Thomas Jefferson suggested when the basic Constitution was being written that there needed to be a regular constitutional convention in order to ensure that the constitution always was kept up to date to the needs of the nation and the people at that time. His suggestion was that a mandatory convention be held every 10 years.
I think that this is a good idea. I also believe that the constitutional convention should be viewed the same as jury duty with a lottery system choosing the delegates and that all Americans who are registered to vote be eligible for selection. This would give the American people a more direct say in any amendments and would simp not simply rely on politicians and political Insiders.
Proponents of this type of mandatory convention typically picture it as being much like jury duty where the people serving as delegates are paid a small stipend per day and have their travel and accommodations paid. The convention would be held for at least 3 days, but there is no mandate that any actual amendments be passed. The idea would be that time is given to at least introduce and debate possible amendments, or even a page one rewrite of the entire Constitution.
This differs from how Thomas Jefferson envisioned it, as he supported completely rewriting the Constitution every 10 years on a mandatory basis.
I think that this is a good idea. I also believe that the constitutional convention should be viewed the same as jury duty with a lottery system choosing the delegates and that all Americans who are registered to vote be eligible for selection. This would give the American people a more direct say in any amendments and would simp not simply rely on politicians and political Insiders.
Proponents of this type of mandatory convention typically picture it as being much like jury duty where the people serving as delegates are paid a small stipend per day and have their travel and accommodations paid. The convention would be held for at least 3 days, but there is no mandate that any actual amendments be passed. The idea would be that time is given to at least introduce and debate possible amendments, or even a page one rewrite of the entire Constitution.
This differs from how Thomas Jefferson envisioned it, as he supported completely rewriting the Constitution every 10 years on a mandatory basis.