“What’s that?”
This is one of the first of many questions our volunteers are asked when discussing the convention of states process. And simply put, the answer is, “It’s the constitutional way that the states can propose changes to the U.S. Constitution.”
The goal of the 1787 convention was to form a system of government that would be least able to violate an individual’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Framers did their best drafting a great document. But they knew it would need altering in the future to correct drafting errors or for making changes based on experience.
Two days before the end of the 1787 Convention, George Mason pointed out that the Constitution contained a serious flaw: it offered only one way the Constitution could be amended through Congress. Keep in mind the goal of the 1787 Convention was simple: to limit the federal government’s ability to infringe on an individual’s unalienable rights.
So, Colonel Mason asked his fellow delegates, “Are we so naïve to assume that a government that’s become a tyranny will take steps to restrain its own tyranny?”
The answer to this question is an obvious, “No.”
Therefore, Colonel Mason stated that We The People must have the ability to propose amendments when Congress refuses. And that’s how the Article V convention of states process came to be.
Fast forward to Missouri and the year 2020. The Missouri legislature passed the Convention of States Action resolution in 2017, so we’re done working on this. Right? Wrong! We’re not even close to being finished.
Missouri’s COS application passed with a "sunset clause." It means that unless the Missouri state legislature removes or extends this expiration date, Missouri’s application will expire May 12, 2022, and we’ll have to start the process all over again.
Of the 15 states that have passed the COS resolution thus far, only Oklahoma, Texas, 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 its unconstitutional actions by 2022? Not likely.
Getting the sunset clause removed or extended is one of our primary goals. It’s hard work, and we need your help. We must achieve this the same way we moved the legislature in 2017 to pass Missouri’s COS resolution: through grassroots COS advocates working to educate our legislators, friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers.
In short, we must act as informed, self-governing Missourians.
If you are one of our many volunteers who’ve traveled to the capitol regularly to meet with legislators, if you’ve coordinated meetings, or worked at our fairs and special events, thank you! We still need your help. Please, talk to a friend. Get them involved. Let them know that volunteering for Convention of States is rewarding and important.
If you’re new to the COS, thank you for taking the initiative to learn about the constitutional solution that’s the answer to many of the problems we face. Go to www.conventionofstates.com. Set up your profile.
Learn about the Constitution through our resource center and www.cosuniversity.com. Browse the numerous volunteer opportunities available. No matter what your background, your skill set or available time, you can be a champion for liberty.
Stand up. Speak up. Show up. Our republic is at stake.
