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posted by martyb on Friday December 11 2015, @05:50AM   Printer-friendly
from the pandora's-box dept.

The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments; each was proposed by Congress and ratified by the states.

However, the Constitution sets forth another procedure, never before used, for amending the Constitution. At the request of two thirds of the states, a constitutional convention would be held, at which amendments could be proposed. Any proposals would become part of the Constitution if three fourths of the states ratified them, either at state conventions or in the state legislatures.

Currently, 27 of the needed 34 states have petitioned Congress for a constitutional convention, for the ostensible purpose of writing a balanced-budget amendment (BBA). However, the convention might propose other changes in addition or instead of a BBA—even a total rewrite of the Constitution—if 38 states agreed, the changes would become law.

In November, legislators from 30 states met in Salt Lake City to discuss the matter.


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 11 2015, @06:29PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 11 2015, @06:29PM (#275083)

    Treason has a particular definition. And who will decide what is unconstitutional and thus, treason? If one can be imprisoned for doing something unconstitutional, they can be imprisoned for obeying the constitution as well.

    Your argument makes no sense whatsoever.

  • (Score: 1) by khallow on Friday December 11 2015, @07:48PM

    by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Friday December 11 2015, @07:48PM (#275116) Journal
    Why doesn't it make sense? If you seize control of whoever decides constitutionality and one can be imprisoned for violating the constitution, you have a means to imprison your foes arbitrarily.
    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 12 2015, @09:34AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 12 2015, @09:34AM (#275360)

      The government already has such a power with regards to normal people. Maybe our politicians should have a taste of their own medicine.

      And imprisoning people for violating the highest law of the land? Crazy. Why would anyone be imprisoned for violating the law? That's something that only happens to peasants, not to our magnificent government overlords.