For John, BLUF: This is not a near term threat, unless Washington continues to invite it by its actions. Nothing to see here; just move along.
Over at the Daily Kos was this item mongering more fear of the dreaded whatever.
In this case it is concern about folks wishing to call for a Constitutional Convention, as provided for in Article V of the US Constitution. As noted in the Kos article, all 27 amendments to the US Constitution♠ have been done through the US Congress acting and then the States voting the amendment. The dreaded alternative path is for the several states to get together and propose a change and have the other states vote for it. Mr Markos Moulitsas has his panties in a twist because he sees all the small states getting together and proposing all sorts of weird ideas, like requiring a balanced budget and taking away direct election of US Senators (repeal of 17th Amendment).♥
So far the only news I have been able to find on this is from Glenn Beck's website.
The real concern about an Article V Constitutional Convention is that once those folks meet there is no control over what they do and where they go. Remember, our Constitution came from a convention to fix up the Articles of Confederation—a convention that took it upon itself to throw out the Articles of Confederation and start over. Yes, they did exceed their mandate, and the States and the People accepted it.
Hat tip to the Instapundit.
Regards — Cliff
♠ There are six still out there, awaiting a sufficient number of states, including the Corwin Amendment to abolish slavery.
♥ Actually, I would be opposed to repeal of the 17th Amendment, at least as a Citizen of the Great Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I want some shot at determining who goes to Washington in my name. I don't trust the General Court to get it right.
There is value to the observation that amending things based on States and without regard to population bears some unfortunate implications. However, I share your flippancy regarding a balanced budget, and your concern that folks sent to the convention, once appointed, might be beyond reason and control.
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