Repeal the 17th Amendment

Repeal the 17th Amendment

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." -- Samuel Adams

There are two ways to amend the Constitution: 1) Congress 2) by the states calling for a Constitutional Convention as called for in Article V of the Constitution.

Article 5 http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article5

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

It's a sure bet that the Congress will never vote to repeal the 17th Amendment. That leaves the only alternative: Constitutional Convention. This power of the states has never been exercised probably because a convention - theoretically opens up the entire U.S. Constitution for rewrite. However, since a Convention has never been called, there is no precedent for HOW it should be called - on what terms.

It seems to this writer that the limitations of action could be written into the application for a Call for a convention. Specifically, the application would set the limits for the agenda on the Call to voting on only two amendments. It would prohibit the representatives from voting on any other changes.

1) Repeal the 17th Amendment

2) Add a third way to amend the Constitution. Allow an amendment to originate in a state legislature and provide for ratification in the same way as currently exists for an amendment that originates in the Congress.

Balance of Power

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The original Constitution provided a balance of power between the Executive branch, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 17th Amendment changed that balance of power in favor of the Executive branch by taking power from the states.

Article I, Section 3.1

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding five words were superseded by Amendment XVII) for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

17th Amendment

XVII - U.S. Senators to be elected by direct popular vote

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.

1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislatures.

2. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the Legislature of any State may empower the Executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the Legislature may direct.

3. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

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The 17th Amendment must be repealed is because it eliminated one of the very important checks and balances in the power of the government. It left the states without representation in the federal system. It made the Senators free agents to act in their own personal interests over the interests of the State. In effect, it put their votes up for sale to the wealthy who could put them in office.

The Senate is the most powerful of the two Houses of Congress in terms of their responsibilities and authorities. They approve treaties, presidential appointments, etc. Their appointment by State Legislatures would have ensured that the Senators vote in the interests of the States.

Breaking Nations With Trade

The shift in American foreign policy to include use of the American economy as a foreign policy tool was the beginning of the sell-out of America. Embassies became the foreign sales offices for American corporations. The Congress not only made it attractive for American corporations to move offshore, they made it an economic imperative by giving them tax breaks to go - and 'free trade' deals allowing them to import back into the U.S. duty free. The effect of this has been to drain the U.S. economy - transferring wealth to the countries receiving U.S. industries, enriching the insiders - Senators with investments in the corporations - impoverishing the United States. As was to be expected, the lies of the "booming economy" are being revealed by the reality of a collapsing mortgage market, declining tax revenues (unemployed people can't pay mortgages and don't pay taxes), and crumbling infrastructure.

Washington DC has become a cesspool of corruption. The votes of Congress are up for sale to the highest bidders - and there are lots of bidders - both foreign and domestic. Earlier this week, a group of illegal aliens had the audacity to demonstrate for "their rights". Members of Congress belong to special interest groups representing the interests of foreign nations. There are so many signs - obvious signs that the United States is in the death throes that it should be declared a national emergency. We are a failing nation.

If this country is to be saved, it is up to the States to do it. The Governors and the State Legislators must step up and assert the power they have to keep Washington DC from completing the job of national suicide. They must formulate a 'holistic' strategy to fight back the federal system of corruption - and their co-conspirators: the main stream media. The following are suggestions for a start:

Establish a state web site for news and information concerning state actions specifically for this campaign. This website would be the main source for communicating with the citizens of the state regarding state actions in holding the line - and fighting back the federal corruption. It should include video broadcasts of state officials talking about the issues, their reasons for the actions they are taking and it should include a feedback mechanism for citizens.

After the website is established and functioning, announce the campaign to the public. It should be something like a Declaration of Independence with a Bill of Particulars on the grievances that led to this action.

Dissolve all 'working groups' of special interests working in Public-Private Partnerships with government officials.

Write legislation to prohibit all public-private partnerships in the State of Idaho. These are vehicles for corruption of public officials.

Repeal the Interstate-Compact for Education. And announce that the State of Idaho will no longer accept federal money for education - and will no longer follow federal mandates for it.

Formulate a strategy to ensure that the basic needs of Idahoans will be met. Primarily that means food independence so that the citizens of Idaho won't be held hostage by hunger.

Communicate with and attempt to form a coalition of states with similar interests to engage in similar strategy.

In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man - brave, hated,
and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the TIMID join him, For then
it costs NOTHING to be a Patriot." -- Mark Twain

Repeal the 17th Amendment "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." -- Samuel Adams
There are two ways to amend the Constitution: 1) Congress 2) by the states calling for a Constitutional Convention as called for in Article V of the Constitution. Article 5 http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article5 The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate. It's a sure bet that the Congress will never vote to repeal the 17th Amendment. That leaves the only alternative: Constitutional Convention. This power of the states has never been exercised probably because a convention - theoretically opens up the entire U.S. Constitution for rewrite. However, since a Convention has never been called, there is no precedent for *HOW* it should be called - on what terms. It seems to this writer that the limitations of action could be written into the application for a Call for a convention. Specifically, the application would set the limits for the agenda on the Call to voting on only two amendments. It would prohibit the representatives from voting on any other changes. 1) Repeal the 17th Amendment 2) Add a third way to amend the Constitution. Allow an amendment to originate in a state legislature and provide for ratification in the same way as currently exists for an amendment that originates in the Congress. Balance of Power xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx		The original Constitution provided a balance of power between the Executive branch, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 17th Amendment changed that balance of power in favor of the Executive branch by taking power from the states. Article I, Section 3.1 The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding five words were superseded by Amendment XVII) for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. 17th Amendment XVII - U.S. Senators to be elected by direct popular vote Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913. 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislatures. 2. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the Legislature of any State may empower the Executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the Legislature may direct. 3. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The 17th Amendment must be repealed is because it eliminated one of the very important checks and balances in the power of the government. It left the states without representation in the federal system. It made the Senators free agents to act in their own personal interests over the interests of the State. In effect, it put their votes up for sale to the wealthy who could put them in office. The Senate is the most powerful of the two Houses of Congress in terms of their responsibilities and authorities. They approve treaties, presidential appointments, etc. Their appointment by State Legislatures would have ensured that the Senators vote in the interests of the States. Breaking Nations With Trade The shift in American foreign policy to include use of the American economy as a foreign policy tool was the beginning of the sell-out of America. Embassies became the foreign sales offices for American corporations. The Congress not only made it attractive for American corporations to move offshore, they made it an economic imperative by giving them tax breaks to go - and 'free trade' deals allowing them to import back into the U.S. duty free. The effect of this has been to drain the U.S. economy - transferring wealth to the countries receiving U.S. industries, enriching the insiders - Senators with investments in the corporations - impoverishing the United States. As was to be expected, the lies of the "booming economy" are being revealed by the reality of a collapsing mortgage market, declining tax revenues (unemployed people can't pay mortgages and don't pay taxes), and crumbling infrastructure. Washington DC has become a cesspool of corruption. The votes of Congress are up for sale to the highest bidders - and there are lots of bidders - both foreign and domestic. Earlier this week, a group of illegal aliens had the audacity to demonstrate for "their rights". Members of Congress belong to special interest groups representing the interests of foreign nations. There are so many signs - obvious signs that the United States is in the death throes that it should be declared a national emergency. We are a failing nation. If this country is to be saved, it is up to the States to do it. The Governors and the State Legislators must step up and assert the power they have to keep Washington DC from completing the job of national suicide. They must formulate a 'holistic' strategy to fight back the federal system of corruption - and their co-conspirators: the main stream media. The following are suggestions for a start:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.	Establish a state web site for news and information concerning state actions specifically for this campaign. This website would be the main source for communicating with the citizens of the state regarding state actions in holding the line - and fighting back the federal corruption. It should include video broadcasts of state officials talking about the issues, their reasons for the actions they are taking and it should include a feedback mechanism for citizens. After the website is established and functioning, announce the campaign to the public. It should be something like a Declaration of Independence with a Bill of Particulars on the grievances that led to this action. Dissolve all 'working groups' of special interests working in Public-Private Partnerships with government officials. Write legislation to prohibit all public-private partnerships in the State of Idaho. These are vehicles for corruption of public officials. Repeal the Interstate-Compact for Education. And announce that the State of Idaho will no longer accept federal money for education - and will no longer follow federal mandates for it. Formulate a strategy to ensure that the basic needs of Idahoans will be met. Primarily that means food independence so that the citizens of Idaho won't be held hostage by hunger. Communicate with and attempt to form a coalition of states with similar interests to engage in similar strategy. In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man - brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the TIMID join him, For then it costs NOTHING to be a Patriot." -- Mark Twain