Constitutional Amendment
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
January 16, 2011 7:22pm CST
I am not really big on making changes to the Constitution. Some that have been made were necessary.
New Senator Mike Lee of Utah is proposing an amendment to the Constitution to require the Federal Government balances its budget.
Sounds great huh?
What are some possible problems with this amendment. I see the good of it, now I am looking for the down side.
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/01/16/freshman-senator-backing-balanced-budget
7 responses
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
17 Jan 11
Sounds nice I am with you I think personally we need to have a convention on this as adding things to our Constitution is a massive deal.
Here is how I would word it assuming its goal is 1. a balanced budget 2. have a provision for emergency expenditures.
The Congress of the United States may only approve of a budget that is completely balanced and does not approve of a deficit. Unless any of the below situations occur:
A) A Formal Delcaration of War by Congress. (An authorization of Military Force will not count as sufficient for a budget deficit.)
B) A Delcaration of a State of Emergency by a state within the Union or Congress itself with a two thirds majority.
C) A Declaration of Marshal Law in any part of the United States.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
17 Jan 11
I see your point Joe but I would exclude the state of emergency -
http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema
I am too lazy count how many there were in 2010, but there were quite a few. This would be their first loophole.
Emergency funds like this should be built into the budget.
Also, a couple of years ago, we had a really bad twister come through Colorado in an area they never come through. Our community did outstanding until FEMA showed up....
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
Yes, that is what I meant by "Strictly defined".
1 person likes this
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
18 Jan 11
I see your point Laglen. I was thinking more of a state like the Governor having to do the Declaration and I did place it to where congress would have to vote to pass it as a state of Emergency.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
17 Jan 11
oh I think people misconstrue amendments all the time. As I am sure these ones as well. they may not be as popular. They seem to find loopholes not only in the Constitution, I am sure your realize, nobody looks at that anymore anyway - antiquated and what not. It is the laws they make. Each law they seem to pass is like swiss cheese.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
Nobody has ever misconstrued the 18th-27th Amendments. Is that because they were well written? Passed too recently to be messed with? Or is it because no one has worked very hard to misconstrue them for their own agenda?
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@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
18 Jan 11
What would then become the duty of the checks and balances system?
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@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
20 Jan 11
I am aware of this fact, Laglen. My point was why a constitutional amendment when we already have a system to take care of such situations? An amendment is only appropriate when a matter arises that is not yet addressed in existing laws.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
The US is now the biggest debtor in the history of mankind. If we can't get our budget under control, we will soon be the biggest foreclosed property in the history of mankind. Yes, I agree with a balanced budget amendment. I'm also acknowledging that it could cause problems, but the long term benefits would outweigh short term shock.
The first thing that would have to happen is for all departments to have to account for every penny... which is what should have been happening all along.
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7512)
• United States
17 Jan 11
So they pass and ammendment to a Constitution that they do not even pay any attention to any more...A Constitution that they tear and shred every day...What the H++L difference would it make?
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
17 Jan 11
Although I believe this is how it should be I do not see this happening. Too many are scared of the taxes that would happen to fix this problem. That or the fact that there are places the United States own that would need to be sold to make up the deficit. I mean let's see what people thing when we need to start selling off land to make ends meet. Good by Puerto Rico, good by various islands, good bye Alaska?
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
So have Uncle Sam sell some property!
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@hofferp (4734)
• United States
17 Jan 11
I'm leaning toward a balanced budget amendment. It's going to be extremely tough to do with two wars ongoing, plus all the other stuff. I'd be more comfortable with a step-down process over a period of a few years for some departments, programs, etc. and immediate cuts/elimination for others. But if the vote was today, I'd vote for it.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
yeah, there would have to be some kind of provision for emergency expenditures.. but they would have to be strictly defined.
1 person likes this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
17 Jan 11
I think our multiple book system (regular, emergencies and other) are much of our problem. We need to move toward ONE budget. Where we even budget for emergencies, just like the rest of us do. The emergency/other expenditures have been abused, almost more so than the budget the rest of us are kind of familiar with. I hear "strictly defined", but the Congressmen and women, past and current, haven't shown me that they can stay within defined boundaries. They always seem to find loopholes. That's why I'm not even sure a balanced budget amendment will work. Someone will find a way around the intent and then the floodgates will open and everyone will be going around the amendment. I want to see real commitment to reduce spending. I want to know how my Senators/Congressman vote, so I know how to vote in 2012.
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