There’s a group that has been pushing for a convention for years. The downside as I understand it is lots of things in our constitution could be changed such as limiting our 2nd Amendment rights for instance. It sounds good because we could change something for the better like requiring a balanced budget every year which I like but other things we don’t want changed could also happen.
It’s very likely both sides would get something they want but neither side would walk away completely happy. If we could for sure get everything we want like spelling out the 2A so no state could limit it or prevent legal concealed carry for example; I’d be all for it but not at the expense of losing any 1A rights for example.
There’s the very real fear that a Constitutional Convention will be letting the genie out of the bottle resulting in a lot more than we bargained for. Honestly, I don’t even particularly trust Congressional Republicans right now, let alone Democrats. Very few seem untainted by interests that are less than friendly to American citizens.
You misunderstand the article V convention.
No, it's a certainty the Conservative side could get something (lots of states) and the leftist side would not (only a handful of states) gets nothing. Imagine the end effect of the electoral college over the popular vote for the presidential election, and amplify that effect such that a state like Oklahoma has the same voting rights as California. Now, mind you, this is JUST for the creation of the amendment. Then, it must be ratified by 3/4.
This way, there is no possibility of damage to the 2a. There are two outcomes - limiting the federal government if the Amendments Convention succeeds, or no amendments if it does not.
That is the downside. We’d be opening ourselves up to who knows what from the loons on the other side. Fortunately, we currently have the numbers.
The bad news is, we only have them on paper. We don’t have enough trustworthy Republicans.
It would be a worthwhile exercise if we can spook Congress into doing what we want.
Amendments were designed as a benefit to the people to rein in the government. A new amendment cannot take away a privilege we now have.
38 states have to ratify ANY change with a vote by their respective legislatures.
Nothing that restricts the Bill of Rights would survive that.
The Second Amendment would be safe, and potentially expanded at a convention of the states.
To summarize from a previous post by GraceG:
1. Elect More Republicans - Failed due to RINO/Uni-party confluence.
2. Article V Convention of States to propose Amendments - Needed to try to take power from the federal government back to the states and reel in the federal leviathan.
3. State Nullification - Last ditch effort to try to take power back from the federal monster, though by this point it may be too late.
4. State Secession - Could either end up peaceably like the breakup of the Czechoslovakia in 1993 or a brutal:
5. Civil War II like the first one.... The longer we wait on #2, the more likely #3, then #4 and finally #5. .
So, do we do nothing and just wait for # 5?
Quick review: We need 34 states to pass an application, then Congress shall, by law, call a Convention of States as soon as it receives applications from 2/3 of the State Legislatures. That's 34 states. As of right now, there are 8 states that have applied using the Georgia language: AL, AK, FL, GA, IN, LA, OK, TN and 36 state legislative chambers or bodies have filed or passed resolutions. Amendments are proposed and voted on at the convention. Each Amendment must be ratified by 3/4 of the states in order to become part of the US Constitution. That's 38 states.
There are multiple arguments against a COS. Do not be dissuaded. In reality, there are so many checks and balances against a runaway convention that the risk is near zero. As nathanbefored said, “It requires only 13 statehouse legislatures from 13 different states out of 99 legislatures in 50 states to block an amendment. The problem is not a runaway convention, the problem is getting any amendment through."
"There are far more political and legal constraints on a runaway convention than on a runaway Congress." - Robert Natelson
Most FReepers are aware of these links, but I post anyway for review and for people new to Article V. It is our responsibility to make Article V the most understood aspect of the US Constitution.
****Please see this summary video from Alabama first: Convention of States - Alabama Way to go Alabama! A great introduction!
***Another good introduction video Convention of States: The Plan to Restore America
Utah Rep. Nelson: The Constitution Hangs in the Balance A good five minute review
Utah's Merrill Nelson: The only way to check federal power is with the power of the states
***For the Young People Overview of the COS Project at Washington Freedom Summit Laura Fennig, a COS Grassroots Coordinator, describes the COS Project plan and how you can get involved!
Rep. Bill Taylor introduces a Convention of States
Convention of States Live! with Mike Farris
The Case for an Article V Convention. Great explanation of an Article V convention to the Massachusetts State Legislature.
**** Convention of States Lots of information here.
**** Article V Blog by Jacquerie. Excellent and worth following.
**** Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the Liberty Amendments A great overview of Article V.
Learn about the Convention of States The Problem, the Solution and the Strategy
Call a Convention A call for a Convention of States
Missouri state senator delivers amazing testimony (video) Reasoned speech on why we need an Article V Convention.
Article V Project to Restore Liberty Another good source.
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: Introduction
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: The Federalist I
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: The Federalist II
Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments: Part IV
Cultural Marxism and the need for an Article V COS by Hostage
Convention of States model Resolution
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
Mark Levin: "The Liberty Amendments" - Complete Sean Hannity Special + other Links
List of Mark Levin You Tube Videos
Citizens for Self-Governance: Convention of States Project Youtube hub - Lots of educational videos here
Mark Levin Article V, Liberty Amendments youtube video hub
Three hour video of C-Span interview with Mark Levin
*** Mark Levin's ALEC Speech, Dec 4, 2014
Gaining Steam? Nearly 100 Lawmakers Descend on Mount Vernon to Talk Convention of States The beginning.
Curing Federal Dysfunction by Constitutional Amendment: A Primer Professor Rob Natelson
Our American Constitution, Article V Rob Natelson's Article V articles
We can fight the uniparty! States, the Natural Second Party by Jacquerie
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
The Indiana Statute that will Govern their Delegates
Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention:
Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part I)
Congress' Present Duty to Call a convention. (Part II)
Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part III)
Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part IV)
Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention. (Part V)
Congress' Failure to Call an Amendments Convention. (Part VI)
The 17th Amendment – A Mistake That Keeps on Giving
Ulysses at the Mast: Democracy, Federalism, and the Sirens' Song of the Seventeenth Amendment by Jay Bybee. Repeal the 17th! Shorter Abstract here: Ulysses at the Mast, one page Abstract
****For those of you that still have doubts about the Article V process, please review: Responses To Convention Of States Opposition My initial concerns were resolved after reading these articles. My attitude now is Go For It!
Sarah Palin: Debunking the myths of a Convention of States
A Single-Subject Convention Addresses the "runaway convention" fear.
John Birch Society Denies Its History and Betrays Its Mission The original Birchers were for an Article V Convention.
Publius Huldah vs. Article V: Introduction by Rodney Dodsworth
Update: Convention of States by the numbers The current State count
Convention of States Gaining Momentum
Assembly of State Legislatures – Article V
***Indiana Statute - Duties of Article V Convention Delegates A good example for other states and one of the safeguards.
****Proposing Constitutional Amendments by a Convention of States - An Article V Handbook for State Legislators An important resource.
****State Initiation of Constitutional Amendments: A Guide for Lawyers and Legislative Drafters The Bible on Convention of States
**** State Legislators Article V Caucus State Legislators, Join up at this site!
Most State Legislatures are in session now. 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.
Excellent Article V Letter to a State Assemblyman by Jacquerie
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke.
Let’s all work together to get this going!