OPINION:
I strongly disagree with Cal Thomas’ endorsement of the convention of the states (“Time for a second American revolution,” Web, Nov. 10). Such a convention cannot be limited; it would put everything in the Constitution up for grabs, including the method of ratification.
The purpose of an amendment to the Constitution is to correct a problem in the Constitution. Article I, Section 8 already places limits on what Congress can spend money on. The 10th Amendment already prohibits the U.S. government from legislating in the areas of education or health care in any way, at any time, for any reason.
The problem is not in the Constitution itself; it is that the Constitution is not being obeyed. Article V will not deal with that. Why would anyone think that if just a few more amendments were added, people who have been disregarding the Constitution will suddenly start to obey it?
Article V actually says that the states can only apply for the convention; it is Congress that would call it. Congress could assert that it has the authority to select the delegates, time and place of the meeting, and the topics to be considered. Even if the states do select the delegates, what sort would current state governments send? I live in Maryland, and I believe our legislature would be far more likely to send a Bernie Sanders, Gavin Newsom or Elizabeth Warren than it would a Thomas Jefferson or James Madison. The political left would love to eliminate the Electoral College and the Bill of Rights.
The 1787 Convention is the only precedent we have. Its delegates received commissions only to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation. They instead created an entirely new document to replace the Articles altogether. Article 13 of the Articles required unanimous ratification by the states for any amendment to be approved. However, the delegates changed the rules, reducing the number from all to three-fourths. A new convention could and probably would do the same. One person has recommended 15 of the 20 most populous states. Another recommends a popular vote by the people.
The real solution is not Article V; it is Article VI, which requires every government official — U.S., state and local, elected and appointed — to swear an oath of office to obey and protect the Constitution. We need to hold our officials accountable to the Constitution and their oaths of office. I strongly recommend The New American Freedom Index, which is updated twice a year and gives the voting record of each member of Congress in terms of fidelity to the Constitution and to their oaths of office.
THOMAS M. CRAWFORD
Laurel, Maryland
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