" ... it is a valid check on federal power that the states themselves can use, that the founders specifically put in there for such an occasion." ...
Is just that ... it CAN, but doesn't necessarily DO anything.
Just as we have problems with American humanity (all areas political, social, religious, etc,) ... Those same people would be controlling or responding to an Article 5 Convention.
I'm researching a problem I have in my local school (I'm on the board) and I discovered that in Article 5, sect 8, at the very end is what is refered to as the proper and necessary clause ..
"To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."
Meaning ... well, just what it means
it is also demarcated using the word "Department", which (in my research) COULD mean Department of Education.
Now, If my research so far CAN lead me to Constitutional violations (BY the school) using the public school system, I may have grounds to overturn some recent policy changes they made eliminating school board input and oversight ... which ... at this point ... gives WAY too much power to the administration to hire teachers.
Would LOVE your response