Those who oppose the process for constitutional amendments that the Founders laid out in Article V often cite two primary objections.
First, they claim that a Convention of States is a "long shot" that may never happen. Second, they believe a Convention of States will "run away" and amend the Constitution in ways We the People wouldn't like.
Neither objection holds water, but there's an even deeper inconsistency among conservatives who oppose an Article V Convention of States.
As Tom Lindsay pointed out in a recent op-ed on Forbes.com, those who have fallen for either objection seem unaware that the problems in Washington won't go away on their own:
These criticisms are raised by some who simultaneously agree that all three branches of the federal government have transgressed their constitutional authority. They agree that the Supreme Court has abandoned the meaning of the Constitution, especially its Interstate Commerce Clause, allowing for federal intrusions that would have made the Founders blanch. The U.S. Congress has allowed, even enabled, these judicial usurpations of its rightful authority. And the executive branch has flouted Congress’ authority through executive orders as well as through deciding which laws the administration will support and which it will not—despite the Constitution’s requirement that the president “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.”
As a result, our profligate federal government has not only burdened this generation with catastrophic debt, but also encumbered our children and grandchildren—with no end in sight.
It seems clear that the federal government is unable or unwilling to extricate our country from the abyss into which its power grabs have thrust us. What is left under the Constitution is the states’ power to employ Article V to call a convention to propose amendments to reverse our decline through reducing the size and reach of the federal government and restoring the powers granted to the people in their states by the Constitution.Click here to read the full article, including a detailed rebuttal of each objection.
We can complain about the federal government all we want. We can even elect new, "better" members of Congress to fight to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.
But at some point we have to face the facts: Washington has done nothing but get bigger and more powerful, and there's no sign of slowing down. No matter who controls Congress, the White House, or the Supreme Court, the federal government will continue to abuse their power and limit self-governance until we do something to stop them.
Those who understand the truth of this idea -- both conservatives and liberals -- should get behind the only movement capable of bringing power home: the Convention of States Project.
An Article V Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that limit the power, scope, and jurisdiction of the federal government. These amendments won't become part of the Constitution until they are ratified by 38 states, which will ensure that the process won't "run away."
The amendments that do become law can effectively and permanently shrink the federal bureaucracy, limit federal authority, and allow We the People to make decisions for ourselves and our families.
The Founders gave us a plan to fight tyranny. Now it's up to us to use it. Sign the Petition below to show your support!