Did you know the GOP now controls 66 of 99 state legislative houses?

American Thinker ^ | 11/6/2014 | Rick Moran

[lulu16]

I think that the framers had in mind that in the states, it would be the house/ assemblies would be the “people’s” houses and the senate would be control and reign in the US senators actions if they did not respond to the needs of the state’s house.

It was really quite brilliant to have pressure from the state to our senatorial representatives at the federal level. But as we know, the US senators and perfumed princes and only accountable to their donors and their personal agendas.

In this way, perhaps, MCCain, who was censured by his party in AZ, would be yanked back into line and probably impeached by his constituents who he betrayed. Yes, aw girl can dream.

[Seattle Conservative]

Great news about the state houses. I haven’t seen a # of Secretaries of State that won and their political affiliation (and don’t have time to search now as I need to leave for work).

My thoughts/hopes are that with a large # of state legislatures being in Republican control, if the SoS in the states was as well, perhaps they could pass and enforce voter ID and voter fraud laws. I remember reading that a Soros group and a group in Colorado were trying to fund elections for Secretaries of State in various states a few years ago.

[nathanbedford]

These numbers have huge implications for the Article V movement.

The gainsayers among conservatives fear a runaway convention which results in the loss of existing Bill of Rights liberties and the potential for a worse constitutional system. Most of these objections come from people who are myopically focused on the Second Amendment and fear that any Article V activity threatens their right to own and bear arms.

With 66 of 99 legislative houses firmly in control of Republicans, these fears are obviously groundless. It would require three quarters of the state legislatures to force such distortions of the Constitution through and that is simply a practical impossibility. Those conservatives who oppose a convention of the states should reconsider their position in the light of these numbers.

Because Republicans have acquired more control the ability of conservatives to secure meaningful amendments through an Article V convention of the states has been enhanced but is by no means assured. But the downside risk has been virtually eliminated.

[9YearLurker]

Sure, kinda good. But with the concentration of Democrat voters in big cities and states, the GOP ought to have more governors and state houses.

[muskah]

original article has WV going from D to Split. Yesterday it went to R, with a D senator switching to R. The WV senate was 27-7 Dem in 2010—Now it is 18-16 R. In 4 years!! (WITH MORE TO COME—EVEN MANCHIN MAY BE GETTING THE MESSAGE)

[FreeReign]

Did you know the GOP now controls 66 of 99 state legislative houses?

Didn't see any mention of this in the news media.

I bet you Mark Levin knows about it and its implications.

[taxcontrol]

Time for a constitutional convention?

I would like to see an Amendment to structure each state legislature to have 1 senator per county in the State, who is elected from the residents of that county to represent that county in the state legislature. And a same number of representatives to be apportioned by equal distribution of the voter populace of the state. This will reverse a SCOTUS decision and will give greater legislative weight to the rural conservative base.

[Jacquerie]

In addition to your points, I would remind opponents there are around 1.1 guns/American, say 340 million or so.

IIRC, a recent Connecticut law requires some form of gun registration, which has been largely ignored and local law enforcement is in no hurry to enforce.

In 2000, algore went waaaay out his way at the opening of a debate w/GWB to make it very clear that he supported the 2A.

Outside of the moonbat Left there is minuscule, practical opposition to gun rights.

As for the rest of the Bill of Rights, they are largely gone. The remaining peaceful way to possibly restore them is via Article V.

[taxcontrol]

I agree

[montag813]

Is that enough to start an Article V convention?

[lonevoice]

Thanks for the ping

Republican wins at the state legislative level underscore just how complete their vanquishing of the Democrats on Tuesday was.

That can't be a bad thing.

[Crazieman]

The 17th amendment needs to die.

[Kaosinla]

Hear, hear! Article V Convention of the States!

[Jacquerie]

One other aspect of Article V hasn't been discussed very much at FR. Though I know elements of the national government predictably thinks otherwise, the language of Article V doesn't require the states to make identical applications to Congress.

From Federalist 85, just two thirds of them need to apply and Congress must call a convention, and it is at the convention where amendments are proposed.

I won't assign comments to the Framers which I can't prove, but two thirds of the states to merely call a convention is not an especially high hurdle. I don't think it was designed to be as difficult, nearly impossible as the modern statists would have it. It is about what the Articles of Confederation required for major, weighty decisions.

However, three-fourths to ratify amendments is far higher, yet less than the unanimous consent required under the Articles, which BTW were never amended because of it, and in itself lead to the Federal Convention.

Based on the explicit wording of Article V, it is clear that congress must call a state convention to propose amendments when two thirds have applied, with or without justification in the form of amendments.

[nathanbedford]

Based on the explicit wording of Article V, it is clear that congress must call a state convention to propose amendments when two thirds have applied,

I agree with your analysis but, alas, historically the Congress does not. If the Congress could find the slightest deviation in applications for a convention it would simply pocket the application and refused to make the call. That is why I have in the past called for a template to provide identical language from every state which no doubt will be like herding cats as each legislative body will be determined to prove its brilliance by furnishing its own wording.

I was unaware of the provisions in the Federalist papers to which you refer but I have no doubt you are correct.

[JSDude1]

We also control Nebraska (I looked it up).

[SunkenCiv]

What will the Democrats think of next?

[OneWingedShark]

Hear, hear! Article V Convention of the States!

I've already started work on a few proposals for amendments.
[Working Copy of PDF]

[GOPJ]

Odd how the MSM didn’t play this up... or at least mention it...

[NorthMountain]

I hope Manchin and Tomblin feel very alone and depressed ...