This past Sunday, August 18, award-winning broadcast journalist Sharyl Attkisson's program "Full Measure" re-aired the May 12 episode in which COSA Co-founder and President Mark Meckler appeared.
If you did not see the original broadcast or would like to watch it again, simply click on this link.
Mark's conversation with Attkisson was prominently featured in an informative and balanced segment about the movement for an Article V convention, which is gaining significant momentum as more Americans become disgusted and overburdened by an all-powerful federal government.
Attkisson examined the disillusionment with the federal government that sparked Mark's involvement in the Tea Party movement and then Convention of States. She asked Mark to explain Article V and the progress that has led to 19 of the required 34 state legislatures passing COS resolutions to call a convention. Attkisson discussed the basics of the amendment proposal and ratification process.
She also mentioned a springtime COS rally in Pennsylvania and the possibility that North Carolina could this year become the 20th state to pass a COS resolution.
Attkisson has long been recognized as a fair and thorough journalist. She talked with Mark not only about the growing bipartisan support for an Article V convention, but opposition to the movement from the left and right, including showing clips from an alarmist video produced by the John Birch Society that stokes fears about a convention placing the Second Amendment in jeopardy.
Attkisson also posed a question about the aftermath of successfully amending the Constitution, asking whether it would make a difference if "the enforcers are the offenders" regarding, for example, complying with a balanced budget amendment.
"I think that's probably the best question there is," Mark said. "The reality is the single most politically muscular act in our entire system of governance is the passing and ratifying of an amendment. Because it takes 38 states to ratify. It means the vast majority of the country are on board with it.
"Also, politicians do what they're incentivized to do. One of the reasons they don't make tough decisions like cutting spending right now, is because the incentives are broken. They won't get reelected if they do that, if they have a Constitution forcing them to do that. It's a different incentive system.
As any good piece of journalism does, the segment concluded by giving viewers something to ponder. In this case, Attkisson asked Mark about the odds of a convention and ratifying amendments ever coming to pass.
"I don't think it's a long shot," Mark replied. "I really don't. The question is do we get it done soon enough? That's really my big question. Not whether it happens. Do we get it done before the country comes apart?"
The entire piece, which is just over eight minutes long, and full transcript is certainly worth your time.
