Our Constitution and federal republic are under assault not only by Islamic radicalism, but also by our own federal government. The current administration and Congress are out of control.

The president has unconstitutionally taken control of financial institutions and industrial corporations, appointed over 30 unconfirmed "czars" and illegally given them powers not contained in the Constitution.

The real problem lies with the imperial, corrupt, out-of-touch Congress. The spending under President Bush was obscene, but this Congress has gone far beyond spending like drunken sailors. There doesn't seem to be any end to it.

The House has passed economykilling, tax-increasing cap-and-trade legislation based on no clear scientific evidence of global warming.

It is now writing legislation to "reform" our health-care system to include a "public" option (code for national health care, which has been demonstrated as a dismal failure in other nations), which will result in higher costs and rationing. And the Congress will be exempt.

Angry Americans know more about the proposed versions than members of Congress, and they are vilified as "AstroTurf" (fake), "Nazis" and a "mob" and other despicable names.

The president is already limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment.

I urge Sen. Harris Blake and Rep. Jamie Boles to introduce resolutions calling for a constitutional convention and urge 33 other states to do the same.

The resolution should be for three specific purposes: repeal the 16th Amendment (income tax), repeal the 17th Amendment (direct election of Senators, which is contrary to original intent) and set term limits for members of Congress.

We must start a process of taking back our nation from the imperial, elitist Washington politicians of both parties.

Peyton E. Cook

Southern Pines