The State of Our Democracy

Our democratic system is, frankly, in a tough spot. The national debt has skyrocketed to an astonishing 37 trillion dollars. The Peterson Foundation highlights that this debt is ballooning by a trillion every five months. And it seems the public is feeling the pressure; a 2023 Pew Research Center poll revealed that 87% of U.S. adults back term limits for officials. Plus, 62% of respondents want limitations on presidential powers, according to a recent Reuters-Ipsos survey. To add to this complexity, the federal government has experienced its 22nd shutdown since 1976.

It seems like it’s time to face a harsh reality: Washington is not functioning as it should.

Fred Wertheimer from Democracy 21 has been a noted figure in advocating for ethics and campaign finance reforms in the progressive movement since the 1980s. He’s even gone as far as condemning the state convention process, labeling it “illegal activity” and a constitutional crisis.

It’s somewhat ironic when someone like Wertheimer criticizes others for doing similar things. While he attacks state convention resolutions—approved by 19 states—and balanced budget requirements—backed by 28 states—he protects the status quo. Interestingly, 75% of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.

The state convention movement is focused on just three areas: first, balancing the federal budget, which is a push from 49 out of 50 states. Second, there’s the call for term limits on Congress members and other federal officials; 16 state legislatures have already adopted this. Lastly, there’s the movement to limit federal government power, returning authority to the states.

There are some dramatic, almost paranoid claims about these conventions—like fears of nullifying Supreme Court decisions. But if these conventions were to overstep their mandates, it wouldn’t take long for legal challenges to pop up.

Many skeptics on both sides claim a state convention has never been executed. But that’s a narrow view. History shows that similar efforts have led to beneficial constitutional amendments.

Take the example of the 17th Amendment, which aimed to create universal suffrage for Senate elections. Despite repeated passage in the House, the Senate refused to act until 31 state legislatures backed the convention resolution. Following that, the amendment was ratified in 1913.

From 1869 to 1917, 21 states granted women suffrage, which was crucial for the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1919, securing the right to vote nationwide.

Thus, the state-led amendment process is real and has proven effective. All that’s needed now is the political will for national implementation. The argument that it “has never been done” simply doesn’t hold water.

We shouldn’t shy away from a convention. Ron Chernow’s 2004 book on Alexander Hamilton highlights that even George Washington doubted the longevity of the new government based on the Constitution. In Federalist No. 85, Hamilton contended that having a built-in amendment method could bolster our democratic republic and safeguard personal and property rights.

When state legislatures hold discussions on conventions, both far-left groups like Common Cause and far-right organizations such as the John Birch Society show up to express their concerns. This reaction is not surprising; as the late Boyd K. Packer suggested, “Flamion is always heaviest near the target.”

I’m not affiliated with the National Conference or any lobbying group. Like many Americans, I’m just weary of Washington’s growing detachment from the reforms that people clearly want.

Congress and the president can’t fix themselves. The only path left to address these governance issues may very well be through the Article 5 Convention. Otherwise, we’re likely heading for even more chaos.