**Previously Recorded by Phyllis Schlafly // September 2013**
Have you ever attended a Republican or a Democratic National Convention? If so, you’ve seen the bedlam, the emotion of conflicts on issues, and the power of the chairman to gavel down those he doesn’t allow to speak. Now imagine holding the Republican and Democratic National Conventions at the same time, in the same hall. Imagine the confrontation of partisan politicians and pressure groups, the clash of liberals and conservatives, the tirades of the activists — all demanding that their view of constitutional issues prevail. Imagine a Sarah Palin caucus trying to work out a constitutional change with the Al Franken caucus. That’s what it would be like if pressure groups succeed in their plan to call a new convention to make constitutional changes, as allowed by Article V. It would be a self-inflicted wound that could do permanent damage to our nation, to our self-government, and possibly even to liberty.
The most influential players would be Big Media giving on-the-spot interviews and predictions of what they are trying to make happen. The original Constitutional Convention of 1787 deliberated in complete secrecy and there were no leaks to the press. That’s obviously impossible today. Demonstrations would be staged by the pro-abortionists, the gay activists, the feminists, the environmentalists, the gun control lobby, the pro- and anti-amnesty blocs, and the unions — all demanding that their perceived “rights” be recognized in the Constitution.
State Legislatures can start a constitutional conflagration but they cannot put out the fire once ignited, and cannot control the winds that will fan this fire in ways we cannot now foresee. How could we possibly allow our great Constitution to be jeopardized by calling a national Convention at a time when so many special-interest groups want to rewrite it in different ways!
