Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 37 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H4'ed 5/23/15

How our State Legislatures Might Help Prevent Tragedies

By       (Page 1 of 2 pages)   No comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Neal Herrick

Lynx lynx-4
Lynx lynx-4
(Image by (From Wikimedia) This image was produced by me, David Castor (user:dcastor). The pictures I submit to the Wikipedia Project are released to the public domain. This gives you the right to use them in any way you like, without any kind of notification. Th, Author: See Source)
  Details   Source   DMCA

Our state legislatures cannot interfere with specific decisions implementing US domestic or foreign policies. However, Article V does give them the exclusive power to rearrange our federal powers and to lay down guidelines for the exercise of these powers. [1] This rearrangement and lying down of guidelines could increase our control over our government and decrease the control of our plutocrats.

(Image)

This article assumes that, if our government were controlled by us it would be more humane and peaceful. It assumes that we would do a better job of making and implementing domestic and foreign policies than is being done at present. Article V of the Constitution empowers our state legislatures to increase our control. It follows that our state legislatures have the power to make our country more peaceful toward the people of other countries and more responsive to us.

However, they would face many obstacles should they choose to take on this task. This article comments on some of these obstacles and suggests approaches that might help overcome them...

OBSTACLES TO FIXING OUR DEMOCRACY

Fixing our democracy requires altering our Constitution. For over two centuries we have believed there are only two methods of proposing amendments to our Constitution: congressional proposals and proposals made by a proposing convention. The possibility that the members of Congress will propose amendments that would end their celebrity status and elitist life styles is nil. The chance that they will call a convention that might propose genuine reform is also unlikely.

Congressional resistance has stood in the way of both methods. Other factors (for example, fear of a runaway convention, fear of a party-dominated convention and fear of a money-dominated convention) have dampened public interest in the convention method. The obstacles standing in the way of our amending our Constitution appear prohibitive.

Another circumstance has added to the confusion. Article V requires Congress to call a proposing convention, ". . . on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states."

However, the Constitution does not specify whether all two thirds of the required applications must be for a convention to consider the same issue, whether or not an application can be limited in scope, or whether or not applications expire and, if so, when. These uncertainties have enabled Congress to ignore the hundreds of applications that have been filed.

MADISON'S REMEDY

As Col. Mason warned near the end of the 1787 Convention, Congress would not propose amendments benefiting the people, ". . . if the government should become oppressive, and as he verily believed would be the case." Our government has become oppressive. It now appears that Col. Mason had a valid concern when he declined to sign the proposed constitution.

We seem to be presented with a "chicken or egg" puzzle: we cannot have a convention without an amendment and we cannot have an amendment without a convention. Therefore, we can't have a convention.

Fortunately, Madison's remedy overturns this syllogism. On the last day (before signing day) of the 1787 Convention, he objected to approving Article V until it included specific procedures for calling and holding conventions. After it had become apparent that there was not enough time to develop these procedures before signing day, he pointed out that the Constitution could be amended without either (1) relying on the federal government to propose a beneficial amendment or (2) holding a convention. He said that he "did not see why Congress would not be as much bound to propose amendments applied for by two thirds of the states as to call a convention on the like application." [2] It is worth noting that the 9 th and 10 th amendments appear designed to authorize interpretations of this nature.

THANK YOU MR. MADISON

When Madison pointed out that he saw no reason Congress should not be "bound" to propose an amendment without the need for a convention, he opened the door to an amendment that would "pave the way" to a subsequent convention. Such an amendment could remove the present obstacles to a convention. For example consider the following language. [3]

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Neal Herrick Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Neal Herrick is author of the award-wining After Patrick Henry (2009). His most recent book is (2014) Reversing America’s Decline. He is a former sailor, soldier, auto worker, railroad worker, assistant college football coach, (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact EditorContact Editor
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

The tragedy in the Middle East and Ukraine: canaries in a coal mine

Sen Warner's views on Ukraine

Toward An Impartial Impeachment Trial

A Global Marshall PlanCould be a Winner in 2020

The Tragedies in the Middle East and Ukraine: Who will bell the cat?

Where Have All The Patriots Gone?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend