Announcing Letters to the Editor Competition Winners!

Dear COS grassroots writers,

My fellow staff writer, Matthew May, and I couldn’t be more pleased by your response to our Letters to the Editor writing campaign. We asked you to put all your COS know-how to the test to pen powerful letters about Article V, and you did not disappoint.

Sifting through all your entries and selecting three winners felt like a nearly impossible task, but with the help of a three-judge panel, we have landed on three highly qualified submissions. We are honored to share those with you today:

1. Dallas Zimmerman

Fellow Citizens,

I am passionate to champion the Convention of States, urging fellow citizens to embrace this crucial movement for our nation's future. In these challenging times, our federal government needs a new approach to address complex issues. The Convention of States offers a unique and constitutional solution to empower people and restore balance. Article V is indeed "A Solution as big as the problem!”

As an Illinois resident, I feel it's our duty to shape our government actively. The Convention of States enables us by allowing state representatives to pass a resolution supporting a convention to propose amendments on federal spending, term limits on federal bureaucrats, federal judges, and Congress, and curbing federal overreach.

Supporting the Convention of States addresses issues overlooked at the federal level. This grassroots movement fosters collaboration, finding solutions that truly represent people's interests.

I urge fellow Illinois residents to learn more at Convention of States Action, sign the petition at Convention of States Action, and engage in this vital initiative. Let's unite, actively participate in the democratic process, and shape the future by returning the federal government to its constitutional limits—truly of, by, and for the people.

2. Garrett Ringler

The Convention of States movement seeks to impose restrictions via Constitutional Amendments on the federal government’s authority by calling an Article V Convention of States, thus bypassing Congress.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution explicitly grants that “on Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the Several states, [Congress] shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments.”

Detractors will say a Convention of States is untested & too risky. In reality, calling for an Article V Convention is long overdue and the perceived risks, often circulated by fear-mongers, are grossly exaggerated. Any proposed amendment must be ratified by 38 states. This means it only takes 13 state legislatures to kill ratification of any amendment proposed, by simply doing nothing.

The greater risk is continuing to permit Congress to spend trillions, allowing the federal bureaucracy to crush what’s left of our liberties and granting un-elected judges the power to legislate unilaterally. If the current behavior of the federal government does not warrant a Convention of States, what would? If this is not a runaway government, then what is? A Convention of States is the best solution, and quite possibly, the only solution left.

3. Andrew Shooks

The Constitutional Solution to Our Nation’s Woes

Many people are wondering if there is a solution to the increasing economic, social, and global woes that our nation is facing.

Fortunately, there is a solution. The framers of the Constitution foresaw a day when our federal government would become excessive and even corrupt and tyrannical. In their wisdom, they included Article V in our Constitution. 

Article V provides the legal means for we the people, working through the States, to propose Constitutional amendments to restrain our federal government when it exceeds its constitutional role. 

The movement for a convention has gained momentum during the past few years. Nineteen of the required thirty-four states have passed a resolution to call a convention of the states and another seven states have passed a resolution in one chamber. 

The proposed amendments are to limit the terms of elected and appointed federal officials, place fiscal restraints on Washington D.C., and limit the scope and authority of the federal government.

The amendments, once proposed, must be ratified by thirty-eight states at which time they become part of our Constitution. It is worth noting that the amendments, to a large degree, simply clarify the original intent of the Constitution. 

Article V is the legal, constitutional recourse that we were given, and it was included in the Constitution to be used when needed. It is certainly needed now, and history will record whether we step up and do our constitutional duty to restore our Republic.

What’s next?

We hope these words inspire you to pick up your pen and spread the word about COS. In the end, no matter what we do to generate media attention for COS, you and your fellow grassroots activists are the ultimate conduits for making that difference. Never stop promoting truth, hope, and our American Founding principles: America is listening.

To that end, we are excited to announce phase two of the Letters to the Editor competition, coming soon! Stay tuned to the COS blog, subscribe to our emails, and follow us on social media to ensure you don’t miss this major announcement!