A Christian Forums Constitutional Convention

I think this would be an interesting idea, and would get us an interesting pulse on how a real Article V Convention might turn out. Here's how it would work:

1. This thread will be an organizing thread only.

2. We will have a set number of Delegates from each Federal Judicial Circuit, since we are unlikely to get an equal/proportionate number from each state. I suggest 5, giving us a total of 55--the same number as the original Constitutional Convention.

3. Because the purpose of the exercise would be to find out what an American Constitutional Convention might look like, only United States residents (not just citizens, in the spirit of the original) will be Delegates. Other can and absolutely should comment on proposals, as the Founders received input from abroad; but the actual voting Delegates will be Americans only. Non-Delegate Americans can also comment.

4. We will have a separate thread for each major subdivision of the Constitution as follows:

a.) Article I (the Legislature),

b.) Article II (the Executive Branch),

c.) Article III (the Judiciary),

d.) Articles IV-VII and proposals for new Articles,

e.) Amendments 1-3 and related new Amendments (Individual Rights),

f.) Amendments 4-8 and related new Amendments (Criminal Defendants' Rights), and

g.) Amendments 9-27 and other new Amendments.


5. In each thread, each Delegate will have the opportunity either to propose one change to the Constitution, OR to "second" one existing proposal. The floor will be closed to proposals three days after a thread opens.

6. Debate will be opened on all proposals "seconded." Debates will last three days. After the debates, the Delegate introducing the Amendment may introduce an amended version of the proposal based on the debate, or may stand on the original version.

7. Changes will then be voted on by the Delegates, with a 2/3 majority of VOTING Delegates necessary to pass a change. Delegates will have three days to vote proposals after which their ability to vote will be lost.

8. Changes to these rules may be proposed and voted on before the Convention begins in the same manner as Amendments.
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I crafted the rules to try to keep the debates short-ish but still productive, and to keep any individual or small group from dominating the discussion too much. And like a real Constitutional Convention, the goal is to get a consensus across a lot of different viewpoints.

If you are interested in being a Delegate, post your state here. First come, first served. We will also have alternate delegates in case someone has to drop out because of time restraints or something like that.

FIRST CIRCUIT (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island)

SECOND CIRCUIT (Connecticut, New York, and Vermont)

okafor (Connecticut)

THIRD CIRCUIT (Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)

variant (Pennsylvania)

FOURTH CIRCUIT (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia)

Ringo84 (Virginia)
acropolis (South Carolina)

FIFTH CIRCUIT (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas)

SIXTH CIRCUIT (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee)

citizenthom (Tennessee)
Satt (Tennessee)

SEVENTH CIRCUIT (Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin)

childofGod1 (Wisconsin)
Zilam (Illinois)
revanneosl (Illinois)
DeathMagus (Indiana)

EIGHTH CIRCUIT (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota)

lux et lex (Minnesota)
jayem (Missouri)

NINTH CIRCUIT (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington)

Harpuia (Nevada)
Thobewill (Arizona)
Panzerkampfwagen (Washington)
1000Flames (Nevada)

TENTH CIRCUIT (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming)

Rets (New Mexico)

ELEVENTH CIRCUIT (Alabama, Florida, and Georgia)

Gishin (Florida)
new wine (Florida)

List updated through here. Glad for the turnout so far!

Zilam said:

I'm an Illinois resident living in Virginia for an unspecified amount of time, meaning I could very well be back in Illinois next month, or staying here for another year. Which state/circuit should I sign up for?

Click to expand...

If Illinois is your permanent residence we'll put you there. But if we end up with a surplus in the Seventh and a deficit in the Fourth we can move you.

Slowing down a bit. We may need to reduce the number of Delegates if the trickle keeps up.