For Love & Liberty, Stephen M. Grimble, Wasteland Press (2011)
Having decided to read this novel because the author is a former business colleague, I was surprised to discover that the subject matter heavily overlaps with some of my own writing (government policy blog, Secure America’s Future Economy). It seems that Steve and I both believe the United States is headed – barring major changes of some kind – for a fiscal and political meltdown.
The book starts rather slowly. It seems like more of a political tract than a novel, somewhat akin to “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, with the characters reeling off long-winded discourses about Constitutional history, fiscal irresponsibility, political dishonesty, etc. The solution offered is to restore the limited federal role in government that was envisioned by the drafters of the Constitution – seemingly an impossible task. For my taste at least, the main character, Reb McCoy, is too perfect to be believable.
Why not just write an analysis of current problems with the government and propose a solution, as other writers have done?
One advantage of the novel format is that it reduces the tendency to quibble about the details of the political rescue plan being offered. [See outline at the end of this review.] After all, why should one feel obliged to critique the plan of characters in a work of fiction if they seem well-motivated and headed in a generally constructive direction? The tendency is to suspend disbelief and follow the story to see what happens.
Six people, calling themselves the Madison Committee, start meeting to discuss the problems of the Republic. Many small groups get started that way, and generally wind up with limited accomplishments. But Reb McCoy and his colleagues tie their ideas into the political process, organize broad-based support, and ultimately succeed in making their demand for a 2nd Constitutional Convention the focus of a presidential campaign.
Hats off to the Madison Committee, because organizing effective voluntary action is far from easy. I have learned, for instance, that many conservatives are leery of the idea of a Constitutional Convention because they fear it would be co-opted by liberals for their own purposes. See (a) this 4-part essay on “Government Run Amok Disease” http://bit.ly/5oRbcq, and (b) comments received on the concluding installment re the possible benefits of a Constitutional Convention. http://bit.ly/vRUwCE
As the book goes on, interest builds as to how this unlikely enterprise will come out – and you may find the ending surprising (I did).
THE PLAN: On the assumption that Congress would never voluntarily limit its own powers, have at least 34 states join in demanding a Constitutional Convention to consider the following amendments to the Constitution, to be collectively known as “the Second Bill of Rights”:
AMENDMENT XXVIII – Gross Public Debt (public debt + trust fund obligations + government sponsored enterprise debt if guaranteed) would be limited to 100% of GDP, which would force a wrenching reduction at the outset. “Congress shall act in good faith to reduce the gross public debt limit to no more than one hundred percent with all due celerity.” [This plus Amendment XXIX would be in lieu of a balanced budget amendment, which would not be proposed.]
AMENDMENT XX1X – All legislated annuity or insurance entitlements “shall be actuarially sound and financially solvent, such that the present value of projected entitlement tax revenue shall not be less than the present value of projected entitlement expenditures over at least the next 25 years.” If the standard is not met “as determined by an annual independent assessment,” then “Congress shall adjust the benefits, tax rates, or eligibility criteria” within “no more than two years, so that future generations shall not be unduly burdened by the profligacy of earlier generations.”
AMENDMENT XXX – No member of Congress to serve more than twelve years “in either or both houses.” Existing members could “serve another term irrespective of their total years of service,” but after that the 12-year limit would apply. Also, minimum age limits set for future members of the House (35 years) & Senate (40 years), and president/vice president (45 years).
AMENDMENT XXX1 – Military action beyond 30 days would require a Congressional resolution of approval; military action beyond 90 days would require a Congressional declaration of war.
AMENDMENT XXX11 – If a state demands that the federal government secure the border and the federal government fails to negotiate in good faith to resolve the issue, then the state can take matters into its own hands.
AMENDMENT XXX111 – Complicated provision to discourage courts from legislating from the bench by saying they could not do it, this power being “vested solely in Congress,” and requiring them to rely on prior precedent and case law if they find that a particular law is “ambiguous, open to different reasonable interpretations, or in conflict with another part of the Constitution.” Also, “due deference and consideration shall be given to” the 9th and 10th Amendments. [Query: Who would enforce this provision against the Courts, the Attorney General?]
AMENDMENT XXX1V – Provision for a Constitutional Convention every 25 years after the adoption of this amendment.