This is part of a series of articles that will be submitted on behalf of those who support a Convention of the States. The Iowa Standard invited those who oppose a Convention of the States to also submit articles. If we receive any, we will publish those as well. Meanwhile, please enjoy this side of the issue and, as always, feel free to submit your own thoughts to [email protected]! The Iowa Standard has not and does not hold a position regarding a Convention of The States. The Iowa Standard does want to encourage debate among conservatives on the issue.
I truly believe in my heart that we all know our beloved nation is in trouble on many fronts. The evidence is inescapable. I suspect many out there privately worry how dire it’s become, but when Article V is raised as a potential cure, they quickly respond, “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.” My fellow advocates in the Convention of States Project have each struggled with certain fundamental questions raised by this inescapable truth, like, “What can I do about it? I’m only one person,” and “Amend the Constitution? Are you serious?”
Using Article V’s ultimate check isn’t anyone’s first choice – not yours, not mine, not Mark Levin’s, nor anyone else’s you might name.
We all had to arrive individually at the realization that this tool is indeed the only solution big enough to address the problem.
I could spend the next two installments listing (with dates and circumstances) the many ways that the federal government is broken:
How things only get worse regardless of which party’s in control.
How the Legislative and the Judicial have repeatedly blocked the Executive from exercising his constitutional authority for purely political reasons.
How the Executive has claimed war powers granted expressly to Congress in Article I.
How the Judicial and the Executive have repeatedly usurped the role of the Legislative to make and enforce de facto laws.
How the Legislative has permanently abdicated its mandatory annual budget obligations in favor of Continuing Resolutions used as political pawns.
How Congress won’t impeach when there’s cause, but will when there isn’t.
How the Bill of Rights is under daily assault.
How the unelected and unaccountable Deep State came that close to pulling off a coup d’état voiding the will of the People, and how it may yet do so.
How the whole concept of federalism – the Founders’ balance of power between the federal, the States, and the People – died so long ago (with the 17th Amendment) that most of us don’t even know what the word means.
(And as of noon today, the National Debt Clock surpassed 21,967,400,000,000 other reasons.)
I could do that, but I suspect I’d be preaching to the choir.
The kneejerk response to all of that is usually, “So if they’re ignoring the Constitution now, how will amending it fix anything?” But think about that for a minute.
It’s a false premise. We think we’re being governed by the four-page handwritten document signed personally by Madison and King and Washington. We’re not.
We’re actually being governed by CONAN. I’m not exaggerating.
Over 3000 pages long, CONAN – The Constitution of the United States (Annotated) – explains every clause as interpreted by every Supreme Court ruling that bears on it. This massive book provides legal cover for (almost) every action bulleted above, and this is what the federal government adheres to and alters regularly according to its own whims. This is what progressives lovingly refer to as the “living, breathing document.” (It doesn’t just live and breathe. It EATS. Liberty.)
If you imagine they’ll ignore amendments, ask the women of Iowa whether they’ve been barred from voting lately. Whether presidents have ignored term limits despite the 22nd Amendment. Whether alcohol is illegal despite the 21st. Whether the States instead of the People elect their Senators despite the 17th.
You and I have the power to propose adding mechanisms to the Constitution that they CAN’T ignore. It’s high time we USE it.
Rise up, Iowa! Stand with us.
Next: But the Convention Will Run Away and the Earth Will Spin Off Its Axis!!
Author: John Antkowiak
John Antkowiak is a public historian specializing in U.S. military and Founding Era history. He is a volunteer advocate for Convention of States in his local North Carolina House District and, from time to time, in online fora nationwide. To find a Convention of States contact in your neck of the woods, visit conventionofstates.com/leaders or write to Jeremy Kruid at [email protected].
