitutional House Checks and Balances, Obama could not have asked for more gullible and unpatriotic enablers than Speaker Boehner and House majority Leader Cantor.

FORWARD, IN THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM !

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

It is time for those pushing an Article Five convention to tell us what is wrong with the current Constitution, they sound like a bunch of obama flakes yelling “Change, for changes sake”.

[T-Bird45]

It’s not the current Constitution, it’s the way it’s been manipulated that’s the problem. You really need to go back up the thread to the post with all those RED LINKS and start reading through the material there. I’d suggest you start with any that reference Mark Levin.

[Graewoulf]

History will record, (IMHO), that the current US House Republican Leadership failed for four long years to defend the US Constitution and implement the Constitutional Checks and Balances that they were given stewardship of.

Thus, the pathway has been cleared for all future incompetent wanna-be dictators that are elected to the White House to continue the “Fundamental Transformation of the United States of America” that has given Obama such progressively enjoyable, and EASY counterculture success.

The soft underbelly of the US Federal Government is now obvious to all: There is no effective penalty to those who violate the US Constitution, IF Federal politicians simply refuse to employ Constitutional Checks and Balances.

I call these current US House Republicans Leaders, and those House Members who keep the current House Leaders in power, “DOORMAT Republicans.” History will not be so kind - - - - .

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Graewoulf,

I am in total agreement with you.

[TBP]

We should enact a constitutional limit on spending, as Switzerland has.

[Graewoulf]

I knew that!

BTW, thanks for asking THE challenge question: “Put up or shut up, y’all!”

I like these type of threads,
Where - - -
Flame and Blame
Are put to shame,
And dialogue,
Sweet dialogue prevails!

[Jacquerie]

It is time for those pushing an Article Five convention to tell us what is wrong with the current Constitution, they sound like a bunch of obama flakes yelling “Change, for changes sake”.

Maybe you didn't lurk very long before you joined FreeRepublic a couple months ago. Article V in general and repeal of the 17th in particular have been topics here since April 2013. Your gratuitous insult reflects your ignorance of why an Article V convention to recommend structural changes is absolutely necessary.

IF you wish to learn, check out as T-Bird45 recommended, post #5. You can also keyword Article V and 17th for dozens of posts.

[Jacquerie]

There is little to lose and much to gain.

I suspect this growing movement will make the national scene next month when the Assembly of States meet in Indianapolis on June 12th. Herman Cain is onboard, and other radio personalities will probably pick it up. If Judge Napolitano of FNN joins, it could be an issue in the November elections.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Jacquerie,

I have forgotten more about the US Constitution than you will ever know. Time here on FR has nothing to do with knowledge of our Constitution or this illegitimate g0vt.