ConCon 040717

The active word here is con (a.k.a.: scam, hustle, the end of America’s great experiment in constitutional government.)

A state representative in California has requested verification that 34 states have petitioned for a constitutional convention (ConCon).  The movement for ConCon began in the 1980 for a proposed  balance budget amendment.  After an initial flurry of petitions the issue moved to state back burners for over 30 years as some states pulled their petition while others applied.  In 2014 Michigan added its request to the pile, possibly becoming the 34th call for a new ConCon.  The problem is that no one is really sure how many valid petitions are out there.

Congress can make the petitions moot by passing a balanced budget amendment of its own which 38 states then would have to ratify for it to become law.  Congress could ignore the issue entirely, violating provisions of article “V” of the constitution, which would increase Congressional power while probably setting off lengthy court battles.  Congress could also acquiesce and call the second ConCon, opening Pandora’s box.

Gun-nuts would demand the right of individuals to bear weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  Fundamental Christians, the right to crucify non-Christians.  The military would order a coup.  California would demand exclusive film rights. The southwestern states would annex Mexico.   Alaska would rejoin Russia so Sarah Palin could assume her rightful place as Czarina of all seized territories.

A bit far fetched?  Consider that the 1787 ConCon of 13 states was called for some minor tweaking and then became a run away horse (before trains) producing a document and government unlike any before.  This was produced by a fairly homogeneous lot of like minded individuals but became a squeaker as competing arguments were presented.  With a final compromise document it became a hard sell for ratification requiring the promise of protections under a “Bill of Rights” before sufficient states would sign on.  ConCons are under no obligation to stick to an issue and can create whatever it can sell.

Today there are 50 states representing nearly 400 million heterogeneous special interest, each loudly proclaiming ideological supremacy.  It took four years to produce the first constitution, it might require four decades to produce another.  It is probable that the new document will be written by lawyers preventing any public understanding of the nature and powers of government.  Congress may promise a new bill of rights but who believes Congress of the 21st century.

The balanced budget issue would disappear under the weight of new demands.  Government would come to a stand still as states waited for the new document.  Texas would probably secede followed by other regions seeking to protect their turf.  Special interest minutemen armed with  WMD  would revolt in support agendas that didn’t make the cut.

The United States of America would become ancient history as the world cheered.