Isabella Carter
There is a growing conservative movement to rewrite the US Constitution, with 19 Republican-run states signing on to call a convention. This movement seeks to reshape the Constitution from the ground up and transform the United States into a conservative nation. While some conservatives argue that this convention is necessary to curb the power of the federal government and advance their political philosophy, others worry that it could lead to an unprecedented rewrite of the Constitution, with far-reaching consequences. This push for a convention has been met with opposition from both liberal and conservative legal scholars, who warn of the potential for a complete overhaul of the nation's foundational document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rewrite the Constitution | To reshape the Constitution from the ground up |
| Convention of States | A way to amend the U.S. Constitution |
| Spending | Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in state legislative primaries |
| State Support | 19 GOP states have joined the movement |
| State Opposition | Five states have rescinded their calls for a convention |
| Motivation | To scare the hell out of Washington |
| Long Game | Yes |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
$68.9 $98
What You'll Learn
The conservative movement wants to reshape the Constitution
The conservative movement in the United States has been seeking to reshape the Constitution, with efforts dating back several decades. This push for a constitutional rewrite is driven by a desire to advance conservative ideals and counter what they perceive as the "destruction of America" by leftist groups. The movement has gained significant traction, with 19 Republican-controlled states joining the call for a convention to amend the Constitution.
The conservative agenda for reshaping the Constitution includes a range of objectives. One key goal is to limit the power of the federal government and enhance states' rights. This aligns with the conservative philosophy of minimizing government intervention and maximizing individual liberty. Libertarians within the conservative movement, for instance, view the growth of government as the primary enemy of liberty and seek to interpret the Constitution as a minimalist document.
Another significant aspect of the conservative movement's agenda is to shape the nation in their ideological image. This includes protecting and promoting conservative values and policies, such as those related to abortion, gun rights, and religious freedoms. The conservative movement also aims to constrain the power of the Supreme Court and limit the ability of future presidents to address certain issues, such as the climate crisis.
Furthermore, there are concerns that a constitutional convention could lead to a consolidation of corporate power. Critics argue that corporate entities, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), are driving the push for a convention to serve their interests. This could result in changes to the Constitution that prioritize corporate rights over those of citizens, potentially undermining democracy and the judicial system.
While the conservative movement has made substantial progress in its quest to reshape the Constitution, it has also faced opposition and setbacks. Some conservative states, such as South Dakota, have rejected resolutions for a convention, with Republican voters expressing concerns about the potential dangers of a constitutional rewrite. Despite these obstacles, the movement remains determined to pursue its agenda, playing a long game to achieve its desired transformation of the United States.
The Commerce Clause: A Constitutional Cornerstone Explained
You may want to see also
The GOP spends big to change the U.S. Constitution
The GOP has been spending big in a state-level effort to change the U.S. Constitution. This has involved a campaign to elect sympathetic lawmakers who could add more states to the list of those calling for a convention of states, which has been gaining momentum. The convention would have the power to amend the Constitution, and the GOP would have the upper hand as it controls the legislatures in 30 states.
The Convention of States Action and its affiliates have spent more than $600,000 in at least five states as part of this push, with much of the money coming from groups that do not have to disclose their donors. The group's president, Mark Meckler, has said that they are committed to being active in the midterms "in a big way".
The goal of the convention of states is to pass amendments to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials. This has alarmed many Democrats, who see it as an attempt to write conservative goals into the Constitution. Some conservatives have also expressed concern that a convention could lead to changes they wouldn't favor, such as on gun control or campaign spending.
Despite this, the movement has been gaining steam, with 19 GOP-controlled states passing applications and calls for a constitutional convention. This is the first time that these applications have gained so much traction. The success of the movement is due in part to the sustained investments that have secured GOP dominance in state legislatures, as well as the discontent and anger that many conservatives feel towards the government.
The push for a convention is not limited to the right, however. On the left, progressive commentator Cenk Uygur founded Wolf PAC, which has called for a campaign finance reform-focused convention in five Democratic states. While there is disagreement on the specifics of the convention, there is a shared feeling across the political spectrum that Washington, DC, has become a cause of the nation's problems rather than a solution.
Ending Slavery: A Constitutional Ban's Impact
You may want to see also
Conservatives want to rewrite the Constitution in their image
Conservatives have long sought to reshape the US Constitution, and they are now closer than ever to achieving this goal. This movement is driven by a desire to exert control over the federal government and push back against progressive policies. While some conservatives advocate for judicial restraint, others call for more active intervention to protect property and economic rights.
The conservative movement's efforts to rewrite the Constitution are well-funded and have gained traction in multiple states. They have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in state legislative primaries to elect Republican lawmakers who support their cause. As of 2022, 19 GOP states have joined the movement to call for a convention to amend the Constitution, and they are playing a long game to win. This push for a convention is not a new development, as about 28 states have applied to Congress to hold a constitutional convention since the 1980s.
The proposed convention is intended to be a conservative nation-building exercise, with former Republican senator Rick Santorum detailing a plan to fundamentally remake the United States. The transformation, according to Santorum, would culminate in an unprecedented event: a first-of-its-kind convention to rewrite the Constitution. This convention is seen as a way to scare the "living hell" out of Washington and put the nation's Capitol on notice.
While the official focus of the convention effort is the national debt, legal experts warn that it could lead to other changes that expand presidential power. These include limiting who can be a US citizen, allowing the president to overrule Congress' spending decisions, or even making it legal for Donald Trump to run for a third term. The convention could also be used to limit the power of the federal government, a goal that has been advocated by some states, including Mississippi.
The conservative movement's push to rewrite the Constitution in their image is not without opposition, even from within their own ranks. Some Republican voters in conservative states like South Dakota have repeatedly voted down resolutions for a convention, expressing concerns that it is a "bad idea" and "dangerous." Despite this internal dissent, the movement continues to gain momentum, and conservatives are determined to leave their mark on the nation's foundational document.
The Electoral College: Branch Selection and Its Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The constitutional convention movement is well-funded and impassioned
So far, 19 GOP states have joined this conservative movement, calling for a new convention. The movement is fuelled by success and a long-term strategy to shift the nation's politics. It is also driven by discontent and anger with the federal government, with conservatives seeking to "put the federal government back in the constitutional box". The movement has been described as an attempt to ""scare the hell out of Washington" by bringing states together in a show of force.
The constitutional convention movement is well-funded, with conservative groups spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in state legislative primaries to elect sympathetic Republican lawmakers. This spending has included large sums of money targeted at attack ads against lawmakers who oppose the movement, such as a $58,000 campaign against a five-term Republican lawmaker in South Dakota. The movement has also been funded, at least in part, by cryptocurrency.
The passion behind the movement is evident in the words of its supporters, who see it as a way to advance their political philosophy and push back against what they perceive as the destruction of America by "radical leftist groups". The movement's supporters are also driven by a sense of impatience with previous conservative efforts, reflecting a shift in conservative thought and a rejection of progressive politics, law, and morality.
Antifederalists' Constitution Influence: Their Greatest Achievements
You may want to see also
A convention could expose the Constitution to revision
There is a growing movement of conservatives pushing for a convention of states as a way to amend the U.S. Constitution. This movement has been spending large sums of money in state legislative primaries to elect Republican lawmakers who are sympathetic to their cause. So far, 19 GOP states have joined the movement to call for a convention. However, some conservative states, such as South Dakota, have repeatedly voted down resolutions for a convention, with Republican voters expressing fear and concern about a constitutional rewrite.
The push for a convention is fueled by conservatives' discontent and anger with the federal government and a desire to put states in a position of power over Washington. While the convention effort is focused on issues like the national debt and balancing the federal budget, legal experts and scholars warn that it would be difficult to constrain a convention to a single idea. Calling a convention could expose the entire Constitution to revision, potentially leading to far-reaching changes.
One concern is that a convention could be dominated by corporate interests, with organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and corporate entities writing laws that favor their own agendas. There are worries that a rewritten Constitution could hand the nation over to corporations, eliminating judicial review and narrowing the jurisdiction of federal judges. This could have significant implications for civil liberties and protections, such as the right to a jury of peers and the right against unlawful search and seizure.
Additionally, a convention could lead to changes in citizenship requirements, expansion of presidential power, and even the possibility of a third term for President Donald Trump. While some conservatives argue that any amendments would need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states, the potential for a convention to reshape the Constitution is a concern for many. The movement to call a convention highlights the determination of conservatives to pursue a long-term strategy that could have a significant impact on the nation's foundational document.
Senate Powers: Four Ways Senators Can Influence Policy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, conservatives are pushing for a convention to rewrite the US Constitution.
The convention is a gathering of states, which some conservatives believe will put the nation's Capitol on notice.
So far, 19 GOP states have joined the convention, with South Carolina being the latest to join.
The convention's primary purpose is to rewrite the US Constitution to reflect conservative values and limit the power of the federal government.
The convention could lead to changes such as limiting who can be a US citizen, allowing the president to overrule Congress' spending decisions, or expanding presidential power.
