National Effort to Amend the Constitution Launched

Thought this interesting----

/PRNewswire/ -- A national effort to add ten specific amendments to the Constitution of the United States was launched this week when the nation's 7,300 state legislators received the book "10 Amendments for Freedom" along with information on how to convene a Constitutional Convention.

The effort is being spearheaded by 10 Amendments for Freedom, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, to provide permanent restraints upon the federal government.

"The initial goal is to have the state legislatures vote to have Congress convene a Constitutional Convention to propose ten specific amendments be added to the Constitution," stated William H. Fruth, Founder and National Director. "After the amendments are proposed by the convention, they will need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states."

The proposed Constitutional amendments include the following topics:

1. Require the federal government to have a balanced budget and stop
incurring debt.
2. Repay the national debt over a 50-year period.
3. Force Congress to be more transparent regarding the legislative
process.
4. Enable the president to have "line-item veto" authority.
5. Limit the number of terms a person can serve in Congress.
6. Mandate Congress control illegal immigration.
7. Provide a legal framework to prevent becoming a bilingual nation.
8. Prevent foreign laws and courts from having authority over the American
people.
9. Restrain the growth of the federal government and prevent "socialism."
10. Allow for the presence of "God" in the public domain.


"The Constitutional Convention will be the most important political event held in 200 years," Fruth continued. "It will reaffirm the belief the American people have in individual liberty and freedom and that government is created to serve the people, not control their lives."

In order to amend the Constitution, an amendment must first be formally "proposed." There are two ways to propose an amendment.

Either Congress, by two-thirds of the vote of both the House and the Senate, or the delegates at a Constitutional Convention may propose amendments.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times. Each amendment was proposed by Congress.

"Since most of the amendments place limits on Congress, it is not likely Congress will propose them," Fruth continued. "As a result, a Constitutional Convention called by the states is needed."

Article V. of the Constitution states that upon the "application" of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states, Congress shall convene a Constitutional Convention.

After the convention is convened, the delegates will decide if each of the amendments should be proposed for ratification.

If they are proposed, 38 states must then ratify them in order for an amendment to become part of the Constitution. The convention itself cannot change the Constitution.

Information regarding this effort and the text of the amendments is posted at http://www.10amendments.org/.

Are States Starting to Stand Up for States Rights?

States rights. What a concept. If I recall, history has shown that disagreements over states rights can lead to unrest. Remember the states rights which were fought over in the War Between the States? History has shown us in Union and Confederate blood that states really don't like being told what and how to do it by those who aren't walking in their proverbial shoes.

Thought you'd be interested in this story as some states are beginning to flex their rights against mandated federal government healthcare.

Nineteen States Move to Defend Individual Health Care Choice
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor

Regardless of what the U.S. Congress decides about health care reform, a growing number of states are standing up for individuals’ freedom of choice when it comes to purchasing – or not purchasing – health insurance.

Several Kansas Republicans have introduced a state constitutional amendment that would protect the right of Kansas residents to make their own health care choices. That makes Kansas the 19th state.....http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/56144

Remember the First Amendment? Looks Like it Could be Just a Memory

Saw this and wondered why there has been minimal buzz on the subject. You remember the first amendment with freedom of speech and freedom of religion?.....


Just say no to blasphemy laws

Perhaps in an effort to rehabilitate the United States’ image in the Muslim world, the Obama administration has joined a U.N. effort to restrict religious speech. This country should never sacrifice freedom of expression on the altar of religion.

By Jonathan Turley

Around the world, free speech is being sacrificed on the altar of religion. Whether defined as hate speech, discrimination or simple blasphemy, governments are declaring unlimited free speech as the enemy of freedom of religion. This growing movement has reached the United Nations, where religiously conservative countries received a boost in their campaign to pass an international blasphemy law. It came from the most unlikely of places: the United States.

While attracting surprisingly little attention, the Obama administration....http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/10/column-just-say-no-to-blasphemy-laws-.html

Change for Middle Class Led for Unions?

I do agree this order signals the beginning of a new government. The question remains. Is it the one we want? Will we still have freedom of choice? Will we still have freedom of speech?

Change to Win Statement on President Obama's Executive Orders for Working America

/PRNewswire/ -- Change to Win chair Anna Burger released the following statement today regarding President Obama's White House ceremony to sign four worker-related executive orders into law, including the creation of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force led by Vice-president Joe Biden.

"Change to Win, its seven unions and six million members, applaud President Obama and Vice-President Biden for continuing to stand up for working families by taking bold actions to restore the economy, rebuild the middle class and renew the American Dream. Today's executive orders are further proof that when workers vote for pro-worker candidate, workers win.

"Today, the Obama administration reaffirmed its commitment to America's workers. Taken together, these orders show that the administration recognizes the federal government's responsibility, as the nation's largest purchaser of goods and services, to set model employment standards for private sector workers, as well as for the direct federal workforce.

"Millions of American families are facing tough decisions when they gather around the kitchen table trying to find how to survive the economic recession. Can they pay for their health care bills as well as the home over their heads? Will they ever be able to retire or will their golden years be spent working at the Golden Arches? Workers' wages are the single largest source of consumer spending. Stimulating worker wage increases will help drive consumption and generate economic growth.

"The mandate of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force sends a clear signal of a new government. A government that makes sure working Americans are treated with the dignity and respect at the work place that everyone deserves. A government that understands that rebuilding the American Dream and fixing the economy means creating more than just jobs, it means creating good jobs with a wage that can support a family, benefits that can keep them healthy, and a secure and dignified retirement.

"We look forward to working with the new administration and Vice-President Biden on the Middle Class Working Families Task Force. Vice-President Biden has proven time and again his leadership and commitment to workers' issues and we are honored for the chance to work alongside him. On behalf of the growing numbers of workers who belong to unions as well as the millions more who are struggling to secure a fair voice in the workplace, we must explore every avenue available to create change that works now and for generations to come."

About Change to Win
Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.