THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
The citizens of the United States have made their wishes quite clear regarding needed changes to the Constitution. A vast majority are in favor of amending the Constitution to provide for legislative term limits and a balanced budget.
The Republican Party's Contract With America vowed to bring these issues to the floor of the House for vote. While the Republicans have kept their promise, the federal legislature has voted not to present these proposed amendments to the state legislatures.
To date, all amendments to the Constitution which have been presented to the states for ratification originated in the Congress. The framers' foresight of legislative stagnation promoted them to include a provision in Article V which allows the states to propose amendments by calling for a constitutional convention. Article V states: ``The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, . . .''
This measure is long overdue. We have given Congress more than enough opportunity to correct the shortcomings which have become apparent in the Constitution. It is the duty of the states to recognize Congress' weakness and take action.
JOHN A. SHOLAR
Virginia Beach, March 30, 1995 by CNB