FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will the Legislatures cooperate?
For two reasons, we'll say "Yes!"
First, before initiating the effort we did an informal Email survey of the Legislatures - 8 from each, randomly selected, 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans, 400 total. To paraphrase the answers of the 226 who responded, 140 (62%) said, "Let's do it," 77 (34%) said "I'll have to see the plan before I can answer one way or the other," and 9 (4%) said "No." Whether or not those ratios will hold across the entire Legislature or when it's time to walk-the-walk rather than just talk-the-talk, we don't know, but we'll find out.
Secondly, we have had extended conversation with a number of the Legislators from various States. They really want to be rid of this albatross around their neck. Several of them commented, (paraphrased) "As it is now, we're nothing but clerks for the federal government." They don't disagree with regulation of activities like the environment, but they object, vociferously, with the requirement that they have to adopt the federal punitive stance against their own citizens while insisting they could get better results at lower cost. There's also a bit of resentment that they have no voice in the national political process. All they can do is just say "Yes, Sir," and do whatever the federal bureaucrats require.
We're sure they will cooperate.
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What happens after repeal?
We're not going to stop once the States get the 17th repealed which is the starting point to transform our government into a "user friendly" entity as opposed to its currently punitive stance.
Primarily, this can be initiated in two ways, both or which we will suggest to the States so they can do it rather than it be done by us.
a. Persuade the Senators that their reelection depends on how hard they push to enact legislation requiring the regulatory agencies to submit proposals for new regulations to Congress for approval. Once there, the new regulations cannot be implemented until approved by a majority of Congress on a voice vote. Hotlining is not permissible.
b. Persuade the Senators that their reelection depends on how hard they push to rewrite the enabling legislation to require the bureaucrats to cooperate with State, County and Municipal governments to devise the best means to solve a problem. Also, that the revised legislation shall define a code of conduct for the Bureaucrats along with prescribed punishments for infractions.
c. Be sure the necessary "watchdog" organizations are in place to detect any proposed legislation in Congress that would unnecessarily restrict or impede individual rights or liberty or the sovereignty of the States and report it to the State Legislatures so they can issue the proper marching orders to their Senators.
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In The Plan you say there's a 50/50 chance of getting the Amendment without having to go to court. What makes you think the Senators will vote themselves out of a job?
This is a two headed question, in that which way the States go depends on what the people and the Legislatures want. If it goes to court and the States win, it will establish a precedent to allow future State Legislatures (3/4 or more) to amend the Constitution by following the same path, which, essentially, would bypass or ignore Congress.
Once Congress realizes what the States are doing and calculates the odds on them winning, we believe they will come through with an amendment rather than risk such a precedent.
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How do I know that the problems that led to the 17th Amendment won't happen again?
The men who drafted the Constitution had lived with the Articles of Confederation for eleven years. They knew what the problems were, which were also the reasons for convening the convention and account for most of what is in the Constitution The State Legislators who will be serving on the Committee of 100 have lived with the current problems for their entire tenures in their respective Legislature. They are acutely aware of the abuses leading to the 17th Amendment and the problems it created. They are going to be just as diligent in drafting the amendment as the Founding Fathers were in Philadelphia so as to make sure history will not repeat itself.
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