Title: Convention of States Missouri Newsletter Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/cos-mo-august-2019-newsletter|cos-mo-august-2019-newsletter]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2019-08-06 16:55:51 Updated: 2019-09-03 16:46:59 Published: 2019-08-15 01:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T20:25:04.966344745 ---- //**August, 2019**// //**Why Do We Need Article V?\\ **// |//**State of the State Update\\ **//\\ \\ //**Brett Sterley, State Director**//\\ \\ //**Convention of States Missouri**//|{{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/13765/13765_original.jpg?161x150}}| //**(Editor's Note:**// //Brett Sterley will be back in his writer's chair next month. This article was originally published on the Convention of States Missouri Blog on June 4, 2018.)//\\ The Framers’ guiding principle when drafting the Constitution was how to create a central government that did not violate the unalienable rights of the individual.\\ \\ Their solution was to divide government power between the three branches of government. Most are familiar with separation of powers. \\ \\ If you dig a little deeper, there is a more fundamental tenet. It is the dispersion of governing authority. The Founders established a government, “of the People, for the People and by the People.”\\ \\ Governing authority lies with the individual citizen. The individual then delegates a portion of their authority to their state which delegates a portion of that authority to the federal government. \\ \\ This vertical axis of governance has been breached and consumed by a federal government that has grown beyond its Constitutional authority. If we are to continue as a free, constitutional republic, this dispersion of authority must be restored.\\ \\ Washington, D.C., will not act to restrain itself. It is not in their political interest. More than that, it’s against human nature. The only way to restore the constitutional balance of power is through informed citizens being involved in the governmental process. \\ \\ The tool the Framers provided us to ensure the federal government did not abuse its authority is the Article V Convention of States process. The most complete and effective means of exercising that oversight is through the Convention of States resolution. \\ \\ Thank you for joining over 3.4 million of your friends, family, and neighbors in making the Framers’ vision a reality. If you aren’t already, consider volunteering on the state team. | Spotlight on Volunteering | //**Are You Any Good With a Camera?\\ **// We have openings for a volunteer videographer in each of the 168 Missouri House Districts. Why so many? Because we plan to build a full team in each district which can function as a standalone group of self-governing citizens who are influencing the politics in their area of Missouri. Remember: all politics is local.\\ Do you know anything about making videos? Would you like to use your talents to help reach, teach and activate your friends and neighbors? You might be asked to do interviews, podcasts, live Facebook streaming or pictures of events. Time requirements are flexible and your participation is always voluntary. Interested? More details available on the [[https://conventionofstates.com/take_action/state_videographer|COS State Videographer]] page on our website. Not quite your cup of tea? Please visit our [[https://conventionofstates.com/take_action|Take Action Page]] and check out our other volunteering opportunities. We are on our way to building the largest and most engaged army of citizen activists in the history of mankind. We could sure use your help. | Spotlight on Education | //**Constitution Week is Coming Up!\\ **// Constitution Day is September 17, 2019 and Constitution Week is the 17th through the 23rd. Why bother at all? Because without our constitution we are just another country of ruled people. Our fellow patriots in Texas took the time to read the Preamble to the Constitution and we hope you will take their words to heart: [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/happy-constitution-day-from-convention-of-states-1|Happy Constitution Day.]]\\ We hope you will also take the time to re-read the original U.S. Constitution (approximately 4,500 words.) Copies are available online and many smartphones have free downloadable copies available. If you would like to read the version currently in use by the Federal Government (approximately 3,000 pages,) you may obtain a copy from the [[https://www.govinfo.gov/collection/constitution-annotated?path=/gpo/Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States%20of%20America:%20Analysis%20and%20Interpretation/2018%20Supplement|Government Printing Office]]. | Spotlight on Jefferson City | //**Special Elections will be on the ballot in November**//\\ As of the publication of this newsletter, the following Missouri House Districts have been scheduled for special elections due to various circumstances: H.D. 22 - Tammy Louise Herrera (R)\\ H.D. 36 - No candidates filed. H.D. 74 - No candidates filed. H.D. 78 - No candidates filed. H.D. 99 - Lee Ann Pitman (R) and Trish Gunby (D) H.D. 158 - Scott Cupps (R) and Lisa Kalp (D) For more information, please visit the [[https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections|Elections Division of the Missouri Secretary of State]]. If you live in one of these districts, we encourage you to get to know the candidates and vote in the November elections. You can look up your [[https://house.mo.gov/|Missouri House District]] using your address (lower left-hand corner of the page.) | Video of the Month | [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/this-is-how-free-government-is-destroyed|Utah Representative Ken Ivory - This is How Free Government is Destroyed]] | It's Quiz Time | //**July, 2019 Quiz**// //**Question:  **//When is 'Article V Day celebrated?' **(Answer will be on the August, 2019 Newsletter.)** **Answer:** Article V Day is September 15.\\ //**August, 2019 Quiz Question: **//Which of the 12 states attending the 1787 convention had the most signers of the U.S. Constitution? **(Answer will be on the September, 2019 Newsletter.)**\\ | Did You Miss Our Last Newsletter? | [[https://conventionofstates.com/convention-of-states-missouri-july-2019-newsletter|July, 2019 Newsletter]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/|Sign Up/Sign In]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/take_action|Take Action]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/news|News]] | [[https://cosuniversity.com/|COS University]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/welcome-to-the-missouri-information-page%22|COS Missouri Website]] | [[https://conventionofstates.com/resources|Resources]] | \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/13762/13762_original.jpg?837x100}}