A Maryland Convention

Maryland’s Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2,
calls for the taking of  “the sense of the people”,
only every 20 years,“in regard to calling a
Convention for altering this Constitution…”.

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/14art14.html

The people voted YES in 1930 and 1950 but the
legislature declined to convene a Convention
on some perceived wording technicality about
what a “majority” was. Page 263 on the link.

http://books.google.com/books?id=MoTGJ8bk11wC&pg=PA263&lpg=PA263&dq=1990+MARYLAN

Then comes Governor J. Millard Tawes.
On June 16th 1965 he established the Commission
by Executive Order. In 1967 he said,
“I regard this act as one of the outstanding
achievements of my administration."
When the new Constitution was put to the people,
it was rightly rejected. Too many reasons to type
here. 

It was also challenged in the Maryland Court
of Appeals.  The Court of Appeals
then made clear that the people of Maryland
retain "the inalienable right to alter,
reform or abolish their Form of Government
in such manner as they may deem expedient,
and thus may call for a Convention whenever
we choose."   Page 263 on the link.

http://books.google.com/books?id=MoTGJ8bk11wC&pg=PA263&lpg=PA263&dq=1990+MARYLAN

Now, 43 years later it seems time to have another
good look at the Maryland Constitution.
Our Constitution gives we the people
the power OVER our government,
NOT the other way around. 

“DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.  Article 1. That all
Government of right originates from the People,
is founded in compact only, and instituted
solely for the good of the whole; and they have,
at all times, the inalienable right to alter,
reform, or abolish their Form of Government
in such manner as they may deem expedient.”

“Art. 6. That all persons invested with the
Legislative or Executive powers of Government
are the Trustees of the Public, and, as such,
accountable for their conduct: Wherefore,
whenever the ends of Government are perverted,
and public liberty manifestly endangered, and
all other means of redress are ineffectual,
the People may, and of right ought, to reform
the old, or establish a new Government; the
doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary
power and oppression is absurd, slavish and
destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.”

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/00dec.html

If the elected officials are not going to take
the lead, WE NEED TO.  We MUST exercise the powers
our Constitution has guaranteed us. This only comes
around every 20 years. Most of us did not know
about it or couldn’t even vote in 1970 or 1990,
and may not be around in 2030.