What Could Possibly Go Wrong in an Article V Convention?

QUESTION:

What if a real Article V convention proposed amendments with Unintended consequences, that INCREASE federal powers…
Not restrict them?

That’s what the COSP “Simulated” convention did… by invitation-only; 137 legislators (96% Republicans), and most were authors of COSP applications. [Sep 21-23, 2016] Continue reading “What Could Possibly Go Wrong in an Article V Convention?”

QUESTIONS for the Pro Article V convention advocates

This is the first of several postings intended to encourage civil, thoughtful debate regarding the idea of an Article V convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.

The Texas 84th legislature defeated the A5 (Article V) convention effort to re-write the U.S. Constitution this year. But those pushing the effort will return next session with even more paid lobbyists from outside of Texas pressing our legislators to join the scheme.

Texas should refrain from participating in a re-write of our form of government.

Pro Article V convention lobbyists have instructed Texans to challenge the accusation that an Article V convention could be a constitutional convention (con con) but they refuse to answer pertinent questions with reliable facts. Here are the first in a series of questions for Texans to ponder:
QUESTION #1 that the pro con-con effort won’t answer:

1.)  When was the 1899 Texas call for a constitutional convention rescinded?
http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/sessionLaws/26-0/SCR_4.pdf
A5 convention lobbyists are sure that a convention can be limited, yet there is an un-limited call outstanding from Texas.

If the Texas legislature supports a “limited” A5 convention, why didn’t ¹HJR 144 pass in the 84th Legislature?  HJR 144 was killed in the House Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility, Select, chaired by Representatives Phil King and Paul Workman, who also happen to have authored bills advocating for a “limited” A5 convention.

¹ [HJR 144 by Rep. Elkins, proposed to rescind the unlimited call for a constitutional convention, dated June 1899]

 

Supremacy Clause; Subject to Judicial Whim?

An exceptionally intelligent and civic minded group of high school students traveled to the Capitol with NTCL on May 6th.   Their visit to one of the 181 legislators’ office revealed some disappointment during civil discourse centered on the supremacy clause Continue reading “Supremacy Clause; Subject to Judicial Whim?”