Exercise Your Sovereign Power- Vote
By Brian Harris
The 2022 midterm primary and general elections are right around the corner. At this critical juncture, it is imperative that We the People exercise our sovereign power by casting a ballot.
Sovereignty seems to be a much-misunderstood term and concept today. For example, there is a “sovereign citizen” movement within the U.S. People who align with this ideology hold that they are individually sovereign and that state and federal laws do not apply to them. With this line of thought, they need not pay taxes, register their vehicles, or have a license to operate an automobile. Unfortunately, this understanding of what sovereignty means is wrong and has drawn the attention of the FBI as an example of domestic terrorism.
The truth about what sovereignty encompasses is important. So let’s explore it briefly.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, provided an explanation of sovereignty in his address to the people of the United States on June 3, 1786. First, Rush explains that sovereign power is derived from the people and that we possess it on election days only. He continues, “After this, it is the property of their rulers, nor can they exercise or resume it unless it is abused.” And finally, “The people of America have mistaken the meaning of the word sovereignty: hence each state pretends to be sovereign. In Europe, it is applied only to those states which possess the power of making war and peace—of forming treaties and the like. As this power belongs to Congress, they are the only sovereign power in the United States.”
William Blackstone echoed Dr. Rush regarding sovereignty when he indicated that sovereign power is the power to make and enforce laws.
You and I cannot make and enforce laws as individuals. In our Republic system of government, we elect people to exercise this authority on our behalf.
In America, sovereign power is derived from the people, and we exercise it on election day. States maintain sovereign power that our elected representatives exercise in areas not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution. Likewise, Congress exercises sovereign power through representatives that we elect at the federal level. They make and enforce laws and treaties and have the power to wage war and peace on our behalf. Alexander Hamilton reinforced this understanding of sovereign power in Federalist No. 32 and James Madison in Federalist No. 39.
Incidentally, (and this is a subject for another day) the states were able to protect their sovereign power at the federal level by selecting federal senators prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913. Is it any wonder why so many abuses of power have occurred since that time? An Article V Convention of States could remedy this problem.
As you can see, sovereign power is derived from We the People, and we exercise it at the ballot box. If we are disenchanted with our representatives and the laws they enact, we must vote. Plain and simple.
Standing for Office
By Joe Sheeley
At the beginning of America, individuals didn’t run for office; they “stood for office.” This meant they indicated they were willing to hold a certain office and then stood on their reputation. If they won, they’d do the job for a term or two. If they didn’t, they went on with their lives.
George Washington was an example of an individual with this mindset. Having led the Continental Army to victory against a stronger foe, he was the natural choice for the first U.S. President. There were even calls to make him President for life. But he didn’t want to be President and didn’t want America to replace one king with another. So, having served two terms, he retired to his farm, where he spent the rest of his days in peace.
People that do not want corruption in Washington, DC should want people like George Washington in office. These are highly capable individuals who have things that are more important to do than be a representative or a Senator, but agree to serve for a term or two as a duty. And while there, they put their passion into the job and do their best to represent their constituents. But instead, Capitol Hill is filled with individuals who have done nothing significant in adult life beyond being in office (and doing nothing significant there) -- people who will not leave until they are carried out in a casket.
One of the first resolutions that could be passed in a Convention of States is a term limits amendment for Congress. This seems to have popular support from everyone except those in the House and Senate, who would do whatever possible to block it. Even if such an amendment is eventually passed, it is likely that gamesmanship would be employed to thwart it. Given today’s selective prosecution, maybe some would run for extra terms anyway and say, illegally, that it was the “will of their constituents” and continue to serve when they were elected. Maybe they would just rotate from office to office or state to state. These narcissists love being worshiped everywhere they go. They love the free dinners and vacations from lobbyists and the ability to trade stocks while knowing what laws are about to be passed and contracts awarded. Or the ability to hire their family members to do publicity work for the campaign and collect money from their war chests. The young, starstruck interns, willing to give themselves like Motley Crue groupies and the ability to charge tens of thousands of dollars in “speaking fees.” This environment attracts the wrong kind of people who will not willingly give up this power.
But the kind of individuals one would want, those who would not desire the “perks” and the power, would not want to do what is necessary to gain even a House seat, let alone an office like senator or president. To become a representative requires hundreds of hours traveling around your region, giving speeches, and attending events. It requires going to different groups to raise campaign funds so that you can run ads and pay for all of the travel and yard signs. It often requires that you be an individual chosen by the political apparatus within the Republican or Democratic party and promoted. These parties are controlled by the individuals wanting to serve life terms in office. Running for Senate requires all of this, but one must gain support across the entire state instead of just a district. Running for president requires national support.
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The 4th of July – The Great Aniversary Festival
By Jim MacDonald
The American colonies found themselves amid turmoil 246 years ago. They didn’t appreciate the overreaching British government infringing on the liberties the people had been enjoying. Essentially, the freedom-loving colonies jerked on the tail of the lion. They refused to pay the stamp and tea taxes, disguised themselves as Indians, and threw the tea overboard into the Boston harbor.
And then, if that wasn’t enough, the Founders signed a document calling out the King for grievances against the people of America and stating:
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”
On July 2, 1776, the original draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to Congress for approval. During the next two days, the Founders haggled over the exact wording and approved the final draft on July 4. Congress had 200 copies printed and distributed them throughout the colonies.
On July 9th, at 6 p.m., the troops gathered on the common, and George Washington read the Declaration of Independence out loud. He declared the “United Colonies of North America” to be “free and independent states.” Underscoring that each soldier was “now in the service of a state possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit and advance him to the highest honors of a free country.”
Unfortunately, to Washington’s disapproval, the over-exuberant troops would enthusiastically vandalize King George III’s lead statue and turn the figure into 42,088 musket bullets.
The Founders knew that signing this Declaration of Independence was akin to signing their death warrant. And before the Framers' signatures are the words: “And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
With passion, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abagail stating:
“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bell, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever.
You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even though we (may regret) it, which I trust in God we shall not.”
Fortunately, the Founders had an unrelenting faith in Christ and their Christian beliefs. They witnessed miracles throughout the war and understood God desired for His people to be free.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. —2 Corinthians 3:17
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. —Galatians 5:13
Thankfully, with the help of “Divine Providence,” the Americans earned their freedom and wrote a Constitution establishing their new republican form of government in 1787.
In 1837, John Quincy Adams (the son of John Adams) gave a 4th of July speech comparing the birth of America with the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Adams said:
“…Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? –that it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? –that it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
As we celebrate July 4th with parades, campfires, sports, and fireworks, let’s not forget the sacrifices our Lord made so we may live free spiritually, and the sacrifices our Founders and our soldiers made in order to live free physically, in the greatest country the world has ever known.
Today, our overreaching government is infringing on the liberties of the American people. Be grateful that we don’t need to fight with (musket) bullets, because our Founders gave us the ability to call an Article V Convention of States. As COS volunteers, remember why we are fighting to save this great nation and know, as our Founders knew, that God is with us every step of the way. Don’t forget that the work is ours, but the results are God’s.
Tennessee on the Move...
Patriots from Cedar Springs
Patriots from DeKalb
Patriots from Farragut
Farragut Patriots on a Block Walk
Patriots from Gallatin
Patriots from Johnson City
Patriots from Kingston Springs
Patriots from Maryville
Patriots from Murfreesboro
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Patriots from Soddy Daisy
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Burns, TN. Saturday, July 23rd, at Living Water Church, 100 Bishop Ln from 10:00 to 11:30
Gallatin, TN. Saturday, July 9th, at the Gallatin Public Library, 123 East Main St. Gallatin, from 10:00 a.m. Contact: Debbie at debbie.macdonald@cosaction.com
Kingston Springs, TN. Saturday, June 4th, South Cheatham Public Library, at 10:00 a.m. Contact Jeff at jeff.cody@cosaction.com
Loudon, TN. First Wednesday of every month at the Tellico Village Rec Center, Room D at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 145 Awohili Dr. - Call Terri Hult for more information: 865-304-6997
Murfreesboro, TN. Saturday, June 18th at the Technology Center at 306 Minerva Dr. from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Sevierville, TN. Saturday, July 9th Block Walk from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Location TBA
Soddy-Daisy, TN. Friday, June 24th, at the Rechoboth Baptist Church, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Monthly Meet and Greet
Springfield, TN. Sunday, July 3rd, Freedom Fest at 4635 Tennessee Highway 41 from 3 to 9 p.m.
Spring Hill, TN. Monday, July 11th, at Martins Bar B Q from 6 to 7 p.m.
Spring Hill, TN. Monday, August 8th, at Martins Bar B Q from 6 to 7 p.m.
Van Leer, TN. Saturday, July 2nd, Schrock Chiropractic, 1002 Bear Creek Rd. from 10;00 to 11:30
BattleCry
Join Mark Meckler for the BattleCry every Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. EST on Facebook or Rumble.
For the most up-to-date schedule, visit the Tennessee COS Facebook page. Convention of States Tennessee | Facebook
