WSJ-The Case for a Federalism Amendment
Submitted by bobbyw24 on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 06:39
The Case for a Federalism Amendment
How the Tea Partiers can make Washington pay attention.
In response to an unprecedented expansion of federal power, citizens have held hundreds of "tea party" rallies around the country, and various states are considering "sovereignty resolutions" invoking the Constitution's Ninth and Tenth Amendments. For example, Michigan's proposal urges "the federal government to halt its practice of imposing mandates upon the states for purposes not enumerated by the Constitution of the United States."
[Commentary] Corbis
Suffragettes celebrate the 19th Amendment, 1920.
While well-intentioned, such symbolic resolutions are not likely to have the slightest impact on the federal courts, which long ago adopted a virtually unlimited construction of Congressional power. But state legislatures have a real power under the Constitution by which to resist the growth of federal power: They can petition Congress for a convention to propose amendments to the Constitution.
Article V provides that, "on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states," Congress "shall call a convention for proposing amendments." Before becoming law, any amendments produced by such a convention would then need to be ratified by three-quarters of the states.
Refreshing Article
I like it...seems like if states(state politicians) are calling for a convention its going to be more likely to increase state power than to relinquish it to some fed politician in Wash. At least then we can have more effect on policy by having choices made closer to the people.
Good article
In answer to the point below that they don't currently observe the constitution's limitations, I think the point here is that such an amendment would show that there is sufficient will at the state level to force them to do so. It would be serious retaking of power by the states from the federal government, backed up by popular demand.
And this is why it is even
And this is why it is even more imperative that we call our National Guard troops home.
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/90780
We need them here to give a little more bite to our bark and to ensure that the federal government doesn't try to push their advantage.
Not Necessary
They don't observe the Constitution now. Why would another amendment or two stating the same thing result in anything different?
Silly. And, yes, much mischief could occur at such a convention. Somehow I doubt we'd wind up with MORE rights.
Better: A movement to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments. And, of course, the Federal Reserve.
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"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- Joseph Goebbels
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"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- Joseph Goebbels
The 17th is opposite of the
The 17th is opposite of the framers intent and changed the elective process of this republican government.
It's as absurd as giving the people the right to vote for the cabinet members,or voting for members of the federal reserve.It further centralized the federal government by stripping the states legislative bodies of electing the most competent senators for representation and benefit of the state.
"With us, the people (by which is meant the mass of individuals composing the society)... being unqualified for the management of affairs requiring intelligence above the common level yet competent judges of human character, they choose for their management representatives, some by themselves immediately, others by electors chosen by themselves." --Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Dupont de Nemours, 1816
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"I love the Union and the Constitution, but I would rather leave the Union with the Constitution than remain in the Union without it." - Jefferson Davis
Right.
I agree.
Me, too...
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WTP Federal Lawsuit to BAN ALL ELECTRONIC VOTING
http://www.wethepeoplefoundation.org/UPDATE/Update2009-05-11...
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http://www.enduswars.org/
http://peaceoftheaction.org/
You've got the correct approach, repeal and abolish it..thats it
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Interesting Article...
I have always been worried about the thought of a constitutional convention, but an amendment like this would be a good start. It is sad that we need to reestablish states' rights, but I think this is the right idea. My only fear is how do all the states lean? Who's to say they meet and abolish the Constitution and make Obama king? Socialism and monarchy for all. Too many unkowns, but what choice to we have?
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."
-Alexis de Tocqueville