TALKING POINTS for Pennsylvania Convention of States (COS) Resolution

The Convention of States is more than a big solution - it's a constitutional solution. 

·        The federal government is out of control.  It is spending money and creating debt that our children and grandchildren will have to deal with by paying crushing levels of tax. Federal regulations are destroying huge portions of the economy, making it very difficult for young families to make ends meet. All 3 branches of the federal government usurp the Constitution, and no longer recognize any limitations on federal actions as set forth by the Framers and ratified by the original 13 states. Entitlement spending is increasing at a geometric rate, and at some point in the near future, it will be too late to take any action that will avert a social and fiscal collapse.

·        Fortunately, the Framers gave the citizens, through their state legislatures, the ability to amend the U.S. Constitution independent of any legislative action by the federal government.  This language is contained in Article V of the Constitution, and was included to address a situation where the federal government has become too tyrannical to fix itself.

·        At least thirty-four states must apply to Congress for a convention of the states per Article V in order for a convention to be called.  Delegates from the states would meet and discuss amendments referenced by the convention call.  Any amendments adopted in the convention would have to be ratified by at least 3/4ths of the states to become law.

·        In Pennsylvania, Representative Matt Gabler has introduced a resolution (House Resolution 63) calling for a convention of the states.  The resolution lists the topics that would be the agenda for the convention:  amendments intended to reduce the power and scope of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, and impose term limits on federal officials.  All House members are requested to join Rep. Gabler and co-sponsor HR 63.

·        In the PA Senate, Senator John Eichelberger has circulated a co-sponsor memorandum for a resolution calling for a convention of the states for the same topics as HR 63.  All Senate members are requested to join Sen. Eichelberger as co-sponsors of his resolution.

LOBBYING TIPS FOR FAMILIES

Lobbying, by definition, is the process of influencing public and government policy at all levels: federal, state, and local. It involves the advocacy of an interest that is affected, actually or potentially, by the decisions of government leaders. Individuals and interest groups alike can lobby governments, and governments can lobby each other. The practice of lobbying is considered so essential to the proper functioning of the U.S. government that it is specifically protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:  "Congress shall make no law... abridging... the right of the people peaceable... to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." [The Free Dictionary]

How do we effectively influence our government when we lobby? 

1.  Be polite, courteous and introduce every member of the family

            a.  Children - be ready to shake hands and say hello

            b.  Parents - remember your legislator may not have many opportunities to interact with                                    homeschool families so you are not just there to talk about one bill... 

                                      you are representing all homeschool families

2.  Be prepared to discuss key aspects on the Bill in two to three concise sound bites

            a.  Your time with the legislator will go quickly

            b.  Leave them with a few key points that they will remember and consider

3.  Be ready to explain how the Bill will help families

            a.  Personal stories and examples are an excellent way to compel action

            b.  Legislators need to understand the why; we want them to remember your                                            family and your story when they are ready to cast a vote

4.  Recognize potential objections to the Bill and be ready to alleviate concerns without                                                   being defensive or argumentative

            a.  Know the potential objections:

                        i.  Does the current legislation really need to be fixed?

                        ii.  Will this legislation hurt struggling schools?

                        iii.  In a time of tight budgets and deficits will this Bill raise costs?

            b.  Consider positive ways to address potential objections

                        i.  This Bill is a simple but important adjustment to the current law, not a                                                            fundamental change

                        ii.  This legislation does not impact statewide education in anyway, instead it 

                                  makes things easier and less burdensome for struggling school systems

                        iii.  This legislation will not raise education costs... (remember homeschooling 

                                   saves taxpayers money because it is not subsidized by public funds)

5.  Be prepared to present some key facts about homeschooling

            a.  There are over 2.4 million homeschool students in America

            b.  It is a growing trend across all income levels and ethnicities with an estimated                                                 growth rate as high as 8%

            c.  On average homeschool students score 15-30% higher on standardized tests                                         than public school students

            d.  Homeschool families are not dependent on tax money for education - homeschooling                         results in estimated cost savings to taxpayers of over $16 Billion

6.  Do not be discouraged or disappointed if you end up meeting with a Staff Member

            a.  It is very common for schedule and meeting changes to result in Legislators having to                                     designate a trusted Staffer to meet with you

            b.  Remember the Staffer is the eyes and ears of their Legislator - treat them with the 

                                     same respect and they convey the message

7.  We will be guests in a professional office building conducting the official business 

                        of our state.           

            a.  Noise and activity must be kept to a minimum. Closely supervise young children 

                     to make the most effective presentation possible and to facilitate conversation 

                               with our legislators or the staffers.

            b.  Out of respect for our officials and to leave a good impression, dress your best.

۞

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you

to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

THERE IS A Way to Fix It!

Many Americans are fed up with the federal government. Many of the presidential candidates are outsiders, not a part of the status quo in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, one person, no matter how well intentioned, will not be able to correct or change the direction of the federal government.  The federal government does not realize it is constrained by the Constitution and no longer respects or recognizes the separation of powers or the limits that were placed upon it by the Framers and the states. 

The federal bureaucracy continues to expand no matter which party is in power or who is elected. As a result, we have an $18 trillion debt ($18,000,000,000,000) that continues to grow. Our children and grandchildren may never be able to pay this off. This debt will harm their future. The federal government is expanding and imploding at the same time. 

To correct this problem, the Framers included in Article V in the Constitution, a process whereby the states can amend the Constitution independent of the federal government. This process involves all of the states sending a delegation to a convention to discuss potential amendments to the Constitution.  It is by this process that the States and the people (us) can re-establish Constitutional limits on the federal government.. 

A convention of states is not a radical change to our system of government. The application for a  convention  would simply state its purpose is to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, establish fiscal controls on the federal government, and establish term limits on federal officials. If any amendments are adopted at the convention, the States would then discuss and, if appropriate, ratify amendments to the Constitution. The Constitution stipulates that 38 states must ratify any amendment in order for it to become part of the Constitution. The federal government has no control over this process. 

One of the most important amendments would be term limits on Congress and the Supreme Court. By passing this, the Congress and Supreme Court would not forget who they are working for, us. 

An excellent book on this process was written by Mark Levin, entitled “The Liberty Amendments”. Please get involved by going to www.conventionofstates.com.

On Tuesday, September 8, we're assembling at the Capitol Rotunda at 10:00 AM, to pray and lobby our lawmakers to support Representative Gabler's House Resolution 63 and 

Senator Eichelberger's memorandum for the Senate version. 

Join us and learn about it here.