31 States have called for a Constitutional Convention. 34 are needed to convene one. What should be discussed and amended during the event?

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:11:20 -0400

I recommend we (not in any particular order):
1. Clarify the 2nd Amendment
2. Establish a requirement for a balanced budget
3. Establish term limits for elected Federal Officials
4. Establish a time limit on Supreme Court Justice service
5. Establish a flat income tax rate with no loopholes
6. Clarify the 4th Amendment in terms of digital/electronic privacy

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 18 at 2016 2:20 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:20:43 -0400

Please everybody, keep your hands off the 2nd Amendment. Opening it up to "clarification" will only see it either removed or watered down to protect nothing

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jun 18 at 2016 2:21 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:21:31 -0400

Everything but the first one, it is already CLEAR.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jun 18 at 2016 2:22 PM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:22:12 -0400

I would also like for them to reaffirm the 9th and 10th admendent and get rid of the 17th.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 2:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:23:23 -0400

Did not know this. Going to have to research this some. Who represents each State and is each State represented with a EQUAL number of reps.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 2:27 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:27:12 -0400

While we're at it, let's make it crystal clear that the Congress has legislative authority, not the Supreme Court.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 3:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 15:27:34 -0400

nice list

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jun 18 at 2016 4:06 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:06:36 -0400

I do not want this to happen based off history itself, and the state of affairs in the US now. IF 34 can come together and agree on ANY change to the Constitution, what is the chances they could change the 14th? If you change any part of it, you have just invalidated a WHOLE lot of Americans, who can trace their lineage here for centuries, but will be deported or run the risk of it being they're no longer "official". This is dangerous, and depending on who's sponsoring what, I could even be deported. Some tools should stay at the bottom of the bag, never to be used and this is one of them. It's Pandoras box in the worst way.

"The Fourteenth Amendment (Amendment XIV) to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. The amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws, and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War". Messing with the Constitution in any way has a ripple effect that some will see, other;s won't, and the rest wouldn't care about. I am NOT African American. I'm AMERICAN through and through. Don't mess with the Constitution. Address change in other ways. Once this is opened, it's a free for all.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 18 at 2016 4:31 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:31:26 -0400

Could you provide some statistics on that statement. We have nearly reached the 34 in the past, but it never happened. Your list is only the tip of the iceberg, if a full convention should ever pass the full Congress. Our Republic would see our most revered document shredded by the rabid left and replaced with Alynski's Rules for Radicals.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 18 at 2016 4:35 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:35:02 -0400

I agree with the idea of holding convention of states. I think your list is a good start and think much needs be debated. I would like to point out that in most cases the founding fathers (FF) were much smarter than we are, or at least smarter than I am. So, why did the FF not include term limits? There may be as many reasons as there are FF, but the one reason that shines for me is that it is another layer in the carefully set up balance of power. The states with large populations get the most Representatives and therefor the most votes. The Senate helps balance that out, but the seniority system in the House of Representatives, where senior Representatives are assigned to the more powerful committees and to the chair of those committees gives the states with low populations power which they would not have in any other way. Without the seniority system the states with low populations, like Utah (my state) would have little or no power in the federal government and would like receive little or no federal funding.

Before changing the way the FF set things up, ask yourself, why did they set it up this way, and what could be the consequences of changing this? And, in the case of term limits, ask yourself, do I want to live in a union where California, New York, Florida, and a few other highly populated states have all the power and get all the money? (I know I don't.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 4:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 16:35:40 -0400

A blanket impeachment of the Congress would be interesting.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 18 at 2016 6:02 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:02:03 -0400

Let's add:

1. Direct election Alternative vote/instant runoff/transferrable vote method for the President
2. MMP representation for federal congressional bodies with
3. Requirements for representational districting (proportional gerrymandering)

OR
4. Single Transferrable Vote for congressional bodies.

http://www.cgpgrey.com/politics-in-the-animal-kingdom/

Politics in the Animal Kingdom

Homepage for CGP Grey. Videos, articles and links.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 6:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:10:44 -0400

This sounds like an invitation to a nightmare, most of our politicians are in office not because they represent the people, but because they represent Wall Street. I'd prefer not to allow Wall Street the opportunity to rewrite our constitution.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 18 at 2016 6:16 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:16:01 -0400

Here's some other ideas:
7. Give Congress the power to reign in Executive Department rule making. Mandate a congressional committee (7 majority party/6 minority party) with authority to review administrative rules. No rule can go into effect if it costs or generates $1M unless the committee approves. If the committee doesn't approve a rule, or if citizens bring overly burdensome rules to the attention of the committee, the committee can suspend the rule and recommend to the Congress action on the rule.
8. Repeal the 17th Amendment, thus returning to State legislatures the election of US Senators. This increases the power of the states.
9. Repeal the 16th Amendment (income tax). This will force the federal government to find other sources of revenue. Instead of taxing a desirable behavior, making money, the government could tax less desirable behaviors, like spending money (sales tax).
10. Add to the 10th amendment powers only the states can exercise:
-policing
-education
-health and welfare
-domestic issues (marriage, divorce, child safety, etc.)
11. Prohibit Congress from passing any law that does not apply to all citizens equally, including elected Federal Officials.

MAJ Bryan Zeski said it well, but I would prefer a term limit of 12 years on members of Congress, Senators (any combination of terms equaling 12 would be the limit), federal judges, and Supreme Court Justices. Additionally, all legislators and judges would have only the employment benefits that their government civilian work force has (health care, retirement % and years, etc.)

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made Jun 18 at 2016 7:12 PM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 19:12:19 -0400

I believe the 2A is clear enough. 2-5 are good suggestions. Need clarification on what 6 is about.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 10:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 22:36:53 -0400

Leave it the fuck alone!!! Our constitution has stood for 240 years! Why are all of you fucking pussies whining?!?!?!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 11:17 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 23:17:57 -0400

The constitution isn't the problem. The United States Code is. We need to do a top to bottom look at these laws and update them to see if it still applies in today's Information Age.

Response by CPL Patrick Brewbaker made Jun 18 at 2016 11:57 PM

CPL Patrick Brewbaker — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 23:57:53 -0400

About Time!!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 19 at 2016 2:05 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:05:21 -0400

I love your approach.
I would like a grandfather clause to be the absolute first thing to be addressed in a convention. From there I would like a few things addressed.
1. Non-profits should have to prove a full distribution on funds to charity after salary expenses and expenses. Salary expenses should not exceed 15% of incoming donations. Expenses should not exceed 15% of incoming donations.
2. Let's Constitutionally address campaign finance.
3. Let the people propose a referendum to override any law.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jun 19 at 2016 11:17 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:17:04 -0400

Be careful what you ask for - you just might get it. Personally I have more faith in the wisdom of the founders than the morons that are involved in the political process today.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 19 at 2016 1:24 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 13:24:08 -0400

Well done! These will work for me! When I was in High School, I proposed a 10% federal tax and 5% state tax = flat tax on all revenue, personal and commercial. My government teacher liked it a lot and I received an A for the project. That was the last of that... lol

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Jun 19 at 2016 7:00 PM

SSG Delanda Hunt — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 19:00:47 -0400

Get rid of birth right citizenship. It's not needed and is totally being abused. Also make it a crime to be a useful idiot. The Country is getting more stupid by second.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jun 20 at 2016 10:57 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 10:57:25 -0400

A Convention of the States may very well undo the constitution completely. Be very careful with things like this. No one even knows what would or could even happen at such a convention. Bad idea.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 2:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:04:10 -0400

I like your train of thought.
Let me add a few:
1. Place 30 day expiration dates on all executive orders unless subsequently made law through the Congress.
2. Place term limits totaling 12 years for any federally elected office. That's two Senate terms, up to six in the House, two terms as President, or any combination of the three.
3. End the practice of "base budgeting" and require that every federal program be renewed by legislation or it sunsets at the end of the Congressional Term.
4. End the practice of judicial legislating. Laws mean what they mean. If the law needs to be updated with the times changing, that is the province of the Congress or the States, as applicable. Some form of grace period for Congress to catch up for all the precedents that this would upend would need to be adopted to prevent chaos.
5. Campaign finance needs to be addressed. I'd like to see a hard ceiling on the dollar amount per individual, corporation, or other entity, indexed for inflation.
6. I think that the 10th Amendment needs to be revisited, clarified, and strengthened to ensure that the feds stay in their lane, and the rights reserved to the states do not get repeatedly trod upon.

Response by COL John McClellan made Jun 21 at 2016 2:00 PM

COL John McClellan — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:00:32 -0400

Interesting list!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 2:43 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 02:43:41 -0400

Reset electoral boundaries and create a non-partisan system for redistricting that does not permit maintaining party control of a seat as a justification for crazy-looking district maps.

Response by SGT Thomas Heinold made May 20 at 2019 3:31 PM

SGT Thomas Heinold — Mon, 20 May 2019 15:31:51 -0400

They should do more to in force it not take anything away period