Tag: Constitutional Convention

Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part II

The Article V convention is a Constitutional Convention [Part II]

In Governor Abbott’s own words, his Texas Plan calls for a “constitutional convention”, a.k.a con con. He calls for a constitutional convention no less than 5 times (pages 67 & 68). This flies in the face of those who support his Article V Convention (from the right and the left). The Convention of States supporters have vehemently denied this “amending” convention could have the authority to rewrite the U.S. Constitution, and they come out swinging when constitutionalists describe their “amending convention” as a con con. Well, it seems that the governor has slung mud on the faces of his supporters, or the governor didn’t author the Texas Plan and lacks knowledge of its contents. Either is no excusable matter. Continue reading “Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part II”

What is a State Ratifying Convention?

The 21st Amendment – and Ratifying Conventions

Only once in U.S. history has Congress used the state ratifying conventions mentioned in Article V to amend the U.S. Constitution. This occurred in 1933 for the 21st Amendment.  What is a state ratifying convention? Continue reading “What is a State Ratifying Convention?”

Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part I

The Article V convention is a Constitutional Convention
[Part I]

Governor Abbott unveiled his Texas Plan on January 8, 2016 with his wish list of amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This is interesting because the governor has no legislative powers.

Texas Constitution, Article II:. The powers of the Government of the State

1875 Texas Constitutional Convention
1875 Texas Constitutional Convention

of Texas shall be divided into three distinct departments, each of which shall be confided to a separate body of magistracy, to wit: Those which are Legislative to one; those which are Executive to another, and those which are Judicial to another; and no person, or collection of persons, being of one of these departments, shall exercise any power properly attached to either of the others, except in the instances herein expressly permitted.

Only the Texas legislature can propose a “request” (through a resolution) to Congress, for an Article V convention, a.k.a. constitutional convention (con con), yet Gov. Abbott released his 92 page “Texas Plan” to re-write the U.S. Constitution (con con). And, no less than 5 times the governor calls for a “constitutional convention”, under the Texas Plan (pages 67 & 68). Continue reading “Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part I”

Convention of States Lied to Texans

Texas Plan
By Governor Greg Abbott

Texans don’t like to be deceived and lied to. It is especially disappointing when that Texan has invested countless hours and resources behind a leader’s words, trusting that the leader has Texan’s best interests in mind.

Well, in politics just as in business, it is unwise to trust your resources to another without proper oversight and investigation.

Convention of States proponents have long been told by such deceivers as Michael Farris, Mark Meckler, Mark Levin, and Tom Colburn to name just a few, that the Article V convention is not a constitutional convention – it can’t be, and it won’t be.  They further pretend that those naysayers claiming that it is a constitutional convention are ignorant or misleading, and refuse to do anything about our runaway federal government. Continue reading “Convention of States Lied to Texans”

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]

 

Why Texans don’t have faith in an Article V Convention

Texas has the independent power, without the advice or consent of any other state, to enforce the 10th Amendment

An Article V Convention won’t work to benefit the People because the same legislators who refuse to enforce the good parts in the current constitution will be the ones to propose new amendments.1787 Constitutional Convention

Did Joe Straus appoint Rep. Phil King to chair the House committee that would oversee 10th Amendment bills because King could be counted on to stall any and all good 10th Amendment action bills? Would Straus be a likely Texas delegate to an Article V Convention? The answer to both questions is a very possible yes. Continue reading “Why Texans don’t have faith in an Article V Convention”