News

As a result of the growing interest in convening an Amendments Convention called by our nation’s state legislators, on September 16 at its Lansing, Michigan conference center, the Thomas M. Cooley Law School will host a scholarly symposium to discuss how the founding fathers anticipated states would propose amendments to the Constitution to restrain the federal government.

The symposium will focus on Article V of the United States Constitution which enables 34 state legislatures to call a convention for the purpose of recommending amendments to the Constitution. The proposed amendments then need to be ratified by 38 states.

“There is growing discontent among the people regarding the irresponsible borrowing by the national government and its intrusion into our daily lives,” commented William H. Fruth, founder of 10 Amendments for Freedom and a speaker at the symposium. “I believe you will see the state legislatures call an Amendments Convention in 2011.”

Thomas M. Cooley Law school, with four campuses in Michigan, is the largest law school in the United States by enrollment and is ranked 12th in the nation for overall quality in the 10th edition of Judging the Law Schools.

Judge Thomas E. Brennan, who founded the Cooley Law School in 1972 and served as its Dean until 2002, will be the featured luncheon speaker at the symposium. Judge Brennan has been a long-time advocate of convening an Article V Amendments Convention.

Among the presenters is Robert G. Natelson, Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute, who will discuss his soon to be published paper which details how an Amendments Convention will be limited to discussing specific amendment topics and not an be “open” convention.

“It is clear that a Convention for Proposing Amendments is a limited-purpose assembly, and not a plenary or “constitutional” convention,” writes Natelson in his paper.

Virginia House of Delegates member James LeMunyon will discuss the interest his legislature has in convening a convention.

"The U.S. Congress is in a state of serious disrepair and cannot fix itself. It has reached this point over the course of many years-in fact over many decades. Regardless of the party in power, Congress has demonstrated a growing inability to effectively address the major issues of our time, including soaring federal debt and the extension of federal authority to states and localities,” stated LeMunyon.

“An Amendments Convention has never been called by the states even though the Founding Fathers fully anticipated they should be convened to restrain the growth of the federal government,” commented Fruth.

Referring to Article V, Alexander Hamilton wrote: “We may safely rely on the disposition of the state legislatures to erect barriers against the encroachments of the national authority."

For a PDF of the program for the Article V Convention symposium, CLICK HERE

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August 4, 2010

History Will Be Made in January, 2011

In January of 2011 history will be made when the same Article V Convention Resolution is introduced in every state legislature in the United States. Never before has the same call for an Amendments Convention occurred at the same time.

The 10 Amendments for Freedom organization is well on its way to having a sponsor in every state which will introduce the same resolution.

"Having the same resolution is very important," stated William H. Fruth, Founder of the 10 Amendments for Freedom. "Congress has conveniently ignored hundreds of Article V Resolutions over the years as there have not been 34 identical resolutions passed by the states. By having the states pass the same resolution, Congress will be compelled to convene an amendments convention."

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August 3, 2010

Soon to be released study shows Amendments Convention
can be limited, controlled by the states.

The Goldwater Institute will soon publish a study authored by Constitutional scholar Robert Natelson of the University of Montana which will quickly dispel concerns an amendments Convention can "run-a-way" or get out of control. The study concentrates on the Founding Fathers' desire for the states to have equal opportunity to propose amendments as that of Congress. The study will highlight five important points:

1. An Article V Amendments Convention can be limited to consideration of specific amendments.

2. The state legislatures determine how delegates will be chosen.

3. Voting at the Convention is by states.

4. In their applications, states cannot force upon the delegates exact language for the amendments, but only specific topics.

5. Congress is required to call a Convention when 34 states apply. Congress may not intervene in any manner regarding the Convention and the only role Congress has is to set a date and possibly a place for the Convention.

When the study is published, it will be brought to the attention of every state legislator in the country.

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July 28, 2010

America's Freedom Amendments, 10 Amendments for Freedom Exhibit at National Legislators meeting.

More than 6,000 legislators and staff attended the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) annual convention held in Louisville, KY from July 25-28. This is the nation's largest gathering of state legislators.

The 10 Amendments for Freedom had an exhibit booth at the event which was held at the Louisville Convention Center. More than 100 exhibitors joined in the event.

Founder William H. Fruth discussed having an Article V Convention with hundreds of legislators around the country and secured commitments to sponsor an Article V Resolution from legislators from several states which were not previously committed.

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Freedom Amendments Booth

May 25, 2010

For U.S. Senator Norm Coleman Calls for Article V Convention

Former United States Senator Norm Coleman (MN) is calling for an Article V Convention to propose a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Citing the plans of the federal government to double an already burdensome debt by 2020, Coleman warned the President and Congress will do nothing to stop this growing burden on the American people.

"It’s time the American people reclaimed their future, and their children’s future, and forced Congress and politicians to do what they can’t — or won’t — do: Balance the nation’s budget, and then balance it every single year afterward — as the vast majority of the states must do under their own constitutions," stated Coleman.

Coleman warns that by 2020 interest on the debt will be $1trillion with a vast majority of the money owed to foreign entities.

Since Congress will not restrain itself, Coleman advocates an Article V Convention to propose a balanced budget amendment.

For Coleman's complete statement, go to: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37718.html#ixzz0oxvmdrmW

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April 21, 2010

Florida Legislature Passes Article V Convention Resolution

By a 70-42 vote, the Florida House of Representatives passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 which applies to the Congress to convene an "Amendments Convention" to consider a balanced budget amendment and amendments to curb the growth of the federal government.

"We are bankrupting our country both fiscally and morally," said Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach. "We are headed for fiscal Armageddon because we are borrowing from countries that do not share our values."

SCR 10 passed the Florida Senate March 16 by a vote of 28-12. Click here for a PDF version of SCR 10.

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March 9, 2010

Pennsylvania Legislators Call for Article V Convention

Pennsylvania State Representative Steven J. Santarsiero along with thirty co-sponsors introduced HR 653 which applies to the Congress to convene an Article V Convention.

HR 653 asks the Convention to propose an amendment which enables Congress to limit campaign spending. Representative Santarsiero introduced the resolution after the US Supreme Court ruled corporations were equally entitled to contribute to political campaigns as labor unions and other organizations.

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March 28, 2010

Three Louisiana Legislators Call for Article V Convention

Louisiana State Representatives Nick Lorusso, Kirk Talbot, Cameron Henry have called for an Article V Convention for the purpose of proposing ten specific amendments to the Constitution. The amendments are very similar to the 10 Amendments for Freedom.

Calling it the "Liberty Bill," the amendments include the following topics:

Balanced Budget
Federal Spending Limit
Super Majority Required to Raise Taxes
Line Item Veto
Reduction of Federal Debt
Congressional Term Limits
Transparency in Congressional Legislation
Restrictions on “Commerce Clause”
Legislation Restrictions on “General Welfare Clause”
Legislation Restriction on “Necessary and Proper Clause” Legislation

For more information regarding the Liberty Bill, go to http://rebirthoffreedom.com/.

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March 31, 2010

Virginia Delegate James M. LeMunyon Calls for Article V Convention

In a published opinion in the Wall Street Journal, Virginia House of Delegates member James M. LeMunyon called for an Article V Convention stating it is the only means to rein in Washington. Stating "There's no need to fear crazy amendments" at such a convention as there are sufficient safeguards to prevent a "run-a-way."

LeMunyon stated, "The U.S. Congress is in a state of serious disrepair and cannot fix itself. It has reached this point over the course of many years-in fact over many decades. Regardless of the party in power, Congress has demonstrated a growing inability to effectively address the major issues of our time, including soaring federal debt and the extension of federal authority to states and localities. The only effective remedy is constitutional reform to rein in congressional excesses and abuses. But Congress can't be expected to propose amendments to fix itself, as it has an inherent conflict of interest."

The complete text of the Wall Street Opinion can be found at the Freedom Convention web site: www.freedomconvention.org.

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March 26, 2010 - Palm City, FL

Idaho Legislature Passes Resolution Modeled After the 10 Amendments

By a voice vote, the Idaho State Senate passed HCR 44 which implores Congress to adopt laws which will implement most of the 10 Amendments for Freedom. The Resolution asks all other state legislatures to do the same.

HCR 44 was introduced on February 17, 2010 in the House of Representatives and passed the Idaho House on March 3. The vote was 50-17-3.

While not calling for an Article V Convention, the Resolution places the federal government on notice it has abused its powers and is the first step toward forcing this issue.

Rep. Richard Jarvis, sponsor of HCR 44, adopted his legislation from the book 10 Amendments for Freedom, written by William Fruth, an economic development consultant in Florida.

For details on the Resolution, go to: http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/HCR044.htm

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March 16, 2020 - Palm City, FL

Florida Senate Passes Article V Convention Resolution

By an overwhelming majority, the Florida Senate passed SCR 10 which calls for an Article V Convention to propose amendments requiring a balanced budget and restraining the growth of the national government. The vote was 28 - 12.

Sponsored by Senate President Jeff Atwater, the resolution combines the need for amendments which do the following:

(1) To achieve and maintain a balanced budget by:

(a) Requiring that such balanced budget account for all obligations of the Federal Government;
(b) Allowing flexibility in federal balanced budget requirements by providing exceptions related to exigencies such as national emergencies or threats to the nation’s security;
(c) Imposing spending limits on the Federal Government;
(d) Setting extraordinary vote requirements for new or increased federal taxes and other revenues; and
(e) Prohibiting federal mandates on states to impose taxes or fees.

(2) To control the ability of the Congress and the various federal executive agencies to require states to expend funds by:

(a) Limiting the ability of Congress and the various federal executive agencies to pass legislation requiring states to spend money or to take actions requiring the expenditure of money unless federal funds are provided in ongoing amounts sufficient to offset the full costs of such requirements; and
(b) Limiting the ability of Congress to dictate to states requirements for the expenditure of federal funds other than such requirements as may be necessary to measure outcomes to be achieved through the expenditure of the federal funds, leaving to the several states the ability to decide how to best accomplish those outcomes.

A companion resolution, HCR 8001 introduced by Speaker of the House Larry Cretul, is presently waiting committee hearings in the Florida House of Representatives.

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March 4, 2010 - Palm City, FL

Idaho State House Passes Resolution Modeled After the 10 Amendments

The Idaho House of Representatives passed HCR 44 which implores Congress to adopt laws which will implement most of the 10 Amendments for Freedom. The Resolution asks all other state legislatures to do the same.

While not calling for an Article V Convention, the Resolution places the federal government on notice it has abused its powers and is the first step toward forcing this issue.

Rep. Richard Jarvis, sponsor of HCR 44, adopted his legislation from the book 10 Amendments for Freedom, written by William Fruth, an economic development consultant in Florida.

HCR 44 was introduced on February 17, 2010 and passed the Idaho House on March 3. The vote was 50-17-3.

The measure now goes to the State Senate. For details on the Resolution, go to: http://legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/HCR044.htm

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March 1, 2020 - Palm City, FL

Florida Senate President Calls for Article V Convention

Inspired by an article regarding the 10 Amendments for Freedom which appeared in the Palm Beach Post newspaper in January, Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater will introduce a resolution calling for an Article V Convention to propose several amendments to the Constitution.

The resolution draft, while not providing specific amendment language, asks the delegates at the convention to propose amendments which:

1. Require a balanced budget with limited exceptions.

2. Impose spending limits on the Congress.

3. Set extraordinary voting requirements to impose new taxes.

4. Limit federal mandates upon state and local governments.

Senator Atwater sent a letter to the governors of all 50 states imploring their states to adopt a similar resolution.

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February 16, 2010 - Palm City, FL

Contact: William H. Fruth - National Director
10 Amendments for Freedom, Inc.
2740 SW Martin Downs Blvd. #235
Palm City, FL 34990
772-781-6112
news@10amendments.org
www.10amendments.org

Congress Loots Federal Worker, Military Retirement Funds

As of January 1, 2010, the amount of money owed to federal civilian and military pension trust funds passed the $1 trillion mark as Congress continues to loot all of the federal government's trust funds to pay for deficit spending.

More money is now owed by the federal government to these two funds than what is owed to China.

“In the future, little kids who are presently in kindergarten, and their children, will have to repay these funds,” stated William H. Fruth, founder of the 10 Amendments for Freedom.

"Those responsible for creating this massive, unconscionable debt will be dead and gone, not able to hear the howling curses directed toward them by those who will have to pay in the future.”

For the first three months of the 2010 fiscal year (October, November, and December), Congress borrowed more than $400 billion to pay for its deficits. Of this amount, Congress spent more than $65 billion of the money which is supposed to be in federal government workers retirement funds.

A trust fund is like a savings account. Money is deposited into the fund to be spent another day, when it is needed. The Social Security Trust Fund is the best known. However, Congress has spent all of the savings in all of its trust funds.

The following chart shows the national debt and the money which has been borrowed from several trust funds as of January 1, 2010.

	January 1, 2010
	Amount Owed
Total National Debt	12,298,936,000,000
Public Debt - Owed to individuals, banks, foreign entities.	7,811,009,000,000
Intergovernmental Debt - Owed to federal trust funds.	4,487,927,000,000
Owed to selected trust funds:
Social Security Trust Fund (includes disability)	2,518,540,000,000
Medicare Trust Fund	304,612,000,000
Federal Civil Service Retirement	750,208,000,000
Military Retirement	295,792,000,000
Source: U.S. Treasury

Each month federal workers and the federal government make a deposit into retirement funds which are to be drawn upon when workers retire.

However, Congress has spent all of the money in the Federal Civilian and Military Retirement Funds to pay for deficits. More than $1 trillion is now owed to just these two funds.

“When these people retire, taxes will have to be increased to replenish the funds,” Fruth continued. “This financial burden will fall upon today’s youth.”

The 10 Amendments for Freedom is a movement to add ten specific amendments to the Constitution by way of an Article V Convention.

Amendment One, Balanced Budget, would prevent Congress from spending the money in its funds and trusts.

For more information regarding the 10 Amendments for Freedom, go to www.10amendments.org.

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January 6, 2010 - Palm City, FL

Contact:
William H. Fruth
National Director
10 Amendments for Freedom, Inc.
2740 SW Martin Downs Blvd. #235
Palm City, FL 34990
772-781-6112
news@10amendments.org
www.10amendments.org

National Effort to Amend the Constitution Launched

A national effort to add ten specific amendments to the Constitution of the United States by means of an Amendments Convention was launched in January when the nation's 7,300 state legislators were sent the book 10 Amendments for Freedom along with information on how to convene an Amendments Convention.

The effort is being spearheaded by 10 Amendments for Freedom, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, to provide permanent restraints upon the federal government.

"The initial goal is to have the state legislatures vote to have Congress convene an Amendments Convention to propose ten specific amendments be added to the Constitution," stated William H. Fruth, Founder and National Director. "After the amendments are proposed by the convention, they will need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states."

The proposed Constitutional amendments include the following topics:

1. Require the federal government to have a balanced budget and stop incurring debt.
2. Repay the national debt over a 50 year period.
3. Force Congress to be more transparent regarding the legislative process.
4. Enable the president to have selective "line-item veto" authority.
5. Limit the number of terms a person can serve in the Congress.
6. Mandate Congress control illegal immigration.
7. Provide a legal framework to prevent becoming a bilingual nation.
8. Prevent foreign laws and courts from having authority over the American people.
9. Restrain the growth of the federal government and prevent "socialism."
10. Allow for the presence of "God" in the public domain.

"The Constitutional Convention will be the most important political event held in 200 years," Fruth continued. "It will reaffirm the belief the American people have in individual liberty and freedom and that government is created to serve the people, not control their lives."

In order to amend the Constitution, an amendment must first be formally "proposed." There are two ways to propose an amendment.

1) The Congress, by two-thirds of the vote of both the House and the Senate, may propose an amendment.
2) Delegates at an Amendments Convention may propose amendments.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times. Each amendment was proposed by Congress.

"Since most of the amendments place limits on Congress, it is not likely Congress will propose them," Fruth continued. "As a result, an Amendments Convention called by the states is needed."

Article V of the Constitution states that upon the "application" of the legislatures of two thirds of the states, Congress shall convene an Amendments Convention.

After the convention is convened, the delegates will decide if each of the amendments should be proposed for ratification. If they are proposed, 38 states must then ratify them in order for an amendment to become part of the Constitution. The convention itself cannot change the Constitution.

Information regarding this effort and the text of the amendments is posted at www.10amendments.org.

10 Amendments for Freedom, Inc. contracted with Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (Port St. Lucie, FL) to assemble 7,300 boxes of materials sent to the nation's legislators.

Each box contained a book, Legislator's Manual, brochure, pocket size Constitution, and a letter.

A Goodwill worker boxes the package for the legislator's mailing.

Goodwill workers eyeball about 300 of the more 7,300 boxes of books for the legislator's mailing.

Hundreds of mail bags wait to be taken to the post office.