It’s Finally Time to Convene a Constitutional Convention.
“The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation.” ~Woodrow Wilson
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” ~Elmer Davis
In American history, no Article V convention has ever been convened. There have been over 700 applications to convene a Constitutional Convention and none have succeeded. In this age of Facebook, Twitter and mobile, there is no longer any excuse not to utilize the one power the American people inherited from our forefathers. If not now, when? There is no time in American history that such a power could have greater impact not just on American history but on the world. If the world sees the American people have the courage to fundamentally take back the structure of power in their nation, it will serve to further fuel the revolutions and movements ridding the world of other governments that for too long have abused their powers. The Founding Fathers, in their, infinite wisdom, slipped Article V into the US Constitution to help guarantee that if an Oppressive Government ever were to evolve in America, the people would have this power to take back their government. It’s about time we use and histories forces are perfectly timed to give wind and flight to such a powerful idea.
According to Article V, Congress must call an amendment-proposing convention on the application of 2/3 of all US States. All 34 state legistlatures would have to submit applications. Once proposed, those amendments would have to be ratified by 3/4 of the states or 38 states. At that point the Constitution would be amended and history would be made.
The Occupy Movement could adopt Article V as its ultimate goal and convene a Constitutional Convention. Given the history of other attempts at enacting Article V, it’s important not to get too specific about the changes proposed as Congress will simply adopt those specific ideas to rid the possibility of a generic Constitutional Congress. Nothing makes Congress more scared than the possible disruption of the people enacting laws directly. And nothing is better for our nation then to have the people do so.
Article V states:
“The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.”
Back in July 2010 I drafted an New America Declaration that could be adopted as the beginnings of a document calling for a Constitutional Convention. America has always been to be the single greatest idea ever invented and one that we must constantly diligently protect, spread and give ever more energy and vigor to so that freedoms flame will burn anew for everyone here and everywhere. There is much work for my generation to do and think we need new and organized collective efforts to reimagine America and the American idea.
New America Declaration
“We believe that the founding fathers formed a firmament that divided the world between light and darkness. The Free were promised, in perpetuity, unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A government was established whose sole and sacred duty was to protect these rights from assault. Over centuries the Nation was reborn; enduring a Civil War shedding the blood of brothers to universally guarantee such sacrosanct rights. Two World Wars were fought at a cost of millions of our sons to extend and protect such rights for us and citizens of other Nations.
Now a ceaseless, invisible and silent war has flung the founding fathers firmaments asunder; a perpetual wave has eroded the solid banks of the principles established by them. The Ship of State has run off course; aimlessly navigating the waters and stranding the sacred rights of its Citizens. No longer are Citizens of this Nation or the world guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A modern form of economic slavery has arisen that guarantees life for many without happiness and the misery of dreams deferred and unrealizable. The American Dream has become impossible for too many Americans to realize. The founding fathers greatest dream has been taken hostage by a Government and Financial System now established that organizes its powers in such form as to most efficiently assail our safety, economic security and happiness.
Therefore, we the people of the United States of America, call on our right, guaranteed by Article V of the Constitution, and in the spirit of our Founding Fathers, to convene a Constitutional Convention, to propose amendments to our Constitution.”
In researching this idea, I saw that Lessig has proposed something similar. If anyone knows him please introduce me and send him this link. What can we do to support this idea? Could a corp of volunteers adopt this and help move it forward?
-Shervin Pishevar
To learn more about Article V, please go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_to_propose_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution
