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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
Don't be so sure on that one. The danger I see would be much like the non-binding EU referendum - if something as grand as a constitutional convention is called, any outcome or recommendation will have a momentum all of it's own, ripe to be exploited as being the declared "will of the people."
(FYI this was in reference to the point that nothing a constitutional convention would produce would get 2/3 vote in Congress)
Edited by singularityshot on Aug 11th 2018 at 11:25:38 AM
The Republican domination of local legislature is not some immutable fact of the American system, yes the it does tend to favor them but they gained it IIRC in 2008 and 2010 and they can lose it too.
And they're well aware of that fact
, for example there have been over 40 special elections for local legislatures and Democrats have flipped 24 seats while Republicans have only flipped 5. So it would be a mistake to assume that their dominance cannot be challenged.
Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Aug 11th 2018 at 7:05:10 AM
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji YangI mean... the actual evidence says no. Their house majority will very likely be challenged, local legislatures aren't safe, and even the Senate may be in play.
Like even in a hypothetical world where Hillary Clinton got elected and where we would be facing a red wave right now probably wouldn't have 2/3 of the states agree with them. Like there's a reason constitutional conventions don't happen often, the requirements are extremely high.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji YangIf I recall correctly, actually, we are within one or two state legislatures of the Republicans having enough state legislatures to do a constitutional convention and pass pretty much anything they want. Even though people often pay less attention to state legislatures, the gerrymandering is really severe.
My state, Indiana? Overall, it tends to vote about 55-45 red to blue, maybe 60-40 if the Democrat turnout is low.
Our legislature is about 80% Republican and 20% Democrat.
why to remove those pesky Democrats once and for all!
Probably more bending the rules to suit themselves
have a listen and have a link to my discord server![]()
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That Guardian article said that the people who just wanted a Balanced Budget Amendment have 28/34, I imagine the full "ban fiscal policy" suite of amendments has less support than that.
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Balanced Budget Amendment, no Income Tax, 3/5ths of the states can veto any federal law. And term limits for Congressmen for some reason.
Probably not going to happen, but if it does I look forward to the edifying sight of America involuntarily stabbing itself to death the moment there's the slightest recession.
Was being sarcastic at the terrible economic policy. I wouldn't exactly enjoy watching it happen, not least because it would screw most of the rest of us almost as much despite probably banishing the deficit hawks. At the very least Germany and China would be in big trouble, since somewhere has to have the money to buy their exports.
Edited by DeathorCake on Aug 11th 2018 at 12:45:53 PM
Don’t forget the conservative dream of constitutional amendments to enact religious “freedom”, ban gay marriage, and ban abortion.
Also, I know plenty of people are pissed at America for plenty of valid reasons, but saying you’d enjoy watching the country stab ourselves to death if the republicans manage to force a constitutional convention on the rest of us and make awful amendments is... a bit much. Trump lost the popular vote, goddammit, a lot of us did not vote for any of this.
One thing I just heard about: r/The_Donald is trying to kill off the Qanon bullshit that they started by deleting posts and banning the topic alltogether.
Two moderators of the community, who oversee the subreddit and its hundreds of posts per day, told NBC News that they have banned Qanon posts and automatically delete any new posts about the theory that they now view as an embarrassment to their community. The moderators declined to disclose their real names to NBC News out of concerns for their privacy.
The Republicans being able to alter the constitution would be a nightmare scenario that all but ensures the country's demise (and perhaps the demise of others). That is the kind of thing that ensures the document, the heart and soul of the nation, is corrupted beyond repair. Control on that scale would make gods of men and hells of states. And I highly doubt that the GOP wouldn't seize the opportunity when it comes.
All the more reason why we must ensure that they don't get 2/3rds of the states.
Edited by MorningStar1337 on Aug 11th 2018 at 5:42:02 AM
x5 Oh, there’s absolutely culpability on all of us (Americans).
However, that doesn’t mean that it’d be hilarious if the worst came to pass. I’ll also point out that people who voted for Trump or who make excuses for Trump voting relatives are WAY, WAY more culpable than the black and Latino voters who rejected Trump en masse. Or people who didn’t vote due to voter suppression versus those who didn’t vote due solely to apathy/laziness.
Edited by wisewillow on Aug 11th 2018 at 9:09:18 AM
I fundamentally disagree, myself and people like me did everything within our power to oppose Donald Trump. Thus I refuse to apply a single ounce of culpability to myself or others.
Otherwise you get a ridiculous definition of culpability that is broad to the point of uselessness.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji YangDid you talk to all your conservative acquaintances and/or family? Did you canvas? Did you phone bank?
Most people could have done a little more to help. The degree of culpability is low, but it’s not zero.
That said, I do agree that we should first and foremost blame Trump voters. Then maybe a little blame for nonvoters and Green Party voters in swing states. But yeah, vast majority of the blame is on the Republican Party and Trump voters.
Yes, I convinced my Evangelical Grandparents that Trump was terrible (though admittedly they were well on the way to believing that without me).
And no I did not canvas or phone bank, at the time I was preoccupied with health issues and college. Though it's worth noting that my district went to Clinton by IIRC 95%+ (because it was minority heavy).
So yes I did all that was within my power to oppose Trump, and I intend to continue doing it.
That said, I do agree that we should first and foremost blame Trump voters. Then maybe a little blame for nonvoters and Green Party voters in swing states. But yeah, vast majority of the blame is on the Republican Party and Trump voters.
Honestly I think it would be best if we agreed to disagree, the difference between zero culpability and a very low amount is not nearly large enough to justify arguing over it.
Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Aug 11th 2018 at 9:59:09 AM
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang

Quite, in an election where the Democratic base has shown signs of being highly motivated publicly stating that you want to have a constitutional convention to reshape the highest law in the land in your imagine is... bold and also foolish.
This sounds like the perfect thing to increase Democratic turnout even further.
The same reason the alt-right calls any opposition of racism or other forms of bigotry "virtue signalling", because in their heart of hears they assume that everyone is as vile as they are.
A foolish mistake.
Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Aug 11th 2018 at 6:21:24 AM
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang