The following was written by Dave Hilgendorf, an active volunteer for Convention of States in North Carolina. He is a District Captain in Senate District 22 and House District 65. Dave is also the host of the Christian Men at Work podcast, and he writes for the Convention Of States North Carolina blog. He and his family live in Reidsville, North Carolina.
Volunteering for Convention of States has been one of the best decisions I've made in recent years for three reasons.
1. Convention of States has given me a cause greater than myself.
I first heard about Convention of States while listening to the Conservative Conscience podcast. Daniel Horowitz interviewed Mark Meckler about the project, and I immediately understood and appreciated that this truly is the only solution as big as the problem.
I was disappointed that my preferred candidate had not won in the 2016 Presidential primaries. However, Mark helped me realize that the biggest problems in our country are not going to be fixed by politicians.
America's problems include a massive federal debt, the federal government being involved in too many aspects of our lives, and the courts overturning the will of the people.
Our individual rights, guaranteed in the Constitution, are being eroded by elected and appointed federal officials who are addicted to power. They are tone-deaf to the will of those who elected them.
These problems demand a big solution. A fundamental change is needed in the balance of power and the way our government and political system works.
I share with many Americans a need to be part of a solution bigger than myself. Convention of States offers just such a solution and volunteering with them has partially satisfied my need. Of course, there is no substitute for my Christian faith.
Convention of States provides a way for everyday citizens like myself to actively participate in a process that ultimately will do nothing less than save our country from self-destruction.
2. Convention of States has given me a positive outlet for my convictions.
I care deeply about my politically conservative beliefs. I care very much about politics and what's going on in both our government and our culture.
It's good to care deeply about a just cause, but I also have come to appreciate that there are good and bad ways to channel that energy.
It's important to be informed about day-to-day happenings in our country and politics. I love to binge on Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Ben Shapiro, and other conservative news outlets. I also love to talk with like-minded conservatives about the craziness in our country today, but I've found that volunteering with COS is much better than simply consuming information and complaining about it.
I don't like to listen to other people who complain but aren't willing to do something to make a positive change. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't apply the same standard to myself. When I catch myself getting worked up about what's wrong with our country, I ask "What can I actually do about it?"
I can play my part in being an active volunteer with Convention of States. I'm convinced that its mission is not only aligned with truth but is the best way I know of to affect real, practical, positive change in America.
3. Convention of States has given me an opportunity to involve my family in self-governance.
My wife and I have three daughters. I'm very concerned about the negative implications of a federal government that is too big. I'm also concerned my children will grow up being misinformed or apathetic about our country's history, its Constitution, and the root cause for its current problems.
As a volunteer for Convention of States, I've been able to take them with me to Raleigh for one of the COS Rally Days in 2017. There they met their state elected officials and leaders in the COS movement.
They saw and heard firsthand the important issues of our time in a way that they would never have in a classroom, news story, or even from my own lips at home.
They saw self-governance and an engaged citizenry in action as we met with our elected officials. We explained to our legislators why we believe in COS and why they should vote for the resolution.
They saw the resolution introduced in our state assembly. They heard a prayer spoken at the beginning of the legislative session. This hopefully makes them think twice the next time they hear a teacher's or professor's false notions of the separation of church and state.
I don't want my kids to think it's okay to be uninformed. I want them to see that their elected officials are there to represent and serve them. They need to know their jobs as citizens are to hold these officials accountable. I want them to stand up for and get involved with just causes.
I'm excited about the prospect of Convention of States being successful to shifg power from the federal government back to the states, force fiscal constraint, and limit the terms of elected officials.
However, I'm perhaps even more excited about being a volunteer for COS and how it's positively impacted me and my family as we have put the principles of self-governance to work.
We've seen what it means to truly be an active part of a solution to the biggest problems our country faces today and in the future.
Go here to see all the volunteer opportunities Convention of States Action offers.
