Did you know . . . that with today’s technology, it’s now possible to . .

• Give every American an equal and fair opportunity to be heard

• Explore ways to upgrade and strengthen the democracy

• Have highly popular proposals implemented, and • Do it all in a fair, honest and respectful manner?

If you’re interested in making this happen, please contact Blair Henry Blair@ThePeoplesConvention.org

Thank you!

Democracy: Leadership and the Urgency for The People’s Convention

By Blair Henry JDwww.ThePeoplesConvention.org info@ThePeoplesConvention.org

Your Face Here

You Being a Global Leader in

Governance

25/25/50

What concerns do you have about the American democratic process?

What do you think would upgrade and strengthen the democracy?

What would it take to restore your trust and confidence in the political process?

POLLING RESULTS

Almost 8 out of 10 Americans are dissatisfied with the nation’s political system (78%).

Almost 9 out of 10 of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing (86%).

Almost 3 out of 4 Americans aren’t confident the federal government can solve economic problems (73%).

6 out of 10 Americans don’t believe the debate in Washington and the media represents the concerns they’re interested in (60%).

POLLING RESULTS

Almost 8 out of 10 Americans are dissatisfied with the nation’s political system (78%).

Almost 9 out of 10 Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing (86%).

Almost 3 out of 4 Americans aren’t confident the federal government can solve economic problems (73%).

6 out of 10 Americans don’t believe the debate in Washington and the media represents the concerns they’re interested in (60%).

POLLING RESULTS

Almost 8 out of 10 Americans are dissatisfied with the nation’s political system (78%).

Almost 9 out of 10 Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing (86%).

Almost 3 out of 4 Americans are not confident the federal government can solve economic problems (73%).

6 out of 10 Americans don’t believe the debate in Washington and the media represents the concerns they’re interested in (60%).

POLLING RESULTS

Almost 8 out of 10 Americans are dissatisfied with the nation’s political system (78%).

Almost 9 out of 10 Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing (86%).

Almost 3 out of 4 Americans are not confident the federal government can solve economic problems (73%).

6 out of 10 Americans don’t believe the debate in Washington and the media represents the concerns they’re interested in (60%).

SOME OF THE CONCERNS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

9 out of 10 American voters think they were subjected false or misleading campaign advertising in 2010 (90%).

More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe it’s common for lobbyists to bribe members of Congress (81%).

Almost 2 out of 3 Americans believe they cannot trust members of Congress to tell the truth (65%).

SOME OF THE CONCERNS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

9 out of 10 American voters think they were subjected false or misleading campaign advertising in 2010 (90%).

More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe it’s common for lobbyists to bribe members of Congress (81%).

Almost 2 out of 3 Americans believe they cannot trust members of Congress to tell the truth (65%).

SOME OF THE CONCERNS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

9 out of 10 American voters think they were subjected false or misleading campaign advertising in 2010 (90%).

More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe it’s common for lobbyists to bribe members of Congress (81%).

Almost 2 out of 3 Americans believe they cannot trust members of Congress to tell the truth (65%).

SOME OF THE SPECIFIC WANTS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

1. More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe there is too much big money spent on political campaigns and there should be limits (81%) More than half of all voters say they would support a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United opinion.

2. Almost 8 of our 10 Americans support term limits for Congress (78%).

3. Almost 3 out of 4 of American adults support a balanced budget amendment (74%).

SOME OF THE SPECIFIC WANTS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

1. More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe there is too much big money spent on political campaigns and there should be limits (81%) More than half of all voters say they would support a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United opinion.

2. Almost 8 of our 10 Americans support term limits for Congress (78%).

3. Almost 3 out of 4 of American adults support a balanced budget amendment (74%).

SOME OF THE SPECIFIC WANTS CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS

1. More than 8 out of 10 Americans believe there is too much big money spent on political campaigns and there should be limits (81%) More than half of all voters say they would support a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United opinion.

2. Almost 8 of our 10 Americans support term limits for Congress (78%).

3. Almost 3 out of 4 of American adults support a balanced budget amendment (74%).

4. Almost 3 out of 4 of Americans believe the federal government should regulate greenhouse gases to reduce global warming (74%).

5. Almost 2 out of 3 American voters favor a bill prohibiting top public policymakers from lobbying for any foreign government or corporation for ten years after leaving government service (66%).

4. Almost 3 out of 4 of Americans believe the federal government should regulate greenhouse gases to reduce global warming (74%).

5. Almost 2 out of 3 American voters favor a bill prohibiting top public policymakers from lobbying for any foreign government or corporation for ten years after leaving government service (66%).

Avenues to Upgrading the Democracy

Ask Congress

for Law Const.

Amend.

Take to the

Streets - Hope Cong. Acts

Elect New

People to

Cong.

When the Game Needs Upgrading

You Don’t Change the Players.You Change the Rules.

Avenues to Upgrading the Democracy

Ask Congress

for Law Const.

Amend.

Take to the

Streets - Hope Cong. Acts

Elect New

People to

Cong.

The Article V Citizen’s

Constitutional Convention

The People are entitled to hold their own convention to explore

proposed amendments to the constitution and seek ratification by

three-quarters of the state legislatures.

“The founders [provided for the convention] . . . because they knew the Congress would be unwilling to give its attention to many issues the people are concerned with—particularly those involving restrictions on the federal government’s own power.” (emphasis added)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

But Isn’t That TOO BIG?Isn’t that BIGGER Than Anything

We’ve Ever Done Before??

NO

YES

But Isn’t That TOO BIG?Isn’t that BIGGER Than Anything

We’ve Ever Done Before??

NO

YES

• The constitution has been amended on average once every 8 years

• The last two amendments were 20 and 41 years ago

• It took 3½ months to pass the 26th Amendment (voting age of 18 in 1971), and

• The last amendment, the 27th, began as a student project (Congressional pay raises in 1992)

• The constitution has been amended on average once every 8 years

• The last two amendments were 20 and 41 years ago

• It took 3½ months to pass the 26th Amendment (voting age of 18 in 1971), and

• The last amendment, the 27th, began as a student project (Congressional pay raises in 1992)

• The constitution has been amended on average once every 8 years

• The last two amendments were 20 and 41 years ago

• It only took 3½ months to pass the 26th Amendment (voting age of 18 in 1971), and

• The last amendment, the 27th, began as a student project (Congressional pay raises in 1992)

• The constitution has been amended on average once every 8 years

• The last two amendments were 20 and 41 years ago

• It only took 3½ months to pass the 26th Amendment (voting age of 18 in 1971), and

• The last amendment, the 27th, began as a student project (Congressional pay raises in 1992)

But We’re the Best!There’s No Need for Improvement Here!!

United States ranks 17th in democracy

http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf

"I would not look to the U.S. Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012. I might look at the constitution of South Africa. . . It really is, I think, a great piece of work . . .“ U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 32 years as a federal appeals judge

"I would not look to the U.S. Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012. I might look at the constitution of South Africa. . . It really is, I think, a great piece of work . . .“ U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 32 years as a American federal appeals court judge

Major League Baseball:51 changes in last 63 years.

National Football League:Changes in 39 of last 66 years.

U.S. Constitution: 27 changes in last 223 years.

Changing the Rulebook

Major League Baseball:51 changes in last 63 years.

National Football League:Changes in 39 of last 66 years.

U.S. Constitution: 27 changes in last 223 years.

Changing the Rulebook

Major League Baseball:51 changes in last 63 years.

National Football League:Changes in 39 of last 66 years.

U.S. Constitution: 27 changes in last 223 years.

Changing the Rulebook

2/3 state legislatures

call for convention

Dozens of rulemaking questions:

Limit the topics?How chose delegates?

How long is vote effective?

What are the convention rules?

Congress calls

conventionPeople’s

Convention: proposals to states

States Vote: if

3/4approve—

ratifiedMore

unanswered questions:

Can Congress restrict the

convention?Can Congress refuse to call?

Diagram 1: The Traditional Reading of the Article V Convention Process

Start Here

X - Process never proceeds past here

2/3 state legislatures

call for convention

Congress calls

conventionPeople’s

Convention: proposals to states

Start Here

Diagram 2: The Proposed Reading of the Article V Convention Process

The People design their own rules

When 3/4 ratify, assumes 2/3 would call for convention. So skip next step and, if necessary, send to Congress to call convention retroactively .

States Vote:If 3/4

approve— ratified

The American peopleleading with their ingenuity, creativity, generosity and great ideas!

And let the attorneys sort out the mumbo jumbo.

Your Face Here

OK, You’re Up!

A Leader is a person who creates a future that wasn’t going to happen anywayand addresses the concerns of the relevant parties

Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

• Keep It Short and Simple – 20 words or less• Keep it General – specifics come later• Have it Appeal Across the Board - 75% of states • Address a Core American Value or Principle

fairness - equality and justicehonesty - integrity, ethics and complete, accurate and intelligible informationeffectiveness - addressing what’s neededthe common good – the best for the most

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

1.

Which sample proposed constitutional amendments would you support?

Which proposals do you think would be supported by the legislatures of 75% of the states?  

(listed in alphabetical order by topic – last revised 9 Dec 2012)

1. Balanced Budget Beginning in X, the federal government shall not spend more than it has collected in revenue. (16 words)

2. Campaign Finance All resources necessary for federal election campaigns shall be provided equally, fairly and solely by the federal government. (17 words)

3. CorporationsNo non-human entity shall be considered a person entitled to constitutional rights nor shall any entity shield its human managers and owners from liability for injuries to others. (28 words)

4. Debt Beginning in X, the federal debt shall be reduced in the amount of no less than Y% per year. (19 words)

5. Direct Democracy Upon the vote of sixty percent (60%) of eligible American voters, the people shall have the right to intervene, enact laws and re-direct the federal government. (26 words)

6. Electoral College The use of the electoral college is terminated. (8 words)

7. Energy Independence Beginning in X, all energy imported into the United States shall be reduced at a rate of no less than Y% a year until all energy used in the United States is produced in the United States. (37 words)

8. Environment Beginning in X, the emission of all greenhouse gases associated with the United States shall be reduced at a rate of no less than Y% a year until all net emissions are eliminated. (33 words)

9.  EqualityEvery person shall be treated equally under the law regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. (18 words)

10. EthicsPublic policymakers shall be held to the highest standards of fiduciary and ethical conduct. (14 words)

11. Fair ElectionsEvery aspect of federal election campaigns shall be managed honestly, fairly and equally by the federal government in accord with strict ethical standards and timelines. (25 words)

12. Fairness in Policymaking Every person shall have an equal and fair opportunity to be heard by their government. (15 words)

13. Honesty in PolicymakingThe people shall always be provided with complete, honest, accurate and intelligible information on all matters of public policy. (19 words)

14. SustainabilityNo action by the people or government shall compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (19 words)

15. Term LimitsNo person shall serve in federal elected office for more than X years. (12 words)

16. Voting EqualityNo person shall have more voting power in the U.S. Senate than another. (12 words)

17. WarmakingIn no event shall the government use violence, directly or indirectly, for more than a total of thirty days without securing the support of 60% of the eligible voters. (34 words)

Self-Described Political Inclination

Left Middle Right

National 22% 44% 34%

Local

Thank you!!

The People’s Convention

- Business Cards at Back of Room -

www.ThePeoplesConvention.org info@ThePeoplesConvention.org