http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8_pdJ1dPo&feature=channel_page
A collection
https://www.scribd.com/collections/3016281/Constitutional-Convention-Stop-the-Con-Con
On the Balanced Budge Amendment
https://publiushuldah.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/balancing-the-budget-or-adding-a-national-sales-tax-to-the-income-tax/
A more in-depth overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ip_rvYGRTw
"Abide By The Constitution, Not Change It!"
Claim: "You know full well the results if we lose our Constitution. And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block."
Truth: This is a false claim that panders to emotion. An Article 5 Convention has no power to "chop" anything, it only has the power provided it in Article 5, which is to propose amendments to the Constitution, which then must be ratified by 38 states. As to the first sentence, I'm not sure I "know full well" the effect of "loosing" a Constitution that is being routinely ignored, as those opposed to a COS claim.
Amendments would change the Constitution. There is no guarantee as to what the amendments would be. Once convened the delegates decide what amendments to propose and vote on.
Claim: "And, after all, his vote affects not just…Virginia but all Americans."
Truth: Senator Norment's vote affects only Virginia's application for an Article 5 convention. To suggest otherwise is blatant fearmongering and patently untrue.
Yes, his vote affects only Virginia's application for an Article 5 convention. But that is not what I said. If Virginia petitions Congress to call a convention, this affects every American.
Claim: "…in 2004 [Senator Norment] voted for a resolution that states:
"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of
delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past applications for a convention to amend the Constitution …
Nothing has changed since then. So why the flip flop?"
Truth: Everything has changed since 2004. In 2004, the Convention of States Project had not yet been initiated. The COS Project plan places limits on what types of amendments will be deemed in order at a convention: only amendments which serve to place fiscal restraints on the federal government, which reduce the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and/or which set limits on the terms of its officials. Without these restrictions the convention delegates would be free to discuss and propose whatever amendments 51% of the delegations deem appropriate. Nevertheless, such amendments would still require ratification by 38 states. With these restriction, however, the 34 delegations associated with COS Project-compliant applications, which will constitute a super-majority, will determine whether a proposed amendment comports with the aforementioned goals and will be entered into the agenda.
Sounds good –but the Constitution does not say that. What it says is that the states petition Congress to make the call - period. No mention is made of anything the states can do other than that.
Ratification could be changed as it was with the 1787 convention when it changed the rules about who ratifies (from legislators to conventions) AND the required number for ratification from ALL states to 3/4. What could happen in a convention today? Ratification by a simple majority? The president's signature?
It is important that both sides of this important issue be heard, discussed, and considered. I am happy to debate this issue with anyone at anytime.
Gary Porter
You know full well the results if we lose our Constitution. And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block .In Virginia, Senator Tommy Norment is key because he is the Senate Majority Whip. He could be the deciding factor as to whether Virginia does or doesn't apply to Congress to call an Article V convention.So please contact him in opposition to a constitutional convention, aka Article V convention, Convention of States, Balanced Budget Amendment et al.You don't have to be an authority. Just print out one of the attached articles and get it to him with a note asking him to consider the matter.VA Senator Tommy Norment's district covers Gloucester County (All); Hampton City (Part); Isle ofWight County (Part); James City County (Part); King and Queen County (All); King William County(All); New Kent County (All); Poquoson City (All); Suffolk City (Part); Surry County (Part); York County(Part) but he is amenable to getting messages from those who just sign their name without their address.And, after all, his vote affects not just only all in Virginia but all Americans.As a member of the Senate Rules Committee in 2015, he voted twice to pass constitutional convention bills out of committee instead of leaving them there to die.One was for Mike Farris' Convention of States and one was for a Balanced Budget Amendment.This was in spite of the fact that in 2004 he voted for a resolution that states:"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection ofdelegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified inArticle V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all pastapplications for a convention to amend the Constitution …"Nothing has changed since then. So why the flip flop?His contact information is:P.O. Box 6205Williamsburg, VA 23188Phone: (757) 259-7810Please let me know that you have contacted him so I won't be bugging you any more !My most sincere thank you for helping to save our Constitution. Sue Long
