Who here is happy with their Federal government Who here is happy with their Federal government? Anyone here concerned about the abuses of the federal government?  Well, you should be. The government has injected itself into regulating things they have no business controlling, there’s a massive imbalance between federal and state powers, and the spending and debt in this country is out of control. But with the Convention of States Project there is hope! For the first time in many years, the people and the states have a chance to check the runaway train of the federal government. Article V of the Constitution provides a way for the states to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution.  Mark Levin has explained the Convention of States process in his bestselling book The Liberty Amendments, and now there’s an organization that is working to turn an Article V Convention of States into a reality.

The Big Picture Founded by Mark Meckler and Michael Farris, August 2013 The Problem: The federal government is spending away our children’s livelihood. We are facing a regulatory crisis Congressional attacks on state sovereignty Federal takeover of decision making Our goal: to have you join us by signing the petition to urge and empower state legislators to call a Convention of States to propose amendments to the Constitution to curb the abuses of the federal government. There are four major abuses perpetrated by the federal government. The Spending and Debt Crisis The Regulatory Crisis Congressional Attacks on State Sovereignty Federal Takeover of the Decision-Making Process These abuses are not mere instances of bad policy. They are driving us towards an age of "soft tyranny" in which the government does not shatter men's wills but instead slowly "softens and guides" them to a future designed by those same politicians. The Convention of States Project is a non-partisan issue. You know as well as I do that Washington, D.C., will never voluntarily relinquish meaningful power—no matter who is elected. The only rational conclusion is this: that unless some political force outside of Washington, D.C., intervenes, the federal government will continue to bankrupt this nation, misappropriate the legitimate authority of the states, and destroy the liberty of the people. Rather than securing the blessings of liberty for future generations, Washington, D.C., is on a path that will enslave our children and grandchildren to the debts of the past.

Momentum is Building Over 2.1 million supporters nationwide. In 2016, our resolution was Introduced concurrently in 34 states. Eight states have passed the resolution, and counting… Florida Georgia Alaska Alabama Tennessee Indiana Oklahoma Louisiana Missouri petitions, ready for delivery!

The Founders Gave us a Solution: A Convention of the States Our team in Washington State showed up in full force-force for their Senate committee hearing! Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress… Article V The Founders Gave us a Solution: A Convention of the States

There Are Two Methods to Propose Amendments to the Constitution

The first method is for a bill to pass both houses of the Federal legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. Under this process the Constitution, then, spells out two paths for an amendment: Ratification by state conventions (used only once) Ratification by state legislatures (used all other times)

The second method prescribed is for a Convention of States to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or more amendments. These amendments are then sent to the states to be approved by three-fourths of the legislatures or conventions. This route is what we are striving for today. Regardless of which of the two proposal routes is taken, the amendment must be ratified, or approved, by three- fourths of states. There are two ways to do this, too. Amendments are sent to the legislatures of the states by default but the text of the amendment could specify whether the bill must be passed by the state legislatures or by a state convention. Again, only one amendment, the 21st, specified a convention. In any case, passage by the legislature or convention is by simple majority.

The Process for Method #2 34 states submit applications on the same topic. Congress is required to call the convention. Commissioners debate, propose, and vote upon possible amendments. Proposed amendments are sent to the state for ratifications. If 38 states ratify, the proposed amendments become part of the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton: “By the fifth article of the plan, the Congress will be obliged ‘on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states to call a convention for proposing amendments which shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of the Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourth of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof.’ “The words of this article are peremptory. “The Congress ‘shall call a convention.’ Nothing in this particular is left to the discretion of that body… “We may safely rely on the disposition of the State legislatures to erect barriers against the encroachments of the national authority.”

Calling a Convention of States Can Curb the Abuses of Washington The Founders knew the federal government might one day become drunk with the abuses of power The most important check to this power is Article V Article V gives states the power to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution George Mason warned that “no amendments of the proper kind would ever be obtained by the people, if the Government should become oppressive, as he verily believed would be the case.”

How Our Proposal is Different Virginia House of Delegates give Michael Farris and Tom Coburn a standing ovation! How Our Proposal is Different Unique Application Strategy - Strong Grassroots Support

Two Goals Separate Our Plan Call a convention for a particular subject rather than a particular amendment For the purpose of limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government. Creating a complete package of restraints. Impose Fiscal Restraints on the Federal Government, Limit the Power and Jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and Impose Term Limits on its Officials Possible amendments: A balanced budget amendment Original Intent of the General Welfare Clause Original Intent of the Commerce Clause A prohibition of using international treaties and law to govern the domestic law of the United States A limitation on using Executive Orders and federal regulations to enact lawsImposing term limits on Congress and the Supreme Court Placing an upper limit on federal taxation Requiring the sunset of all existing federal taxes and a super-majority vote to replace them with new, fairer taxes

Two Goals Separate Our Plan Build a strong network of grassroots support Grassroots mobilization has been missing from Article V efforts thus far. We’ve built a grassroots operation in all 50 states.

The Grassroots

Organization Can Happen Widespread grassroots organization missing from Article V movement Mark Meckler – Co-Founder of Tea Party Patriots Michael Farris - Founder of Home School Legal Defense Association, 30 years grassroots leadership in all 50 states

Our Success is Because of American Citizens The Plan Viable grassroots operation in at least 40 states Viable grassroots operation in at least 3,000 of the 4,000 state house districts in these 40 states 3,000 district captains who will organize 100 people Statewide leadership positions State Director Legislative Liaison Grassroots Coordinators The leadership of the COS Project believes the success of a convention of states depends to a large extent on the American citizens. Our legislators need to know that we support the Convention of States and we will support them if they too will support a Convention of States.

District Captain One per State house legislative district (Reach) Recruit 100 + volunteers in their district Teach – Sign Petition, Write Letters / Emails, Meetings Activate – Keep grassroots active with trainings, meetings and advocacy conventionofstates.com cosaction.com have the resources that YOU need to be successful!

State Leadership Positions State Director Grassroots Coordinator Legislative Liaison State Support Positions State Videographer State Media Liaisons State Information Analyst Coalitions Director We need YOU to get involved! Apply here: http://www.conventionofstates.com/volunteer http://www.conventionofstates.com/volunteer_teams http://www.conventionofstates.com/be_a_leader

What You Can Do Sign our petition! When you provide your address, we deliver it directly to your legislator. You can… Sign the paper petition at this event. Visit www.conventionofstates.com, to sign the petition online! Text “PETITION” to 68398, to sign on your mobile device.** Attend our Volunteer Training Call, offered every Tuesday night. Visit www.conventionofstates.com, to continue your Article V education. **By participating, you consent to receive text messages sent by an automatic telephone dialing system. Consent to these terms is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Text “STOP” to opt- out. http://www.cosaction.com/tuesday_training

Text “JOINCOS” to 68398, to join today! Text “JOINCOS” to the number: 68398 to join our COS team. We NEED YOU to help, in any way that you can! Thank you for working with us, to restore Constitutional Liberty- for our children and grandchildren! Text “JOINCOS” to 68398, to join today!