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  When was the 1899 Texas call for a constitutional convention rescinded?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”