| Nothing is more powerful in a democracy than fed | | | | What is the alternative? The Founders gave us |
| up citizens lawfully yanking public officials out of | | | | the path to such reform. They gave us the option |
| their jobs. Considering all the frustration and anger | | | | in Article V of a convention of state delegates |
| about government that is too big, expensive, | | | | that has the same power as Congress to |
| corrupt and dysfunctional, it is wise to consider | | | | propose constitutional amendments. Learn about it |
| how much better American democracy would be | | | | at Friends of the Article V Convention website, |
| if citizens could recall members of Congress, the | | | | and learn why Congress has refused to obey the |
| President and even Supreme Court Justices. In a | | | | Constitution and give us the convention that over |
| world moving at faster and faster speeds why | | | | 700 applications from all 50 states have asked for. |
| wait for the usual ways to fix government, | | | | Recall should be seen as a serious alternative to |
| especially when none of them seem to work? | | | | voting federal incumbents out of office. This has |
| Fearful politicians have given citizens in relatively | | | | never worked to any significant degree for a host |
| few states and local governments the right to | | | | of reasons, despite serious attempts to vote out |
| recall government officials. A most memorable | | | | congressional incumbents. Prime among them is |
| and recent recall was the governor of California, | | | | that once in office members of Congress |
| Gray Davis, in 2003. | | | | become addicted to power and corrupted by |
| Direct voting to recall government officials is a | | | | money used to stay in office. |
| prime example of direct democracy. The action | | | | What about term limits? This sounds good, but |
| may be called a recall election or a recall | | | | here too many people once in office may do |
| referendum. It is needed when representative | | | | things that the public condemns while still within |
| democracy fails the public. Which most Americans | | | | their allowed terms. Better to have them fearful |
| definitely think is the case for Congress. | | | | of being recalled rather than not being reelected. |
| Only eighteen states allow recall of state officials. | | | | Also note that impeachment and criminal |
| Specific grounds for recall are required in only | | | | prosecution are difficult legal processes to remove |
| eight states. Eleven states allow recall of judicial | | | | an official from office. Usually it is incompetence, |
| officials. In at least 29 states (some sources place | | | | dishonesty and nonresponsiveness to constituents |
| this number at 36), recall elections may be held in | | | | that angers people. |
| local jurisdictions. Three-fourths of recall actions in | | | | There is probably more discussion now about |
| the US are at the city council or school board | | | | constitutional amendments than in a very long |
| level. | | | | time. But, oddly, those who seek true reforms |
| Here are some other recent successful recalls. | | | | seem oblivious to the enormous power of the |
| 1983 recall efforts of two Michigan state senators | | | | recall option. Think about it. We the people should |
| 1988 recall of Oregon state legislator | | | | have the sovereign right to fire federal officials, |
| 1995 recall of two California Assembly members | | | | especially members of Congress, but even the |
| 2002 recall of mayor of Flint, Michigan. | | | | President and Supreme Court Justices. That way |
| 2002 recall of multiple Milwaukee County, | | | | they are more likely to respect the Constitution |
| Wisconsin, elected county officials | | | | and really listen to we the people, rather than the |
| 2003 recall of Wisconsin State Senator | | | | corporate and other special interests that feed |
| 2005 recall of mayor of Spokane, Washington. | | | | them big money so they can keep telling us big |
| 2006 recall of mayor of Roosevelt, New Jersey | | | | lies. If we don't get the power to fire bad |
| In 1988, Arizona voters filed enough signatures to | | | | government officials, then future generations will |
| trigger a recall election for Governor Evan | | | | pay a very, very high price. |
| Mecham, but he was impeached by the state's | | | | Don't be a constitutional hypocrite. Support using |
| House of Representatives before the date of the | | | | the Article V convention option. Let your |
| scheduled recall election. | | | | members of Congress know that you want one. |
| In some places the successor to a recalled official | | | | Let everyone know you support having the recall |
| is elected at the same time, others in a special | | | | option for federal officials. If all government |
| election afterwards and in others by appointment. | | | | officials work for us, then we need the |
| Right now there is no way to recall federal | | | | constitutional right to fire them. If you want to |
| officials. Don't you think it is time to change this? | | | | take back your country from the rich and |
| If you do, then understand that there must be a | | | | powerful, then recall power is needed. Power to |
| constitutional amendment and clearly Congress will | | | | the people! |
| never propose such an amendment. | | | | |