Finding our way

Where are we and where are we going? That’s a question we individually need to ask ourselves from time to time. Plotting our location and the direction of our going determines the destination.

We the people need to collectively ask these questions regarding our nation. A current evaluation doesn’t suggest a desirable destination for our country.

First, where are we? We are in debt far beyond our ability to repay our debts. A budget without interest on the national debt could more easily be balanced.

Our governmental branches are corrupt and even worse, it’s accepted as legal. The congress has only two priorities: get re-elected and maintain power. The U.S. Supreme Court swears to uphold the U.S. Constitution yet usurps the duties of the Congress and creates laws counter to the Constitution. The president issues executive orders having the effect of laws counter to the limits of the office created by the Constitution. The federal agencies rain restraints on the economy, laws counter to the Constitution.

The Constitution has a provision that allows “We the People” to address these issues and that is spelled out in Article 5. This article specifies the procedure that congress has used in the past to amend the Constitution. It also specifies a procedure yet to be used where the “Application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments ... In either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof.”

This convention of the states can propose amendments that limit the federal government in practice to the limits in the original Constitution. It is an opportunity to do what the Congress will never do: 1. Limit the power of the federal government. 2. Take the feds out of our public schools. 3. Impose term limits on the Congress and courts. 4. Balance the budget.

There is a movement to call the “Convention of States” to modify the Constitution. Let us all support this movement. Let Montana join the growing number of states electing to end the federal corruption and power. Let the states compete with each other instead of being constrained by Washington, D.C.

Power to the states, power to the people.

—James E. McGlasson,

Libby