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We are electing a new Governor, State Assembly and Senate, and other state and local officials on November 2. Please vote. It has never been more important to make your voice heard.

We are losing many of the freedoms we have always taken for granted. As I watch the craziness of the world today, I am realizing we have allowed much of this to happen. Over the years, I had a job and family and friends and was very busy. I took my rights for granted. I always believed the government was doing its best for me. I was wrong.

While coming to this realization, I decided I need to understand more about my rights and exactly what powers the federal, state, and local governments have. 

We have three branches of the federal government, and their powers are documented in the U. S. Constitution. If one of these branches fails to act or overreaches, it allows another branch to overreach, and this upsets the balance of power. We have seen this so much today with the number of executive orders we have, and the judicial overreach in many court decisions. What this means to me is our legislative branch is not doing its job.

The Bill of Rights gives us our personal rights and includes guarantees of personal freedoms and rights and specifies limitations on the government's power. These include freedom of speech, press and religion, the right to bear arms, rights for a trial by jury, due process, and search and seizure.

The Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution acts as a safety net to ensure all individuals are afforded their fundamental rights, even if they are not specifically mentioned. 

The Tenth Amendment states that any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government are the responsibility of the states themselves. These powers include:

• Enumerated powers: are powers delineated in the Constitution for the federal government. They include the right to declare war, print and mint money, regulations around all trade, post office, and patents.
• Reserved powers: are powers given to the states (including local). These include managing elections, police, licenses for marriage, driving, and so on. The states are also responsible for ratifying amendments proposed to the U.S. Constitution.
• Shared powers: are powers that are the responsibility of both the federal and state governments. This includes taxes. Occasionally there is a conflict between laws of the state and federal government. We are told that federal law takes precedent, but this is only when the federal law does not violate the Constitution.  

Many of our government officials and their designees are doing what they want without caring what we want or need. My family and I have been directly affected by the following examples:

• Elections: Voting laws were changed by the state’s executive branch in our last election without going through the legislature to become law.
• Education: Critical Race Theory and explicit sex education are being taught to our children without the permission of their parents.
• Protection of U. S. Citizens: Article 4 states that the Federal Government is to protect its citizens from foreign invasion. The southern border shows us this is not happening.

The Convention of States (COS) organization is the only solution big enough to preserve our rights and restore our constitutional republic. Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution allows for a Convention of States to be called by our state legislators. COS is pursuing a Convention of States that will propose amendments around three areas; term limits, fiscal restraint, and federal overreach.

New Jersey COS is actively pursuing passing this resolution in our state as well as building a grassroots organization of activists. 

Our government at all levels, federal, state and local is failing us. We are going to have to fight to keep and regain our rights and freedoms and ensure our laws are followed. It is time for us to take a stand. What can you do now?

Find an issue that is important to you. Reach out to your government officials, at all levels, and express your viewpoint.  Many of these people have Facebook or Twitter accounts, so leave them a comment. Write them a letter, call and leave them a message, or request a meeting and meet with them to express your views. You can also attend a town council or school board meeting, or you could run for the town council or the school board.

You can volunteer with the Convention of States organization. You will be around like-minded volunteers and receive the training and support you need. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Now is the time to save our country.

On Wednesday, September 8, we had a meet and greet at the Third State Brewery in Burlington, New Jersey.  Our Regional Captain, Jim Collinsworth talked about Article 5, Convention of States, and answered questions. Eighteen people attended, and we obtained twelve signatures. D8 District Captain Team member Murn Myers received a request to have another meet and greet at the Evesham Republican Club.

On Monday, September 13, we had another meet and greet for the Evesham Republican Club at Gibson House in Marlton, New Jersey. We followed the same format as the Burlington meeting.  Sixteen people attended and we obtained thirteen signatures.

These events are a great way for volunteers to come and meet other COS volunteers and talk about the Convention of States.  They are fun, interactive and we all learn something new every time we come out. 

Great job Jim and Murn. 

Per Mark Meckler, one of the founders of the Convention of States, the District Captain is the most important volunteer role in the Convention of States. The District Captain facilitates all events and moves their District forward by working on building a grassroots organization within their district and helping to pass the COS resolution within New Jersey.

We have 40 districts in New Jersey. We need one District Captain for each District.  In the South Region, we need District Captains in Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7. 

The District Captain’s responsibilities include:  

• Welcoming new volunteers in their district and being the point person for training and questions.
• Facilitating local events and meetings for their district to drive forward the mission and goals of the Convention of States.
• Attending meetings with their Regional Captain and State Director and staying current with all state and region activities.

The expected commitment of a District Captain is approximately 15 hours per month. Please consider joining this dedicated group of volunteers.

Convention of States Project is on YouTube and Rumble.  The videos are educational and informative.  You can subscribe for updates.  One recent link is below.

Why the American Framers inserted Convention of States into the Constitution

Event Planning and Information Exchange, October 20, 6-8PM – 39 Fort Dix Rd. Pemberton, NJ. All volunteers are invited. A meeting to plan events, ask and answer questions, exchange information, and have fun.