For those who think the Article V process is too risky, I ask, "What other options do you see?"
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 now there are 12: AL, AK, AZ, FL, GA, IN, LA, MO, ND, OK, TN, TX. For a Convention of the States dedicated to Georgia's application language which would rebalance state and federal powers, the count is now 12 down, 22 to go.
So far, 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 nathanbedford 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
Can We Trust the Constitution? Answering The “Runaway Convention” Myth For those who are worried about a runaway convention.
A Convention of States - Part 1 Answering the "They're not following it now" Argument
A Convention of States - Part 2 Answering the "Runaway Convention" and other Arguments
Exposed: George Soros launches campaign against Convention of States If Soros opposes Article V, it must be a great idea!
The Convention of States Article V Application
Missouri state senator delivers amazing testimony (video) Reasoned speech on why we need an Article V Convention.
The Indiana Statute: Duties of Article V convention delegates.
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
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
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
From Rodney Dodsworth at Jacquerie’s Article V Blog: “We are the many, our oppressors are the few. Be proactive. Be a Re-Founder. Join Convention of States. Sign the COS Petition
I end this list of links with one of my favorites: Real Answers to Article V Questions by Rita M. Dunaway, J.D. A masterpiece. From the article:
"Our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor when they fought a bloody revolution to secure for us the right of self-governance. They knew a day would come when we would need a way to restrain a power-grabbing federal government. So they gave us Article V’s convention mechanism."
"Once we understand the truth about Article V, there is one question that remains. Are we really so fearful a people that we will stand by and watch our federal government mutate into a socialist regime rather than "risk" sending our state representatives to a meeting?"
"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!
The few 1-5 options we have, plus a long index of A5 resources; nicely done.
To me, what's "risky" is the current status quo.
Indeed, maybe we could elect more Republicans to Congress. But Art, you are so right: What's the point, if there's no dime's worth of difference between GOP politicians and Dem ones, in terms of the "confluence" of their self-serving main political interest, which is simply to preserve their privileges and get re-elected?
The "official" political culture emanating from Washington cares more about self-preservation at any cost than actually executing their constitutional duties WRT to We the People. We the People, in their view, are simply objects to be manipulated to ensure their tenure in office. They play the game of political survival according to thoroughly corrupt "rules" -- as we see in the Congressional leadership; e.g., Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. They see not rocking the boat as the key to their political survival, and the citizens' interest be damned.
State Nullification and State Secession cannot succeed in eradicating the general corruption emanating from the federal establishment. Washington has almost infinite power to quash such initiatives, and would be sure to do so, mercilessly. But if the States try nonetheless, we could well see a full-blown civil war as the result.
The best option, it seems to me, is for the States to convene an Article V convention. If We the People cannot get the federal government back in hand, then our Liberty will be utterly extinguished. The federal government is operating far beyond the mandate -- and constraints -- of its constitutional charter, and is incapable of reforming itself. We the People must do the reforming, or it ain't gonna happen.
To me, if the American people have anything to fear, it is not an Article V convention. Fear the current corrupt status quo instead.
JMHO FWIW.
Thanks, Art, for posting the excellent listing of resources on this subject.