Citizen Writers Fighting Censorship by Helping Americans Understand Issues Affecting the Republic.
The debate about calling a convention of states is raging across the country. Whether we meet Ben Franklin’s challenge in the 21st century is yet to be determined. So far only 19 states have accepted the “if you can keep it” challenge, and passed resolutions calling for a convention.
When Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government had been created during that hot Philadelphia summer he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Franklin wasn’t predicting the demise of our republic, he was observing that the baton was being passed to the self-governed. Our founders created the greatest republic the world has ever known, and then it became our duty to preserve it.
The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that, without external influence, everything in nature moves towards disorder. Put another way: without maintenance, all systems eventually fail. Power lines fall, engines seize, and republics collapse.
Last month we experienced a weekend of protest. Apparently, the protesters don’t want America to be ruled by kings. But the protesters seemed unconcerned about unelected government officials who are acting more like kings every day — our federal judges.
Of all the arguments that Article V convention opponents put forth, I find those that use their faith in God as justification against amending the Constitution to be the most disingenuous.
It bothers me when someone uses another person’s name and reputation to advance their own position, without the other’s consent or agreement. Yet that is a favorite tactic of Article V convention opponents – frequently attributing convention of states opposition to the late Justice Antonin Scalia.
On March 12, 2025, Idaho chose to stay on the sidelines. The Idaho House of Representatives decided that they would not use their Article V power to join 19 other states calling for term limits, fiscal restraints, and restrictions on government overreach. For now, Idaho will be sitting this battle out
This year, the Idaho legislature will consider a resolution to join 19 other states calling for an Article V convention to propose Constitutional amendments. As momentum for the resolution builds, an army of opponents will argue against it using the rationale provided by globalization advocates.
Conservatives are generally in agreement that we are a nation approaching a crisis. We may not agree on the timeline, but we know it’s coming. We had better agree on a plan to deal with it.
A commonly expressed concern about an Article V convention of states, it that it could undermine our 2nd Amendment rights. The reality is that an Article V convention is far more likely to strengthen our ability to bear arms, than to undermine it.
Conducting an Article V convention, and obtaining ratification of proposals, would be a herculean effort. But getting 38 states to agree with the necessity of imposing accountability on Washington, seems much more achievable than attempting to use the federal government to take corrective action on the federal government.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people.
Despite being notably absent from extensive discussions at the Constitutional Convention, the Article V, Convention of the States provision garnered unanimous approval, reflecting the framers’ foresight.
Out of control government is a concern that crosses all political boundaries – making a convention of states a truly bipartisan initiative.
Real Reform, Part 2: The Allosaurus in the Room Source: mrwynd from Denver, USA/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0 “Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.” ― Frank Herbert This post picks up from Real Reform, Part1: Introduction. It addresses the Allosaurus in the room: Congress. The Allosaurus was a highly successful carnivore …
I get a fair amount of emails along the lines of: We’ve had our last fair election, it’s hopeless, America is lost. These disturb me disturb me greatly because they represent a faction of conservatism that’s ready to surrender.
Article V and the Convention of States; It is Not a Debate About What the Constitution Says
Amazingly, our founders anticipated the crisis we’re in – where our government doesn’t govern the way the self-governed want it to.
Federal Government is clearly out of control and getting worse. Perhaps we should give the Constitution a try to bring the behemoth back under control.
Glenn Beck needs to understand that America will not be lost until we give up. However, that struggle will not be won if we are guided by despair.