If a convention of the states can be truly accomplished, what items should be included? Personally, I would be in favor of term limits for all congressmen and a balanced budget amendment. What would you like to see on the docket?

According to Article V, a Convention of the States can be called to propose Amendments to the the Constitution, but there doesn’t appear to be any restrictions upon what those Amendments can be (the “slavery clauses” are no longer applicable, and no State would logically and voluntarily give up its votes in the Senate). In other words, any and all of the Constitution is open for change.

Just remember that the Constitutional Convention in 1787 started out as amending the Articles of Confederation, the then form of a national government for the United States that had existed from the Revolution. Although the States' representatives to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia were only authorized to amend the Articles, the representatives held secret, closed-door sessions and wrote and designed an entirely new version of a government.

There is a story, often told, that upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens asking what sort of government the delegates had created. His answer was: "A republic, if you can keep it.”

quote:

Just remember that the Constitutional Convention in 1787 started out as amending the Articles of Confederation, the then form of a national government for the United States that had existed from the Revolution. Although the States' representatives to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia were only authorized to amend the Articles, the representatives held secret, closed-door sessions and wrote and designed an entirely new version of a government.

It's true....
You never know what people will talk about when they get together and start talking!

Still, I'm in favor of an Article V Convention of the States.
At this point, we need to shake things up and make some changes.

First item: clarification of the 14th Amendment and the basic Constitution about the definition of "natural born" as regards eligibility to be President (and VP).

Second item: clarification of the 14th Amendment to confirm that children born in the country to non-citizens ("Anchor babies") are not automatically conferred US citizenship. I believe citizenship should be extended via parental relationship, not place of birth. There was a time when the country needed to expand its number of citizens and this was one way to achieve it. IMO, that necessity no longer exists.

Third item: declaration that the 2A means what it says ("shall not be infringed") and that its protections extend to all governments (state, local, etc.). "Keep and bear" perhaps also need additional clarification, specifically regarding carry outside the home.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by prairiefire:
If a convention of the states can be truly accomplished, what items should be included? Personally, I would be in favor of term limits for all congressmen and a balanced budget amendment. What would you like to see on the docket?

Get those two done, the rest falls in line!

Repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments.

That'll do for now.

In the past, I’ve always been a proponent of term limits.

Lately I’ve been rethinking what this would actually accomplish. I think it would give more power to the Democrat and Republican parties than ever before as the party will become more important than the actual representatives.

This is not a good thing.

Instead, clearer and more enforced limits on the power of the federal government to pass laws that interfere with individual freedom, states rights, and authority to tax and spend would likely have more impact.

Mulling this over from time to time, my current concern is whether I actually can trust them bastards to actually make National improvements the focus and goal, rather than partisan advantages.

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
Mulling this over from time to time, my current concern is whether I actually can trust them bastards to actually make National improvements the focus and goal, rather than partisan advantages.

My conclusion has always been "No, you can't!" That's why I've never really supported having such a convention.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
Mulling this over from time to time, my current concern is whether I actually can trust them bastards to actually make National improvements the focus and goal, rather than partisan advantages.

My conclusion has always been "No, you can't!" That's why I've never really supported having such a convention.

flashguy

The Constitution isn’t being followed or enforced now, why would that change just because a “convention” were held. We need patriots with conviction to enforce what we have today. There is nothing wrong with the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we just have to quit screwing around and actually follow them and we’d be all right.

I hope we NEVER hold one. Once it starts, as was said earlier there are no limits as to what can be done. And as we've seen, the left is fully comfortable with weaponizing the entirety of the US gummint to oppose their own citizens wanting to protect their own liberties. They would blackmail every opponent who stood against giving us a 'constitution' like the Soviets had. We'd end up with something the likes of which even Pistachio Ocommunist Cortez Macarena hey Macarena hasn't even dreamed up.