One Issue Both the Right and the Left Should Support – and Now

The following piece was written by Bruce V. Hanson of Nebraska and originally published in the Lincoln Journal Star.

This year’s Legislature will consider the carried-over LR6, which would add Nebraska to the 12 states calling for a Convention of States (COS).

A COS is not a constitutional convention. It would propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution aimed at term limiting more federal offices and reducing federal deficit spending and programmatic overreach.

A COS has much to offer to both the right and left of the political spectrum.

Conservatives want a budget-balancing and constitutionally limited federal government, which, absent its unconstitutional programs, would spend less and have more time to oversee legitimate federal programs, thus lessening the problem of the “administrative state.”

Liberals would be pleased that, under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, states, counties, municipalities and special purpose districts are free to construct state and local programs — including social programs — matching state and local preferences and needs. A reduced federal tax burden would leave more opportunity for state and local funding of these programs.

Conservatives and liberals alike would be pleased that term limits would make vote buying more difficult, as a large part of Congress would be term limited and no longer in need of campaign help.

Please ask your senator to support and vote for LR6.

by Bruce V. Hanson

For those of you interested in finding out more about a Convention of States, here are two commonly asked questions:

WHAT’S A CONVENTION OF STATES ANYWAY?

Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to call a Convention of States to propose amendments. It takes 34 states to call the convention and 38 to ratify any amendments that are proposed. Our convention would only allow the states to discuss amendments that, “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials.”

WHY CALL A CONVENTION OF STATES?

Simple: to bring power back to the states and the people, where it belongs. Unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. shouldn’t be allowed to make sweeping decisions that impact millions of Americans. But right now, they do. So it all boils down to one question: Who do you think should decide what’s best for you and your family? You, or the feds? We’d vote for the American people every single time.

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