Pondering both sides of the argument synopsized in your recent Associated Press article, “High Court skeptical of Obama recess appointments”, I’m reminded again that the power of the federal government is out of control. As state legislators at December’s Mount Vernon, Va., Assembly realized, Washington, D.C.’s abuse of power — participated in by both Republicans and Democrats — must come to an end before it’s too late.

The $17 trillion national debt is an even more glaring example of this abuse. Our children and grandchildren will pay for Washington’s spending spree. There will be taxes imposed for spending they never approved and from which they never directly benefited. The cry of that generation will echo that of the founding generation: “Taxation without representation!”

When, though, the national government becomes drunk with power, the states possess the authority to countermand it in a manner that preserves liberty. Article V of the Constitution allows the states, not just Congress, to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. Using an Article V convention, the states can stop the spending and debt spree, the power grabs of the federal courts, and the forfeiture of American sovereignty to the United Nations.

CompactForAmerica.org has begun rolling the ball to urge state legislators to call a Convention of States for the narrow purpose of proposing a balanced budget amendment.

We are approaching a crossroads. One path leads to the escalating tyranny of an irresponsible centralized government, ultimately resulting in the financial ruin of generations of Americans. The other path leads to freedom and the opportunity to reinvigorate these United States.

Which will we choose?

I’m choosing to preserve liberty by supporting Compact For America in their call and methodology for a Convention of States to propose a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. I encourage other patriots to do the same.

Bradley R. Boardman

Everett