Here’s question you’ve never been asked, but it’s the fundamental question facing America today.
Who decides?
Should the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. make decisions for you? What about your state and local government?
I’ve traveled across this great nation many times, and I’ve asked many people this very question. Most Americans – being the rugged individualists – respond, “I should decide.”
That’s because self-governance and self-determination are bedrock principles of this country. If that’s your answer as well, I have good news for you.
But first, the bad news. As I explained on Convention of States:
1. We have a Spending and Debt Crisis
The $19 trillion national debt is staggering, but it only tells a part of the story. Under standard accounting practices, the federal government owes around $100 trillion more in vested Social Security benefits and other programs. This is why the government cannot tax its way out of debt. Even if it confiscated everything, it would not cover the debt.
2. We have a Regulatory Crisis
The federal bureaucracy has placed a regulatory burden upon businesses that is complex, conflicted, and crushing. Little accountability exists when agencies—rather than Congress—enact the real substance of the law. Since 1949, federal regulations have lowered the real GDP growth by 2 percent and made America 72 percent poorer.
3. We have Congressional Attacks on State Sovereignty
For years, Congress has been using federal grants to keep the states under its control. Combining these grants with partially-funded federal mandates, Congress has turned state legislatures into their regional agencies rather than respecting them as truly independent republican governments.
A radical social agenda and an invasion of the rights of the people accompany all of this. While significant efforts have been made to combat this social erosion, these trends defy some of the most important principles.
4. We have a Federal Takeover of the Decision-Making Process
The Founders believed that the structures of a limited government would provide the greatest protection of liberty. Not only were there to be checks and balances between the branches of the federal government, power was to be shared between the states and federal government, with the latter only exercising those powers specifically granted in the Constitution.
Collusion among decision-makers in Washington, D.C., has replaced these checks and balances. The federal judiciary supports Congress and the White House in their ever-escalating attack upon the jurisdiction of the fifty states.
That’s why I’m asking “who decides?” The structure of decision-making matters – and is as important as what is decided. If you believe that you should have the power of decision over your family, the Convention of States is the only answer for you.
We’re facing a fork in the road right now, and America has to decide which way to go.
One path leads to anarchy and lawlessness.The government has already repeatedly proven its commitment to this.
The most recent example is when the FBI director explained in detail why Hillary Clinton is guilty in the way she handled classified information, but then refused to recommend prosecution. Why? Because she’s a high-ranking public official.
In fact, there have been so many federal level scandals it’s hard to keep track – and no one has lost their job or gone to jail. The government goes bankrupt, veterans and ambassadors die, and no one gets punished. But what can citizens do in response to this lawlessness? We shouldn’t join in.
Civil disobedience is one option, but this on a large scale would break down society as people look to do what’s in their own best interest.
Revolution is another choice. It’s easy – as the beneficiaries of the “original Brexit” – to romanticize revolution, but it’s a costly and serious thing. After Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls” for a reason.
The Founders knew the heavy hand of a tyrannical government and the costs of a revolution, and so they gave us a much better alternative: a Convention of States.
And that brings me to the good news. A Convention of States is a revolution without bloodshed, a reformation of our government, a changing up of the federal structure to take us back to the founding principles. This peaceful solution our Founders gave us – located in Article V of the Constitution – is radical, revolutionary, and reasonable course for the People.
We’re about to elect as close as possible to a monarch since we’ve had since King George. Does anyone believe Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be responsive to the people? Though our current state of politics seems tenuous and unstable, it’s actually an exciting time for those of us who believe in Article Five and the Constitution.
We’re standing on the precipice of history; our very actions will turn the country one direction or another. The history books are being written. Will you be a part of it? Or will you stand back, wring your hands, and watch as this nation’s final chapter is written?
The decision, ultimately, is in your hands. Choose wisely.
This article originally appeared on The Blaze.
