America: it’s time for a Constitutional Convention.
A constitution is, at its core, a document that lays out shared values of a citizenry.
Republicans calling for a Constitutional Convention is unsurprising.
Sure — call the Convention, that way we can fix the undemocratic principles in our government that Republicans primarily benefit from, including: the filibuster (technically not even in the Constitution), the Electoral College system (many conservative Presidents have lost the popular vote and still became President — Bush, Trump, etc.), and their attack on voting rights (and women, people of color, literal students, the disabled, etc.).
The Republicans calling to invalidate government by calling a Constitutional Convention is exactly what happens when a group of folks is so stubborn they’d rather leave a society entirely (like in the 1800s, when the South literally seceded) than accept what the majority wants. Republicans couldn’t suppress the vote enough, so they fought the election results. Republicans lost the fight over election results so they now invalidate the founding documents of our government. “Lie, cheat, & steal” comes to mind.
Now, about the proposed Constitutional Convention.
I actually agree with Republicans that we should have one. Because at this stage in America’s history we are being held back by a document written 250 years ago. The average Constitution lives for about 30 years. To say ours is past its prime is an understatement.
A Constitutional Convention sounds scary because it means change. Change in a document that has been with us for so long. America is a global leader in democracy — what would a Convention mean for it? Would this be the end? A new beginning? What would it look like? How would we ensure all voices are heard?
I don’t know the answers. But I do know that the purpose of a Convention — and a nation’s Constitution — is to set forth the basic tenants of a self-governing citizenry. This new Constitution would reflect at a foundational level what we as 2020s Americans want, value, and defend.
Why should we be afraid to put our values onto paper?
Call a Constitutional Convention. Force Americans to put their values out there. Force Americans to speak out about what they want. Force Americans to think rather than consume.
Our country has gotten this far because of the courage of Americans who came before us to fight for shared values. Fighting for Black Americans to be treated as humans rather than property. Fighting for
It’s time our generation of Americans do the same.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/04/us/politics/constitutional-convention-republican-states.html
