Let's Make the Debt Ceiling Debate Real
For the past year or so, there has been no statutory limit on how much the federal government borrows. The debt ceiling was abandoned in the last budget deal. But in the coming weeks, it is scheduled to return—along with the predictable illusion of a debate over whether to lift the ceiling or not. We can fairly predict the debt ceiling debate will boil down to political theater—cynics would call it a kabuki performance—because Washington always lifts the debt ceiling. Of cour
Why the Compact's BBA is Best
This blog provides a nutshell explanation as to why the federal Balanced Budget Amendment at the heart of the Compact for a Balanced Budget is the best. This BBA is the “payload” for the Compact “vehicle.” Every policy concept in the BBA poll tests at 81% to 61%, with supermajority approval from voters who identify themselves as Republicans or Independents, and simple majority approval from voters who identify themselves as Democrats. It has been vetted by fifteen think tanks
The Founders Wanted a Laser-Targeted Article V Convention (Part 8 of 8)
The preceding Exhibits A through G (Parts 1 through 7 of this series) overwhelmingly establish the laser-focus of the Compact for America approach on advancing and ratifying a specific amendment is four-square what the Founders expected from Article V. Simply put, the Founders clearly meant for the Article V convention's agenda to be set in fine detail by the state legislative application that triggers the convention call, including the amendment to be proposed. With its mult
FAQ Series Question #4: What's the Difference between Compact for America and Other Article V Ef
All of the efforts to originate amendments from the states under Article V organize a convention for proposing amendments, so what is the difference between the Compact for America approach and other Article V efforts? The Compact for America approach is truly “Article V 2.0." It is best suited to advancing constitutional reforms, like a federal Balanced Budget Amendment, which already enjoy supermajority support and which require quick action to remedy the targeted problem.
The Founders Wanted a Laser-Targeted Article V Convention (Part 7 of 8)
Exhibit G - George Washington's Letter to John Armstrong George Washington's statement to his friend John Armstrong clearly indicates that two-thirds of the states (nine at the time) would specify the desired amendments in their Article V application and target the convention agenda accordingly. That's because the only element of the process controlled by two-thirds of the states is the application! If you agree, like and share! #frequentlyaskedquestions #articleveducation #c
Hugging and holding the political status quo is a death embrace
Why is that? Simply put, the Constitution as it currently exists has three fatal flaws, which will inexorably lead to tyranny unless they are fixed with a constitutional amendment. The first is the federal government’s unlimited borrowing capacity. This enables unprincipled politicians to promise at no immediate cost anything it takes to get elected. That’s like handing liquor and car keys to a teenager. It guarantees a system crash propelled by mindless spending. The second
The Founders Wanted a Laser-Targeted Article V Convention (Part 6 of 8)
Exhibit F-James Madison's Alternative to Nullification This is perhaps the clearest statement by the Founder called by some the father of the Constitution that an Article V application properly organizes an Article V convention to propose a specific amendment. In 1799, Madison defended the legislative declarations of Virginia and Kentucky that the Alien and Sedition Acts were void and unconstitutional. He said they were statements of opinion to which states are entitled. But
How Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Vision Underpins the Compact for a Balanced Budget
Perhaps the most important aspect of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision was his core belief that every American should be represented equally in our system of governance, regardless of race, color or creed. King understood that good intentions were not enough to secure such equality. He understood that the structure of governance itself had to be reformed, and from the bottom-up. The same core value animates the Balanced Budget Amendment, which is advanced by the Compact for a
Inside Track Covers Arizona Compact for Balanced Budget Push
Inside Track's Emil Franzi and Bruce Ash talk about the Arizona push for the Compact for a Balanced Budget, championed by AZ Rep. JD Mesnard, with CFA President Nick Dranias. Part 1 Part 2 #articleveducation #balancedbudgetamendmentmerits #compactforabalancedbudgetpitch #compactforamericacoreprinciples #nonpartisanbalancedbudgetamendment
The Founders Wanted a Laser-Targeted Article V Convention (Part 5 of 8)
Exhibit E-Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 85 Hamilton not only focused Federalist No. 85 on the argument that the Article V amendment process was superior to convening a second wide-open convention, his statements all anticipate the amendment-specifying power of an Article V application, which alone is entirely controlled by two-thirds of the states through their legislatures; as well as a narrow and preset agenda for an Article V convention. #articleveducation #compactf
