Convention of States Missouri Newsletter

July, 2019

Does Liberty Have An Expiration Date?

State of the State Update

Brett Sterley, State Director

Convention of States Missouri

One of the first questions our volunteers ask when discussing the Convention of States process is, “What is that?” Simply put, it is the Constitutional way that the states can propose changes to the U.S. Constitution.

Two days before the end of the 1787 Convention, Colonel George Mason pointed out the Constitution contained a serious flaw. Mason asked, “Are we so naive to assume a government that’s become a tyranny will take steps to restrain its own tyranny?”

The answer to this question was an obvious, “No.”

Colonel Mason stated that We The People working through our State Legislatures, must have the ability to propose amendments when an oppressive Congress will not act to restrain a rogue, federal government (i.e., itself.) That is how the Article V Convention of States process came to be incorporated into the Constitution. Incidentally, this late addition was the only part of the Constitution which was approved unanimously and without debate.

The goal of the 1787 Convention was to form a system of government which would be least able to violate an individual's right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The framers did their best to draft an exceptional document. Yet, they knew it would need to be altered in the future to correct drafting errors or make changes based on experience. In Missouri, we also continue to learn from our experiences.

Missouri passed the Convention of States Project’s resolution in 2017. That means we are done, right? Not even close! Missouri’s COS application was passed with a 'sunset clause.' This means unless the legislature removes or extends the sunset clause, Missouri’s application expires on May 12, 2022. Of the 15 states that have passed our resolution so far, only Oklahoma and Missouri have passed the resolution with a sunset clause.

Why should there be an expiration date on Liberty? Is the federal government somehow going to correct their unconstitutional actions by 2022? Not likely.

This is one of the goals we work toward every day: to get the sunset clause removed or at least extended. We will achieve this is in the same way we moved our legislature to pass our resolution in the first place: through the efforts of our grassroots working to educate our legislators, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and complete strangers. In short, acting as informed, engaged and self-governing Missourians.

If you were of our many volunteers who traveled to the Capitol, spoke to your legislators, coordinated meetings or worked fairs, thank you for your efforts. We still need you! Our work is not done. We do not want to battle over the same ground again.

If you are new to the Convention of States effort, thank you for taking the initiative to learn about the constitutional solution that is as big as the problems.

Go to www.conventionofstates.com to set up your profile (using the SIGN IN link), learn about the Constitution through our Resource Page and COSUniversity, and check out the numerous volunteer opportunities we have listed on our Take Action Page. No matter what your background, skill set or available time, YOU can be a champion for liberty.

Stand Up! Speak Up! Show Up! Our republic is at stake.

Spotlight on Volunteering

What the heck is a Social Media Warrior anyway?

We all have busy lives and not everyone is able to participate in spreading the word about the Convention of States within their physical community. But, thanks to the Internet, we have online communities where we can influence ideas day or night.

Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any of the other social media platforms? Do you have a few minutes a week to help spread the word about the Convention of States? Please consider joining the Convention of States as a Social Media Warrior and help to Reach, Teach and Activate our fellow Americans in this very important movement in our history.

Not quite your cup of tea? Please visit our Take Action Page and check out our other volunteering opportunities. We are on our way to building the largest and most engaged army of citizen activists in the history of mankind. We could sure use your help.

Spotlight on Education

How Well Do You Know Your U.S. Constitution?

Whether you’re a veteran or a recent recruit, learning is a fundamental requirement of being an engaged COS volunteer. Do you know the background of how Article V originated? Are you prepared to correct false claims made by opponents to the Convention of States movement?

COS University has a course that can help you refresh what you learned in High School and add to it. The Constitutional Literacy course is designed just for you. This is an online webinar course which can be taken on your own time schedule and it is free of charge.

You will need to set up a Convention of States Profile in order to register for this course and you can do that at www.conventionofstates.com. If you have already signed the petition, click the SIGN IN button and follow the instructions to set up your profile.

Spotlight on Jefferson City

Your Involvement is Crucial to Effective Government

Please consider contacting your legislators and thanking them for their service this past session. Contact Your Legislators In Jefferson City. Your legislators may be back in their districts but their Jefferson City offices remain open to receive mail and to help their constituents with any issues. Be sure to sign up for their newsletters via email and share your opinions with them.

Video of the Month

Mark Levin Reads Antonin Scalia's Comments in Support of Article V

It's Quiz Time

June, 2019 Quiz Question: On May 12, 2017, Missouri became the 12th state to adopt our Resolution, and this Resolution has a Sunset Clause attached (expiration.) When does this Sunset Clause expire?

Answer: The Sunset Clause on the Missouri Resolution will expire on May 12, 2022.

July, 2019 Quiz Question: When is 'Article V Day' celebrated?(Answer will be on the August, 2019 Newsletter.)

Did You Miss Our Last Newsletter?

June, 2019 Newsletter