Who We Are:
We are a diverse group of Californians who support the grassroots call for a Constitutional Convention through two Constitutional Initiatives. We support the non-partisan plurality effort of people to pass the two Initiatives filed with the California Attorney General as our Article 36 and Article 37. We support the free election of our Constitutional Delegates based on a simple principle of One Person / One Vote, and we propose to open the process to all voters to participate, and run to become Delegates if they so choose.
What does it mean to call a constitutional convention?
We believe the diversity of California will naturally select competent and concerned citizens to create a new State Constitution. We propose to open up all existing 35 Articles for review and rewrite. Our California State Government is broken and suffers from structural dysfunction. We ask everyone to support one other in this endeavor so we can address the total review and re-design of our State. Our State of California is wealthy beyond most people’s ability to comprehend. Our finances are out of order, but our resources are too vast to quantify, and go largely mismanaged. Our Constitution structures our State and touches everyone from cradle to grave. By calling a Constitutional Convention with elected delegates, we set in motion the procedures to address all that is not working.
Why do we need one?
Because our Government is broken and cannot fix itself. The current system of rules, regulations and processes now require complete review. The waste and inefficiencies designed for the 19th Century do not address our new challenges and opportunities: individually and collectively. We support: 1.) Political Equality; 2.) Majority Rule; and 3.) Personal Liberty. These are the core political philosophies of American Conservative thought framed in our US Constitution. With over 500 changes made to the California Constitution since 1879, our current State Constitution has too many special interest tweaks to correct piecemeal changes over 130 years. We want a "clean sheet of paper" approach to empower our delegates to use "whole cloth" in the re-design of our State Government. Our initiative process in California limits any address to modify our Constitution to one issue at a time. There are hundreds of corrections to make, too many to attempt, without a complete simple re-write. Simply put, statutory (Legislative Law) does not belong in our Constitution. We need to simplify our state structure clearly.
Why is "Our Formula" is the best alternative and best solution?
We start with setting up a process that will allow regular citizens to run as delegates, who will be empowered to vote and decide upon on the many components of a new proposed Constitution. We require a democratic process in our State. We specify a fair process to allow all to run for Delegate office. Their term lasts only until the proposed new Constitution is delivered back to the voters for ratification. We provide for public finance of our special election of Delegates so all can participate. This is a one time - one election deal. No one should be blocked from participating for lack of funds. Our Government and our State, indeed our commonwealth, is not for sale. We provide for and respect the right to political free speech, and have provided for fair firewalls (that will be enforced) between the many special interests and the campaigns of the many Delegates who will run. We provide for a secure location, with our Delegates sequestered beyond the reach of all lobbyists. We provide for all the tools and resources necessary to complete the work of the Convention. We provide subpoena power to the Convention, so our Elected Delegates (the best minds motivated to serve as active participants) will have access to the best and the brightest for guidance and direction. We provide market rate compensation, to all Delegates and Advisors. The rate of pay is fair, and provides compensation at a level where none will profit, yet none will suffer financial hardship for becoming of service to the people. (Many of the best, earn far more than the allowance specified in our propositions). We do not limit time to the work of the Convention, as we want the best possible Constitution presented back to us (the people) for our consideration, reflection and ratification.
How will it work?
All our Initiatives do is create a structured framework and define the procedures to deliver fair Election of Delegates, house the Convention to do the work of the Convention, and deliver a new Constitution for Ratification. The Elected Delegates will have the assistance of the best legal minds in America. We specify the Presiding Officer of the Convention be the Chief Justice of our California Supreme Court, as he is already on our State Payroll. If you want to really dig into the mechanics, read the propositions. We the people will then ratify the new Constitution 90 days after it is delivered to us for our vote up or down. There is a process to allow one second ratification vote in the next Statewide General Election. We specify voting systems and processes that are fair, publicly owned, open for all to inspect, and cannot be gamed or rigged. We expect the County of Los Angeles to lead the State in the roll out of these systems first, sooner than anyone anticipated. This general use will precede any vote on our propositions which will probably be on the ballot in the November 2010 Election. These systems cost about 10% of what we paid for the systems we use now, which the Secretary of State seems to want replaced anyway.
Who will be affected by it?
Everyone in California who uses our public trust property in any way (State Parks, Roads, Trains, Busses, Libraries, Schools, Hospitals, Government Services, or owns and operates their businesses where their employees and employees’ children use these services and properties). As California should recover and then stand strong as an economy forward, everyone who does not live in California will benefit as well. As California goes, so goes the Nation, and as America goes, so goes the world.
Who will oppose it and why?
Every person, group, and business that has successfully protected their own interests at the expense of our Commonwealth will step up to oppose the will of the people for Change. Since all special interests from the public monopoly utilities, through the Fortune 500, from State Agencies, and big labor, all have political and economic interests at stake; the opposition will be stiff and fierce. Each special interest seeks control. Most individual private citizens are not motivated to do what is in the best interest of their Local (City and Town), County, and State Commonwealth. The goal of a Constitutional Convention is to focus on our Commonwealth and our public trust. All who hold personal motives will oppose any plan for fair elections of Delegates and our collective need to open up the whole current Constitution for review.
We do not attempt to limit the free speech of free expression groups, so every Political Party should endorse our proposals. This is our turn for a sanity check and to be what we are - Californians all. The experienced politicians are very wary of the possibilities of a complete review of our State Government and thorough governments restructure process, which a new Constitution will achieve. Oddly, we feel most everyone in California will support our Initiatives. Why? At the end of the day, we are one big community. Everybody wants the best for their family, friends, schools, hospitals, communities, and our businesses. We feel this is California's time to pull together and show the world what we can do. I suspect that most who will oppose us, do not live here, nor are our communities of any concern to them, other than to profit by.
When will it all take place if we are successful?
About 90 to 120 days after we win - 400 Delegates will be picked up by the California Highway Patrol and delivered to the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, and sequestered. When our Delegates are sequestered, the Governor will announce who won the Delegate Elections and who is now sworn into Service. The Convention will be private and secure. When the Convention is done with its work, we will be given our New Constitution for consideration and ratification. All the proceedings will be recorded and documented, including all the debates, votes, and testimony of experts, as our public treasure to be later housed in a Constitution Library for posterity.
How can volunteers help?
At first, we are soliciting membership here on Facebook. Shortly, we will open a website for grassroots structure, event coordination and fundraising. We need 10,000 trained signature gatherers soon - maybe within the next 30 days.
For now, please join us here in this group, and invite all your friends and family who may want to help. This will start with personal commitments to do what you can. As time passes, you may find yourself devoting a large amount of time. The resources we are looking for will be set out in our new website, and we will need a huge recruiting push at first.
At this time - all Photos, Videos, and Links are Moderated. If you have something to add, please send it to us.
