Powdered Wig Society
by Thomas Madison
The idea of a Convention of States has become a populist movement at the state level, due, in large part, to Mark Levin’s book The Liberty Amendments, and has become a growing activist cause cèlébre across the nation. The Florida Senate has voted to demand a Convention of States, the matter now moving to the House for approval. A quorum of 2/3 of the states (34) is necessary to legally (by constitutional guidelines) call for a Convention of States.
Among the more pressing issues requiring a Convention of States are term limits for congressional members, limited executive power, and a balanced federal budget. While only a 2/3 supermajority of 34 states are required to order a convention, a 3/4 majority (38) is required to ratify constitutional amendments, a much more improbable proposition. But first things first. Let’s get the Convention of States ordered and organized, then push hard for the necessary amendments.
One thing is certain – Washington is completely out of control, populated by self-serving career parasites. Recently, Jim Moran, liberal Democrat House member from northern Virginia, was lamenting his low pay of $174,000 (per year). WTF?! Yo, Jim, you miserable career parasite (House member since 1991), get a real job. If you think living on $174,000 is tough, try making it on a fourth of that, or less, as most Americans do.
As a provision of his Contract With America in 1994, Newt Gingrich sought to limit the terms of congressional members, including himself. Term limits was the only provision of the Contract that did not pass, proving that career parasites will not vote themselves off the gravy train. Something that necessary, and otherwise impossible, is just one reason we need a Convention of States.
We have allowed Congress and the President to steer the ship for too long. Drifting aimlessly in an ocean of debt and corruption, it is now time for the people to take the wheel and guide our country back to sanity. A Convention of States can do that.
Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, also as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Just an idea – with today’s technology is it even necessary to have a Congress? The state legislatures are much closer to the people and not so susceptible to being corrupted by special interests. Can we not convene regular Conventions of States to determine national issues? Without question the states must exercise their Tenth Amendment rights and free us from this lumbering loser we call our federal government.