The Third American Revolution has begun. Mark Levin’s The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic is the revolutionary blueprint millions of Americans have been waiting for. Released today, Levin leads the charge for “restoring constitutional republicanism and preserving the civil society from the growing authoritarianism of a federal Leviathan.” ~ Jeffrey Lord
Mark sat down with Sean Hannity on Monday to begin discussing the process...
"Two-thirds, members of both houses of Congress, can propose amendments, send them to the states, and you need three-fourths of the states to ratify them to become part of the Constitution. There's another way. The second way that is never actually been tried in an effective manner, it's never actually been done. But it has as much legitimacy and authority as the other method. And it bypasses Congress.
Essentially, you need two-thirds of the states to inform Congress that they're going to hold a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments just as if Congress has a meeting and propose amendments. And at that convention, amendments can be debated and discussed and so forth. But they don't become part of the constitution unless three-fourths of the states, when presented with them, adopt the amendments.
I would just say to some skeptics, not a lot, but some skeptics who claim to be conservatives and constitutionalists but are basically RINOs and who like the status quo. This is the process the constitution provides for occasions like this. If you support federalism, I mean now is the time to do it. If you think states should have more authority, now is the time to do it. This federal government is a juggernaut in the opposite direction, and the circle of liberty is getting smaller and smaller and states really have no say in anything anymore."
Here's more details from Thomas Lifson...
AmericanThinker: The Liberty Amendments consists of a well thought-out program of amendments (offered as a starting point for discussion and modification), combined with a political strategy that could (at least potentially) work: using a [Convention for proposing Amendments] called by two-thirds of the states. As Article 5 of the Constitution reads:Per each chapter's title, Mark paints a precise picture of what kind of amendments need to occur to get us back on track:
In Chapter One of the Book, "Restoring the American Republic (also the subtitle of the book itself), Mark lays out his case that judicial precedent and politics have in effect altered the Constitution the framers intended us to have, and restoring a constitutional republic as originally envisioned is going to require some extensive amending. Fortunately, Mark has posted this chapter online for all to read.The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
An Amendment to Establish Term Limits for Members of CongressThis is undoubtedly an arduous task placed before us; but if successful, this can and will launch a movement to restore constitutional balance to our current dysfunctional federal Leviathan, thus restoring our exceptional land once more. For ourselves, for our fellow Americans, for the next generations, it's worth the effort.
An Amendment to Restore the Senate (repeal of the 17th Amendment establishing direct elections, provisions for replacement of senators before the end of their terms, and establishing the right of a state legislature to remove a senator upon a two-thirds vote).
An Amendment to Establish Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices and Super-Majority Legislative Override
Two Amendments to Limit Federal Spending and Taxation (limiting the federal government to outlays not exceeding 17.5% of GDP, and limiting total federal tax collections from any source to no more than 15% of a person's income). I must confess that I found reliance on specific numbers troubling here and in a few other amendments because there is so much room for manipulation in calculating GDP and income, or in determining the value of certain dollar amounts included in other amendments. But Mark makes very clear his is not the last word on this or any other subject, but merely a proposal to get people thinking about an entire package that counteract the transformation of the federal government into a colossus never imagined by the founders.
An Amendment to Limit the Federal Bureaucracy (automatic sunset for all department and agencies if they are not legislatively reauthorized, mandatory congressional authorization of any regulation imposed by bureaucrats if the economic burden exceeds $100 million).
An Amendment to Promote Free Enterprise (redefining the Commerce Clause to a specific grant of power limited to preventing states from impeding commerce among the states, and preventing Congress from regulating commerce within a state).
An Amendment to Protect Private Property (curbing abuses under the Takings Clause). An Amendment to Grant the States Authority to Directly Amend the Constitution (allowing two thirds of the states, voting for the exact same language, to amend the Constitution, and providing a six year time frame within which the passage must be secured).
An Amendment to Grant States Authority to Check Congress (three fifths of the state legislatures may overturn acts of Congress or larger impact executive orders, within 24 months, with no judicial review permitted).
An Amendment to Protect the Vote (requiring photo ID for voting in person or via mail ballot and prohibiting electronic voting).
Related links: Breitbart News Interview: Mark Levin and The Liberty AmendmentsThe Liberty Amendments: Amend the Constitution--to save it
Let the National Conversation Begin
UPDATE: Uh oh...the libs (and the RINOs) aren't gonna like this!
Breitbart: On the first day of its release, Mark Levin's The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic reached the #1 spot in sales on Amazon.com--not just for political books, but all books.Let the movement begin!
ADDENDUM: Mark spent 20 minutes talking with Neil Cavuto this afternoon about an array of issues, including the nightmare of Obamacare, the dysfunction of Congress, a post-constitutional America and much more...all surrounding issues discussed within his new book!
