Editors: Atlanta Journal/Constitution October 17, 2007

Subject: Responding to “We the People”

 While I agree with Mr. Sabato that there is a vital need to “repair America,” and with many of his suggestions, I do not agree that a second Constitutional Convention is the answer.  A Constitutional Convention in today’s secular society would be akin to national suicide, and, perhaps, as dangerous as the French Revolution that established Napoleon’s tyrannical and dictatorial government, taking all freedom from the people.

            Congresses mandate to the Founders in 1787 was simple: modify the inept Articles of Confederation and make them workable. But the Convention, led by Madison, did the unthinkable; they abandoned the Articles and created the most perfect document of law ever created on earth for a pluralistic society, a document most Founders felt was divinely inspired, a document millions today still believe was biblically inspired and patterned after the “perfect laws of liberty” used by Moses to govern the Israelites. Few realize Connecticut and Rhode Island’s initial constitutions were patterned after these laws. These two constitutions became patterns for America’s new Constitution in 1787.   

            Americans believe America was created as a democracy (pure democracies have always self-destructed). It was not. America’s Constitution created a democratic republic, with limited federal authority, with the states providing the primary governing laws and administration.  

            Few realize the creation of America was once considered a divine miracle. When the Constitution was signed in 1787 it was the only time in the world’s history that thirteen separate and independent governments have ever agreed to delegate existing power to a new federal government. Many states tried, all failed.

            Few realize the Founders felt America had a mission, a mission they inscribed on America’s Liberty Bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land …,” a mission the Founders took seriously.

            If the 1787 Convention, working in a controlled environment -- strict convention rules, no press, 56 very independent men well versed in the Bible, and a Christian society – could not achieve their full agenda (slavery and several other issues failed), why does Sabato think a second Constitution Convention in today’s secular society, a society that has literally removed all references to the Bible (the Founders basic foundation) from the class room and governmental halls, would be able to accomplish something equal to the near perfect Constitution the Founders created?

            Political intrigue and corruption during the past 220 years has nearly destroyed the 28 basic principles of freedom the Founders embedded deeply into America’s three foundational documents: the Declaration; Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These three documents each contribute to the freedoms Americans enjoy and they have truly “proclaimed liberty” to the worlds enslaved as the Founders had hoped.

            The Fourteenth Amendment nearly destroyed the Ninth and Tenth Amendments (state’s rights); the Sixteenth Amendment (taxation) opened the doors to graft and unequal taxation; and the Seventeenth Amendment destroyed the states power to check the federal government.

To begin repairing America: mandate teaching the 28 principles of freedom in America’s schools, then work to repeal the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Amendments.

Difficult yes, but doable. (498)

 Donald S. Conkey – Woodstock, Georgia – 770-592-7811