Simulated ‘Convention of States’ is source of hope for government reform

Here’s a sentence that has never been written before 2016:  

{mosads}This year’s second presidential debate, moderated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC’s Martha Raddatz, came just two days after the bombshell video secretly recorded by “Access Hollywood” on the way for the now-GOP presidential nominee to film a “Days of our Lives” cameo.  

The debate didn’t disappoint. Those who were hoping for some political drama sat glued to their screens, jaws opened, fingers running across their phone screens as they Facebooked and tweeted their way through the national travesty.

Perhaps the first act of the president should be a tax credit for mandatory counseling sessions for those of us who have had to sit and watch this unfold. It’s depressing that this chatter is obscuring some very serious national threats.  

But recently, I saw something that gave me hope.

It happened in Williamsburg, Va., where my team at the Convention of States project organized a simulated Article V Convention of States. If you haven’t heard about the Convention of States from Mark Levin, Jeb Bush, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, or Sheriff David Clarke — all of whom have endorsed the plan — it’s a way to restrict, restrain and limit the federal government through a mechanism laid out in the Constitution itself.

Because no such convention has been called in modern times, we decided to try it out.  

As the commissioners from all over America showed up — every state including Hawaii and Alaska sent delegates — I stood in the halls and listened to history being made. It sounded like a man with a very New York accent discussing the Supreme Court with someone from Mississippi. A Virginian challenging a Californian about the best way to achieve fiscal restraint. A Tennessean talking to a Pennsylvanian about term limits.

Because these representatives come from all over the nation, they are able to understand the best ways to help salvage this great nation.  The commissioners came up with proposals over the three days that we were together that could actually make a difference in this nation.  

As I was watching the debates, I realized some of you might need a dose of hope for America. Here are the six constitutional amendments they suggested that could seriously change the ways things operate:

1. Require states to approve any increase in the national debt

Raising the public debt would require two-thirds of each house of Congress, and only for a period not to exceed one year. Neither Congress nor the president could compel or coerce any state to appropriate money.

2. No more income tax and repeal of the 16th Amendment

Congress could no longer impose taxes or other exactions on income, gifts or estates without the approval of three-fifths of the House of Representatives and three-fifths of the Senate, and would separately present the proposal to the president. Five years from the date of its ratification, the 16th Amendment would be repealed.

3. Limit federal overreach by returning the Commerce Clause to its original meaning

Congress would no longer be able to regulate commerce beyond the sale, shipment, transportation or other movement of goods, articles or persons. It could not regulate activity solely because it affects commerce among the several states.  

4. Federal regulations limited through congressional override

State legislatures would have the power, by a three-fifths majority, to override any provision of federal law, whether issued by Congress, the president or any other administrative agency. Any rule, decree, statute, order, regulation, opinion or decision that has been abrogated through this article cannot be reinstated for a period of six years.

5.  Power to veto an executive action

In order for an executive action by the president to be overturned, one-quarter of the members of Congress or the Senate would submit a written declaration of opposition. Then a vote to adopt the president’s proposal would have to take place and win a majority vote. If Congress fails to vote within 180 days, the regulation would be vacated.

However, no executive order could go into effect without the approval of Congress. Congress’s approval or rejection of a rule or regulation would not be subject to presidential veto.

6. Term limits

No member of Congress could serve more that six full terms and no senator could be elected past two full terms. These term limits are retroactive and would include the service prior to the article’s enactment.

See how the above proposals had nothing to do with political correctness, sexual assault, Bill Clinton’s victims, Donald Trump’s bombast, or Hillary Clinton’s health?

Our Founding Fathers gave us the option to call this Convention of States in Article V of the Constitution, and eight states have already passed the application.

For the first time in American history, we have a real plan to bring the federal government back to its Constitutional bounds.

Now, that’s a sentence that has never been written before 2016 either. Let’s try to tune out the drama of this campaign season and actually do something that can save this nation.

Meckler is the president of Citizens for Self-Governance, founder of the Convention of States Project, and a leading constitutional grassroots activist.

The views expressed by Contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.