Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Convention of States

Home
Politics and Religion
Guess Which State Might Be the Next State to Call a Convention of States

Guess Which State Might Be the Next State to Call a Convention of States

Last updated on: February 8, 2018 at 11:08 pm by Convention of States

Guess Which State Might Be the Next State to Call a Convention of States 2018-02-08T23:08:22-05:00 Convention of States

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Idaho Legislature is considering a resolution to include Idaho in an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Twelve other states have successfully passed similar resolutions in the past four years.

Those in favor of the resolution recognize that states must assume their constitutionally granted role to manage the federal government through an amendment process.

Idaho’s application for a convention is limited to two topic areas: imposing fiscal restraints on and limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.

Fiscal restraints would put our financial house in order, something Congress has proven utterly unwilling to do for decades.

Limiting the jurisdiction and power of the federal government would clarify the role and responsibilities of the federal government. It is the tool needed to reverse federal laws that rob the states of the sovereignty that is the essence of our republic.

While much can be made in an academic debate of an Article 5 convention, these are the practical facts:

1. Americans across the political spectrum recognize the balance of power between the states and the federal government is grossly out of balance. Our exploding national debt is the symptom of a federal government that we can neither manage nor afford.

2. A Convention of Amendments is not a Constitutional Convention. Article 5 is not a means to replace or rewrite the Constitution, it’s a pathway to propose amendments to it.

3. An Article 5 Convention of the States can only propose amendments; it cannot change the Constitution by itself.

4. The barriers to amend our Constitution are extremely high; 34 individual state legislatures must call for a convention and 38 states must agree to any proposed amendments.

Those who oppose the resolution are concerned about a “runaway” convention, the notion that a convention would produce amendments to erode our rights and remake our government. Examples are a repeal of the Second Amendment, or abolishing the Electoral College.

To those who harbor this concern, I make this challenge: Produce a list of 38 state legislatures that would feasibly agree to repeal the Second Amendment or make radical changes to the structure of government.

The entire amendment process can be halted by 13 state legislatures. This is ample assurance that only broadly recognized needs would be addressed by the convention and ratified by the states.

We the people are the caretakers of the republic. The Founders deliberately made state legislatures the check on an imperious federal government. I trust citizen legislators in Idaho and elsewhere to restore a proper balance of power. They are the closest to “We the people.”

If we are to preserve our republic for future generations, the effort must be led by the states. We’ve waited too long for Congress and presidents to act responsibly.

The time is now for an Article 5 convention of states.

The above was written by Idaho Legislative Liaison Jake Ball and originally published in the Idaho Statesman.

Image Credit: Flickr Charles Knowles

Uncategorized

Convention of States

Idaho

Previous Post

February 8, 2018

Why You Should Trust the States More than Congress

Next Post

February 14, 2018 D.C. Isn't Willing to Make the Tough Decisions - the Infrastructure Fight Proves It

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who led the Israelites into the promised land after Moses?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Samuel Solomon David Joshua