HUGE myth about Convention of States DEBUNKED

This week, as Convention of States celebrates ten years of grassroots activism and success, a popular myth about the organization has again resurfaced: the unfounded allegation that we haven’t accomplished anything.

On the one hand, we’re deeply proud of all we’ve accomplished over the past decade. On the other, we understand that progress has been frustratingly slow at times, which begs the question: is COS too little, too late? Detractors frequently remind us that the country is rapidly being destroyed, adding that we cannot afford to wait for an Article V convention. But if long-term battles aren’t worth fighting, what other option do we have? Is it, perhaps, time to retreat into a defensive position?

There are two ways to debunk this common concern. First, we must understand that the process in which we are engaged is intentionally slow. Calling an Article V convention, per the Founders’ design, shouldn’t be easy. It’s a prolonged, tedious affair with a history-changing, nation-shaping objective.

That being said, saving our country is worth it. We’ve relied on quick fixes for far too long; clearly, they aren’t working. Yes, these are crucial years in the history of the Republic, and we cannot afford to waste them, but those who oppose COS simply because “it’s taking too long,” often have no other alternative—except for failed quick fixes.

Since the dawn of the twenty-first century, liberty-loving Americans have engaged in countless attempts to address the myriad challenges facing our nation. In 2010, for example, the Tea Party engendered what AP News called “the biggest GOP wave since the 1920s.” Of course, history reminds us that those elected in the Tea Party wave were ultimately unsuccessful in Washington, and the federal government continued to grow apace. Then, in 2016, the nation elected Donald Trump on a “drain-the-swamp” platform. But after four years in the White House, the 45th president was eclipsed by the enduring influence of the "deep state," which staged an emphatic comeback.

Considering that our country continues to decline, and is actually in a worse position than twenty years ago, were these accomplishments actually cures, or simply bandaids on a gaping gun wound? If we really believed our country was worth saving, we’d pursue both short- and long-term strategies for saving her. We cannot continue to spurn long-term fights. All others have not been enough to turn the wayward ship around.

Lastly, we must clarify that, despite naysayers’ common refrains, Convention of States has made tremendous progress. We have passed our resolution in 19 states, averaging roughly two states per year. With five million supporters, we have assembled the largest grassroots army of self-governing activists in history. Through that army, we have recovered the first principles of America’s Founding. Our grassroots activists, operating in every congressional district, have participated in state, local, and school board elections and clinched legislative victories besides passing the COS resolution (for example, read this inspirational story). Where legal, we have participated in get-out-the-vote campaigns.

It is not an exaggeration to say that no other movement has had more political impact over the past ten years than Convention of States. True, we have not yet achieved our objective of calling history’s first-ever Article V convention; but if that alone is reason enough to give up on Convention of States, it’s only a matter of time before we give up on the country altogether. Thankfully, that defeatist mentality, although prevalent elsewhere, does not inflict the grassroots army. Instead, they are unquestionably dedicated to the fight, no matter how long it takes or what it costs.

Their fierce commitment calls to mind Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, in which he opined that even if the “scourge of war” endured “until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'” Of course, Lincoln, as much as anyone, wished to see the Civil War “speedily pass away.” Yet, he had the faith and conviction to see it through.

Today, we find ourselves in perilous times. Many wonder if we’re heading toward a second civil war—we’re running out of options. But thank God we still have Article V. Thank God for those who still have the faith and conviction to see this fight through until the very end.

As we often say here at COS: “Duty is ours; results are God’s.”