"Ooh boy", the Rightists are at it again. This time, they want to repeal the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution so that their iconic representative can illegitimately occupy the White House for an unlimited amount of time. For those of you who have no idea about what I'm referring to, I'll clarify. Congressional Republicans are trying to repeal the 22nd Amendment, so that George W. Bush can become President * again and again and again... ad infinitum. House Joint Resolution number 24. I'm not making this up, though I sincerely wish that I were. Sigh...As you'll see, I'm not making this up, though I sincerely wish that I were. Sigh... Here's one of several relevant links:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hj109-24
The bill, as you'll see, has been referred to the House subcommittee on the Constitution. This committee consists of:
Chabot (R) Ohio, 1st Chairman
Franks (R) Arizona, 2nd
Jenkins (R) Tennessee, 1st
Bachus (R) Alabama, 6th
Hostettler (R) Indiana, 8th
Green (R) Wisconsin, 8th
King (R) Iowa, 5th
Feeney (R) Florida, 24th
Nadler (D) New York, 8th
Conyers Jr. (D) Michigan, 14th
Scott (D) Virginia, 3rd
Watt (D) North Carolina, 12th
Van Hollen (D) Maryland, 8th
Notice the slant toward the right? So, let's assume that they're able to get this on the floor of the House for a full vote. Right now, the House balance is 232 - 202, in favor of Republicans, with one independent. Let's assume that a similar bill were proposed in the Senate. I can almost guarantee that the Senate bill would be sent to the subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights. The political makeup of that committee is 5 - 4, advantage Republican
Sam Brownback, KS Chairman
Arlen Specter, PA
Lindsey O. Graham, SC
John Cornyn, TX
Tom Coburn, OK
are all Republicans
Russell D. Feingold, WI (Ranking Democrat)
Edward M. Kennedy, MA
Dianne Feinstein, CA
Richard J. Durbin, IL
are all Democrats.
Let's assume that the hypothetical Senate bill was put to a vote in the full Senate. As of today, the composition of the Senate is 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and one independent. The hypothetical bill would most likely pass. I highly doubt that Bush would veto a bill enabling him to set up a real, honest-to-God dictatorship. Let's not forget though, that 75% of state legislatures or ratifying conventions would have to ratify the proposed amendment before it became law. So, let's look at my handy chart of '04 election results. According to my figures, there were 31 states that went for Bush, 19 for Kerry. That falls a little short of the 38 necessary to reach the 75% mark.
Next step? A state by state analysis of which Blue state legislatures/potential ratifying conventions are Rightist owned and/or operated. I've already found that California isnt a part of the "vast Right-wing conspiracy" so to speak. For the record, I'm not one to believe in conspiracies, by and large. I DO, however, believe that the American media has been subverted to such an extent as to effectlvely promote single-party dominance. I'll elaborate more on my views later. It's late, and I'm tired.
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This is what H.J.Res, 24 says:
109th Congress
H. J. Res. 24: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment
to...
Introduced: Feb 17, 2005
Sponsor: Rep. Steny Hoyer [D-MD] Status: Introduced (By Rep. Steny Hoyer [D-MD])
Last Action: Feb 18, 2005: Introductory remarks on measure. (CR E302-303)
Return to Bill Status | Download PDF | Full Text on THOMAS
IA
109TH CONGRESS
H. J. RES. 24
1ST SESSION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 17, 2005
Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SABO, and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
2
"ARTICLE --
"The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed."
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/constitution/constitution.htm#22 And this is what the 22nd Amendment actually says:
Amendment XXII*
*The Twenty-Second Amendment was ratified February
27, 1951.
Section 1.
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2.
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
(END)
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