As I shared in my article on Article V of the Constitution, there is a state allowance process for amending the U.S. Constitution. Go and give that a read if you haven't already.

I also mentiond Dr. Michael Farris. Dr. Farris co-founded the Convention of States Action Group, which seeks to start the grassroots movement to spur the congresses in the states to action. This group has drafted a "model application", they encourage the states to use so as to keep all of them similar enough to be considered on the same topic. As I shared in the previous article, the applications must be on the same topic to be counted as part of that. If they change too much of the wording the application could be challenged in court. But ultimately it is up to each state to write the application they want. To date, 19 states have passed this application, or something like it. Only 15 more to go!

The meat of the application occurs in section 1, included below

Section 1.
The legislature of the State of ___________________________ hereby applies to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States, for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

The application calls for the convention to propose amendments with three topics in mind.

1. Impose fiscal restraints on the federal government
2. Limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government
3. Limit the terms of office or its officials and for members of Congress

This could include things like balanced budget amendments, spending limitations, or requirement for the government to produce a budget at all. It could also limit individual department spending or growth.

This part of the application is the most broad. There are dozens or hundreds of amendments that would be germane to the application. Some that may be included would be closing departments like the Department of Education or Energy. Stopping the Executive Branch from binding the country in agreements with other countries. They could clarify parts of the Constitution like the Commerce Clause which has been used to give all sorts of powers to the federal government. They could also clarify, for example, the 2nd Amendment to specify an individual right, or the statement "shall not be infringed" means licensing or "may issue" schemes are against the Constitution. They would not, however, be able to repeal or revoke the 2nd Amendment. That would not be germane because that doesn't limit the federal government power, but the citizens. It would easily be argued in court...if it got that far. What has to be remember is that once an amendment is proposed it takes a majority at the convention to pass it (26 states). Then it takes a 3/4th majority of the states to ratify it (38). So the likelihood of being able to find 38 states that would approve repealing the 2nd Amendment is practically 0! And again, it would not be germane so would most definitely be cleared in court!

Term limits is probably the one I am most excited about. According to BallotPedia, there was a 90+% success rate for federal and state incumbants to be reelected in the 2024 election. One of the most important things in a society is ideas. We need new ideas to forward our nation into new areas and keep old ideas from holding us back. There are fundamental truths that should always win. Political office changes people, just like money. We shouldn't just want the best people in office, we should want as many people in office. Quantity definitely trumps quality in this case.

I personally think that there shouldn't just be limits in a specific office, but an entire political office limit. No person should serve more than say 20 years in ANY political life time. I don't want people going from local -> county -> state -> federal offices and spending 60 years on the citizens dime.