A Tale of Two Swamps
Appreciation for your legislative legacy from our Convention of States grassroots movement.
Imagine you were to challenge a passerby on the street with a word-association game and ask for the first word that comes to mind when they hear the word “Florida.” You could expect a variety of responses. Not surprisingly, the word “gator” would be a common answer. Why? Because over thirty percent of the State of Florida is wetlands, most of it freshwater, the perfect habitat for that amazing reptilian predator, a creature most adapted to the swamp.
However, if you were to start a new survey on the street and toss the word “swamp” at random people for their first reaction, many would not conjure the word “gator” but rather “Washington, DC” Why? Because at the forefront of many people's minds in this crazy political climate is the drama that has been unfolding a thousand miles to the north in a dysfunctional city that is home to a dysfunctional legislative body. “The Swamp” is now a metaphor for all that is wrong with this country. There are millions of Floridians who would much rather be sharing their home with our native reptiles than living with the consequences created by the reptiles in DC.
Floridians, especially those belonging to a certain grassroots organization, are well aware of how blessed they are. They know that an esteemed body of successful people convenes in Tallahassee for a 60-day whirlwind of activity to be good stewards of our state’s resources and to find solutions for significant problems plaguing its people. Your time and attention do not go unnoticed. In fact, we are grateful that ten years ago, you, our Florida legislature, took the first steps (in a process provided by our founders in the U.S. Constitution) to create long overdue, crucial course corrections for this nation.
In 2014, the Florida State Legislature passed SM 476, a resolution to call for an Article V Convention of States.
Convention of States thanks members of that esteemed prudent body. The thousands of grassroots volunteers who serve the Article V movement and the millions of U.S. citizens who support our endeavor thank you even more. For in that year, your fellow leaders saw fit to assemble the Article V Working Group for the purpose of drafting legislation that would guide and support the process of effectively participating in an Article V Convention of States.
History will prove that this fortuitous effort was a positive first step in a long arduous process to restore power that has been rightfully granted to the states. However, that power continues to be usurped through a series of unfortunate decisions and lack of adherence to our beloved U.S. Constitution.
Florida is the 3rd of 19 states to have passed our Article V resolution, which requires passage in 34 states. As our grassroots volunteers in other states lovingly and respectfully encourage their state legislators to make the same good decision that Florida lawmakers made ten years ago, we Floridians for COS want to show our appreciation for your continued support by being a positive influence on your constituents.
We do this by educating others about your role as legislators and fostering an appreciation for good statesmanship that can often be observed on the floor of those hallowed chambers in Tallahassee. Our mission includes teaching the value of self-governance and an understanding that self-governance requires a relationship between the citizens and those elected to represent them.
In the coming years, as we get closer to reaching the 34 states required to call a convention, our growing ranks of supporters and volunteers will continue to support your efforts to create increasingly better public policy here at home in Florida. While always watchful to defend against any effort to rescind our resolution, our volunteers’ time is also well spent following the important and sometimes controversial bills that must be deliberated by you and your colleagues.
Understanding the challenges you face during a session is an important part of being an informed, responsible constituent who could offer you constructive feedback that you may find helpful in making those important decisions on our behalf.
As a tight-knit group of dedicated volunteers, the COS Florida family has instilled within ourselves the importance of forging relationships with you, our esteemed legislators. It is our goal as a state team to establish and maintain a legacy of appreciation and support for all those who engage in legislative and constitutional processes that make this state and this nation exceptional.
Help us to restore the appreciation and respect for our United States Constitution that it so richly deserves by exemplifying the principles of self-governance it was designed to protect. You can do this by becoming a champion of the Constitutional process known as an Article V convention of states.
Please allow us to help facilitate such understanding through our educational efforts by sharing your concerns and insight. You can reach our state leadership team using the form below.
If you already consider yourself a champion of the Article V Process, please share your thoughts using the same form below.
