It was the weekend of November 9-10, just two weeks ago, when I finished reading Mark R Levin’s newest book, The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic, in which he argues for a first ever Article V amendments convention initiated by the states as the only means to bring America back to its intended path of limited central government that respects the sovereignty of the states and the people. With this book, true scholar Levin reveals the depth of his connection to the essence of America’s founding principles, how they have been gradually eroded over time, and the urgency to restore them in order that our great nation remains the beacon of liberty and freedom for the world. I was moved. I thought of how the teaparty/912 movement should consider dropping everything to focus on making a first ever Article V convention a reality.
Then, on November 10, a brief twitter interaction, led to a two week journey of amazing discovery of information that leaves us today two weeks away from what may be one of the most significant gatherings in America since the days of our nation’s founding. It started like this:
That link to a story at The Times of Northwest Indiana, “Indiana Senate leader working toward U.S. constitutional convention”, suggested Levin’s book was having an immediate impact. It told of a planned gathering at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, on December 7, with representatives from various states considering an Article V convention. I made the assumption that it was Levin’s book that initiated this action, but also found it curious that Mark Levin or The Liberty Amendments was never mentioned in the article.
Monday morning, November 11, I called the author of the article, Dan Carden. He explained that Indiana has a history of Article V attempts and that President of the Indiana Senate, David Long, started this process well before the August 13 release of Levin’s book. I noted that Levin was talking about his new book well in advance of its release and still thought there may be some connection. Carden said he didn’t know.
I then called the office of Senator David Long. They confirmed that his efforts and Levin’s book coming together at the same time was a coincidence, but certainly not insignificant. They said they have read The Liberty Amendments, which by the way never mentions Senator Long’s efforts, and are excited about the boost it may bring.
Curiously, Long’s office told me the main source of opposition they have encountered is coming from the very teaparty/912 groups I thought should be its most ardent supporters. Their fear is of a runaway convention that would completely rewrite our constitution. Senator Long, however, also recognized this threat and introduced defining and limiting bills as model legislation that has passed the Indiana legislature and been signed into law by Governor Mike Pence. They are serious and ready to go.
Senator Long’s office also informed me that Senator Long would be on Mark Levin’s radio show Wednesday evening, November 13, in the final hour to discuss the December 7 gathering they are calling The Mount Vernon Assembly. Of course, I listened to that show, and thanks to Levin’s making available podcasts without subscription, anyone else can too. Here is the link to this must listen interview. The Senator Long portion runs from 84:40 to 106:20 and is a very thorough discussion of what is taking place. Long indicated 26 states, at that point, intend to send delegates to the meeting.
This past Tuesday, November 19, I visited the Pennsylvania state capitol to encourage our legislature, so far absent, to send a delegation to Mount Vernon. While there I discovered that, without knowledge of the December 7 gathering, our liberty loving states rights senator, Mike Folmer, has introduced a co-sponsorship memorandum declaring Pennsylvania’s support of the Liberty Amendments as outlined in Levin’s book.
Finally, I called Senator Long’s office again yesterday, November 22, for any updates. They told me the state count is now about 30 and that I could check with Wisconsin Rep Chris Kapenga, who is handling RSVPs and keeping tabs on that. I called Kapenga’s office and they confirmed the count is about 30 states, but they are hoping for a few more, and a room has been reserved in the library.
That room, by the way, is in the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, Washington’s estate. As if this unlikely confluence of events is not enough to ponder, Washington wrote over 200 years ago of a need for a library to house his works. This wish was only concluded September 27, 2013 with the library’s dedication. How’s that for a tingle up the spine?
Would it not be almost incomprehensibly ironic then, if the renewed progressive push and centralization of power by the current administration, with its disregard for our constitution as an outdated, out of touch document of yesteryear, turns out to be a fatal overreach that contributes to a constitutionally provided Article V convention of the states that effects its restoration and solidification for generations yet to come? Thanks to Mark R Levin, Senator David Long, and every patriot taking this effort seriously!
Note: This post shared to WatchdogWire-Pennsylvania
FreeMktMonkey 
Does anyone know the list of specfic states that are going. I am in Forida and have written my state legistors and received “mealy mouthed” responses. I am curious to know if any rep. of FL are on the list. I haven’t been able to find out yet.
This might mean Fla is represented:
http://conventionofstates.com
EM – A caller phoned in to Mark Levin’s show prior to Thanksgiving (not sure which show and the specific details) and advised that a legislator will be representing Florida.
There is a representative from Florida going
Thank you very much for all the info you provided and big interest in this event.
Daily Kos article…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/04/1260066/-Alert-Art-V-Convention-Threat-Grows-Dec-7-2013-Assembly#comments
Love it! The “threat”! Excellent! Shaping up into a showdown!
The Mt. Vernon Assembly is a shot across the bow of DC. That panicked article in the Daily Kos proves libs are scared and mobilizing.
They just discovered but this WILL Escalate! It also means there can be NO turning back. To not call a Convention of States would now be worse than having done nothing. My article is now an outbound link at Daily Kos. They’re as cornered dogs. I DON”T think it’s too dramatic to say Civil War was engaged yesterday Dec 4, 2013. I’ll email link to Sen Long’s office.
+ I’m disappointed the Kos crowd hasn’t ‘bombed’ this thread already
+ Levin just appeared for the 2nd time on Beck yesterday. Beck is now signed on, whereas with the 1st Levin appearance Beck seemed suspicious; so that should motivate his listener/viewership.
+ RE: 10/18 Memo – I just shot a supportive missive towards PA Sen Folmer and CCd my Senator.
Thank you everyone for responding to my question, glad to hear FL will be represented.
As the Dubois County Indiana TP leader who has opposed and still opposes the Article V convention, I want to point out that 38 states must vote to approve an amendment. I doubt you can find 38 states to approve the mostly common sense amendments (the income tax amendment Levin presents is flat out stupid. Get rid of the income tax, duh).
As we presented to Senator Long, nullification is the legal course to take if you want an immediate solution to the problems from Washington DC. Are very valid point is, what makes you think DC will obey the new amendments when they don’t follow the Constitution as it is written today? Sen. Long had no answer for that. So we can write every amendment we ever wanted, but what makes any of you think the current President will obey the Constitution when the last 3 didn’t either?
The TP leaders aren’t saying the article V amendment path is illegal. We are saying it isn’t the right path. Nullify the bad Federal laws. They are skipping the main step in stopping the government. The article V convention might be the only path our elected leaders will take as passing laws are easy to them. The hard part of enforcing them has been shown to not exist, otherwise Arizona would be enforcing the border, states wouldn’t be giving illegals tax revenue in the form of benefits, and nullification of laws (see Colorado: weed is legal) would happen every year.
Not all TPers agrees with your analysis. What you describe is total government anarchy. Some might suggest we have that now. At least with a Convention of the States we will have set legal precedent to move forward in restoring our republic.
I have no problem with states nullifying abusive federal law. Don’t obstruct the states collectively working to amend the Constitution. Work on your end for your state to nullify laws you find objectionable.
In other words, do both.
There’s a problem with your path – Nullification is unconstitutional and has never been legally upheld by any court. States do not have the consitutional authority to nullify federal statute. Article V is constitutional and viable if we have the courage to keep our hands from raising into surrender mode.
The Article V caucus is official
http://www.articlevcaucus.com/
You can check the ‘About’ link to see which state is represented on the caucus.
Pennsylvania is absent.
Thanks…will relay link to appropriate PA legislators BTY TODAY is Break Out Day! Beck talked on Radio Show and Article now on Blaze!
I think there’s a huge disconnect between the PA legislators’ perceived vs. realized notion of Article V… Just received a response from PA Senator Folmer’s office —
“Although Senator Folmer was contacted by a number of people about the Mount Vernon Assembly, he could find no agenda, no mission statement, and no process for selecting delegates to represent states. Additionally, he was concerned the Assembly would result in a call of a Constitutional Convention. While Senator Folmer supports liberty amendments, he is not able to support a wholesale rewriting of the United States Constitution.”
Thanks…I have a close connection w/Sen Folmer and will discuss his fears with him
Thanks for your help Freemktmonkey!
If there were an article v convention what would be achieved? Nullification has been tried before in the Southern states prior to the Civil War with one of its main proponents being Sen. John Calhoun of South Carolina even though he and many others believed that the 10th amendment gave them such a right no court has ever ruled in favor of nullification.
But lets say that right was granted under a new constitutional convention in essence the United States would no longer exist because the states would have the right of nullification that would as you pointed out supersede any law passed by Congress. Instead there would be 50 countries much like 19th century Germany that was divided into principalities rather than a unified nation state.
You would also like to repeal the 17th amendment which allows for the direct election of U.S. Senators from the several states rather than the old system of appointment by the states legislature. That system was fraught with corruption and abuse why then would want that system reinstated as this countries method for choosing its U.S. Senators?
Kip,
Respectfully, you need to do more homework —
There are several links in Freemktmonkey’s article and the comment section to answer your initial question.
You are right that if nullification were passed, the states would act as if they were sovereign nations. However, there’s no evidence nullification is a part of the caucus’s platform and even if it was, the caucus cannot uniformly pass it into law – it cannot pass any law. Also, nullification, which eliminates the efficacy of the Supreme Court would not be a popular pursuit.
Lastly, corruption and abuse were not the reasons why the 17th Amendment was ratified; though some may have used it as an excuse. The main reason was Progressives in both parties wanted to ‘phase out’ Federalism, i.e. weaken the states. If not for its ratification, Medicare/Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act would never have been brought to the Senate floor, let alone signed into law…. Why? States would never willingly forfeit 25-30% of their annual budgets for Federal government programs.
Bravo Chet. You nailed it. Furthermore, flippant or off the wall amendments will not runaway with the convention because the majority of the states must agree on any amendment proposed for ratification. In addition, if the states adopt a law similar to what IN passed and signed, delegates will be on a pretty short leash or risk being recalled and criminal indictment.
Reblogged this on Three Steps to Stop Congressional Corruption.
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