The Convention of States and their Article V Convention movement’s second pillar, focused on fiscal restraints, aims to do what Washington refuses to: hold itself accountable, balance the books, and respect the Constitution. This isn’t just an idea. It’s a plan rooted in Article V of the Constitution itself, giving We the People, through our state legislatures, the power to curb federal overreach.
Here are the 3 Pillars of Convention of States.
(1) Fiscal Restraints on The Federal Government
(2) Limits On the Power and Jurisdiction of The Federal Government
(3) Limits On the Terms of Office for Federal Officials
State Empowerment: The Forgotten Balance of Power
First, we need to keep in mind that the Founders designed the federal government as a servant to the states, not the other way around. Yet, federal mandates, regulations, and court rulings have, over time, turned the states into mere administrative arms of Washington. This COS Pillar flips the script back to the founder’s original intent.
Imagine state legislatures, armed with a three-fifths majority, having the authority to override federal laws, executive orders, and even court decisions. Think of it as the ultimate check against federal overreach. States wouldn’t just complain about unconstitutional mandates—they could actually stop them in their tracks. On top of that, states would play a direct role in setting fiscal limits, ensuring that federal taxes and spending align with the values of the people who fund it.
Let me be very clear on this point; this is not about states-versus-feds; it’s about restoring the balance of power the Founders intended, plain and simple!
Balanced Budgets: Ending the Federal Credit Card Binge
How many families can live indefinitely on maxed-out credit cards? None that I’ve ever met. Yet that’s exactly what the federal government does every single year. Trillions in debt ($36 trillion plus as of this writing) with no end in sight. These proposals would slam the brakes on this madness.
Balanced budgets would become mandatory, with exceptions requiring a super majority in Congress. Can’t meet your deadlines as a Federal Bureaucracy? Automatic spending cuts kick in—5% across the board. Federal spending would also be capped as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), keeping Washington from ever growing bigger than the economy it feeds on.
Accountability isn’t just a buzzword here. It’s the rule. Miss your deadline, and the cuts happen. End of story. I know this sounds real good to me…
Taxation Overhaul: Killing the Income Tax Beast
The 16th Amendment, which allowed for federal income taxes, is the root of so much federal overreach. Its repeal would change everything. Instead of taxing productivity, we’d move to simpler, fairer systems like flat or consumption-based taxes with strict rate caps.
Federal taxes would no longer punish success, nor would they interfere with interstate commerce or exports. You’d actually get to keep more of what you earn, and Washington would be forced to live within its means—just like the rest of us. Oh dear Lord above what a concept!
Imagine a nation where your hard work isn’t penalized by an overbearing tax code. That’s the future this pillar points us towards.
Debt Management: No More Blank Checks
When was the last time Congress truly paid attention to the national debt? These proposals demand a long-term plan. Debt ceilings would be set, repayment timelines enforced, and super majority approval required for increases. Emergencies wouldn’t be an excuse for endless borrowing either. Stabilization funds would provide a financial cushion, ensuring that crises don’t turn into blank checks.
The days of borrowing against our children’s and grandchildren’s futures would be over. The federal government would finally have to pay its bills—or face the consequences.
Federal Reserve and Spending Reforms: Gold, Accountability, and Discipline
Let’s talk about the Federal Reserve. Created in 1913, it’s become a power unto itself, manipulating the economy and inflating the currency without oversight. These proposals would repeal the Federal Reserve Act, restoring monetary policy to the Treasury under Congress. Even more bold: a return to the gold standard, tying our currency to real, tangible value instead the FIAT Currency of Promises we currently work under.
Spending would also get a major overhaul. Single-subject bills would end the practice of cramming wasteful spending into unrelated legislation. Federal funding would focus on citizens and approved programs, cutting off funds for sanctuary cities, non-citizens, and unapproved social initiatives. These among other very much needed changes, let’s keep going…
Accountability: Making Congress Do Its Job
Here’s a radical idea: What if Congress faced consequences for failing to govern responsibly? These proposals call for exactly that. Miss budget deadlines? Lose your paycheck. Engage in insider trading? Face disqualification.
It doesn’t stop there. A part-time Congress would reduce operational costs, and federal grants would no longer be handed out based on race, gender, or other demographic factors. Imagine a government focused on fairness and fiscal responsibility instead of pandering and pork-barrel spending.
Why This Matters: A Nation on the Brink
Washington’s fiscal irresponsibility isn’t just a budget issue. It’s a very real constitutional crisis. Every dollar borrowed without accountability chips away at our freedoms and our future. The Convention of States’ fiscal restraint proposals don’t just aim to balance the books; they aim to restore the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
This is about reclaiming the power that the Founders entrusted to “We The People”, not to the bureaucrats. It’s about building a nation where the government serves the people, as it was intended, not the other way around.
If this vision resonates with you, get involved. Contact your state legislators. Learn about and join the Article V movement. We’ve Got To Speak Up Folks, these changes won’t come from Washington. They’ll have come from us.
You can also view the entire COS document titled “Grassroots Amendment Proposals to impose FISCAL RESTRAINTS on the Federal Government” that gives all of the specifics. This PDF is a result of the 2023 Simulated Article V Convention, organized by the Convention of States Foundation, which took place August 2nd through 4th of 2023 in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The event brought together commissioners from 49 states to demonstrate the Article V Convention process and fine tune the process to propose amendments addressing federal overreach. A fascinating read if I do say so myself…
Just Sayin…
Ken Whaley
ken.whaley@restorefirstprinciples.com
https://restorefirstprinciples.substack.com
Liberty Once Lost is Lost Forever ~ John Adams
