Time for a second American revolution

OPINION:

Had enough of the consequences reverberating from the record government “shutdown”? Ready to do something about it? This is an ideal time to recall a slogan from the 1960s: “Power to the people.” We need a second American revolution — not with guns or violence but with a provision in the Constitution that the Founders thought necessary should we arrive at a moment like this.

That would be the state legislatures calling a convention of states to take back the power from Washington and put the government behind its original boundaries.

In its first paragraph, the Declaration of Independence gives permission for such a revolution: “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Granted, that was about a separation from our British overlords. Today, it should mean a separation from the dysfunctional Congress, leading to a reformation of the federal government, which has betrayed the intentions of the Founders.

Article 5 of the Constitution allows for a constitutional convention of states with the approval of three-quarters of state legislatures. According to Convention of States Action, a grassroots nonprofit organization that advocates for a convention of states, 19 state legislatures have passed resolutions calling for a convention, and eight more have passed resolutions in at least one legislative chamber. The approval of 34 state legislatures is required.

The arguments against a convention include that it could get out of control and damage the Constitution and the country. That is easily addressed, as the conventions could be limited to a short list of reforms, such as requiring a balanced budget and implementing term limits.

Arguments in favor of a convention of states include that Congress will not willingly give up the power it has accrued for itself and that issues such as the $38 trillion national debt will only get worse if those powers are not curbed.

Members of the House and Senate will not voluntarily relinquish their powers and perks. Like the child who has tooth decay from eating too many sweets and must have candy withheld from him, so, too, must the “candy” of spending and debt be removed from the hands of politicians before the country has decayed beyond repair.

As I wrote in a previous book, “America’s Expiration Date,” the history of great nations is replete with examples that caused their decline. Massive national debt is one of them. We can’t escape the lessons of history any more than we can escape the consequences of gravity after jumping from a tall building. Halfway down, we might regret our decision, but the consequences will remain when we reach the street.

We are teetering at the edge of a tall building. If we don’t reconsider, turn around and come down, we will ultimately regret the consequences. If we wait much longer to address reform, it will be too late and the time for repair will have passed. A convention of states appears to be the only answer.

Looking at the liberal groups who oppose it and wish to continue the status quo is reason enough to persuade 15 more legislatures to follow the example of the 19 that have already given their approval. It will be difficult, as many of the remaining legislatures that must approve a resolution are majority Democratic, but the first revolution was also difficult. Look how that turned out.

• Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book, “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books).