Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man

It is interesting, at least to me, that just a few days ago I was speaking with someone about the possibility of a Constitutional Convention being called. This was after I had read about the number of states being lead by Republicans. Then a pop-up asked me to sign a petition regarding stopping a call for a Convention.

What this means is we only need 34 states to petitions Congress to convene Constitutional Convention of which there are currently 33 states headed by Republicans.

This is actually quite scary for a couple of reasons:

1. Republicans, in general, are far more conservative socially.
2. It is unclear whether a single issue can be the focus of the Convention.
3. It is unclear whether the whole of the current Constitution would go out the window or remain in place.

It is also scary because some things could be taken away, while others enshrined into the Constitution making current rights null and void, as I understand it, and any discrimination or limits would no longer be unconstitutional since they are now part of the Constitution. A few things I am concerned about as a father, a gay man, and a citizen include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Severely limiting or eliminating a woman’s right to choose or have any control of her own body. (Note: I am not in favor of abortion and I’m also not in favor of any man or woman being able to control another person’s body—male or female.)
2. Marriage being deemed only between a man and a woman.
3. Adoption may only occur by a straight couple or person.
4. Severely limiting freedom of the press.
5. Severely limiting free speech.
6. Providing for the ownership of any and all firearms regardless of their danger to society with no regulation allowable.
7. Eliminating Social Security, Medicare and other social safety nets.
8. Limiting religion to only Christian denominations.
9. Enshrining full personhood and rights for a corporation.
10. Granting rights to only straight people.

There are some good things that might unexpectedly come from a Constitutional Convention as well, such as:

1. The right to bear arms becomes limited to pistols/handguns or single shot rifles. If any citizen wants any firearm outside of this parameter, they must join the State National Guard and serve for a minimum tour of duty.
2. Presidential candidates must have independent psychological and medical tests stating they are fit to lead our country.
3. Presidential candidates must divest themselves of their companies and personal wealth to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest while in office. A true blind trust would also suffice. A part of this, the candidates must provide copy of all tax returns for a minimum of 10 years.
4. Prohibit family members from serving in any capacity in the White House. First Ladies and First Gentlemen would be exempted.
5. National community service be mandated for all citizens to be completed prior to their 25th birthday. Military service would count as community service.
6. Limit the budget allotment for the military, except in times of declared war. Any military budget allotment must have equally allocated funds for national infrastructure projects, specifically to include roads, bridges, schools, mass transportation and national parks.
7. All income over a certain amount, such as $10,000,000/annual, would be taxed at 50% with no exemptions other than charitable contributions.
8. Social Security and Medicare would made permanent in perpetuity with all income earned being taxed for these two social safety nets. Additionally, they would be barred from being privatized.

If we could guarantee that no current civil right would be taken away or limited, then I might be open to a Convention. However, based on where we are politically, I fear our Country would be far less free then we are now should a Convention be called.

Sometimes it is better to live with the devil you know than the devil you don’t.

What would you like to see accomplished at a Constitutional Convention?