"Through their state legislatures and without regard to the federal government, the people can demand a convention to propose amendments (to the Constitution) that can and will reverse any trends they see as fatal to true representative government."
— President Dwight D. Eisenhower

I would like to appeal to my fellow military veterans to support state legislators in their efforts to ensure the survivability of our American republic as a long-term remedy for many of the governance problems plaguing our nation at the federal level, such as lack of accountability, federal fiscal irresponsibility, widespread corruption and abuses of power. It's time for us to get involved in a major way.

The path to that involvement is the authority that state governments have in Article V of the Constitution to call for a Convention of States for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution — something that has never been held since the Constitution was adopted in 1788.

Because many people believe that the federal bureaucracy, including members of Congress and the federal judiciary, will never voluntarily relinquish power, it's up to state legislators to exercise their constitutional authority — some would say their duty — to call for, and hold, a COS. Amendments that could be proposed by COS delegates might include: a true balanced budget amendment for the federal government; term limits of 12 total years for House and Senate lawmakers, as well as the federal judiciary, to include the Supreme Court; and a "supermajority" (3/5 of states) can override onerous federal laws and regulations.

As with amendments to the Constitution proposed by Congress, amendments proposed at a COS would have to be ratified by at least 38 state governments.

A group called Citizens for Self-Governance works with state legislators in over 40 states and is sponsoring an organization called the COS Project. Over 300,000 supporters and volunteers nationwide are involved in the project, which encourages and supports state legislators in their efforts to pass COS resolutions in their states.

But even with all these supporters and volunteers, there is substantial opposition to a COS by people who, for one reason or another, do not want to change the status quo in Washington, D.C. This is why we veterans need to step up and actively support the state governments as they try to turn things around for our country.

What veterans can do:

  • Sign the online petition supporting the COS Project.
  • Call the COS Project offices at 540-441-7227, identify yourself as a veteran and ask for contact information for the COS Project state director in your state. You can also send an email to vets4cos@comcast.net seeking further information.
  • Spread the word about the COS Project with other veterans in your state.
  • Together, with your COS Project state director, arrange for you and your fellow veterans to visit and meet with key state lawmakers to express your strong support for a Convention of States.
  • When your state legislature schedules committee hearings on a COS resolution, arrange with your COS Project state director for you and your fellow veterans to attend, and speak out as veterans before these committees in favor of such resolutions.
  • Use the information obtained from your COS Project state director to contact key state lawmakers via email and telephone about the need for a COS, and stay in regular contact with them on this issue.

As of September, resolutions calling for a Convention of States have been passed by both House and Senate chambers in four states: Georgia, Florida, Alaska and Alabama. COS resolutions also have been passed in at least one legislative chamber in 10 other states, and initial COS filings have taken place in 26 more state legislatures.

A total of at least 34 state governments (both House and Senate) must pass resolutions calling for a COS before it can happen. The COS Project team believes that 2016 looks very promising for many more state legislative chambers to pass resolutions, especially if support is visibly and strongly demonstrated by America's veterans.

For the good of our country, we veterans need to get actively involved in helping to accomplish this very important mission.

Further information about the COS Project, including up-to-date news releases can be viewed here. Also, a three-minute video that talks about why a COS is truly needed is online.

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