RENEWING THE COMPACT

In July of 1774 fifty-six men, representing thirteen British colonies, wrote their names at the foot of a three page document declaring America’s independence and detailing the actions of King George and the English Parliament which justified their action.

It was an act of treason, bold and dangerous, which left no room for compromise.

Every one of them knew what they were doing. The last sentence says it all:

“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence , we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

I’ve always believed that sentence defines true patriotism.

Jumping in with both feet. Total dedication. Going ‘all in’ to borrow a phrase from Texas hold ‘em.

In a small way, with a few friends, I am about to embark on a modern day journey of patriotism. I don’t expect to be hung for treason, but there is a real risk of embarrassment and failure.

Still, it is a project that I believe is sorely needed in our nation, and if we don’t make the effort, the price America will pay is dear indeed.

Our nation is in the throes of political malaise beyond anything in my memory.

Proponents of the hard left and the far right are uncompromising. Perhaps worse, there is a growing body of independents which has lost confidence in the whole democratic process.

American politics have always been down and dirty; but the ubiquitous Internet has raised the cacophony to deafening levels.

I have written here before about the need for an amendatory convention under Article V of the U. S. Constitution. It’s a theme I have been whistling for nearly thirty years.

Now the time has come. The Internet is salted with proposals for constitutional reform. State Legislatures are awakening to the need. Proposals for amendments crop up across the full political landscape every day on the web.

It’s time to go to work. It’s time for serious discussion, debate and decision.

It’s time for the people of the fifty states to assert their God given right to review, reform and renew the compact they made with their federal government written in Philadelphia in 1787.

It’s time for Convention USA.

Convention USA is a true convening of the people of the states. Any interested citizen who is willing to undertake the burden of being a patriot is welcome to become a delegate and participate in the work of the convention.

We invite liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Socialists, Independents, students and retirees, city folk and farmers, men and women, of every race, color, religion and every shade and hue of the political spectrum to join with us.

All we ask is patriotism and civility. The kind of love of country that prompted men like Washington and Jefferson, Hamilton and Adams, Franklin and Madison to sacrifice for their freedom and ours, and the kind of mutual respect that permits us to disagree without being disagreeable..

The web site is www.ConventionUSA.org.

The convention needs you, the nation needs you. And so do your grandchildren.