There they were: veterans, mothers, business owners, attorneys, farmers, students, and home builders. They wore pinstripe suits and ties, varsity jackets, veteran hats, and blue jeans. They had come from the far reaches of Clearwater, Idaho Falls, and even Switzerland.
They stood at the steps of the statehouse in Boise and, despite a backdrop of protesters, were united in one purpose: to convince their legislators to support an Article V Convention of States.
As they faced the podium, rapt with attention, they clapped and cheered as COS State Director Janis Helfman introduced legislators Eric Redman (District 2 House Representative), Marv Hagedorn (District 14 Senator) and Thomas Loertscher (District 32 House Representative and State Affairs Chair), who spoke of his plan to sponsor the bill in the House. He emphasized the importance of using the Constitution to save the Constitution: "This is something that was put in the Constitution for a purpose. If it weren't for Article V, we wouldn't have a Constitution..."
The rally reached its climax as the President of Convention of States Action, Mark Meckler, who only moments earlier was debating the validity of the COS movement in the midst of the protestors, took the podium and delivered a passionate and compelling speech, urging the legislature to take back its power and fix our broken federal system: "The greatest, most powerful position in the federal government is the position of the state legislator...You are the only people who have the power to call a convention, propose amendments, and to ratify those amendments. You have in your hands the power to reform the federal government."
Mark then challenged all Idahoans to take action and ensure their legislators hear their pleas for an Article V Convention of States: "What I implore you to do is to support [the legislature] in their call for a Convention of States. This will not happen in Idaho without you....they can only make it happen if you want it to happen and the way you do that is by engaging them....go home, make phone calls to your legislators, and get your friends and your family to do the same. And I say, we're going to make Idaho state number thirteen to join the call for a Convention of States."
See Mark and the legislators speak below:
The resolution is expected to make its crucial journey through the legislature over the next few weeks, with the anticipation of making Idaho the 13th state to support a Convention of States and begin to limit government overreach.
If you want to be part of an army of farmers, mothers, veterans, and everyday, ordinary Idahoans that are doing something extraordinary at a crucial time, join us below:
