TENNESSEE

 

Tennessee is one state which does NOT allow amendment to the constitution by initiative. Furthermore, Tennessee's constitution does NOT demand a periodic question asking if a constitutional convention should be held. This is not the end of the story. State assemblymen are still human, and they will listen to you, if there are enough of you. Contact them daily, and voice your opinion on demarchy and its importance to Tennessee.

It is also plausible, at the state level, to run for a general assembly seat yourself, or encourage a friend to.

It is furthermore plausible to establish a party for this purpose, to better coordinate your vote.

Once the amendment gets on the ballot, it is still imperative that you vote. Amendments require a majority of voters to approve it in an election. Do not forget this step.

 

Again, the needed elements are:

FIRST: A selected legislative branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of senate and representatives - This is the important element. If nothing else is done, this must be.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison control one seat

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

SECOND: A selected executive branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of governor, lieutenant-governor, et al.

 Necessitating three persons jointly and in unison discharge all administrative duties

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that officers are not permitted to step down

THIRD: A selected judicial branch:

 Necessitating selection by lot and electoral confirmation of judges

 Necessitating removal for misconduct be appropriately punished, and that judges are not permitted to step down

 

The astute will note I have highlighted one item. This is because, all else failing, a general assembly so composed will reasonably be expected to institute the rest of this form of government, both at the state level and at all levels controlled by state law. If the rest of this cannot be pushed through, that item alone will salvage Tennessee from depredation, and if that item is not present, the rest of this is rather pointless.

 

Important highlights of the Tennessee Constitution are thus:

Article II empowers the legislative branch.

Section 5 numbers the representatives.

Section 6 numbers the senators.

Section 7 handles the appointment of the general assembly.

Section 12 handles expulsion.

Section 21 handles the manner of voting.

Article III empowers the executive branch.

Section 2 handles the appointment of the governor.

Section 17 handles the appointment of secretary of state.

Article IV handles elections.

Section 4 furhter handles manner of voting of the assembly, and addresses that of the people.

Article V empowers the assembly to impeach.

All sections are relevant here.

Article VI empowers the judicial branch.

Section 3 handles the appointment of supreme & appellate judges.

Section 4 handles appointment of circuit and chancery judges.

Section 5 handles the appointment of the attorney general.

Section 6 handles removal.

Article VII handles various county and state officers.

Section 1 handles their appointment.

Section 3 handles the appointment of treasurer and comptroller.

Section 5 addresses the timing of elections.

 

On the county and city levels, similar changes will need to be made. These matters are handled by law or other parts of the constitution. I have faith that a citizen general assembly in Tennessee will attend to this problem with due urgency and care.