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| documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2 [2021/04/24 14:17] – ↷ Page name changed from documents:cosproject:pg to documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2 Oliver Wolcott | documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2 [2021/05/01 12:42] – Oliver Wolcott |
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| ====== TABLE OF CONTENTS ====== | ====== TABLE OF CONTENTS ====== |
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| | **1.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#who_decides|Who Decides?]] \\ A special message from COSA President Mark Meckler | | | **1.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#who_decides|Who Decides?]] \\ A special message from COSA President Mark Meckler | |
| | **2.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#article_v_of_the_usconstitution|Article V of the U.S. Constitution]] \\ //Find out what the Founders had to say about COS// | | | **2.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#article_v_of_the_usconstitution|Article V of the U.S. Constitution]] \\ //Find out what the Founders had to say about COS// | |
| | **3.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#the_problem|The Problem]] \\ //Why Washington won////’t let go of power// | | | **3.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#the_problem|The Problem]] \\ //Why Washington won////’t let go of power// | |
| | **4.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#support_for_a_convention_of_states|Support for a Convention of States]] \\ //Endorsements from notable leaders // | | | **4.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#support_for_a_convention_of_states|Support for a Convention of States]] \\ //Endorsements from notable leaders // | |
| | **5.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#other_notable_supporters|OTHER NOTABLE SUPPORTERS]] \\ //Additional Endorsements////from notable leaders // | | | **5.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#other_notable_supporters|OTHER NOTABLE SUPPORTERS]] \\ //Additional Endorsements////from notable leaders // | |
| | **6**. | [[documents:cosproject:pg#answers_to_common_questions|Answers to Common Questions]] \\ //Find the information you need quickly// | | | **6**. | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#answers_to_common_questions|Answers to Common Questions]] \\ //Find the information you need quickly// | |
| | **7**. | [[documents:cosproject:pg#overcoming_objections|Overcoming Objections from Anti-Constitutionalists]] \\ //Cut through the misinformation - get the facts here// | | | **7**. | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#overcoming_objections|Overcoming Objections from Anti-Constitutionalists]] \\ //Cut through the misinformation - get the facts here// | |
| | **8**. | [[documents:cosproject:pg#model_application|COS Model Application]] \\ //See the text of the Convention of States application// | | | **8**. | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#model_application|COS Model Application]] \\ //See the text of the Convention of States application// | |
| | **9**. | [[documents:cosproject:pg#amendments|Amendments to Consider at a Convention of States]] \\ //Potential amendments to be debated at the convention// | | | **9**. | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#amendments|Amendments to Consider at a Convention of States]] \\ //Potential amendments to be debated at the convention// | |
| | **10** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#simulation|Convention of States Simulation]] \\ //What happened at the historic convention simulation?// | | | **10** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#simulation|Convention of States Simulation]] \\ //What happened at the historic convention simulation?// | |
| | **11.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#about|About Convention of States Action (COSA)]] \\ //The organization and growing grassroots movement// | | | **11.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#about|About Convention of States Action (COSA)]] \\ //The organization and growing grassroots movement// | |
| | **12.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#get_involved|Get Involved in Making History]] \\ //What you can do to get involved// | | | **12.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#get_involved|Get Involved in Making History]] \\ //What you can do to get involved// | |
| | **13.** | [[documents:cosproject:pg#online_petition|Convention of States Petition]]\\ //Read and sign the petition to show your support// | | | **13.** | [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#online_petition|Convention of States Petition]]\\ //Read and sign the petition to show your support// | |
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| ===== 1. Who Decides? ===== | ===== 1. Who Decides? ===== |
| **Senator Rand Paul** \\ | **Senator Rand Paul** \\ |
| [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/stand-with-rand-senator-rand-paul-endorses-convention-of-states?utm_source=PDF&utm_medium=paulendorsement&utm_campaign=pocket_guide|{{:documents:cosproject:pg2-rand-paul.png?500|}}]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/stand-with-rand-senator-rand-paul-endorses-convention-of-states?utm_source=PDF&utm_medium=paulendorsement&utm_campaign=pocket_guide|{{:documents:cosproject:pg2-rand-paul.png?500|}}]] |
| | {{:documents:cosproject:pg2-rand-paul.png?500|}} |
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| “I have wholeheartedly endorsed the Convention of States Project. I serve on its Legal Board of Reference because they propose a solution as big as the problem.” | “I have wholeheartedly endorsed the Convention of States Project. I serve on its Legal Board of Reference because they propose a solution as big as the problem.” |
| ==== 6.2 - What is a Convention of States? ==== | ==== 6.2 - What is a Convention of States? ==== |
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| A Convention of States is a convention called by the state legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. They are given power to do this under Article V of the Constitution (**[[documents:cosproject:pg#model_application|see text, page 6]])**. It is not a constitutional convention. It cannot throw out the Constitution because it derives its authority from the Constitution. A Convention of States can only propose amendments that fit within the topic of the applications adopted by the state legislatures. So, for example, a convention that is called to limit the power of the federal government could not propose an amendment to reduce our rights and expand federal power. | A Convention of States is a convention called by the state legislatures for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. They are given power to do this under Article V of the Constitution (**[[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#model_application|see text, page 6]])**. It is not a constitutional convention. It cannot throw out the Constitution because it derives its authority from the Constitution. A Convention of States can only propose amendments that fit within the topic of the applications adopted by the state legislatures. So, for example, a convention that is called to limit the power of the federal government could not propose an amendment to reduce our rights and expand federal power. |
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| ==== 6.3 - How Do the State Legislatures Call a Convention of States? ==== | ==== 6.3 - How Do the State Legislatures Call a Convention of States? ==== |
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| Thirty-four state legislatures must pass a resolution in each house of their legislatures (called an “application”) calling for a Convention of States. The Convention of States application does not need to be signed by the Governor to be effective, so as soon as both houses of the state legislature pass the application that state becomes one of the required 34 states calling for a convention. In order for the applications to be aggregated (counted together towards the 34 state threshold), they must all cover the same topic or set of topics for a convention. The Convention of States model application is included on **[[documents:cosproject:pg#model_application|page 31.]]** | Thirty-four state legislatures must pass a resolution in each house of their legislatures (called an “application”) calling for a Convention of States. The Convention of States application does not need to be signed by the Governor to be effective, so as soon as both houses of the state legislature pass the application that state becomes one of the required 34 states calling for a convention. In order for the applications to be aggregated (counted together towards the 34 state threshold), they must all cover the same topic or set of topics for a convention. The Convention of States model application is included on **[[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#model_application|page 31.]]** |
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| ==== 6.4 - Can Congress Block a Convention of States? ==== | ==== 6.4 - Can Congress Block a Convention of States? ==== |
| ==== 6.8 - How Do We Know How a Convention of States Will Work? ==== | ==== 6.8 - How Do We Know How a Convention of States Will Work? ==== |
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| Interstate conventions were common during the Founding Era, and the procedures and rules for such conventions were widely accepted. Additionally, there have been many interstate conventions since the Founding Era, virtually all operating on similar rules. We can know how a Convention of States would operate by studying the historical record. The recent [[documents:cosproject:pg#simulation|Convention of States Simulation]] (held in Williamsburg, VA, in September of 2016) proved that these well-established procedures would be followed by any Convention of States held today ([[documents:cosproject:pg#simulation|see page 35 for a summary of that event]]). | Interstate conventions were common during the Founding Era, and the procedures and rules for such conventions were widely accepted. Additionally, there have been many interstate conventions since the Founding Era, virtually all operating on similar rules. We can know how a Convention of States would operate by studying the historical record. The recent [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#simulation|Convention of States Simulation]] (held in Williamsburg, VA, in September of 2016) proved that these well-established procedures would be followed by any Convention of States held today ([[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#simulation|see page 35 for a summary of that event]]). |
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| ==== 6.9 - Is a Convention of States Safe? ==== | ==== 6.9 - Is a Convention of States Safe? ==== |
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| Yes. The ratification process ensures no amendment that does not reflect the desires of the American people will be passed. (Read more detailed responses to specific [[documents:cosproject:pg#overcoming_objections|objections to a Convention of States on page 25 of your booklet]].) | Yes. The ratification process ensures no amendment that does not reflect the desires of the American people will be passed. (Read more detailed responses to specific [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#overcoming_objections|objections to a Convention of States on page 25 of your booklet]].) |
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| [[https://i2i.org/the-37th-convention-of-states-discovered/|{{:documents:cosproject:pg2-interstate-conv.png?500|}}]] | [[https://i2i.org/the-37th-convention-of-states-discovered/|{{:documents:cosproject:pg2-interstate-conv.png?500|}}]] |
| ==== 12.1. Sign & Send ==== | ==== 12.1. Sign & Send ==== |
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| First, photocopy or digitally sign the Convention of States [[documents:cosproject:pg#online_petition|petition on pages 39- 41]] of this booklet and mail it to Convention of States Action, 5850 San Felipe, Suite 580A, Houston, TX 77057 and send your friends to www.conventionofstates.com to sign the petition. Right now, we have about 4 million supporters, but we’re looking to more than double our citizen activist army by the year’s end. If every supporter sends the petition to five of their friends, we’ll hit that goal in no time. | First, photocopy or digitally sign the Convention of States [[documents:cosproject:citizens_pocket_guide_v2#online_petition|petition on pages 39- 41]] of this booklet and mail it to Convention of States Action, 5850 San Felipe, Suite 580A, Houston, TX 77057 and send your friends to www.conventionofstates.com to sign the petition. Right now, we have about 4 million supporters, but we’re looking to more than double our citizen activist army by the year’s end. If every supporter sends the petition to five of their friends, we’ll hit that goal in no time. |
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| ==== 12.2. Volunteer ==== | ==== 12.2. Volunteer ==== |
