Source: http://www.glennbeck.com/2014/02/05/david-barton-voices-support-convention-of-states-in-letter/
Wallbuilders Founder David Barton has authored a letter expressing his support for a Convention of States. Alongside his co-host on Wallbuilders Live Rick Green, Barton says he has spent years researching a Convention of States and is urging Americans to support this legislative effort to limit the scope of the federal government.
Fellow Patriots,
It is exciting to see such a renewed interest in basic constitutional principles. Liberty lovers across America are studying their past in order to find ways to stop our federal government’s explosive growth and sprint towards socialism.
Fortunately, our Founding Fathers, with their thorough understanding of human nature, created constitutional means to restrain the federal government when it exceeded its jurisdiction. One specific means was the Constitution’s Article V amendment process by means of a Convention of the States. This is a proper solution.
We have not come to this conclusion lightly. Like many of our conservative friends, we initially avoided this constitutionally-specified process due to a fear of what might occur, or what could happen. But after years of research and studying the Founders’ original intent for this amendment process — and after years of witnessing an unconstitutional reshaping of our federal government — we are both confident that this is the correct course of action.
The Federalist Papers declare that the Constitution specifically furnishes each part of government “with constitutional arms” for its own “effectual powers of self-defense.” One such arm of self-defense that the Constitution gives to the states is an Article V Convention of States. For states to refuse to use this tool would be like going into a street fight, but refusing to use one of your biggest and most effective weapons. And it is illogical to consider the use of any constitutional provision as a threat to the Constitution. It makes as much sense as violating the free-market system to save it, or breaking health care to fix it.
We urge you to support all of the Constitution, and thus the efforts of the Convention of States to pass their extremely well-thought-out and strategic legislation in your home state and join us in a call to restore our constitutional republic.
God Bless,
David Barton
Founder and President, WallBuilders
Rick Green
Co-host, WallBuilders Live!
Author, The Citizen Guide to Our Constitution
So who are the supposed authors of this new constitution? Who will pick these new authors? Are they, will the process be any better that the electoral process? This is a BAD idea. If We The People can’t or won’t enforce the current Constitution of the United States of America, then a new one isn’t going to do us a dam bit of good! BAD IDEA! BAD IDEA! BAD IDEA!
Who is forcing the elected to follow the Constitution now? Unless you want to attack capital hill armed, how can WE do anything? It’s not a rewrite of the Constitution, it’s amendments. Think term limits and balanced budget amendment. 34 states have to approve them, if 34 states pass something bad the country is already over.
I agree with mudd on this idea. Our founding Fathers gave US a near perfect Republic to govern our country by and we should NEVER think about changing it or replacing it. I think our goal as Americans should be to work to “restore” it. You make a good point web staff that our elected officials are not following our Constitution and this idea of a “new Constitution” is just to change Amendments but frankly, I cringe at the thought of doing that because it sound treasonous to our Life, Liberty and pursuit of happiness that our Founding Fathers gave US. I’m always leery of anything “new” that comes along, please web staff, do not take what I’m about to say wrong because in most cases I agree with you and I do like you but what your stating, “It’s not a rewrite of the Constitution, it’s amendments. Think term limits and balanced budget amendment” is like what the Serpent in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:1-5 told Eve when he stated, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Because of Eve and Adam’s unwise decision to disobey God and “change” his rules they suffered the eternal consequences! Forgive me for this analysis web staff but I do not think we should ever go changing Amendments in our Constitution and that is one reason why our Founding Fathers led by God made it near impossible to repeal them, needing 2/3rds of the states approval to do it. When we vacation out in Virginia Beach area we always love to go to Williamsburg Colonial, James Town and York Town for tours and old colonial dining. My two favorite spots on the Williamsburg ground is the old Episcopal church that Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, his wife and children loved to attend. I’ve set in the very pew that Jefferson and Washington both set in and what a glorious feeling it is! There is also a street there at Williamsburg called “Nicholson Street,” it was named after Sir Francis Nicholson who was one of the Governors for King George before our nation was born. My family came from England through the Virginia colony and settled there. When I retire from ISU in around 4 1/2 more years we are seriously thinking of the Virginia Beach area but we will be a regular on the Williamsburg Colonial grounds. No my friends, we must NEVER change that sacred foundation of our Constitution given to us by our Founding Fathers inspired by Almighty God! God and Guns have always played a major role in our Independence and Freedom as Americans. You might say that if it was not for God and Guns we would not of abtained our Freedom from Great Britain and the rule under King George III. When the British Redcoats went into Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 it was for the purpose of disarming the Colony people. Hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize the Colonist’s arms. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, contrary to mainstream belief Revere did not shout out, “the British are coming” because at this time the Colonists still considered themselves to be British because America had not been established yet. He just warned that those Redcoats sent by the King were out to disarm us. The Colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoat columns. When the British Redcoats attacked the Colonists to take their arms this was met by resistance from the Colonists. It led them to declaring their independence from a tyrant King and this is how our Freedom was born with the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote a stunning statement of the colonist’s right to rebel against the British government and establish their own based on the premise that all men are created equal and have the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in June and it was accepted by our Continental Congress on the next month, July 4, 1776 and was signed by 56 delegate (Founding Fathers). John Hancock being the first to sign supposedly he said that Congress, having signed the Declaration, must now “all hang together,” and Benjamin Franklin replied, “Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This of course according to King George III was an act of treason against Great Britain, so it caused war with the British called the American Revolutionary War, which lasted until 1783, and as America, we prevailed! The signers of the Declaration of Independence were a very intelligent, most were Christian in their religious faith. four of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were current or former full-time preachers. Other professions held by the signers include lawyers, merchants, doctors and educators. These individuals, too, were for the most part active churchgoers and many contributed significantly to their churches both with contributions as well as their service as lay leaders. Our Constitution came a little later in 1787, before there was a United States of America, in which the Continental Congress invited each of the 13 colonies to send representatives to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Their plan was to draft a document to govern the colonies effectively. Twelve states sent a total of 55 delegates. Rhode Island declined to send anyone. These men worked together all summer to draft the Constitution. The man who actually wrote it, meaning he put the pen to the paper, was Gouverneur Morris. He contributed far more than just ink, however. The initial draft of the Constitution had 23 articles and Morris was largely responsible for paring it down to 7, and gave it the style and arrangement that we have today, even it’s preamble. Although 55 delegates were involved in creating our Constitution, only 39 men signed it. Not all 55 men were present the entire time, and these 39 were the ones present at the conclusion of it’s writing. John Adams made it very clear that our Constitution only works when we put our trust and hope in God as he stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Of the 55 delegates most were devout Christians. George Washington himself stated, “What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” Our Constitution and it’s Amendments are so vital to US as Americans in protecting us from any dictatorship or tyranical government like this evil Obama government which shows only contempt and disrespect for our Constitutional Republic and the laws of our land. Patrick Henry explained, “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” The 2nd Amendment is the backbone of our Constitution and it prevents a tyranical government from arising to destroy our Liberties and Freedoms because “The Right of the People to Keep and Bare Arms shall not be infringed.” Our political leaders are to “represent” US and not “control” US. We are a government of the People, by the People and for the People. The foundationnal laws and guide lines for our Free nation is to be governed by our Constitutional Republic, our Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights!
Illinois is never going to participate anyway, but don’t be surprised is 34 other states do.