I think we may need another Constitutional Convention?

[kentuck]

I wonder if the Founders thought about that?

That someday our entire system of government and democracy would have to be re-established?

[angstlessk]

1. NO WAY with most of the states in republican hands?

[yeoman6987]

2. If the GOP gets a few more governors they will

We have a ton of work to do before we can even talk constitutional convention where we control it. The repugs will control it if we continue getting screwed by those nasty repugs.

[kentuck]

16. I don't think political Parties played a big part in the last Constitutional Convention?

We have to think beyond Party if we are going to survive this mess.

[Kingofalldems]

18. It's gloom and doom all day 24/7 I note.

Trump and obstruction of justice:

Link to tweet

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[Dave Starsky]

3. Well, there's one in the works right now!

The red states and their Governors are working on that very thing at this moment, but I don't think you're going to like what they have in mind.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-republican-constitution-amendment-20161205-story.html

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. No. God knows what the Deplorables would do.

They would likely dismantle the Bill of Rights, save the Second Amendment.

[J_William_Ryan]

10. They dont need a constitutional convention to do that

They’re trying to do that now with judicial appointments.

[drray23]

5. it might not be so good to do so

Assuming it could even happen (You need 2/3 votes in each chamber and 3/4 of the states to vote for it), it may not be a good deal for progressives. Since the GOP controls the majority of the states, and everything is on the table during a convention, we could have utterly horrible things being passed.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

8. Congress doesn't vote on a state convention

to amend the Constitution. It's totally up to the states to call it and run it.

[drray23]

11. let me rephrase....

Article V of the Constitution provides for two methods of enacting constitutional amendments. Congress may, by a two-thirds vote in each chamber, propose a specific amendment; if at least three-fourths of the states (38 states) ratify it, the Constitution is amended. Alternatively, the states may call on Congress to form a constitutional convention to propose amendments. Congress must act on this call if at least two-thirds of the states (34 states) make the request. The convention would then propose constitutional amendments. Under the Constitution, such amendments would take effect if ratified by at least 38 states.

So yes, I was not accurate. Congress can initiate an amendment with 2/3 and the states have to ratify it.

As you pointed out, the states can also by themselves call a convention where everything would be on the table.

The first method would be preferable since it only pertains to adding amendments instead of reviewing the whole thing.

Now, of course there is this issue of having 2/3 majorities in both houses and 3/4 of states..



http://www.cbpp.org/research/states-likely-could-not-control-constitutional-convention-on-balanced-budget-amendment-or

[enough]

6. To be avoided at all costs with the republicans controlling so many states.

The list of things they are hoping to do at a constitutional convention is beyond appalling.

[Calista241]

7. Sure.

If you want:
Christianity as an official religion.
English as the official language.
Bans on abortion.
A balanced budget amendment.

And many other terrible, horrible things.

[leftstreet]

9. The GOPers would LOVE to destroy the Federal Government

It's their absolute wet dream

[Blue_true]

12. What we need is a good strategy for taking back

control over local and state level political offices.

[dawg]

13. You're right, of course.

Our system of government is fundamentally broken. It doesn't work in a world where politicians routinely place party above country, and structural changes are the only way it can be repaired.

[struggle4progress]

14. No thank you: if we can't organize well enough to win elections, we'll be destroyed by a Convention

[Initech]

15. It would take a war or two before that happens.

I'm 150% against the idea. Because if we opened our constitution to change, you know who's going to change it? It ain't us. It would be the big money interests and ultra far right churches that would write the new laws before we ever got our hands on it. A new CC would be the kleptocracy's wet dream. No. Bad idea.

[PoliticAverse]

17. You may find this Wikipedia article of interest...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Constitutional_Convention_of_the_United_States

[bluedigger]

19. The Most Dangerous Idea in American Politics?

No, thanks.

[roamer65]

20. Hell NO.