Outdoor Enthusiast Explains Why He Supports George Mason's Vision

In mid-March 2020, as you started working from home (if you were that lucky!), for “two weeks to stop the spread,” did you ever dream America would become what we see in the news today? Did you think a person’s vaccine status would be a topic in casual conversation, especially in terms of employment? How about that you would be asking friends if their kids are muzzled in masks all day at school? That people would be worried about their kids' public school curriculum? If you’re like most of us, the answer is a hard no.

If you’re ready to do something about the changes that worry you about America, come to the Upper Peninsula's first Convention of States event, a very special town hall meeting on Saturday, Dec 4 at 10:00 am in Marquette, MI. It's FREE and open to the public; no question is off limits. Matt Brenner (pictured above with a nice smallmouth bass from Torch Lake!) will co-lead the meeting at the Marquette Township Hall with two other COS volunteers, Jim Carter, and Bruce Finlayson. Matt volunteers as the District Captain for MI HD #103. Event details follow:

When: Saturday, Dec 4 at 10:00 am

Where: Marquette Township Hall, 1000 Commerce Dr Marquette, MI 49855

Like Matt’s, your reaction to grassroots groups like Convention of States ("COS") may have ranged from cautiously optimistic to skeptical. Matt's hesitant response should come as no surprise. He has spent his career thinking critically as an accomplished leader who worked his way up like so many do in Michigan.

He started at the ground level and worked his way up through the ranks over the course of four-plus decades to become a manager of a considerable territory. He also has served for nearly ten years as a trustee on his local township’s board, chairing a couple of key committees. He brings to COS the same attitude and drive he uses as a township official: “you don’t just talk about a goal; you actually work to accomplish that goal.”

As stated earlier, initially Matt had numerous questions about Convention of States. The first one was, “What constructive work is this organization doing? I’ve been required to attend many meetings in my career which accomplished little if anything. Mostly, they were all talk. Now that I have the liberty to choose to attend a meeting, it better be worthwhile and actually accomplish the mission, not just talk about it.” Now, Matt can honestly state that: “I have thoroughly researched COS over the past eight months and my concerns have been satisfied.”

Matt took the time to research and “do his homework.” He became comfortable that the process was valid and had appropriate safeguards built in. Matt now feels that COS is the "only fight" we have. He realized that his one vote would not be enough to save America and that he needed to do more. Matt also wanted to play a part in a worthy cause. Like most Americans, he has children and grandchildren. Unlike most Americans, however, he decided to do more with COS; he knew he could NOT just sit back and watch America’s demise.

COS is a nationwide effort involving using Article V to suggest common sense amendments to the Constitution. George Mason, one of the founding fathers, had proposed the second part of Article V, which the other founding fathers unanimously embraced. This second part of Article V is - surprise! - not taught in schools. Convention of States Action is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating citizens about Article V, helping legislatures draft Article-V-related resolutions, and confronting federal overreach through grassroots organization. These goals, along with preserving our freedoms, are what drove Brenner to service as a District Captain.

The Convention of States organization aims to reverse America's recent descent into tyranny by 1) giving stolen power back to the states, 2) making common-sense restrictions to federal spending, and 3) imposing federal term limits on congressional members and supreme court justices.

If you feel compelled to join this mission, a great first step is signing the petition to call a Convention of States. Your name on the petition indicates your support for the MI State Legislature to pass COS’s resolution for a convention; in Michigan, this is called HJR-E. So far, 15 states have adopted this resolution. Thirty-four states need to adopt an identical resolution to call a convention, and 38 states need to ratify any proposed amendment for it to be added to the Constitution. Put another way, 76 legislative bodies (House of Representatives and Senate times 38 states) must agree.

Another great step is to attend an event like the free town hall in Marquette on Dec 4 and bring friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers with you. The format is: a brief and interesting presentation, followed by time for attendees to ask questions.

In closing, Matt indicated that he and others his age have certainly seen enough American history in action to say they are scared about the future for their children, grandchildren, and future generations. If enough of us don't get involved soon, Matt sees a future on the horizon that’s unlike anything we can imagine. Matt stated that, “I’m a patriot. We are fortunate to live here [in America]. I know a lot of people are being taught not to appreciate America, but we are really so fortunate.”

If you’re ready to take action and feel renewed optimism and faith in the American spirit, take the plunge and do your homework. Who will YOU be saving America for? Your kids? Your grandkids? We want to meet you and hear from you. See you Saturday, Dec 4 at the first Upper Peninsula event for Convention of States!

Enjoy these helpful resources:

1. Printable answers to FAQs

2. Three-minute video about COS

Please contact Matt Brenner at Matthew.J.Brenner@cosaction.com or call (231) 342-8424 to RSVP or for more information.