Are you happy with the way the federal government is operating? The Founders knew the federal government might one day become overbearing and abuse its power. I believe that day has arrived. If you feel the same way and are willing to be a part of the solution to correct it, please read on.



Today's power grab in Washington is precisely what the Founders feared would happen, and they gave us a solution to correct it. By the power granted in Article V of the Constitution, we hope to stop the runaway federal spending, the misuse of the federal courts and other corruption. The federal government has repeatedly proved that it will not reform itself, so we must do it for the government. Article V allows two ways to amend the Constitution. The first way is for Congress, by a two-thirds vote, to approve an amendment, which would then be ratified by three-quarters of the states. The second method is for two-thirds of the states (34 states) to approve an amendment, and then three-quarters of them (38 states) to ratify it. We are focusing on the second avenue.

Resolutions submitted in the Florida Senate by Alan Hays and in the Florida House by Larry Metz call for a convention to be held for the purpose of amending the Constitution. They will likely be voted upon in the coming legislative session. A nationwide movement is already underway. If 34 states pass similar resolutions, the U.S. Congress will be compelled to call for a Convention of States. A group of five to 10 amendments may be proposed at such a convention. Each state gets one vote, and each amendment must stand on its own merit.

Amendments being debated include imposing term limits on members of Congress and on Supreme Court justices, and placing an upper limit on federal taxation. Others are a balanced budget amendment and a provision for states to override federal laws and executive orders by a three-fifths vote. For more information, go to conventionofstates.com. The Constitution is all about checks and balances between the branches of government. In a general sense, these amendments are meant to provide additional checks on the federal government by the states.