Dear editor,
I write to you today in reference to Kansas House Resolution 5010 and Senate Resolution 1603. Both ask for Kansas representatives to approve by a super-majority that the State of Kansas support and approve a convention of states to amend the federal Constitution, as provided by Article V.
There are seven Articles of our Constitution, each dealing with different aspects of our government; there are 27 Amendments to these Articles. How the Constitution can be amended is defined in Article V. Simply put, 67 percent of the states have to agree, in exact terminology, that the Constitution should be amended. Once this agreement is reached, Congress is required to establish a date and place for such a convention to be held. Congress has no input, other than that.
When the convention of states is convened, each state is represented by a delegation of selected individuals, who only have one vote. It requires a 75 percent approval for an Amendment to be passed by the convention to be submitted for approval by the voters of all 50 states. Then it requires passage in 38 states, by popular vote — simple majority rules. Put another way, using the 2014 general election there were 115,000,000 citizens who voted in all 50 states; an Amendment would have required a minimum of 86,500,000 registered voters to agree on its passage. This is why there is no need to concern yourself with a “run-away convention.” Simply put, there are too many stipulated requirements established in Article V to allow any negative action to our Constitution or its current Amendments.
Briefly, the Amendments being sought concern the following issues:
1. Fiscal restraints on the federal government such as no more unfunded mandates, establish a balanced budget, tax reforms, etc.
2. Restriction on the federal government powers in the matters dealing with state rights, enforcement of the 10th Amendment when state regulations are sufficient, and other such matters concerning the unfounded and unwanted intrusion in intra-state affairs by the federal government, etc.
3. Term limits for all federal officials and representatives. Putting it simply, do away with professional politicians.
As presented, this is a layman’s view of what is being proposed by these resolutions currently lying idle in both chambers. Be it noted that Senator Tyson is totally in agreement with the passage of these issues. Rep. Kent Thompson cannot find his way to support these actions due to the fact that he has not heard about these issues from many, if any, of his constituents. So, please let Mr. Thompson know what you think about big government, financial responsibility of our government and term limits. Call him at 620-365-3197 or email him at [email protected].
Stand up for your rights. Help make our government work for us, instead of us working for it.
Respectfully,
Larry H. Walden,
Iola, Kan.
