Glenn McConnell calls for Constitutional Convention
The Shot fully endorses Senator Glenn McConnell’s call for a national constitutional convention to alleviate the illegal immigration epidemic. And we are quite shocked that he didn’t just suggest we ship all illegals to Maine, make them secede from the union, and then declare war. But whatever works is cool with us.
Check out this story from the Post and Courier:
McConnell: Deport illegal immigrants
COLUMBIA — Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell is calling for a national constitutional convention that would give states the right to deny benefits to illegal immigrants and have them forced out of the country.
It is an unprecedented move that would first require approval by the S.C. Legislature, then 33 other states would have to sign on, and 38 would be needed to approve a constitutional amendment.
“I don’t know where else to go,” McConnell, R-Charleston, said Thursday. “It’s really an act of frustration. The state is bearing the burden because of the power failure in Washington.
“The constitutional amendment would say that if Congress continues to refuse to act, then states would have the ability to act in order to protect themselves and their pocketbooks.”
Tensions have risen across the country following the introduction and failure of national proposals aimed at reforming illegal immigration. States have introduced about 1,500 bills this year intended to address the situation, including about 20 filed in South Carolina that didn’t pass.
A state Senate task force is studying immigration-reform measures, but the earliest the Legislature could act is January, unless lawmakers are called back under special circumstances.
Immigration advocates have frowned on states acting independently because of the complexity of the issue and the potential to violate constitutional rights.
Still, more than 170 bills did become law in other states, which serves as evidence of the frustration, said Sheri Steisel, a federal affairs counselor and senior director with the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Steisel, who tracks immigration laws on a daily basis, said this is the only call for a constitutional convention that she knows of. The last constitutional convention was held in 1787 in Philadelphia, according to several officials.
It’s likely that other states would follow South Carolina if the Legislature passes McConnell’s resolution, said University of South Carolina political scientist Blease Graham.
“I think it’s path-breaking,” he said. “It’s a good illustration of the tension, hopefully the creative tension, between the national government and the states.”
Graham said there may be some detractors who would write off such a proposal as radical Southern politics, noting that South Carolina has been at the forefront of celebrated and infamous movements in the past.
“After the first dismissals, the idea might really resonate and take root,” Graham said. “I think this strikes a cord.”
State House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he supports McConnell and believes the resolution will gain support in the House.
“All of us on a state level are trying to figure how to handle this issue basically with our hands tied,” Harrell said. “I think it will go through the General Assembly fairly quickly.”
Immigration issues hit home in South Carolina in part because of the unemployment rate, which is one of the highest in the country, Harrell said. Some of the jobs given to illegal immigrants could go to state workers, although in some cases employers would have to pay higher salaries, he said.
Jack Bass, a professor of humanities and social sciences at the College of Charleston who is familiar with South Carolina history and politics, said he believes the proposal is intended to invoke discussion more than anything else, especially given the difficulty in convening a constitutional convention.
While McConnell said he views illegal immigration as a danger to the country and a drain on South Carolina’s resources, Bass contends that most Spanish-speaking residents, whether legal or not, contribute significantly to the revenue base and provide a skilled workforce.
“For the state to intrude into the law enforcement role of the federal government seems a radical step in transforming the role of federalism in our country,” Bass said. “Senator McConnell’s proposal reflects a very creative mind.”
Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at 803 799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
Calling a constitutional convention
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, issued a call Thursday for a national constitutional convention as a way for states to gain authority to enforce federal immigration laws.
The call for a constitutional convention, allowable under Article V of the Constitution, is rare. The last one to gain traction of any sort was about 20 years ago concerning a balanced budget.
McConnell will need to overcome several hurdles before the Constitution could be amended:
–The state Legislature must formally petition Congress to convene the convention.
–33 other states also would have to make the call.
–38 states would need to agree to approve an amendment.
October 6th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I cant believe it took this long for this to happen
October 8th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Actually, I have a big problem with this. While the intent of the convention may be just (ending illegal immigration); once a convention is called, anything can happen.
When a Constitutional Convention was called under the Articles of Confederation to “tweak” what was the current (and weak) systsem of government, the would-be Founding Fathers threw the whole thing out and rewrote an entirely new constitution.
Granted, they created what would become the greatest system of government ever to exist, but imagine if our current group of yokels got their hands on that opportunity…
October 13th, 2007 at 4:38 am
It really amazes me that the politicians haven’t done anything about this. I have wrote to many of these idiots and they claim they know nothing about it. I know they have to be involved and are paid off!
October 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
The “original intent”, of the 14th Amendment is clear, concise, and unambiguous. The Supreme Court has, in it’s infinite idiocy, been allowed to convolute, distort, add, and detract from the original intent. Not only do we need an amendment stopping this foolishness, we also need to stop the Supreme Court from legislating from the bench. That job is reserved for Congress, and Congress needs to reassert it’s domain on this subject. The Supreme Court has been overstepping it’s role in government for far too long and it’s time to put an end to it. The 14th Amendment clearly states that in order for a person to become a citizen of this country you must not owe allegiance to any other foreign country or kingdom. A citizen of this country is only a legal citizen, when born to a legal citizen or a person who has gone through the Naturalization process as described by law. The need for a Constitutional Convention is long passed do. The issue of illegal aliens receiving citizenship, jobs, welfare and social welfare benefits must be taken out of the hands of corrupt government officials once and for all. The vast majority of Americans will receive this step forward with with due diligence. Please, do all that is require to get the ball rolling and if you need help we are all here for you. Thank you.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Michael raised an important point that is frequently raised and needs to be addressed
and that is a Convention turning into an open-ended event where anything may happen.
Although this is indeed possible it should be pointed out that all a Convention can do is propose amendents. That’s it. After that, any amendment has to be passed by 3/4 of the state legislatures(or state conventions) before it can become law. This pretty much negates the possibility of anything truly radical emerging. Also, with a plethora of legal watchdogs and the media, I sincerely doubt that another “fast one” could be pulled as what happened at our initial Convention.
I should also point out that I am presently leading an independent effort to convene a Convention. The ultimate aim of this Convention, as envisioned, will be the dismantlement of the federal government in its present configuration, and then reassemblement at the regional level. In essence, 10(# flexible) independent republics will be created on American soil(state borders intact) each having the Constitution and Bill of Rights as the basis of their new governments. Liken this to the breakup of AT&T into the baby bells some years back. This action has become necessary to diffuse the power of the largely self-serving globalist oligarchy which has hijacked our federal government, bringing this nation to the verge of economic and social ruin, while GREATLY compromising our national security. See link below for more info:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NationalConstitutionalConvention06
June 1st, 2008 at 2:20 am
Folks, this group is NOT for those, like Thomas Paine, who might use the Bible to back up their positions or beliefs: religious people are welcomed, but apparently, not their views about politics. They will, however, go out of their way to support global warming fanatics who rail against Christians.
Bill