The Second Constitutional Convention: How The American People Can Take Back Their Government [Hardcover]

Richard E. Labunski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

This book explains how the American people can use a little-known section of the Constitution -- and the communicative power of the Internet -- to organize a federal constitutional convention. It would be the nation's first such convention since the Constitution was written in 1787.

At a time when pepole are deeply cynical about politics, a convention could propose amendments dealing with a variety of urgent issues. The author creatively demonstrates that rather than just be discouraged about politics, Americans can improve the Constitution and make their government more accountable. He proposes 10 amendments for a convention to consider, some of which will be very controversial.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A University of Kentucky professor of journalism and telecommunications, Labunski holds degrees in political science and law and worked in radio and television news for 10 years. His call for a constitutional convention is based on current political woes--the campaign finance mess, low voter turnout, and so forth--and on a belief that existing institutions (state and federal legislatures and the courts) cannot make the kinds of changes needed to restore American democracy. Labunski proposes local, state, and national meetings to discuss potential amendments and effective use of the Internet and other media to involve Americans in active discussion. He proposes and thoroughly discusses eight amendments: campaign finance reform; equal rights; a crime victims' bill of rights; congressional term changes, including term limits; direct election of the president and vice president; protecting federal courts' jurisdiction; changing the Constitution's amendment process; and repealing the Second Amendment. Even readers turned off by the concept will find useful information in Labunski's defense of his radical proposal. Mary Carroll
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...a well-presented and thoughtful blueprint for political activism, offering to return the power of government to the people..." -- Independent Publisher Online, William D. Bushnell

"Creative and provocative, The Second Constitutional Convention should be read by anyone concerned about the health of our democracy." -- Patricia Ireland, President of National Organization for Women

"His ideas are thoughtful, innovative and undoubtedly controversial. Required reading for people tired of politics as usual." -- Robert D. Richards, Professor of Journ. and Law, Penn State

"Professor Labunski has given Americans a thoughtful blueprint for how the new information technology might best be used: the improvement of our democracy." -- Jim Squires, former editor of the Chicago Tribune

"With meticulous research and a lucid style...Labunski has provided overwhelming evidence that our political system is in trouble." -- Blurb by John Anderson, former presidential candidate

"mixes a quite good historical account of the writing of the Constitution...with breathtaking conclusions and extraordinarily idealistic proposals for change." -- Law and Politics Book Reveiw, January 2001

Labunski is eminently qualified to provide this written call for a second constitutional convention. Well-written and easy to follow. Recommended. -- Choice Magazine, January 1, 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 577 pages
• Publisher: Marley & Beck Press; 1st edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967749875
• ISBN-13: 978-0967749877
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone who has ever turned away in disgust from politics, February 24, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Constitutional Convention: How The American People Can Take Back Their Government (Hardcover)

In The Second Constitutional Convention: How The American People Can Take Back Their Government, educator and political observer Richard Labunski shows how United States citizens can utilize a long neglected section of the American Constitution to organize a constitutional convention, the first such since the original 1787 convention in which the Constitution was first framed and presented to then fledgling nation. Labunski also shows why such a present-day convention would be desirable to effectively deal with today's rampant cynicism about politics and government, solve the out-of-control and corruptive campaign finance system, reverse the alarming and increasing voter turn declines, the dangers and potential benefits of the Internet for our democracy, and more. The Second Constitutional Convention is "must" reading for anyone who has ever turned away in disgust with the politics and politicians that dominate and control the American government today.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Second Constitutional Convention: Within Our Grasp, January 16, 2001

By 

Aaron P Karnell (Santa Maria, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Constitutional Convention: How The American People Can Take Back Their Government (Hardcover)

Even the most ardent Constitutional purist should read Dr. Labunski's persuasive appeal for a new set of badly-needed amendments to our Constitution and a second convention. The mechanism for successive conventions was built into the document -- it's Article V -- but because the framers lacked the time to hash it out thoroughly, its promise and power have become lost to us. Yet Article V is a vital part of the document: Jefferson himself said that he envisioned that Americans re-work the constitution "every generation or so."

By addressing the most difficult constitutional issues of our day -- campaign finance reform, the electoral college, gun control and others -- Labunski presents compelling arguments for re-examining the law of the land.

With an introduction by former Independent candidate John Anderson, Labunski's book also presents a blueprint for carrying out the process of constitutional change.

If the latest debacle in Florida and the creative lawmaking of the U.S. Supreme Court are any indications of the stresses being placed on our system by a flawed electoral process, the time for genuine constitutional reform is clearly upon us.

Even if you think the idea is too radical, at least get acquainted with Labunski's arguments. You will find them more timely and convincing than you think.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Call For a Second Constitutional Convention!!!, November 21, 2000

By 

A. Desantis (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second Constitutional Convention: How The American People Can Take Back Their Government (Hardcover)

Believe it or not, there is a little-known section in Article V of the US Constitution that authorizes the American people to call for a new constitutional convention (the last meeting being held in 1787). That's right, we can meet again and revise, repeal, or affirm ideas that were written over 200 years ago when America's technologies, ideas, morality, values, and conception of itself were radically different.

In Richard Labunski's, "The Second Constitutional Convention," he not only argues for the need for such a convention and how the internet could be used to organize it, but he also suggests 10 amendments that such a convention should consider. Some of these include a Campaign Finance Reform Amendment, a Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Amendment, and the Repeal of the Second Amendment (yes, the right-to-bear-arms Amendment). Most timely, however, is his thoughtful and compelling chapter on the need to abolish the Electoral College.

As I sit awaiting the returns in Florida, growing ever more cynical about the political process and democracy, Labunski has reminded me that our Founding "Fathers" were astute statesmen that understood (even if we sometimes forget) that THEIR constitution would have to be reviewed and augmented as OUR nation developed and changed in ways they could have never imagined.