Top 10 Reasons Hawai'i Should Pass Our Convention of States Resolution
By Mark White, State Director, Convention of States Action Hawaii
Convention of States volunteers have been active in Hawaii Since the 2016 state legislative session promoting the passage of an Article V application for a convention to constitutionally propose amendments to limit the size, scope, and power of the federal government.
Here’s why Hawaii needs to pass this resolution:
- Sovereignty: Convention of States’ Article V resolution allows states to regain their self-governing authority—sovereignty—a freedom always intended to be vigilantly guarded by state legislatures.
Consider This: Article V contains today’s only remaining constitutionally legal check and balance states can use to limit the federal government and hold it accountable. - Over-Regulation: Regulations created by unelected federal bureaucrats reduce states to regional agencies simply to implement federal policies, often ignoring the needs of the people of Hawaii.
Consider This: Federal agencies annually issue 3 times as many regulations—legally equivalent to laws—as the laws passed by Congress. - Resources: Control of Hawaii land and resources should be restored to Hawaii and her people.
Consider This: Hawaii fisheries experienced millions in loss of revenue due to federal expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument—the largest in the world. - Freedom of Choice: The people of Hawaii should be free to decide on policies and curriculum for our schools without interference from the federal government.
Consider This: Of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Hawaii ranks 49th overall in education. - Federal Misrepresentation: Out-of-touch politicians in Washington, D.C. regardless of party, should not be permitted to force their social agendas upon the people of Hawaii.
Consider This: The Affordable Care Act (i.e., Obamacare) obliterated Hawaii’s local, statewide and popular health care solution: the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act. - Federal Misinterpretation: The language of the Constitution has been misinterpreted and distorted and is in need of restoration to its original intent.
Consider This: In the 1920’s & 30’s the Supreme Court allowed such an expansive exercise of Congress’ oversight of “commerce power” that today almost any commercial activity at the local and state level meets the bare minimum standard to invoke this power. - Federal Tyranny: A government that gains autocratic, tyrannical power won’t restrain that power.
Consider This: In spite of great popular nationwide support, term limits and balanced budget constitutional amendments have failed to pass in Congress for the last 40 years. - Unaffordable Mandates: It’s time to put an end to unfunded federal mandates.
Consider This: Honolulu rapid transit project (Rail) costs borne by the state have quadrupled since the start of the original $3 billion project. - Self-governance: Americans and Hawaii citizens particularly, are self-governing people and were never meant to be ruled by unelected bureaucrats in a distant capital.
Consider This: The island of Oahu boasts some 36 neighborhood boards created and dedicated to addressing and resolving immediate local community problems. - History Foreshadows Our Fate: The U.S. Constitution’s Article V “convention for proposing amendments” was given to American citizens for a time just such as this.
Consider This: The Constitution’s framers knew republics throughout history all collapsed because of the overreach of their centralized governments and the expanding autocracy, the tranny, of self-empowering legislatures that failed to represent their constituents.
The time is now for Hawaii to join the many other states calling for a convention of states. It’s the only solution for America to avoid the same fate as other republics and restore the balance of sovereignty intended for our federalist system of governance. We just need the courage to understand our history and steer our nation’s course to more freedom for we the people.
Updated: January 8, 2024
