Kansans continue push for a Convention of States despite media outcry
Article - 5 minute read
A Convention of the States, also known as an Article V Convention, was voted on by the Kansas House of Representatives on March 9 of this year. The House voted 76-43, failing to pass the resolution. In any other state, this would have passed. However, due to a change in the Kansas Constitution in 1974, to call a convention in Kansas requires a two-third majority, meaning 84 votes from the House was needed.
“I know it won’t be easy,” State Director for Convention of States David Copeland said. “It’s going to take people to get out and get active in their neighborhoods, in their community groups, with their friends and family. If we don’t have that, we won’t have the majority in the House, much less the simple majority. You can’t be confident [that it’s going to pass]. Everybody playing is on the varsity and any varsity can win on any given day, so we must take the opposition seriously. They’re going to fight hard, and we have to match them.”
President of the Convention of States Project and political activist Mark Meckler enjoyed going over recent media hit pieces on his many platforms. News media has been inaccurately framing the grassroots project as “dangerous.” Even news media in Kansas has been referring to the convention as a “Constitutional Convention” and spreading misinformation on what it would do. Opposition frequently warns of a runaway convention, opening a pandora’s box that could rewrite the Constitution. This, however, is not true.
From a previous article, we explain the differences between a Convention of States and a Constitutional Convention:
“It is important to note that an Article V Convention is NOT a Constitutional Convention. A Constitutional Convention proposes a new Constitution that only binds the states that ratify it. It is called by the states, requiring unanimous consent of states to be bound and works outside of the current Constitution with full and unlimited powers. An Article V Convention, however, does not propose a new constitution, but rather proposes amendments to the current Constitution. Its power is limited to subject of state applications, working under Article V of the Constitution. Furthermore, an Article V convention does not need unanimous consent of states to be called, but rather two-thirds of all states (34 states) and is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 states) and binds all states.”
Convention of States has become more prevalent in Kansas with the Douglas County Convention of States chapter being active since March 1 of this year. On Monday, August 15, Topeka hosted its fourth monthly meeting where they highlighted their mission to “build an engaged army of self-governing Kansas grassroots activists.” Their aspirational goals include the people organizing and restoring representative government as defined in our written Constitution. Restoring a culture of self-governance in America. And inspire a political and spiritual awakening in America.
At the meeting, they also highlighted Representatives for and against a Convention of states in Topeka. To find out which district you’re in, click here.
Republican Candidate for Kansas House of Representatives Bruce Williamson spoke at the August 15 meeting in Topeka. Williamson spoke on his support for Convention of States and his ideas to cut taxes.
With enthusiasm to preserve freedom for the next generation, ordinary Kansans have been coming together to learn about the Convention of States and what they can do to help push it forward.
“I didn’t like what I was seeing and what was happening to our country,” Convention of States HD-50 District Captain Scott McCubbin said. “I just kept griping about it. My wife said, ‘Griping about it and worrying about things isn’t doing anything, so why don’t you get involved and do something about it.’ I took her advice and joined Convention of States.”
Douglas County, Kansas District Captain for Convention of States Susan Parker, also, stepped up into a leadership role after attending a Convention of States hearing in Topeka earlier this year.
“For years, I’ve watched the ‘leaders,’ and the unelected bureaucrats, disappoint Americans while chipping away at their rights,” Parker said. “I’ve grown weary of the continuous cycle of electing politicians who promise to go to Washington and work to make America better, only to see most of them become part of the culture of corruption once they arrive. It appears once they’re elected, they forget about those who sent them there. Very few of those we elect understand the importance of keeping promises.”
The Convention of States is a grassroots organization that is set on three goals:
Impose fiscal restraints on the federal government;
Limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government; and
Term limits on Congress and federal officials.
“I think the mood of the country is such that people want to see bold action on both sides,” Copeland said. “So, our opposition is going to be bolder. We’re not trying to match our opposition; we’re just trying to state truth…. That’s the climate that we have in the country, and it will continue to heat up because, as we get closer to having a constitutional solution applied, the enemies of liberty and the Constitution are going to fight hard to stop us.”
As of now, 19 states are for a Convention of States, leaving 15 states needed to go through with the convention. When a convention is called, each state will receive one vote to ratify new amendments. Convention of States is working in Kansas to ensure its passing in 2023.
“It’s the most peaceful way to take back our government,” McCubbin said. “Going through the state legislatures and having them call for a Convention of States to rein in the control of the federal government.”
To sign the petition, click here.
To find a schedule for Convention of States in Kansas, click here.