A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
IS GOOD FOR AMERICA NOW, AND FOR OUR FUTURE
AMENDMENT
State legislators can call for a convention to propose an amendment to the federal constitution. Since Congress has not acted and will not act, this is the best solution to the debt problem. A constitutional amendment would require the federal government to budget responsibly. So far 28 of the necessary 34 states have requested a convention to propose an amendment. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states to become law. The founding fathers intended for this method of amending to be used when Congress would not take action on important issues.
The national debt has increased 800% in the last 25 years. The debt is over seven trillion seven hundred billion dollars. Interest on the debt cost taxpayers 3,443 billion dollars during the last ten years. The deficit last year was a record $413 billion.
DEBT AFFECTS YOU
The huge federal debt cost taxpayers over $320 billion for interest last year, and has built up the potential for economic disaster. Staggering debt is an irresponsible government created burden on citizens now, and on the next generation. Social Security funds have all been spent to pay for other federal expenses. Capital that could finance consumer purchases, business growth, and jobs goes instead to Washington. Interest, a debt tax, must be paid year after year. Debt makes our nation poorer.
AN AMENDMENT
Only a constitutional amendment will stop accelerating federal debt. All the past attempts to slow debt growth have not been effective. Americans believe in limited government. A balanced budget amendment puts a sensible limit on government power.
WHERE AMERICA STANDS
When any organization has lost control of its budget, it is out of control. The federal government is out of control. The definition of bankruptcy is that an organization cannot pay its bills. The federal government cannot pay its bills now, without descending deeper into massive debt. Is a devastating crisis avoidable?
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Write your legislators to ask for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget. State legislators can call for an amending convention of the states to propose a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
HERE IS A SAMPLE LETTER YOU COULD COPY AND USE
IN WRITING TO STATE LEGISLATORS
I am writing about a major problem that hurts your constituents, and how you can help. The federal debt is enormous and increasing by over a billion dollars each day. Would you sponsor a bill to call for a balanced budget convention of the states? To date 28 of the necessary 34 states have requested an amending convention. Our state has not done so yet. This could be one of your most significant bills. The federal debt cost taxpayers over $320 billion for interest last year. More debt makes the nation poorer. The Social Security Trust Fund has been emptied. Also, accelerating debt is a burden on the next generation. Polls show that two out of three voters support a balanced budget constitutional amendment.
A convention of the states cannot change the federal constitution, it can only propose amendment language. The proposed amendment takes effect if three-fourths of the states ratify it. Authorizing the states to propose an amendment was written into Article V. of the U.S. Constitution by the founding fathers, who intended for the procedure to be used when needed. State legislators as a group are conscientious and responsible Americans who want what is best for our nation. Amending has proven to be a safe process for states. States have enacted their own balanced budget amendments that have long been effective.
Only this common sense constitutional amendment to balance the budget will protect us from higher and higher levels of debt. Every other solution has been tried and failed. The federal debt has increased 800% in the last 25 years to over 7,700 billion dollars. Our country is heading for economic disaster. A chronic fundamental problem requires a fundamental change. Will you sponsor legislation calling for an amending convention? A federal balanced budget amendment will be good for the people you represent, and good for America's future.
States That Have Not Yet Requested
A Balanced Budget Constitutional Convention
Is your state here?
Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
You can locate your state legislators' addresses by using the State Officials section of: www.congress.org
Q.: Is the national debt problem getting better over time?
A.: The annual deficits are getting worse, not better. The deficits of the last few years are the worst of all.
Q.: Can we rev up the economy fast enough to grow our way out of debt?
A.: This has been tried repeatedly and has not worked. The growth solution was seen as magic. This popular idea is wishful thinking. It was, for example, implemented in the early 1980s and deficits then set new record highs.
Q.: Some people say we should not "tinker" with the constitution by passing a balanced budget amendment. Should the constitution be amended?
A.: Those people who use this objection want an excuse to preserve the status quo. They don't care about the country's financial troubles. The constitution has been amended 27 times already. Enacting this one important amendment is essential for a balanced budget. The amendment addresses a severe national problem, and is vital to the nation's future health and security.
A Balanced Budget Amendment
Section 1. The maximum limit on the total debt of the United States shall be ten trillion dollars. Debt of the United States, whether on budget or off budget, for any and all financial transactions shall be included in determining the total debt. The maximum limit on the total debt may be increased only during a time of military conflict solely to pay for the expense of that military conflict, and only if war is declared by the Congress. If the total debt exceeds ten trillion dollars when this article takes effect, that debt shall be reduced by fifty billion dollars in each fiscal year, until the total debt reaches ten trillion dollars.
Section 2. The only operations of the Federal Reserve System which shall be excluded in determining the total debt are managing the banking system and controlling the supply of money or credit. If the Federal Reserve System provides the United States with loans, money, or credit, the amount shall be included in determining the total debt.
Section 3. A reserve fund shall be established that may be used to counteract economic cycles or balance the budget of the United States.
Section 4. The Congress shall have the power to enforce and implement this article by legislation consistent with the purposes of this article.
Section 5. This article shall take effect beginning with the fifth fiscal year after the fiscal year in which it is ratified.
ONE MAN'S VIEW
P.J. O'Rourke says:
"It's a popular delusion that the government wastes vast amounts of money through inefficiency and sloth. Enormous effort and elaborate plans are required to waste this much money."
1. Because they balance their budgets, states do not have gigantic painful debt burdens. Cities, counties, and states all routinely balance their budgets, and so can the national government. It is common sense not to run up big deficits every year.
SEE THE OTHER NINE REASONS
ALSO SEE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON THE
BALANCED BUDGET CONVENTION
1950 $257,357,352,351
1960 $290,216,815,241
1970 $389,158,403,690
1980 $930,210,000,000
1990 $3,233,313,451,777
2000 $5,674,178,209,886
2005 $7,700,000,000,000+
ARTICLE V. OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
"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, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States...."
A BIPARTISAN ISSUE
Democrat Bill Clinton was able to bring the federal budget deficit down, and do so fairly.
Republican voters believe in responsible government budgeting.
OTHER THOUGHTS
"What the government gives, it must first take away."
John Coleman Strider
"The attitude in Washington is: If it moves- tax it. If it still moves- regulate it. If it stops moving- subsidize it."
author unknown
This site was last updated on: April 2, 2005
Copyright 2005