It is no light statement to suggest we need to call a Constitutional Convention. America has the world’s longest running written Constitutional Democracy. But to say that we are a great success is to be blind, stupid and wrong. We have wondered so far from what the framers of our great Constitution wanted – what they envisioned – for America.
The People. You, your neighbor, the kid down the road, me – we were supposed to control Congress. Congress answered to us! We funded their campaign and if they neglected to do our will, we removed them. A Congressional position was not a career – it was a public service one would hold for a short while before returning to the private sector. What has happened?
Corporations, now more than ever, run elections. Politicians are bought and paid for by special interests. No longer does it matter what the people want – the people are merely pandered to, told what we want to hear. We argue amongst ourselves – red state vs. blue state, right vs. left. When will we open our eyes and realize we have been scammed?
Our tax dollars, our children’s tax dollars, paid for banks to steal our life savings. Our politicians passed laws allowing BP to have oil rigs in our waters, flagged in another country for the sole purpose of avoiding our environmental protocols – and now look at what has happened. Health care reform law is a toothless tiger because Big Insurance doesn’t want to pay out. Consumer finance reform is a weak beast because banks threatened to stop lending. Net neutrality wont exist because communication companies don’t want to compete. But oh no! Online gambling can get your bank account frozen! And GOD FORBID you download a song you didn’t buy – that could land you in jail!
What have we allowed to happen? Under our watch, Big Business has taken over the government. Our “leaders” have become dependent on the funds Big Business provides – why would they change? And so, we must force change. Our great Founders saw that this may happen and they provided us with an option. In our Constitution exists the right to call a Constitutional Convention – a chance for the People, through their State Legislators, to propose Amendments that force their government to change. It is time we do this. We must force business out of politics. We must return the power to the People. We must reform how elections are brought.
If we do not, we must accept the consequences and understand that the future America might have had, will be forever tarnished by the will of Big Business.
Uruk
2 months ago
Lion,
After reading your post, I swore I could hear Paul Revere crying, “To arms! To arms! The British are coming! The British are coming!”
I have never heard of the Constitutional Convention before. Had I guessed at an answer, I would have guessed it was a reference to the Continental Congress.
Thank you for sharing that; I will learn more about the Constitutional Convention.
The time has come for all people to become politicians, before all the politicians subjugate the people.
the lion
2 months ago
Uruk, in many ways the British are coming, have come. Our government has become the very thing we fought (and fought dirty!) against to gain our Independence. Corrupt, greedy, uncontrollable, spend thrifts who care too little for what the People think.
Michael Lockridge
2 months ago
Since you are calling a convention, here is my blog post on a change I think would be beneficial.
http://philosophyonpurpose.blogspot.com/2010/03/draft-our-leaders.html
People who seek power are seldom seeking it for the sake of others. Even our National Fathers were self-seeking. The oppressive British government was limiting their prospects for wealth. The Empire siphoned off the wealth of colonies; that was how business was done in the Age of Empires. It is because this system compelled uncommon men to be common men that these uncommon men sought a system empowering the common man. They had to gain power for all to gain power for themselves.
I don’t mind. I profited from their selfless self-seeking. However, those who seek power still seek power, and must be watched, contained or destroyed.
Uruk
2 months ago
Power is central to the issue, for sure.
Michael, I agree with your comment.
Powerful people are often stripped of their power when they become despotic. Those subject to harsh rule eventually overwhelm their leaders.
We have to be watchful that our government doesn’t take on too much power and become despotic, while still allowing for our government officials to maintain the powers they have.
the lion
2 months ago
I don’t believe a draft is the answer for President – some people are not fit for politics nor leading and a draft would put those folks in charge of running our nation. That said, For Congress and the House I think the answer lies in strict term limits and a draft. Your name is called, you go and serve two years and then your name is never called again. Some folks should still be elected, but (again) with term limits – perhaps four years. I figure half of the Representatives and Senators should be drafted, half should be elected.
As for President, I think it should be simple. If you were elected prior to the House or Senate, you get one term as President. Never elected? Two terms. However, cut this high flying, private jet, Superbowl ad election crap. You get X dollars out of a public fund. Everyone who wants to run gets the same amount, no one gets anymore and – while you can fundraise – you have to donate any donations to a charity. How do we find out what they stand for? Town hall meetings, voter pamphlets. Not commercials and pundit interviews.
Is it radical change? Yes. But we must take the power away from corporations! We must take it away from career politicians. We must return the power to the People.
Uruk
1 month ago
Oh Lion . . .
Change Congress is looking for someone to “drive messaging and activity to grow the community of activists”.
Did you get the message in your e-mail?
I bet you’d be good at it. If you didn’t get the message, then I’ll see about forwarding it to you somehow.
the lion
1 month ago
I did not get it, Uruk. Would you mind forwarding it to ludo and the lion @ gmail . com (minus the spaces, of course)?