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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.
- Forbes article from 2014 (mirror)
- John Birch Society (has a map)
- utahpolicy.com
- Deseret News
- Yellowhammer News
- The Universe—Brigham Young University
- San Francisco Chronicle
- KSTU-TV
- The Columbian
- Washington Post blog about historical attempts at constitutional conventions
- The Spokesman-Review
(Score: 2) by kurenai.tsubasa on Friday December 11 2015, @02:54PM
What I would really like to see out of said Convention would be an affirmation of the original 9th and 10th Amendments. Probably something greatly restricting the commerce clause would be the way to go.
I do not see how a drug war is even possible given the 9th Amendment. That's just the blindingly obvious part of it all. Obamacare for me, constitutionally, is an “I can't even” moment given the 9th and 10th Amendments. That being said, I would like the power to fund healthcare added to Congress' powers, but done properly with an amendment (perhaps also a power with no mandate to provide a basic minimum income).
Also I'd like the 17th Amendment [wikipedia.org] rescinded. Also some affirmation that only Congress has the power to declare war, probably some clarification of what constitutes a war. Oh, and a pony.
It's amazing how close this Convention is to happening. Usually when it gets this close, congress steps in and starts it themselves rather than be embarrassed by the Several States. This time, though, all bets are off. I doubt the idiots in congress and various TLAs even realize this time around that the Several States are even allowed to question their authority, much less the People.