“The Federal Government undertakes activities today that would have been unimaginable to the Framers in two senses; first, because the Framers would not have conceived that any government would conduct such activities; and second, because the Framers would not have believed that the Federal Government, rather than the States, would assume such responsibilities. Yet the powers conferred upon the Federal Government by the Constitution were phrased in language broad enough to allow for the expansion of the Federal Government’s role.” New York v. United States, 505 U.S. 144, 157 (1992).
Virginia, the first state to call the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, proudly claims the title of first to pre-file an application to call for a Convention of the States. Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) is leading the effort in Virginia, along with Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67) who has been deeply involved in the process. After meeting with COS Leader, Michael Farris, Del. Lingamfelter agreed to push the application through as the prime sponsor during Virginia’s 2014 legislative
Our Founding Fathers believed that the structures of a limited government would provide the greatest protection of liberty. There were to be checks and balances at the federal level and everything not specifically granted to Congress for legislative control was to be left to the states. But, collusion among the Powers That Be, on both sides of the isle, has replaced these checks and balances. The federal judiciary supports Congress and the White House in its ever-escalating attack upon the jurisdiction of the fifty states.
The Political Elite will never voluntarily relinquish power – no matter who is elected. Unless some political force outside of D.C. intervenes, the federal government will continue to bankrupt this nation, embezzle the legitmate authority of the states, and destory our liberty. Rather than securing the blessings of liberty for future generations, the federal government is on a path that will enslave our children and grandchildren to the debts of the past.
Our Founding Fathers gave us a solution and we have a duty to use it to protect future generations.
There are two methods to propose amendments to the Constitution, both found under Article V.
- Congress can amend the Constitution at any time if 2/3 of both houses of Congress agree.
- A convention of states can be called if 2/3 of states submit applications. These applications must all deal with the same issue (i.e., limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government).
Since The Powers That Be have no desire to give up control, a convention of the states can put a halt to federal spending and debt spree, the power grabs of the federal courts, and other misuses of federal power. Congress has no authority to stop such a process. The Founders made sure of that.
The most common objection to an Article V convention is called the “runaway convention” objection that envisions a doomsday scenario in which delegates rewrite the Constitution and change our entire system of government. That objection is based on fear and misinformation.
Ratification of any proposed amendment requires the approval of 38 states. It only takes 13 states to vote “no” to defeat any proposed amendment, and the chances of 38 state legislatures approving a rogue amendment are effectively zero.
Americans must evaluate the relative safety of the choices we are given. We can continue to allow the elitist Powers That Be to continue their abuse of the Constitution and the rights of the people with some vague hope that someday, somehow they will see the light and relinquish their quest to amass total control; or, we can take back that which was granted to us under the Constitution.
This is not a blue vs red state, republican vs democrat issue. It is the first step to saving our country from tyranny.
“If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.” Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
