Cast an Informed Vote July 20th

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, July 16, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. This year as never before, we know the importance of elections. We’ve learned NOT to elect candidates just because they speak well or promise great things. We’ve learned to look deeper, to find out where they stand on issues and not assume they agree with us on anything. We must be sure of their loyalty to this country and the free enterprise system.

A most critical fact surfaced early in this campaign period. I began writing about it in December 2008, after learning that a Georgia candidate for governor was promoting a constitutional convention to pass a fair tax amendment. While I support a fair tax, I am absolutely opposed to a constitutional convention for any purpose. A fair tax amendment can be passed the same way the other 27 constitutional amendments passed … without a constitutional convention.

The only authority for a constitutional convention is Article V of the Constitution of the United States and is so crafted that most anything can happen after a convention is convened. The best example of that is a historical fact. On May 25, 1787 the first and only U.S. constitutional convention was convened under the Articles of Confederation and adjourned September 17, 1787, less than 100 working days later, after delegates adopted the current Constitution.

To better understand my concerns, please read Article V of the Constitution and ask yourself these questions: Who presides over a constitutional convention? Will every state be invited? How many states must attend and where will it be held? Must delegates be U.S. citizens? What rules of order will be followed and how long would the convention last? How many amendments can it pass? Can states repeal their calls for a constitutional convention?

The answer to those questions is, “No one knows!” But there are two things we DO know. Delegates to a constitutional convention could throw out the current constitution and install an entirely new form of government. So, let’s elect candidates who will protect the Constitution and amend it with the same process that’s been used 27 times without a constitutional convention. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.