An Up-Side-Down Day
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, February 7, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. Last Tuesday was one of those up-side-down days, when liberals were on the right side and conservatives were on the wrong side of the issue.
Two of the longest-serving Democrats in the Georgia Senate eloquently explained the dangers of a constitutional convention, while Republicans kept wearing their rose-colored-glasses and repeating their talking points.
The debate was about S.R. 736 that applies to Congress for a convention of the states under Article V of the United States Constitution. As a continuing resolution, it would remain in effect until at least 34 state legislatures make the same request on the same subject. On the right side of the issue are Democrats concerned that a constitutional convention could not be controlled and would put The Constitution of the United States at risk of radical, unacceptable changes. They are absolutely right! Republicans politely listened to their objections, defeated three proposed amendments, called for a vote and passed the bill 37 to 16, totally disregarding warnings from the Democrats and countless citizens that asked them to vote NO.
S.R. 736 now goes to the House Judiciary Committee, where it joins S.R. 371 that passed the Senate last year and is still alive this session. If either bill passes, Georgia would be the first to pass a call for a constitutional convention got a balanced budget. Since S.R. 736 has three requests and does not mention a balanced budget, it seems the powers-that-be have decided to abandon it and pass S.R. 371, because it is a straight-forward call for a balanced budget convention.
Listen to the questions no one can answer about an Article V convention: Who would preside; will all of the states be invited; how many states must attend; how many delegates may attend; who could vote; who qualifies as a delegate; must delegates be U.S. citizens; will delegates make the rules; will it be held in the continental United States; will it be open to the public; can it be kept to one amendment; how long will it last; could the Constitution be replaced; could the United States form of government be replaced; if so, what would replace it?
Those are questions without answers, but folks wearing rose-colored-glasses believe THEY can control an Article V convention, when there is NO limit once it starts. Please call 404 656-5125* and ask Representative Willard to STOP any call for an Article V convention. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.