Monday, September 21, 2009

Understanding "Constitutional Convention" (aka Con-Con, Article V. Convention)

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The panic about Congress calling an Article V. Convention is unfounded. The Democrats aren't trying to change the Constitution with a Constitutional Convention. They are trying to avoid an Article V. Convention because such an event is a tool of the people - and they fear losing that kind of power to their constituents.

Once again there are concerns over a Constitutional Convention being called by Congress. The "Con-Con" is said, by those afraid of one being called, to be an attempt by the liberal Democrats to try and rewrite the entire U.S. Constitution. These folks erroneously believe such a convention would result in repealing the Bill of Rights, and changing forever the foundational form of government by which America operates.

I agree that the United States Congress is currently under the control of the most radical liberal Democrats in American history. They want nothing more than to change the American Form of Government, and are attempting to do it not by changing the U.S. Constitution, but by ignoring it.
Obama's call for hope and change was exactly that, a cry to change America's government from a Constitutional Republic, so something else that more closely resembles the socialist nations of the world.

There has only been one Constitutional Convention, and it will be the only one we ever have. The U.S. Constitution does not allow for a re-writing of the document. The only way the Constitution can be changed is through the amendment process, and amendments must be ratified by three-quarters of the states. Read Article V. of the U.S. Constitution carfully. The fears being presented by wayward Emails and bloggers are unfounded, and are not true.

The latest set of Emails and blog posts circling the Internet claim that it only takes a request from two-thirds of the states (34 states) to get Congress to call for a Constitutional Convention (which actually should be referred to as an Article V. Convention). The claim that only 34 states are needed to call for such a convention is correct. Only two-thirds of the states must request for one for Congress to call for the convention. However, when the folks who oppose a Con-Con says that there are only two states left for an Article V. Convention to be called, that is false. All 50 states have already requested an Article V. Convention, with over 750 applications.

So if enough states have requested an Article V. Convention, then why hasn't Congress called for one?

Congress has not called for it, and they will do anything they can to keep from calling for one, because they are afraid of it.

Article V. Conventions are the people's way of circumventing the power of Congress.

Originally, during the five month long debate over the U.S. Constitution back in 1787, the intention was to only allow the people, through the states, to be able to amend the Constitution. Enabling Congress to propose amendments was added as an after-thought. Interestingly enough, all of the amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by the Congress. Despite the many requests for an Article V. Convention, none has ever been called.

The politicians can do nothing beyond calling for an Article V. Convention once it is requested. This means that the Congress chooses the place, time, and date. The delegates are chosen by the states, in whatever way the state decides to choose these delegates. Then, the delegates of all of the states will get together for the convention to propose amendments, and amendments only. There can be no "rewriting" of the U.S. Constitution. Then, the proposed amendments still have to be ratified by the states through a vote by the people. Beyond choosing the location and time, Congress would have nothing to do with the convention whatsoever. This means the people can propose amendments, and pass them, without any intrusion by the politicians. The Convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda, without Congressional interference.

Understand why Congress won't call for the convention? They are scared to death of the people having that kind of power!

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Friends of the Article V. Convention

No comments: