Read how a visit to the State Capital for a Citizens Action Day on Thursday MAY 8, 2025, is the logical conclusion of our Regional Meeting. Full information on the May 8 event and a Registration link is at the bottom of our meeting recap.
A NE NJ Regional gathering of like-minded citizen activists in March 2025 was attended by our regular core group and five visitors, one a fellow volunteer from NJ Central West Region, Jose Gneco. After we gave thanks and asked for both protection and guidance from God in an opening prayer, we said the Pledge of Allegiance. We discussed the meaning of the parts and colors of the American flag; 50 stars on a blue canton representing a night sky with the union of states creating a constellation, 13 stripes for the number of original states, red for the courage of patriots and blood spilt and white for purity of intentions to create these United States.
Next we focused on the Founders' work on the US Constitution, highlighting that the provision for the states to have authority to propose amendments was included early on in the creation of our governing document, i.e. before the document was sent for a final draft by the Committee on Style and Arrangement.
We viewed Patriots are We, starting with a focus on the structural basis of our United States. RC Bob Nordin asked the question, are we a Republic or a Democracy? Attendees' immediate responses included that America is a Republic as defined in the US Constitution. One point discovered is that the word democracy is NOT in the Declaration of Independence nor the US Constitution! All added their views of patriotism, citing love of country, the basis of our law as the 10 Commandments, a willingness to protect our nation up to the point of death, Judeo-Christian founding principles provides a moral compass to America, campaigning for liberty, a responsibility to educate others about our history and rebuking those who attack America.
The last thread lead to people to declare how they know of attacks on our inalienable rights from many forces that stir our patriot instinct to defend those rights. We identified at least a dozen of these discussing the context of what worldview drives the attacks. In contrast we also spoke of causes that protect Freedom-Federalism-and-Fundamental Rights that are common work amongst us and complementing the Convention of States Mission.
We reviewed recent wins for COS in 2025, noting committee hearings and floor votes that have been realized in states where they were not expected. A final call to action involved garnering the attention of NJ lawmakers as explained to us by our lead COS sponsor, Assemblyman Bob Auth, is to bring five or more engaged volunteers from each of our 40 legislative districts to Trenton. Therefore, our COS volunteers invite you to join us for Citizens Action Day on Thursday MAY 8, 2025!