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Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the "Liberty Amendments"
On his July 10 radio show, Mark Levin previewed contents of his new book called The Liberty Amendments. Levin points to Article V of the Constitution, which prescribes the methods by which the Constitution may be amended to reverse the federal power grab and runaway spending.
In the past, most conservatives have pushed off any notion of a Constitutional Convention or "Con-Con" because its agenda might be uncontrollable. For example the 2nd amendment could even be repealed. For years, Levin himself consistently said "no way" to a Con-Con.
But after his careful study of Article V and especially the record of the Founding Fathers' debate on it (George Mason, James Madison et al), he argues we've all been missing something critical.
Namely —
Article V was specifically designed to cover the situation we face today — an over-reaching federal government. The Founders knew that such a government, once entrenched, would never vote for amendments that would reduce its own hold on power. So they deliberately included a separate amendment process in Article V that keeps Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court out of the loop.
The time for that Article V process has clearly come, says Levin. It's been there all along, clearly explained in the historical record, yet we've somehow disregarded it.
The debt of the United States shall not be increased except by three-fourths majority vote of both the House and Senate, nor may federal expenditures exceed 20 percent of gross domestic product except by three-fourths consent of the several state legislatures.
The merits of this particular amendment and wording aside, if 38 state legislatures were to ratify this amendment, it would be fully effective immediately as a formal amendment to the Constitution. No permission from Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court need be sought, none is required, and there is no appeal.* The state legislatures are the ultimate authority — by design. This may come as a shock those who've always presumed Washington rules us all.
Levin's new book will be available in mid-August, and he includes 11 starter amendments for consideration by grassroots citizenry and, through them, by our state legislators.
If nothing else, this kind of peaceful, Constitutional rebellion of the states should put the fear of God into some of the ruling-class elites who have been perverting our constitutional republic for decades with ruinous debt, as well as other abuses and usurpations.
The first 10 minutes of the video/audio excerpt below cover the core concept. The remaining 20 minutes include additional explanation and discussion. The full Levin podcast is available (free) at this link. Look for the July 10 show. If you are reading this article long after its publication date, look for the show in the Levin archives at this link.
While this Article V concept can work, it won't be easy, not least because none of the denizens of the Washington beltway will yield power willingly. But the Constitution and the Founders' words are on our side, and we'd better make use of both before it's too late.
So …
Do you want to participate? Try your hand at writing some amendments yourself. Keep them simple. Mimic the tone and style of the Constitution. Add them to the Comments section below if you like. I offer this as another candidate:
No person shall serve more than three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, except that a Senator or Representative in office when this amendment is ratified may serve out his/her current term.
What do you think? Let's get the discussion going …
*Footnote: Constitution scholars (like Levin) need to weigh in, but to comply strictly with the wording of Article V, Congress may demand to play the role of administrator by calling an actual "convention", which Article V says they shall (meaning must) call if two-thirds of the state legislatures demand it. But Congress would have no voting privileges at that convention. State legislatures would each get one vote, and when 38 states vote "aye" to ratification, it's done — the amendment takes effect immediately. Like the Electoral College, delegates may be pre-sworn to vote in accordance with state legislature direction.
David Leeper
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The time has come to take drastic measures. While this could be used for ill by Progressives to push their agenda into new amendments, I think we must rise up and DO this. There are so many abuses by the President (even some Republican ones) and Congress, where to start?
I'll take some time to dream what could be…….
sleepergirlYes, drastic measures. Here is what I wrote to a few people on Facebook:
The Constitution is the greatest government-forming social compact in history . . . and even it has not been able to stop the statists. That's not the Framers' fault—-they were brilliant, but only knew what they knew, and they had not yet seen modern statism. As wonderful as the Constitution is, it has not been able to protect us from growing, creeping tyranny.
People have fears of a runaway convention or amendment process, and I respect those concerns, I truly do. Here are a few arguments that I hope might be at least compelling if not convincing.
1. The Constitution is already dangling by a thread. If one of the conservative 4 on the Supreme Court gets hit by a bus tomorrow, it's game over. A statist/activist/leftist majority on the Supreme Court would begin dismantling the Constitution piece by piece. If the Court can come to the kind of decisions it did in, say, Wickard v. Filburn, it can do anything.
2. Article V of the Constitution is clear—whichever Amendment pathways is followed (2/3 of Congress or application of 2/3 of the states), any proposed amendments must be ratified by 3/4ths of the states. That is a really high hurdle. We're not going to get 3/4ths of the states to, say, repeal the 2nd Amendment. But let's say, for the sake of argument, that they did repeal one of the Amendments of the Bill of Rights. If we have gotten to the point where 3/4ths of the states would do something like that, then isn't that a fight we need to have? And isn't it a fight we need to have NOW, while we're still strong?
I like to use an analogy: Imagine that we wandered into a sea cave at low tide, and now we're in the back of the cave and we discover that it's filling with water. In order to get out, we're going to need to take a deep breath and make a terrifying underwater swim to safety. Yes, we still have some air left, but for how long? The cave is still filling. Do we stay in the cave, clinging to an ever-diminishing amount of air as the water rises? Or do we make that swim, scary as it is, and make it to freedom? The longer we wait, the harder that swim will be. And it may get to the point where it's too far, and we don't make it. But the water is still rising. Will it rise to the point where there's no air left?
WesternFreePress sleepergirl Wow, that's a frightening analogy. You may be too young, but I can see Shelley Winters making that long swim in "Poseidon Adventure."
sleepergirl WesternFreePress I am old enough to have seen it, but I was pretty young when I did. But I do remember parts. Didn't she make it, but then have a heart attack on the other side?
WesternFreePress sleepergirl Exactly!
sleepergirl WesternFreePress I also remember "The Towering Inferno," though not well :-)
sleepergirl WesternFreePress And Judy and I, for no apparent reason, watched an episode of "The Night Stalker" on Netflix recently. It was not as good as it seemed when I was a kid. Goodness—-the pacing was AWFUL. Was everything that slow back then?
WesternFreePress sleepergirl Don't remember if I ever saw Towering Inferno but I know I didn't see Night Stalker. We're getting far afield from our original topic.
sleepergirl Yes—next we should start talking about needlepoint or horticulture.
This is an actionable idea; but it is not the first step. Executing this requires citizen activists to develop the will to take action, pervasively across the country……and we're talking 3/4 majority required. This country's people can't even agree on which celebrity apprentice should win the prize, and most don't even know what the Federal Reserve is, where money comes from; what it means to live beyond your means using debt……and they can't even balance their own checkbook…..so most don't have the will, or understanding for the need to do it. For States to assert their State's rights under the principles of Federalism, requires that the State governments too to have the will – but most of them are no less corrupt than those in the Federal government. I don't believe the people of this country have the knowledge, nor the will, nor the fortitude to do this, or anything for that matter; at the Federal level. The Federal government is too big, unwieldy, and has become too entrenched with sociopathic narcissists; that their grip on power is secure for the foreseeable future, and will continue to expand. The November 2012 election proved; that this country is now populated with a majority who are Marxists that want to get free stuff; at the expense of the minority. So where are the 3/4 majority required to un-do this system going to come from ? Most importantly; the people of the Untied States, haven't even come to the realization that their local and State governments have been robbing them of their property rights, every bit as much as the Federal government has; through the fundamentally corrupt model of "public school funding" by property taxes (which amounts to nothing more than extortion). If Americans don't even have the brains to realize this; and to take back their homes from the "heavy hand" of their corrupt local public school districts, then what makes anyone believe that the collective citizenry has the brains or the will to take back their monetary system from the enormous and unwieldy Federal government ? For the people do anything meaningful; they need to start in their own backyards.
ThomasGunn I agree that we suffer from a deficit of knowledge and will. However, I do not agree that we need 75% to be educated as a prerequisite for action. What is it they say—3% made the American Revolution happen? And in the USSR, the vast majority were peasants—a tiny cadre, meeting in candlelit rooms at first, eventually took over the country and then half of Europe. And even the fall of the USSR in 1991 basically took place in Moscow and Leningrad (so-named at the time)—and then the rest of the country simply went along with the change. At any one time in human history, the vast majority are uninvolved. A tiny group, energized and motivated, is all that it takes to effect historic change.
Do we need 3/4 of the population to amend the Constitution or 3/4 of the state legislatures? I believe it is the latter. 27 today have Republican majorities, 17 have Democrat majorities, and 5 are split (Nebraska is unicameral).
For some issues, like term limits for House and Senate, we might very well be able to cobble together the 38 legislatures needed to create a 28th Amendment like the one at the end of the article. Some "blue" states will go for it as a graceful way to break up the "dynasty" Senate and House seat holders that they would like to change but dare not attack directly.
While We-the-People must drive a state-driven Constitution amendment process, it is the heretofore neglected Article V power of state legislatures that we must harness. All the problems you describe are very important, but many are cultural and will take decades to reverse. In the meantime, if we want to roll back Big Government in Washington, there is some low-hanging fruit (like term limits IMHO) that we can shoot for.
ThomasGunn People, even those you accurately described, do understand a very simple concept. They understand 'to suck,' ' to stink,' 'to do a bad job.' I think there is still enough cognitive awareness left to make the attack on that front. Freedom will lose, I think, if we try to make the moral argument preeminent. Rather, the embarrassingly bad results of govt efforts in every arena is the point to drive home. 'Government sucks; freedom Rules.' should be the slogan. Constantly pound the debacles of bureaucracy and the effectiveness of honest profit makers who do not use govt force to twist their market to their advantage.
wjyavelak ThomasGunnAh, the classic libertarian divide—deontological vs. consequentialist. I am both. Why can't I be both?
Reminds me of "Total Recall": "Sleazy AND demure . . . "
Congress shall lay no tax or duty on private property. No state shall lay a tax or duty on private property.
@Skinard Interesting and compelling choice. Would you allow for local jurisdictions to do so?
I hate property taxes. Property taxes don't even take into account ability to pay, like others do. You don't pay, they take your home!
Also, I find the fact that people without kids who own homes pay school taxes and people with kids who rent do not. That is not fair; that does not treat humans equally. (Frankly, I think that public school is not a legitimate social contract function, and its aim could more efficiently (and more ethically) be accomplished through private means, but that is another discussion…)
So how would you replace local revenue acquired currently via property taxes?
I hate property taxes, mostly because property taxes make your property the property of the state if you don't pay them. Property taxes make your property not yours, even if you have paid in full. Americans should be secure in what they own if bad times occur, or even if we simply choose to live unfettered and free on our own property. We should not have to pay the state in order to keep what is ours. But, we are not secure due to the overbearing burden of every level of government. So no, I would not allow local jurisdictions to levy a tax on property either.
I agree with you about school taxes. Although I have several (12) children, I believe it is my responsibility to raise and educate them, not the state and not my neighbors. Public school has become indoctrination daycare for working parents anyway. I should not have to pay for it.
Replacing the revenue would follow the preceding point. Revenue would not have to be replaced if all people paid their own way. Local governments could then be drastically cut to what is truly needed to run the towns and revenues could be collected in many other ways which do not infringe on the rights of life, liberty or property.
And yes. It can be done. In some areas of the country it would be very difficult, but in many areas it would be very easy. If a constitutional amendment were passed, it would force all levels of government to live within their means, and would also give the people a certain level of power over their officials – which is how it should be.
@Skinard WesternFreePress Agreed on all counts (except I don't have 12 kids myself :-)
Looking forward to your continuation . . .
@Skinard I agree on all that—a government, properly constituted, does not need nearly so much to run. But still, I ask, in your view, how do local government collect whatever revenue they still do need? What would be your preferred method of revenue/taxation for local areas.
WesternFreePress I suppose I don't have a preferred method of the government taking anything that I own, even my money. Obviously some form of revenue generation is necessary. I would not be opposed to many forms of taxation as long as it were reasonable, fair, and did not give the government over bearing power. The current form of the property tax fails on all counts. I suppose I might not even oppose some form of a "property tax" if it met this criteria, but I am sure that we could think of even better ways if we gave it some serious thought.
What are your preferred methods?
@Skinard WesternFreePress At the federal and state level, some form of either flat income tax or consumption tax. The local level is tougher, because of tax collection issues. Does a local district tack on consumption tax just for the businesses in its jurisdiction? Do they have to send some $ to the feds, some to the state, and some to the local? That seems doable, though cumbersome and fraught with difficulty. I think that is one reason that localities do property taxes—-they are easy. It's easy to tell what property is in the locality, and it's easy to send out tax bills once a year. I guess I would favor privatizing as much as possible, so that the need for revenue was small (road maintenance spring to mind as a legit function), and then go for a small income tax or even capitation, if the amount were truly small….
@Skinard Yeah, these amounts are insane.
That is just crazy. One of the Founding Fathers promoted the taxation of private property in order to allow society to function. That man was Benjamin Franklin. In addition, without the ability to tax private property, what would any jurisdiction tax??? How would we find money to defend ourselves?? You right-wing libertarians are insane and outdated. America became great WITH BIG GOVERNMENT. We became prosperous during the Industrial Revolution and became a world power after World War II, but the prosperity became widespread (encompassing all socioeconomic classes) after the creation of the welfare state. You free market purists fail to realize that capitalism in-and-of-itself creates the welfare state; without the welfare state to mitigate the free market's inherent instability, workers and labor groups would revolt and we would have socialism (which, under the right circumstances, wouldn't necessarily be bad. You need to read up on the actual definition of socialism). And Skinard, parents ought to teach their children social aspects, like love and the values of life; academic skills are best left in the schools, where we have trained professionals to do that. You people will be the death of this country; God forbid my generation will be polluted by the likes of your naive and selfish Baby Boom Generation.
A "Marxist" left-wing Democrat
Freshieee Every instance of boom / bust was from forcible government influence in free markets. Every one.
Moving from the gold standard and adopting Keynes monetary ideas led to the crash and great depression. We did the exact same thing again with Clinton executive orders to the banks and Fannie/Freddie soaking up bad loans – thus the housing bubble.
We did not fix the housing crisis, we converted it to the FED bubble. Quantitative easing (making up money) and zero fed rates will have to remain to keep the fed bubble inflated. But if they remain, eventually we will not be able to export our debt and it will come crashing down. It will be ugly. Look at what the markets did each of the two times there was no official fed policy in the past 5 yrs. High rates and hyperinflation is coming and once again it is due to govt force through idiot bureaucrats that have never created any wealth. And once again, freedom and capitalism will be blamed.
It was from FDR's attack and win on the SCOTUS that we can mark the death throes of the US. It was there that we chose the interests of the 'group' as superseding each individual's personal right to life and property. It was not prosperity that became widespread with the prevailing collectivism, but death, injustice, and evil.
Thankfully, Ben's ideas of govt confiscation of any individual's "excess wealth" (as defined by whom?) were in the stark minority. Too bad Jefferson's notions of state education were not specifically spurned.
The good is each individual's right to his life as this is a good common to all individual men and women. A man must use the time he has to think and act in order to support his life. This means that the product of a man's time thought and effort MUST be his own if he is to have a true RIGHT to his own life. This means that it is EVIL – anti-life – to claim or enforce a state of affairs in which a man's property is taken from him by force. Any government that proposes to do so is illegitimate, anti-life, wrong, evil, and no better than a master of slaves by use of a gun.
A just government that protects (rather than breaches) each citizens right to life is possible and can be funded without forcibly taking the life efforts of the citizens. The reason there is so little apparent effort in proclaiming those methods, is that the established govt depends on force, on theft, and on the populace not realizing these things, their enslavement, and the options available to them.
wjyavelak FreshieeeRight there with you on most of this. And I would certainly rather live under an Austrian, metals-based monetary system than what we have today. But a question: In a full-reserve, Austrain, metals-based monetary system, how would we deal with the risk of chronic, low-grade deflation?
The time is now to fix the train wreck that is Washington D.C. This federal Leviathan must be tamed and it is not going to tame itself.
We need to start CLAIMS MAKING. Mark talks about how the Left organizes. WE can organize as well. We need 2-part episodes of Hannity and Town Hall meetings. Web sites need to be set up and discussion boards. Local meetings and national town hall meetings need to be held. Our elected officials need to get involved. THIS COULD BE THE SOLUTION TO THE COLLAPSE OF OUR NATION. We need Tea Party grass roots activists and medical marijuana activists and church groups and radical civil rights activists ALL working together on this. WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY AND THEN DISAGREE ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.
We need to be able to agree on just a FEW THINGS:
A few ideas:
1. The federal government is to big, to intrusive, and to powerful.
2. The States are supposed to be the primary unit of government in our Constitutional republic.
3. Conservatives need to take some issues off the table- affirmative action is not really about SAVING the country at this time. Take it off the table for these amendments. Recognize the role the federal government has played in civil rights and take it off the table for these amendments. We want to limit federal power BUT we DON'T want to create civil rights problems, or ill will or go back to the Articles of Confederation- or even back to pre-Civil War. If that is clear we can get 80% support for most of these economic proposed amendments god willing.
4. We need MORE democracy, more accountability and more freedom.
DavidPeters2 We would be happy to be a hub for posting information about events of this kind. And I don't think new websites need to be made. Facebook and other existing venues work fine for organizing. No need to reinvent the wheel or seek further resources.
I recommend starting by getting in touch with tea parties in your local area. Helpful organizing materials for anyone's use are found at http://AnyStreet.org
WesternFreePress DavidPeters2 Facebook is nice for social networking and while this cite can be a forum for information…..we need monitored and dedicated blog cites. Membership only blogs. For example, when medical marijuana went into effect the "Michigan Medical Marijuana Association" set up an "official cite. They have daily news, links to donate and contribute, blogs for legal questions, and all the apects of medical marijuana. Monitors keep out Trolls; a search of the cite lets you find out all the information, lawyers and others are members and respond to threads with questions etc..
For example, we should have an "official" cite (endorsed by Mark and others) where there is a separate blog for EACH Amendment that is proposed, another blog for organizing events, another blog for advocacy/letter writing campaigns, another blog for 'convincing your family and friends' and so on. People like Rand Paul and Mark Levin can contribute thoughts and link their official web sites to the official "Liberty Amendments" web cite.
Also, if we REALLY want to change the Constitution we need MORE than Tea Party members. We need MORE than a "big tent." We need a REALLY big tent and we need to get broad agreement from all- or most- stake holders affected by the proposals. I think there can be overwhelming support for these changes if both left and right wing groups work together to re balance our republic.
DavidPeters2 what will be your first step in this process?
Excellent points, David. I too would focus on rolling back Big Government, and I'd do it with a small set of simple but powerful amendments. Trying to do too much too soon could swamp the initiative with complexity. And I'd pick just one or two amendments for starters to establish the state legislature mindset and machinery.
For now, as a first attempt, I favor a term-limits amendment like the one I suggested in the article (except I think I'd drop the limit on Senate terms to just one term). I think we could get broad support in multiple state legislatures for this amendment, including some "blue" states. I'll put together some articles laying out the argument for it.
David Leeper
dleeper47 DavidPeters2 I'm not sure I'd pick the term limits amendment first, but I definitely agree that the states need to come to a consensus on one or two and shoot for those.
WesternFreePress dleeper47 DavidPeters2
I'm open. But I like term limits because it would clear out the lifetime legislative-class hacks that piled up a 17 trillion dollar debt on their watch. They have got to go … McCain, Dingel, Rangel, Schumer, Pelosi, Reid, etc., etc. Picking names is like being in a candy store … I don't know what to go for next …
Until these good-ol' boys are gone, I can't imagine getting any behavior changes in Congress.
dleeper47 WesternFreePress DavidPeters2 Mrs. Cook agrees with you that term-limits are top priority. Personally, I think ending redistribution would go further as a magic bullet, but I'd be happy with any number of reforms as a start.
WesternFreePress dleeper47 DavidPeters2
My compliments to Mrs. Cook — obviously a wise and sensible woman!
One caveat — a term limits amendment is a direct assault on the old silverback gorillas in Congress. It wipes them out in a matter of just a few years. They will surely attempt to stop it, probably by refusing to hold the "convention" — in effect a pocket veto.
Mark Levin may have some ideas on how to clear that obstacle, but so would someone like Newt Gingrich. I hope he joins up with the Article 5 movement. It seems like something he'd favor.
Redistribution reform would also make a great amendment, but its less concrete, harder to understand, and, I think, much harder to get to 38 states. Term limits are simple, concrete, and can appeal to the 80-90% of citizens who disapprove of that body — on both the Left and Right.
dleeper47 WesternFreePress DavidPeters2 Yes, I do think term limits would be almost certainly easier to get through. If you see anything about Gingrich's stance, please post it!
Congress has been operating as organized crime for 151 years, with the SCOTUS having joined as a co-conspirator just nine years later. The highest law in the land — by which We the People, the apex sovereigns in American government, CREATED this federal servant, via our sovereign States as parties — has been egregiously, serially, blatantly violated y all three branches of the federal servant.
Violations of law call for law enforcement. Several authors, scholars, and professors of late have put out books, monographs, and web screeds suggesting that the US Constitution has failed. Some here apparently agree, suggesting that "the founders didn't know what we would face". Like Hell they didn't; they had centuries of Western history to learn from, and they did indeed learn!
But a law never enforced is no law at all. Now, it's time to enforce it — and this can be superintended by less than 1% of the population; law enforcement, unlike electoral politics, doesn't require a majority. A tiny majority can bring a criminal case up for indictment by a State Grand Jury.
The People and the States, period. These are the sovereigns that must oversee and administer this law-enforcement, at long last. Read Hamilton's Federalist #28; that bankster scoundrel didn't realize what a lovely warranty he was offering when he wrote that one.
The lawful, practical, perpetual law enforcement mechanism is called the AmericaAgain! Indictment Engine(tm); see this 2-minute video first, as an introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=904Gid8qpKw. Then see the AmericaAgan! FAQ page and you will grasp it.
Remember, when you are dealing with fifth-generation organized crime figures, the only thing you allow them to do is either sign off on a plea bargain or immunity deal, or cool their heels for a decade or so in their State Pen, with their family's assets seized.
THAT is how we restore rule of law. A ConCon, even if you could make it happen, would take 15 years to achieve — and many of the things we need repaired NOW are not fitting for constitutional amendments.
@DM Zuniga
Our govt used force in what were to be free markets. The result was boom and bust,and they blamed freedom.
Our govt disregards and disobeys and corrupts the meaning of the founders' constitution, then blames the Constitution for the results of disregarding it.
You can't make this stuff up.
wjyavelak That's it exactly. And when the whole thing comes crumbling down . . . . when they've finally whipped the horse to death—they're gonna blame the horse. It's what they do.
I may be missing something, but the way that the Constitution describes the amendment process, it is not necessary for the state legislature to state its reasons for making application for a convention to amend. All that is required is that enough state legislatures make application.
This has implications for how we might go about promoting an amendment-proposing convention with the public and with our state legislators. It is not necessary that we be promoting specific amendments; all that is necessary is that we convince the legislators that the federal government is hopelessly corrupt and that a convention to amend the Constitution is the only remedy that can cure it. This approach can tap into the general public dissatisfaction with Washington without alienating people by pushing specific amendments.
@miket I think you're exactly right.
SteveNDallas Interesting notion: Bottom line, as far as I know, this has never been attempted before. Thus, there is no precedent, and no one is entirely sure exactly how this version of the process for amending the Constitution is supposed to work. So we can decide for ourselves.
That said, would your way be better than asking for specific amendments? So we convince legislators in a state that a convention is necessary—then what happens? What's the next step?
I will say that anything that gets the ball rolling quickly certainly has merit . . . !
WesternFreePress SteveNDallas I think it has been tried on three or four occasions, although no Article 5 Amendments have been successfully passed. As for specific amendments, please see my other comment (below) where I list 20 proposed amendments. Now, as for how to get there, what is needed is a leader — probably a state governor — to provide the vision and shepherd the process. I would also let the Amendments have "open dates" for passing, so as to not have to keep re-visiting them.
SteveNDallas I am not seeing 20 amendments below…..
Also, can you tell us all more about the attempts that were made?
SteveNDallas WesternFreePress
Good comments! A Google search on "Article 5 Amendment Process" or something similar will turn up a lot about history. There have (evidently) been many attempts to do state-driven Constitutional amendments, none successful thus far.
Article-5.org has a lot of material, and so does http://goldwaterinstitute.org/articlev.
WesternFreePress Let me add another (I've been doing more pondering):
21. The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. No treaty shall supercede or surplant or modify, in whole or in part, anything contained herein. Upon a finding by The Supreme Court that a Treaty violates the Constitution, which shall be the Court of First Review of any International Treaty: 1) the Treaty shall be VOID and without effect, and 2) the Chief Executive shall be tried for impeachment and removal at the date of highest priority on the Congressional Calendar as the Next Item of Business.
22. No funds of the US Treasury may be used to fund international organizations or international governments, provided, however, that such funds may be used to pay for legitimate expenses solely associated with US Administrative participation in an international organization.
23. No National immunity granted to a Government may extend to the states or muniicipal governments. (makes bribery at the UN a crime; makes diplomats pay parking tickets — if we have to live by our laws, so do they; speaking of which . . .
24. No branch or official of the Federal Government, whether elected or appointed, may exempt themselves or itself from any law.
SteveNDallas WesternFreePress I like most of this. I think 21. 2) might be a non-starter for a lot of people, though.
My proposal
for an amendment:
1) Except for tariff's The Federal Government of the United States shall not
directly collect taxes from individuals or businesses. The
Several States shall have the power to collect taxes, and shall remit the taxes
collected to the Federal Government, and the Several States may remit to
themselves the costs of collection.
2) The
Federal Government shall not remit payments to individuals under the welfare
and spending clause.The Federal Government
shall send block grants to the Several States, according to the correctly enumerated
population of the Several States.
3) The
Senators of the United States shall be elected by Each State according to such manner
as the state Legislature may direct.Each
state shall have the power to set term limits upon their Senators, and
4) The
President of The United States shall be a five member Presidential Council,
exercising the powers, and suffering the checks and balances delegated to the
President by Article II of the United States Constitution.The United States shall be divided into five
districts.Each district shall be
divided upon state lines, as geographically contiguous as possible, and as
nearly equal in population as possible.Each district shall elect one member of the Presidential Council, for no
more than one ten year term, in staggered elections, occurring every two
You've got some good ideas in there, Mark. The only one that made me pause is the 5-member Presidential Council. Could the council act as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces? Is that practical?
dleeper47 A fascinating list of possible amendments, @MarkinFla! A question—how much revenue could tariffs raise on their own for the federal govt.? Economists of all stripes have largely settled on the notion that restrictions on the free flow of trade have a deleterious effect on the economy. Could the national government get enough revenue to fund national defense of tariff revenue alone, without raising them to the point of having a crippling impact on trade?
Mark, please, we only need one amendment: "The sixteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed."
Just a couple of comments. First of all to Mr. EC Graf. 39 states have already asked for repeal of the 16th Amendment. You can read the 746 applications from 49 states at http://www.foavc.org. Most of what Mr. Levin has proposed in his book have already been asked for by the states, such as term limits for instance (30 states). As to how the applications are counted, Miket has it exactly right. The states ask for a convention, not an amendment. The convention is controlled however because all the convention can do is propose. The states still have to ratify by three fourth vote meaning even if two thirds of the states support a proposal, it still takes at least 25 percent more votes in ratification to assure passage. By the way for those going to the FOAVC website and reading the applications be sure to read the response by the state of Delaware to the application by Georgia in 1832. It explains who exactly changes or alters the Constitution perfectly.
Now as to the big question. Why no convention call when the states have applied in proper number to require one. The reason is Congress holds it does not have to obey the Constitution in this regard and has never consented to do so. Therefore it doesn't have. You can read the entire story at http://www.foavc.org/reference/file49.pdf . To sum it briefly Congress has never consented to counting the applications and the courts have ruled it is a political question for them to determine. Hence, no count, no call. Simple.
BillWalker What recourse would you favor for this unconstitutional obstruction?
WesternFreePress BillWalker
Dead serious answer. I've asked the producer of the Mark Levin program to let me be a guest on Mark's program. The reason? His audience is large enough to start the political pressure on Congress necessary to break this wide open. Seriously, get Mr. Levin to have me on his program so people know the truth about this. I raised several points with the producer in my email to him any one of which Mark Levin should be chopping at the bit to broadcast. To date, no response whatsoever from the producer or Mark Levin. Time for being subtle is over–too much at stake now. I need to get on that program or one like it. Mark Levin has said he want to "start" a national discussion. I'm telling you the real facts show this discussion is about to "conclude." The people must and need to know the real facts and right now Levin is not telling them either because he is not aware of them, which I doubt, or even he is afraid to let people know the real truth.
Second, many things are going on right now in Congress and about Congress which is causing an uproar. Surprisingly few people involved to cause this. Still the more the merrier would be nice. After all, why should only a few of us have all the fun of making Congress sweat? This issue is going to come to head by mid-fall one way or another. We should know for example the actual official position of the senate within a few short weeks. After that comes the Sword of Alexander…risky but constitutional. It will resolve the issue, one way or another.
In sum, get more people involved asking CONGRESS the key question–why do you Mr. Member of Congress support disobeying the Constitution in direct violation of your oath of office and what do you intend to do about it? Until Congress is made to obey getting more applications or discussing what amendments should be passed accomplishes nothing. It is past time talking–now is time for action. I hope this answers your question.
BillWalker WesternFreePress I'm an attorney, and I've written many agreements involving Authors (including NYT best-sellers), and well as a book on Copyright Law. I would be surprised if his contract(s) DID NOT include a "gag-clause"; in fact, if you know what to listen for he's said as much on the air. These clauses have all kinds of "you must publicize through these preferred channels" first and by D-Date/any publicizing prior to D2-Date must be pre-approved in writing by the publisher/blah, blah blah." There are usually severe consequences for violating such clauses. I would be confident that it's not personal, and when the gag expires, you'll be on a short-list.
SteveNDallas BillWalker WesternFreePress A totally reasonable possibility. The producer did say he would contact me if he was interested. I assume such gag rule would apply equally to him. So, as they say, time will tell. Appreciate your perspective.
There are a lot more red States than blue. This might not be as hard as it sounds.
Yes, and this brings up a very serious point. For whatever purpose Mark Levin is deliberately ignoring the public record and making it sound like nobody has ever done anything on this issue before he suddenly "discovered" it. While I am not stating this emphatically, judging by his comments thus far I believe he has actually come up with one original amendment subject–everything he has discussed that I've heard on his program the states have already applied for, maybe not in exact language as his, but certainly in intent and meaning. It is not plagiarism in the classic sense but in my mind pretty damn close UNLESS in the actual text of his book which we've not seen yet, he then describes the history of the issue and in that text mentions such and such states have submitted such and such applications on this issue to Congress in the past. Then all he is doing is presenting his version of the matter all the while acknowledging the true authorship of his so-called amendments.
As to Red states versus Blue states. Take time to actually read the amendment proposals. It is the entire conservative agenda, from social to economic, waiting to become part of the Constitution. The reason it has not occurred, beyond Congress opposing it, is the John Birch Society who have lied for years about a convention and made conservatives thus oppose their own agenda. As hard as it sounds? All it's going to take is for conservatives to tell the JBS to go to hell as they should when the realize how that organization has screwed them, and then reach for the phone to protest to their member of Congress to make him or her follow the Constitution. Believe me, when I say this: they know about this so don't buy into the fantasy that they will try to use, the same one Levin is using: that they never heard about this so maybe they should "begin" to study it, meaning check back in a hundred years and we'll see.
You can view the applications at http://www.foavc.org. BTW if Congress did delay this another hundred years you are looking at, based on the current rate of submissions, some 1500 applications from the states. Hardly starting "beginning". Right now there is 746 from 49 states.
Levin has over 1 million listeners who are now aware of Article V's potential. Up until now, they weren't. The book may add millions more.
Should the foavc.com movement try to capitalize on this new awareness and enthusiasm or attack it and deplete it by attacking Levin?
Will Levin's followers be more valuable as allies and contributors, or as enemies?
What's the best way to attract them, their money, and their new-found enthusiasm?
dleeper47 BillWalker
If Mr. Levin was serious about a convention he would have taken me up on my asking him to be a guest and he would be informing people about the various points I have presented, most notably the fact the states have already applied in sufficient number to cause a convention call. The entire argument changes with this single fact of public record. The conversation is not about "beginning" but as Levin so far as urged, but "finishing" as your most direct question next very clearly and correctly asks. How do we force Congress to obey the law. Frankly, that should have been the focus of the conversation from the very beginning of this issue, raised some 20 years ago and even further than that by some people.
As I've indicated right now, in the House Judiciary Committee, a decision is being made whether to obey the Constitution or not. Basically two Americans are facing down Congress and there are few if anyone else helping. The odds do not favor Mr. Marks and I and once Congress officially determines it is not going to set a method for counting applications, which is why a convention has not been held, not because the applications don't match, or are not timely or crap like that.
So answer your question directly have the million or so listeners call Congress and raise hell. That should go a long way toward the goal. As to the value of his group. If they know the facts and so far Levin is not telling them the facts, about the number of applications, about the fact most of his proposed amendments have already been asked for by the states, about Robert Natelson who he seems to suggest is an "expert" on the convention but two years ago was asking me to explain it to him in emails I still have and so forth. I won't even discuss, though I have in great length the proposals of Natelson starting with his brilliant idea to cut the American people completely out of the convention system and arrest any delegate who attempts to do anything at the convention other than what he directed to do by the state legislature (read that as the special interests who control the legislature). I have written articles about this. If you want to read them go to http://www.foavc.org, look on the front page and near the bottom is reference material written by me. Take your pick of over 50 articles on the subject of a convention.
If these people go as I believe Levin will direct them, then they will set about trying to get his proposed amendments asked for by the states meaning more applications submitted which won't even be counted by Congress. In short they will achieve nothing but buying his book. It's not a matter of being a friend or enemy of FOAVC. It's a matter of getting a convention. To do that means putting pressure on Congress and right now Levin is not urging that. I've seen this before and in the end those who simply go for more applications hang around for awhile and finally run out of steam never realizing that the goal has already been won and all they had to do was instead of wasting time trying to get applications was put pressure on Congress and that in turn would get what they desired–a chance to have their propose amendment actually get proposed.
If you want to put pressure on Congress then tell everybody to call the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to act to count the applications submitted in the Dan Marks letter. He sent in 42. All they have to do is count 34 of them.
THEN once Congress counts, it must call. THEN Mr. Levin's book can be discussed along with all the other already submitted applications and we can get about the national discussion he says he wants. What bothers me is Mr. Levin is wasting a golden, historic moment and I'm not trying to make him an enemy–I'm only asking him to tell the people the truth–all of it, not just what sells his book.
BillWalker dleeper47 Leeper has a suggestion for how the states might go about responding to this failure of Congress to obey the law. David, please take it away . . .
dleeper47 I forgot to add one last important fact I should have mentioned earlier. The only group that is paying attention to FOAVC is the government. It will base its decision on the record of applications gathered by FOAVC. Court rulings specifically discussing the convention will be its only source of court input and were brought by a member of FOAVC. The main source cited by the CRS in discussing the article V convention is FOAVC. A criminal complaint lodged against members of Congress referred to the FBI for investigation, stems from FOAVC material. The arguments debunking the myths about the convention were, for the most part, advanced by members of FOAVC. While others have talked about getting a convention we've been at work getting one.
So while Mr. Levin may chose to not inform his readers/listeners about FOAVC, the government know about us and is reacting. The simple fact is this–if Mr. Levin were tomorrow mention FOAVC and the facts I have mentioned in these posts together with online references and rev his people up as I have heard him do, we could have a convention call inside of a week. Instead he cites Robert Natelson who wants to cut the people out of the process and arrest them if they attempt to represent those people against the special interests.
So Mr. Levin is going to have to make a decision soon because no way will all those million people not start checking the Internet and finding FOAVC. He's either going to start telling his people the full truth, watch events unfold that FOAVC has caused or face the reality of answering a lot of questions why he didn't tell all when he should have.
Mr. Levin note. My offer still stands. You want the full truth as you often say then bring me on and I'll tell it. I fully support your efforts to bring this issue to light. I just want to see ALL is brought to light.
WesternFreePress BillWalker dleeper47
The essence of Article V, Method 2, is that when the 38th state ratifies an amendment identical to that of 37 other states, it's over. That amendment is immediately in full force in the Constitution.
The rest is incidental. In particular, Congress has no more than a mere ministerial role, no doubt needed in the 18th century to get business transacted, but not in the 21st century. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 85, specifically addressed the possibility that Congress would try to use this mere ministerial role as a "pocket veto", and he emphatically rejected it.
There have been repeated "applications" from the states to Congress, and Congress has repeatedly done what Hamilton said they cannot and shall not do.
The states can conduct their own "meetings," with themselves, two at a time or 50 at a time. They can do it in person or by internet. They need never gather physically at all if they don't want to. They can conduct their own virtual "convention", distributed across time and space. All that is needed is those 38 ratifications.
So stop waiting for Congress to voluntarily obey the Constitution per the Founders' intent. Choose Levin's or Bill Walker's or FOAVC's favorite term-limits amendment (for example) and start ratifying. Just do it, damn it.
In particular, stop whining, hand-wringing, crying, and appealing for money from citizens to take a case against Congress to the Supreme Court some day. SCOTUS has no authority in Article 5, method 2. And they're on the other side.
Some states like California, New York, and Illinois won't go along with some amendments (like balanced budget) because they're counting on the federal trough to keep their states afloat. But we don't have to have them … Wyoming's ratification will count just as much as one from California.
We've got 50 Tea Party movements in 50 states. The movement's next great mission can 50 missions at the state level. I recommend we start with Levin's term-limits amendment and get to work. You sound like you've been active in this arena for along time. What's your favorite amendment?
Once we get close to 38 ratifications, Congress may suddenly come around and fulfill their little ministerial rol just to keep things tidy. Or they may not. It doesn't matter. When we hit 38, we will "deem" the Constitution amended. Will that cause a "Constitutional crisis". You bet. Aren't we in one now?
Other than that, I'm neutral on this subject.
dleeper47 BillWalker I think it's time for another article on this. WFP can and should take a role in this. Do you have supporting information for your interpretation of the Founders' intent for Method 2?
WesternFreePress dleeper47 BillWalker
I haven't read it all yet (I will on vacation starting tomorrow), but I think it's all in Levin's book re Founders' intent.
dleeper47 BillWalker Ach so. Looking forward to continuing the dialog! Have a nice time on vacation.
dleeper47 WesternFreePress BillWalker
Alright let's deal with this suggestion point by point and this time I will use references. First, that when the states ratify an amendment it's over and the rest is incidental.
Wrong. The Supreme Court expressly ruled in United States v Sprague 282 U.S. 716 (1931) that there are no rules of construction, interpolation or addition permitted in Article V. Hence, what you read is what it is. Period. The court has never had in its entire history a dissenting vote by any justice when dealing with Article V. What you suggest was specifically addressed by the court in Sprague where the plaintiff argued that the proposed repeal of the 18th Amendment should be decided by a vote of the people rather by one of the two modes prescribed by the Constitution. The court emphatically rejected this saying that Article V was carefully laid out by the Founders, clearly understood and no subject to change (quoting here Hawke v Smith, 253 US 221 (1920) by either state or federal courts or legislatures.
Therefore the entire process is not incidental and may not be changed by the states as you suggest. By the way for your reference it was the United States which asserted Article V cannot be changed.
Next what you suggest as to the states holding "meetings." Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the Constitution specifically states, "No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation…" In Section 10, Clause 3, the Constitution specifically forbids states from "entering into any agreement or compact with another state (without the consent of Congress). Moreover in Hawke and several cases the court make it absolutely clear the choice of ratification was up to Congress to make, not the states, Put all together, states cannot do as you suggest as it would be an agreement which must be approved by Congress, violates Article V as Congress would not have chosen the mode of ratification, violates Article V in that neither the two bodies charged with proposal of an amendment would have proposed it and therefore such "ratification" would be unconstitutional.
Further in Farrand Vol. II pages 557 to 559 you'll see that the convention deliberately voted down a early version of Article V that did allow states to propose amendments BUT THIS WAS ABANDONED IN THE CONVENTION GIVING THE SATES INSTEAD THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR A CONVENTION AND OF COURSE RATIFICATION. See also Vol. II, pages 630-631.
Next until 2000 no one had ever asked Congress to obey the Constitution regarding Article V and only in the last few months has there been request in writing for a formal count of applications. So it is a little premature to say Congress has always refused given the matter is presently before the House Judiciary Committee and the committee has made no comment whatsoever yet. It may be presented with the evidence for the first time in United States history of the actual text of the applications of 34 states, Congress may obey the Constitution. Perhaps not but I suggest we not jump to conclusions…just yet. See http://www.foavc.org/reference/file49.pdf, same reference for file 50 and file 51.
Next the case has already been brought to the Supreme Court in 2004 with the court ruling in 2006. It denied cert but not before the government conceded for the first time in U.S. history what the terms and conditions of a convention call. The attorney of record for the United States Congress who were sued both as individuals and in their professional capacities, agreed that as a matter of fact and law the following was true: (See FOAVC, FAQ section, Question 9.1) A convention call was based on a simple numeric count of applying states with no terms or conditions (thus affirming the earlier Sprague ruling). Such terms and conditions would include of course extemporaneousness, same amendment subject (rejected by the Founders in the 1787 convention) and so forth. The counsel agreed the call was peremptory upon Congress meaning no excuse could offered whatsoever by Congress not to call (see Federalist 85, Hamilton generally) That sufficient number of applications had been submitted by the states to cause a convention call (See FOAVC list of 746 applications from 49 states. At the time of the lawsuit the known number was 567 applications from 49 states. That it was a federal crime for Congress to refuse to obey the Constitution and not call when the states had applied as it constituted a mental reservation by the members of Congress (See generally oath of office laws, specifically 5 U.S.C. 7311 advocating overthrow of constitutional form of government. See also Executive Order 10450 (a)(4) a criminal act to attempt to alter the constitutional form of government by unconstitutional means. (Refusing to call when mandated alters the constitutional form of government which mandates a call when two thirds…you know the rest).
My favorite amendment for your information is an IRR asked for by Wisconsin in 1929. I believe that much of the issues of today will be solved when that is added the Constitution. IRR for those who may not know the term stands for initiative, referendum, recall. Yes, I've been involved in this for over 20 years and by far (unless someone is lurking out there I've never heard of) written more on the subject than probably anyone else. BTW FOAVC does not advocate amendments. We are non-partisan so there is no FOAVC term limits proposal. Remember you asked for MY favorite amendment. FOAVC has none.
Finally, the court ruled in Hawke that when states operate in the amendment process they do so under the authority of the federal constitution, not state constitutions. Hence, the states lack the authority to even start what you suggest.
So how do we force Congress to obey the law?
For clarity. In the post just made I meant to say, "…thus far I believe he has not actually come up with one original amendment subject…"


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GERMANY: EU to eye automakers and protectionism
German chancellor Angela Merkel has said the European Union would address the situation of the car industry and any possible protectionist moves at its next summit on 1 March.
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Elo Entuitive 3000 Series 1939L - LCD monitor - 19" - open frame - 1280 x 1024 - 220 cd/m2 - 1300:1 - 25 ms - VGA - black, steelItem#: YYI1-BG9281 | Model#: E216403
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A MAN and a woman have been detained by police after firefighters were deployed to tackle a flat fire and uncovered a small cannabis factory inside the property.
Emergency services were called to the flat on Heather Close in Birchwood on Saturday after the alarm was raised at 11.15am when neighbours spotted large amounts of smoke billowing from a second-floor window.
After arriving at the scene, firefighters at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service discovered that the flat was empty.
But neighbouring residents were evacuated as the blaze spread to the roof space of the property.
Police were later called to the flat after a small number of plants were found inside.
A 33-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.
Detectives have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing.
A police spokesman said: "Shortly before 11.30am, police were called to reports of a flat fire on Heather Close in Birchwood.
"Emergency services attended the scene and the fire was extinguished.
"The occupants of the address are not believed to have sustained any injuries.
"A small number of plants, believed to be cannabis, were found inside the property. "
Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police quoting incident number 330 of March 18 on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


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Becky Rui is an International Personal Branding Photographer based in the UK.
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Sizing Background Image to Window
I know this has been probably beat into the ground but it is hard to search through all of the results sometimes when you have a very specific question.
I have a background image that is loaded onto my WordPress theme that I am using and you can see it just fine. The issue is that it is very large and unless you stretch your browser out a lot it will not show you the whole picture.
I would like to have it so that no matter the size of the browser someone is using, to have the background image that is on the site to automatically size.
Any and all help appreciated! Also if you need to know anything more I am happy to provide. Actually this is the site in question: http://centerhaus.goingepic.net
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Nr. of stores located in the mall/center : 44
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Apple iCloud: The Cost of Convenience
Cloud services are quickly becoming the standard in online storage thanks to the increasing demand for data synchronization across multiple platforms and devices. Having your data stored in a centralized, online location makes it easy to keep track of your files on-the-go from a computer, tablet, or smartphone while minimizing the amount of local disk space required. Of course, that also means that the data itself is no longer physically under your control.
Note that we're referring here to the current mainstream use of the word "cloud". For a discussion on what constitutes "cloud computing", see our previous blog posts.
As a rough analogy, cloud storage is a little like putting money in the bank. The bank tells you your money is there, and they may even let you access your account online to check on it, but the money isn't physically in your hands. By trusting the bank to take care of it for you, you're accepting the calculated risk that the benefits and convenience of doing so far outweigh the few and unlikely drawbacks.
But what if the unlikely happens?
What if someone pretending to be you goes to the bank and tries to withdraw from your account? Or worse, what happens if the bank computers contract a virus that erases all trace of your funds?
Obviously, these are extreme cases. Banks in particular have stringent security procedures in place to make sure that the person accessing your account is actually authorized to do so. Financial account information is backed up multiple times and in several locations to prevent tampering or data loss. But as unlikely as these scenarios are, they're not impossible even at the bank, and when speaking of cloud services, issues like this are far more likely.
The world knows that the new iPhone 5 has finally arrived, and with it the latest update to Apple's iOS operating system — iOS6. The new OS continues to emphasize Apple's strong push for their iCloud service; they're even offering a free iCloud.com email address when you sign up. A big selling point is that your iCloud.com email will remain stored in the cloud and then synchronize wirelessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac Book. But unlike the more familiar IMAP account, iCloud accounts offer the ability to remote wipe data in the case where one of your synchronized devices is lost or stolen. This can be very useful, but also extremely dangerous if your account is compromised. (By contrast, LuxSci's MobileSync Remote Wipe can clear your devices if they are lost or stolen, but cannot clear the centrally stored email, contact, calendar, and task data itself — it can't be used to delete all of your data).
There have been several recent cases of iCloud users falling prey to hackers using brute force or social engineering tricks to gain access to their account. One of the more high profile instances can be found here. The end result of this particular instance is that the victim lost a year's worth of data including email, pictures, and documents due to a remote wipe perpetrated by the hacker who broke into his iCloud account.
So should you avoid storing data in a cloud?
Again, it's a question of trust and calculated risk. You can certainly reduce that risk by using secure, smart passwords and taking advantage of two-factor login authentication whenever possible, but when your data is out of your hands, it's never a guarantee. The best policy should be to get educated about what you're using, fully understand the risks, and take the necessary precautions to protect your data in case the unlikely happens. Reliance on the cloud to take care of your data for you may be convenient, but it can come at a high cost.
Here are some important things to keep in mind before you decide to toss all your data into a cloud:
- Does the provider place a priority on security and privacy?
- Does the cloud have a backup policy in place? Is it enabled by default? How many backups does it keep track of, and how long are they available? See LuxSci's backup options
- Does the cloud offer additional levels of login security? Does it support two-factor authentication? See our article on two-factor authentication
- What is the policy for lost or forgotten passwords? Is it possible to social engineer your way into the account? Will you be alerted to unusual login attempts or behavior? See our recent login security enhancements and our review of our Account Status Reports
- Does the cloud have a strict privacy policy? Does it even offer a Service Level Agreement (SLA)? See LuxSci's Privacy Policy and SLA
For all too many cloud and outsourced providers, security and privacy are not the focus. The larger they are, the more of a target they are as well… This is why we have see so many issues in the past with Apple, Google, Yahoo, etc. This is why, if email and other data is of any significant importance, its probably best to ditch free services, get your own domain name, and choose a specialized provider with a mission that matches your needs. Having your own domain, further, allows you to change providers as needed without changing your addresses and other materials. The worst thing would be to get stuck using some large free provider that you are no longer happy with just because you are using their domain name (case in point … all those old AOL.com accounts) and can't change addresses because they are in use.


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Hi! I'm Lori. I'm a thirty-two year old, a lover of Mimosas and Bellinis and a striver-of-minimalism. I'm a work at-home Mom to Olivia (7) and Violet (4), and Stella (who is still new and fresh!).
Shopping online, and always on the lookout for the best price for household items, and things I'm buying for the family – you'll often find me stocking up on things for the next season, because we know raising three kids can be expensive. You'll also find me redefining the boundaries of frugal, with my preference to buy high quality items once, rather than searching for the lowest price items. If you're going to buy it, buy it right.
Over the years, we've learned the value of time. We've learned that time is one of the most important currencies. When we had one kid, we spent a ton of time shopping around for diapers, price matching, spending hours in the mall searching for the best deals. A couple of kids later, and feeling over spending my time in the store or running errands, you'll often find me shopping online for the best prices on everything from baby gear to groceries. We've gotten to know the Save on Foods delivery team, very well.
On the raising kids front; As a mom, I want to provide the kids with as many experiences as possible, rather than the 'stuff' – so we pack in the weekends filled with adventure, getaways and experiences where we can take time away, as a family. That being said, the stuff still seems to accumulate, so you'll find me paring down the household stuff, on a weekly basis.
I'm telling our story in a voice that tries to be authentic to busy parents, who don't have time to make things perfect, I've learned to be fine with it – because real is much more entertaining.
Here, we're sharing what works for us, sharing the products we love (and the ones that are worth buying) and helpful tips that can help you to make the most of your time with the family. Thanks for joining us in our journey.


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Producer, Recording/Mixing Engineer, Writer and Musician. Avid Pro Tools HD certified. Recording Arts instructor at Schenectady Community College in NY. All songs on the sample reel were mixed, and more often than not recorded, produced, and co-written by me at Starling Studios.
With a resume that includes 25 years of performance ranging from classical to jazz to A'cappella to rock, eight years on the road with national act FIXER, and writing, production, and mixing credits for songs featured on popular MTV programs, independent films, and promotional videos, I have an understanding of instrumental arrangements, vocal harmonies, and drum patterns that are guaranteed to compliment each other, bringing out the full potential of every song.
I apply the same methodology to my mixes, using my ears to bring out the focal point of each part of a song while creating atmosphere and vibe with the rest. Excess parts are sometime cut, allowing the song to breathe and additional parts such as harmonies can be added at your request.
Contact me through the blue button above and lets get to work.
My credits include
Gear highlights
- I mix in the box. Lots of plugins and a great set of ears! Check the reel or my site to hear the results.
Terms of Service
Mix revisions are allowed until the client is satisfied. That is my main goal. Tuning and drum replacement included in mix price.
Reviews of Jason Brown - Mixer/Producer
Great experience working with Jason. His production on my track turned it into a sure hit! Everything was clearly communicated and the process went smoothly. I would recommend him for any production work and/or mixing & mastering.
When I need to mix, record, or compose, music and/or sound for any of my film and video projects, my number one choice is Jason Brown. He knows his craft backwards and forwards, always meets deadlines, comes with ideas, offers suggestions with several options to enhance my projects. In addition to being a gifted artist, Jason is an awesome guy!
Jason has the uncanny ability to transform a good song into a great song! He takes the extra steps to make you, the artist, feel comfortable and creative while simultaneously honing your sound and song. I've worked with Jason on all 3 of my previous recording projects and I couldn't be happier. Ill be calling him when the 4th gets started.
Jason has great intuition & taste, which clearly shows through whatever he does, be it engineering, mixing, or mastering. Though I've worked with other mixers before with fine results, when I heard his first mixes I was like, "Finally, somebody who knows what he's doing!" He's a breath of fresh air; I would definitely work with him again.
Jason did an amazing job my bands most recent recording. He has a great ear for sounds and he really knew how to push the band to give the best performance that was needed for each song. He's a studio pro and we're very happy we recorded with Jason. In the end we walked away with an incredibly amazing recording, and we owe a lot of it to Jason.
Ive been writing, recording, and performing music for over 20 years...It's rare to find a producer/mixing engineer this dedicated to extracting the most meaningful moments out of an artist ...Jason Brown is a prime example of this rare talent, and is always my first choice for a new project.
After working with Jason on my First Album, I can't imagine working with anyone else. He truly has been the additional member of the band. His understanding of sound and direction adds to the creative process and at the end of it, the finished product far exceeds expectation. You would be foolish to work with anyone else... Really.