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Article V convention can help restore fiscal sanity

Putting our republic on a path toward fiscal sanity and prosperity.

It’s no secret, nor is it breaking news.

The national debt not only keeps rocketing to staggering heights, it regularly surpasses them, as you can see by clicking here.

That figure underscores decades of fiscal irresponsibility by the federal government. The mounting debt poses profound long-term threats to economic stability, generational equity, and national prosperity.

When the federal government consistently spends more than it collects in revenue – running annual deficits that averaged around $1.8 trillion in recent fiscal years – it exacerbates inflationary pressures and erodes the purchasing power of the dollar. Such deficit spending lowers the effective money supply available for private investment by crowding out capital markets, as the government borrows heavily to finance its excesses.

This dynamic also decreases the value of U.S. currency over time, fueling inflation that has already driven up costs for essentials like housing and food, diminishing real wages. and stifling economic growth. Unchecked debt has the potential to reduce GDP growth by up to one percentage point annually by mid-century, leading to lower business investment, higher interest rates, and a weakened global standing for the dollar.

Future generations will inherit not just trillions in obligations but a diminished economy, with rising interest payments – already consuming a growing share of the federal budget.

Despite all of this, Congress has shown no willingness to balance the budget on its own. Partisanship and short-term political incentives perpetuate overspending. Political careerists prioritize earmarks and entitlements over fiscal prudence in order to meet their first priority: re-election.

A Harvard-Harris Poll that was conducted in July 2023 found that 80% of U.S. voters support a balanced budget amendment, and such a proposal won favor from 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

Americans for Prosperity reported similar findings. Eighty percent of voters supported a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget within ten years.

The inaction of Congress demands an alternative: an Article V convention of the states, a constitutional mechanism designed precisely for such reforms when federal institutions falter.

As you may have heard, Article V of the the Constitution empowers the people through their state legislatures to call a gathering for debating and proposing amendments. Any amendments agreed upon would be transmitted to the states for ratification, and 38 states would have to approve before any proposed amendment was added to the Constitution.

This process bypasses the do-nothing (or less-than-nothing) Congress.

Such a convention could propose creative amendments such as capping federal taxes, preventing unchecked revenue extraction that burdens citizens. By limiting tax rates – perhaps to historical norms or tying them to GDP – Americans would retain more of their earnings, fostering investment and innovation.

Lower corporate and income taxes could boost GDP growth and benefit American workers through higher wages and job creation. This prosperity would extend across economic classes, as reduced taxes on lower- and middle-income brackets stimulate consumer spending, while high earners invest in businesses that employ millions.

Limiting federal power through such possible amendments safeguards American families and communities from the perils of fiscal folly. Excessive debt erodes community resources by inflating costs and reducing public investment in local priorities like schools and roads.

An Article V convention would be a significant step forward in curbing federal overreach, devolving authority to states and localities where decisions better reflect community needs, and where the Founders intended those decisions to be made. This protects families from the intergenerational theft of debt, ensuring that parents can pass on opportunities rather than obligations. Communities would thrive with stable currencies, lower inflation, and more disposable income for entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

Envisioning the financial well-being of American families post-convention paints a transformative picture. With a balanced budget amendment in place, for instance, deficits would plummet, the dollar would stabilize and inflation could move to pre-debt-crisis levels. Families across income levels could see take-home pay rise due to tax caps.

This extra money could fund homeownership, education savings, or small business startups, lifting low-income households out of poverty through expanded economic mobility. Middle-class families might afford better healthcare and retirement, while affluent ones invest in innovations that create jobs.

Overall GDP could surge and growth would be sustained, reducing unemployment and fostering widespread prosperity. Communities would benefit from reinvigorated local economies, with less federal dependency and more grassroots initiatives. In this reformed America, fiscal discipline becomes a bulwark for freedom, ensuring that every family – regardless of class – enjoys the fruits of responsible governance.

The public has long demanded reform that Congress refuses to deliver. An Article V convention offers a constitutional lifeline, potentially proposing amendments for balanced budgets and tax caps that would unleash prosperity, protect families, and secure a brighter future. Only 15 more states need to pass our resolution that would compel Congress to call an Article V convention. The time for to act is now.

If you haven’t yet done so, sign the petition below to help put our republic on a path toward fiscal sanity and prosperity that can be enjoyed by all Americans.

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Page Metadata
Login Required to view?	No
Created:	2025-10-21 14:51 GMT
Updated:	2025-10-22 13:14 GMT
Published:	2025-11-03 08:00 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 12:07 GMT
Change Author:	Matt May
Credit Author:	Convention of States Action