Letters | 12-6-14

An Article V Convention needed

In Alex Haller’s letter of Nov. 29, he is right on in the need for the citizens through our respective state legislatures to call for an Article V Convention as so wisely provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

The Article V convention process does not require the permission of the various state governors or Congress. Once 34 states make application by passing it in both legislative branches — Florida, Alaska and Georgia have already done so — a convention is called. But where I differ with the Wolf-PAC movement is its narrow focus. Its goal is a 28th amendment to take money out of elections. No doubt a worthy cause, but why stop there?

The hard work will be getting 34 state legislatures signed on, so we must also go for term limits, repeal of the 16th and 17th Amendments, or how about a limit to the unelected federal bureaucracy? This reining in of our behemoth federal government is not a partisan issue. It is one I believe all Americans can get behind, so please educate yourselves and call your state representatives and senators and get them on board.

For an excellent primer on the Article V process and suggested amendments, read Mark Levin’s “Liberty Amendments” and research “Convention of States.”

We need to bring government back into the hands of the citizens and out of Washington.

Michelle “Mike” Kerr

Waikoloa

Prohibitions rarely work

We learn from history that men (politicians) never learn from history. Prohibition was a miserable failure, so we repealed the 19th amendment, but continued the war on drugs.

We can pass laws limiting campaign financing, but it is naive to think that will make it go away. Like any other popular activity outlawed, it will find ways to go underground, out of sight, totally unregulated and dominated by organized crime.

I cannot think of a prohibition that accomplished its goal, can you?

Ken Obenski

Kaohe, South Kona