The Right of Recall
by Peter FerraraCongress is out of control. The public overwhelming opposes a government takedover of our health care. But Congressional leaders are telling us they don’t care – that they know best, and they’re going to pass it anyway.
We are getting the same attitude on other issues, from global warming regulation, to taxes, government spending, deficits, federal debt, energy policy, welfare, corporate bailouts, and beyond. Too many of our elected Members of Congress are making behind-closed-door deals and ignoring their constituents, calling them “yahoos,” “Nazis”,“and “tea-baggers.”
This isn’t American democracy — this is a shop-worn, elitist, authoritarianism closer to abuses we see in countries like Venezuela.
So, what would happen if the people could change this rotten situation?
Actually, there may just well be a mechanism within our political system to do so — the Right of Recall. Nine states already have laws on the books providing for Recall of members of Congress: Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. These 9 states suffer 12 incumbent Senators who are members of the runaway Congressional majority, who are not already standing for reelection in 2010, but potentially could be.
For example, the New Jersey state constitution provides, “The people reserve unto themselves the power to recall, after at least one year of service, any elected official in this State or representing this State in the United States Congress.”
Tea party activists in New Jersey have already filed to circulate recall petitions regarding Sen. Robert Menendez. Their recent Secretary of State took the position that such recall of members of Congress is not authorized under the U.S. Constitution.
Grassroots activists in Louisiana have similarly already filed for recall of Senator Mary Landrieu, and the circulation of recall petitions there has been authorized.
Exercising this existing statutory right of recall in these 9 states could potentially reverse the control in the Senate this year by placing 12 Senators not currently up for re-eectionion this year on their state ballots. (For more information on this Right of Recall, see www.RecallCongressNow.org).
We have seen the recall process work in California in 2003 when citizens in that state, disgusted with recently reelected Democrat Governor, Gray Davis, voted overwhelmingly to remove him from office in a recall election.
Another nine states provide language in their constitutions to recall only state officials. The other states without recall provisions for members of Congress can change their laws to adopt it. In states with the right to initiative, this can be done by a vote of the people after circulating petitions to put the change on the ballot.
Too many in Congress today are showing us that our representatives can no longer be trusted with 2-6 years in office without ongoing popular accountability. Today’s Congressional majority is threatening to dump a load of bad legislation on the country despite the public’s opposition, daring us to try to “clean it up” later. Only a Right of Recall can prevent such abuses in the future.
The Right of Recall would also help counter the growing problem of voter fraud. If voters felt that an election were subject to too many irregularities in its conduct or in how the votes were counted, they could circulate Recall petitions for a new election.
Every state should adopt the Right of Recall to protect its voters. The constitutionality of recalling members of Congress adopted under state law would ultimately have to be decided in the courts. Or the people could definitively decide the issue themselves through voting to adopt a constitutional amendment, or by electing a Congress that would adopt a federal statute authorizing each state to adopt such a Right of Recall.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
218 Comments
Franken should be recalled last month. He stole the election. Coleman should get this rolling.
The Right To Recall; this is the kind of meal that makes a Constitutionalist salivate just at the thought. The beautiful vision of a fine rare filet mignon, cooked to perfection – the look on an ejected Progressive voted out of office in a recall would be wonderful. These thoughts are a great way to put a smile on my face. Thanks for the dreams!! Dancing in the streets anyone?
Ooops! Minnesota doesn't have a recall provision…my bad.
After we have saved the Republic from the "progressive" takeover, we should all sue every former congress member that forced us to put our lives on hold to fight their oppression. At the very least, those who have worked against the will of their constituency should lose their pensions and taxpayer supported benefits packages.
This is a very good point being made in this article. The people may have to take up action, sooner, rather than later against these Tyrants. I hope there are a few Congressman or Senators that may be vulnerable to recall, even if they are not up for election this fall. Start some petitions now to get these Tyrants dumped in Nov.
Obama is a Traitor, and if you can't see it, you don't have your eyes open.
All we can hope is that the states with recall provisions actually use them. I wish we had that here in Indiana. Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar would both be history.
Only 9, why not all the States? Maryland has Steny Hoyer and no recall provision. How much trouble can one State be in?
Recall starts in a Big Way come this November.
To bad we don't have the right to recall a President…
Wisconsins does! line em up
As a constitutional conservative, I am opposed to this. I instead support a repeal of the 17th amendment and return that power to the state governments. That change alone will have an immense and immediate impact on the conduct of business in D.C. at the first session after ratification. Remember, the congress is chosen by the people and the preamble states that the people are the source of power that the government exercises. To make recall constitutional, is to usurp the power of the people. The founding fathers, in their genius, created a check and balance within the congress between mob rule in the house and reasoned, contemplation in the senate. Now, even though it didn’t always happen, when the senators had to campaign just like the representatives, campaign money took away the protection from the senate from undue influence. Repeal the 17th amendment, and that will begin to return the government we were supposed to have.
Great idea! Take away all the pensions and benefits for those that are voted out, and make the service in congress a part time job for those we send, taking away all future pensions and benefits. This full-time service is not needed, and cutting out the pensions and benefits would get rid of all the lifetime politicians.
Recall. Impeachment. A case could be made for either one in a number of cases.
It ain't going to happen, America is on to the tricks of this socialist community agitator. Its all Kabuki theatre and like the main actor, its an empty suit.
Too bad we can bring Reagan back alive to straighten out the mess DC has caused.
I hope to see this happen in my LIFE TIME…..lets get cutt'n, I'm 52
Shoot, with teleconferencing, collaborative sites, email, etc., they don't even need to be in Washington half the time. Private-sector organizations work this way to reduce travel costs and other expenses…why not Congress? That would take away the bellyaching about the cost of maintainig two residences. Set up a Congressional hotel near the Capitol where they stay when Congress is in session (1-2 weeks 5 or 6 times a year). The rest of the time, they work out of their local office (they all have one in their state don't they?). That would make them more accessible to the people they've been elected to represent and less accessible to the lobbyists of K Street.
More Nanny State CRAP!!!
Are you loving this CHANGE yet?!?
WE WILL CONTROL EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!
WELCOME TO 1984!!!!
Our gov is going to do what they want and advance their agenda whether we like it or not!
They are being controlled from an outside source – NWO!
God has recalled two congressmen in the last couple months. One very recently. Listen to him you liberal, pinko's. God is leading by example here. I would suggest Odumblow, Pelosi, Reid and many assorted others pay atttention. You got the big guy in the sky really P-izzed
Tea party activists in New Jersey have already filed to circulate recall petitions regarding Sen. Robert Menendez. Their recent Secretary of State took the position that such recall of members of Congress is not authorized under the U.S. Constitution.
What Menendez does'nt understand, is he was hired by the people of the state, therefore he is restricted to the guildlines of the State Constitution, not the U.S. government or the U.S. Constitution
Recall just changes the face of the guard. State nullification and/or states leaving the union is far more effective.
Well written OV. Term limits and no benefits with tighten up the loose ropes.
To bad we can't get the 8 worst years in American history back, AFTER 2 STOLEN ELECTIONS!!!
I could not agree more. That would remove my contention that term limits are a necessity in preserving the union.
When the idiot Franken from Minn was sworn in, I swear I could hear the sniggers of 40 million progressives. Now, I swear that I can hear the sleep being rubbed from the eyes of 60 million Americans… Stay awake now, don't let your guard down, read American history, be a freedom fighter!
I do think that our current government is out of control. But that doesn't mean the people are always right. I wasn't politically aware in the 60's. What was the situation when Congress passed the Civil Rights Bill? Were the majority of citizens against that bill? Was there an initiative to recall elected officials?
It amazes me that these Progressives will hide behind the very documents they are trying to destroy!
Amen! Just keep praying…
No, Abraham Lincoln made it clear that we must preserve the union. I for one do not want another civil war. We need to root out the Progressives from the inside, an armed conflict would destroy everything you say you want to preserve. Watch "THE PATRIOT" add automatic weapons, aircraft, tanks and modern artillery then think about all you hold dear!
These commies are going down!!! Yea baby!!!
schlockey, you need your mother's permission to post here.
The Progressives need to be rooted out surgically not with armed conflict. You don't cure cancer with a hand grenade you use a scalpul to cut it out. If the voters in every state looked at what their federal representatives were doing and thought about what was best for the Country this would not be a problem. But instead it's 30 second sound bites and the Progressive media shoveling their agenda on us.
Abraham Lincoln was the ultimate tyrant. Neoconservatives and progressives alike love him and praise him. I have no problem with a state leaving the burden of the federal government behind and possibly rejoining later.
No armed conflict needs to arise if a state leaves the union.
I think you should rethink this. Congressman Murtha was killed by a nick of his intestine during surgery. I believe an investigation is definitely in order, but it does get me that a veteran dies in a naval hospital when all of us vets have said for years you go to a military or VA hospital to die.
The beautiful thing about having the choice of what state you want to live in is that it fosters competition among states to provide an attractive environment for personal liberty.
The federal government has (through taxes and laws) marginalized states and continues to do so as to eliminate or make less lucrative the choices for voting with your feet. This strategically allows more federal government dominance as one cannot ecscape the long arm of Washington without leaving the country.
While I don't believe a state will ever have enough popular opinion from the masses to leave the union, the idea of it is forming in such unimagineable places like Vermont.
I also believe the federal government would again act with force if a state decided it wanted to be free from the clutches of Washington.
I respect your opinion but, career politicians are a part of the problem. After they get their tap roots into the host, they behave more like parasites than servants of the people. Let them go back to their respective States and nurture the next in line.
Please review Marbury vs. Madison. The Supreme Court, in that decision asserted that the US constitution is the supreme law of the land. So anything you want to do at the federal level, must be followed. I assert again, that repeal of the 17th amendment is the best solution to follow. The right of the people to yes, even make a horrendous mistake (see the last general election) should never be violated.
I like my Progressives medium-rare
Sorry, there is no provision in the constitution for leaving the union, only joining. given that, how about wotking with the rest of us disaffected americans and change the situation?
So now righty wants to sue to get what they can't win at the ballot box…. typical.
How about military service? Do we get to keep our pensions or do they need to go too?
Sure Don. If you can't win at the polls then try the courts. If that doesn't work then grab your long guns and demand with force what you can't legally win.
Correction: I didn't mean eliminate any retirement benefit completly. Just dump them into Social Security like the rest of us….which will pretty much eliminate it anyway (at least by the time I retire).
Arizona also has a recall option.
This progressive coup must be stopped and defeated.
Anyone who would campaign against 'The Right to Recall' bill, would come under heavy scrutiny. It would be political suicide to vote against it. Put me down for a aye!
The 17th Amendment has served us well and I hope Americans will never vote to restrict our ability to elect our senators by popular vote.
If there was an objection to the civil rights act, I don’t believe it would have mattered. You must understand that the majority of voters at that time were your parents and grandparents. The attitude of the majority of them was “They are the experts. They know what they are doing. If President Johnson says so, we must do it.” Believe me, I got so sick and tired of hearing that as a teenager.
Zombie Reagan couldn't be any worse than what live Reagan did to us.
You obviously have never met a liberal. I know a few, but I've never met one who wanted to be a Communist. If you have some proof of what you are saying lets put it out there for all of us to see. Otherwise it's just more right wing whining.
Spoken like a true progressive.
Old people get sick and die. Your insinuation that it is somehow punishment for being "liberal" says a lot… about you.
The discussion on the constitutionality of states recalling US reps is interesting but what about the constitutionality of Washington controlling of the medical sector of the free market?
I've repeatedly queried White House residents and congressional reps over the years on what constitutional provision(s) authorizes their actions, and have yet to receive a single response that answers the question.
Why must We the People constantly respond to what we can do constitutionally while those actually constrained by the Constitution run rampant without any apparent concern for the limitations we imposed upon them?
Funny how when your own tactics are used against you, it stikes a nerve…
Know your role, Troll…!
I'm not sure how term limits would get rid of moneyed influence in congress, lobbyist don't have term limits. Nor do I see a massive move towards communism anytime soon. A career politician isn't necessarily a bad thing if the politician can act in the interests of the voters without succumbing to corruption. Such an occurrence would be like watching rainbow unicorns dancing ballet: it would be awesome but i wouldn't bet on seeing it anytime soon.
Both parties hold blame for the current state of affairs. In 2000, Repubs held the WH and Congress and what did we get: tax cuts for the rich, billions spent on medicare Rx plans, warrentless wiretaps that violated our 4th amendment rights, no-bid contracts to help business friends while hurting the tax-payers and a massive bailout package as Bush's last goodbye. Dems step up and shoveled even more money out to the biggest players. Then they try to "reform" heathcare by taking from the insurance companies and redistributing it to the Rx Drug companies.
Hypothetically, we could replace congressional and executive voting with flipping a coin (or monkey's playing volleyball). That way, randomness can make our decisions instead of dumbness.
Recall hell,
We need to hang all of them for being traitors to our country .
They destroy NASA and the knowledge that comes from it but spend your money for :
The property soliciting accusations of "pork" from critics is the Castle Nugent National Historic Park. It's in the U.S. Virgin Islands, about a thousand miles from Miami and an expensive jet ride to get there.
Two weeks ago, on a near party line vote, a huge Democratic majority in the House agreed to spend $50 million to buy the former cotton plantation on the island of St. Croix.
"This is a beautiful and important natural and cultural resource that is in danger of being lost forever," Virgin Island delegate, Donna Christiansen, told House colleagues in January.
"The site to be designated as the Castle Nugent National Historic Park continues to be heralded as one of the last pristine areas in the region."
The mixture of dry forest and range land offers picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea, but good luck getting there. Critics in Congress say the purchase is wasteful and irresponsible, especially with unemployment at 10 percent and the nation in debt.
The truth is always spoken clearly.
GOD bless this notion of We the People and the genius phrase, 'consent of the governed' . May all those good citizens in 9 states activate their rights to recall, and those in the others while their state legislatures are in session initiate laws that allow them to do this NOW> Take back New Jersey and after the upset in Massachusetts, have the media moguls find a plane outta here…..there are no places to hide the truth anymore.
spoken like a true democrat. They've been plying their agendas in the courts for 60 years and they've demonized guns and violence…. except when the black panthers do it… pathetic. You're a tool. Republicans play by the rules and try to win at the polls and they don't cook up court cases to change American values and norms. That would be democrats and leftard liberals… and you can throw independents in there too.
Oh hell yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris:
it's like this; With term limits, Senators have a finite amount of time to do the Peoples work for them and make a name for themselves. The temptation to corruption by lobbyists will be less. After that, they are gone and back to normal life.
While it is true the GOP held Congress for the first six of Bush's Presidency, it was the friggin donkeys that held Congress for the last two. If memory serves me, we had enormous growth for 2002 thru 2006 and only after the donkeys took over did the wheels spin off. Remember, tax cuts for the rich is what fuels private enterprize, not the nanny state.
lastly, I would much prefer normal, intelligent citizens making the decisions for "We The People" than the coniving lawyers (monkeys) playing volleyball with our lives.
Aw, were you reading from your DumboCrat talking points again, little man? Six years of Bush were prosperous ones. You might also try to remember (I know it's hard) that Clinton kicked the can down the road regarding AL Qaeda because he didn't want to sully his presidency and that got us 9/11. Al Bore tried to steal the election, but has since discovered that the global warming scam pays better. The Dems demonized Bush in order to win back the Congress and the presidency and now they're in disarray. They even demonized Gitmo, confusing it with Abu Graib, when Gitmo is practically a country club to the Islamo scumbags. But that's okay. You've got your marching orders.
Washington is listed as having the Recall law on the books; don't expect recall to happen here, tho. There are too many ultra left, greenie wingnuts here!
Your post says a lot about you yip. You are angry, hopeless… with a need to lash out at someone else to blame your problems on. So you use the government as a scapegoat, and me because I'm handy. I hope all of your posts are not as desperate as this one, but it wouldn't surprise me. People rarely surprise me on this list.
Don't worry; the Dems will build an exclusive resort-like retreat where they can gather at taxpayer expense to pow wow on how they can further rip us off.
maybe you should look up the word truth in your funk and waggonal instead of saul alinsky's boook.
Wow – do you even know HOW to read? The thread clearly stated Congress member you dope.
Oh I read just fine. Just my way of registering my disgust with the post.
You need to remember your manners young lady.
Well said sir!
If the 17th amendment was repealed it would help to return power to the States away from the Federal government and back in line with the Founding Fathers original intent: the House of Representatives for the people, the Senate for the states, the Executive for the nation.
A new set of laws are not needed. What is needed is a Free Press reporting the true facts without any bias or slant, refusing to support a candidate outside of their opinion pages, a well informed population, and politicians doing their duty not careerists!
I wonder how the "governed" feel about this story, did they consent to this because a majority of their betters voted for it?
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/02/09/tra...
Right, those awful 8 years run by the Democratic congress. Can you imagine the hell we'd be in now if our President had been Democratic then as well? Obama and his stooges are total Amateur Hour. At least everyone is finally digesting their Kool-Aid.
Your post says a lot about you Mik. You are angry, hopeless… with a need to lash out at someone else to blame your problems on. So you use conservatives as a scapegoat, and the commentors on this thread because we're handy. I hope all of your posts are not as desperate as this one, but it wouldn't surprise me. People rarely surprise me on this list.
Hear Hear!
Rudeeee, where are you going to get old American History books? There not available in our schools anymore. Only the progressive approved books are allowed. Just another attack on our beloved country. For God and Country
SharonB
Oh I see now. If we correctly call you a dope because you ask about a military pension when the statement read CONGRESS it is not mannerly; but you can call out names and denegrate any conservative that posts here. You are nothing but another hypocritcal left-wing nutcase.
Coleman should get this rolling?
You forget, he is a Republican.
Sorry my bright red friend, but I think that any thoughtful citizen would take no issue in deferring to the Founders on this matter. No creators of government, in the history on mankind, have spoken more clearly–or correctly– on the subject.
Nathan, had you ever gone to college and handed in this paper you would have received an automatic F for plagiarism. I understand your frustration, but try and use your words. Your words…
Ahhh1 Ob. if only the electorate were that tuned in.
The sad part about it is that we just need a couple of these recalls and the rest would fall in line.
Wrong "p" word. It's called "parallelism" and in rhetoric it can be used to enhance an argument.
Now see that was much better. You can be nice when you want to.
"…. can't win at the ballot box….."????
Isn't a recall vote an action a ballot box.
Anyway, you are right about this class action suit, besides everyone knows only libs can use the courts…
…to win what they can't win at the ballot box.
Now that's "TYPICAL"
The real problem for you people is you hate democracy. You have this authoritarian mindset and would really prefer a dictator to leaders who have to face voters who may think differently than yourselves. A Christian theocracy would be even better because then you would get to force your simplistic world view on the rest of us.
And Obama blames………..????
obamasoros and his rats are cornered. Fight on!!!!!!!
Another step for the "Nanny" Nation
Health and Human Services is hoping to get legislation passed that will allow the Federal Government to mandate the removal of vending machines to prevent school kids from becoming fat.
Nice idea if thought of at the local level, but stupid and an over-reach of the part of the federal government.
I heard Saxby Chambliss last night and he refused to comment on this…until he saw the bill.
Wrong answer, any and all Republicans should immediately say: If it will reduce childhood obesity that's a good idea for the parents and local School Districts to address and pursue, but it's not the Federal Government's Job to do that.
I have no complaints about the last two election cycles. And from what I've seen, Republicans run to the courts faster than anyone else.
The problem with the recall laws is they can be political and disruptive. If the party who loses starts recall procedures every year we will never know good government. Like the filibuster in the senate. If it is abused to a point where every single vote requires 60 votes, the government is going to stop being functional and then we will see some changes, but probably not ones we will like.
Let the old ABSCAMMER be judged by a just and merciful God. _Oh, sorry Mika, I forgot. You folks believe that sort of thing is the "opiate of the masses."
Blessed be the Lord, thy God for he is mighty and just!
I wish we could recall more than just Congressmen!
Recall and Impeachment need to be excersized more often on run-away politicians!
Hey, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while!
So the feds couldn't indict him when he was alive, but you believe you can do it now that he is dead? Very cowardly.
Well aren't you the angry little blogger. I must have scrapped off a big ol scab.
I never lie.
Oh yea mika, we're the authoritarians, you got it, we're the oppressive ones, keep it up why don't ya.
Spot on, perfectly legitimate for a local area, waaaay out of line for the Feds to be meddling in.
This threat needs to linger over them every minute of every day.
Sarah Palin.
BOO!
Yeah your are…. you are easily led around by the nose and you want someone to tell you how to think. You think any self respecting liberal would let anyone call him a "dittohead"?
Articles of Impeachment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.