That Provident Article

We're going to try this again after last week's hiccup.

Tamara Colbert, the Convention of States Media Director, and my partner in liberty as the Texas Co-Director, will join us for a discussion on messaging.  How do we best communicate this great solution provided by the Founders in the Constitution?

From books, like "The Liberty Amendments" and "Broken But Unbowed", to simple rally/freeway overpass signs using four words or less, and all the mediums in between, how can we deliver a consistent, positive message of Liberty and Constitutional reformation?

There are principles to apply no matter the medium, no matter the audience.  But there's also significant differences in approach which do depend on the medium, and the audience.  Tamara will share with us how to best hone our message to cut to the heart of the matter.

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas co-director Paul Hodson. #COSProject #ArticleV #TexasPlan #ConventionOfStates #IM4COS

This is an audience participation show - Our call in number is (914) 205-5632.  And a promise to take callers today!

We will plan an extended, edited clip from Mark Levin's July 10, 2013 episode, when he first announced his new book, "The Liberty Amendments", and when many of us heard, for the first time, of the state-initiated process the founders gave us in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Plus, hear Michael Farris describe the perfect timing related to Mark's book and the Convention of States Project.

And this morning we want to hear your story - give us a call after listening to Mark and Mike!

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas co-director Paul Hodson. #COSProject #ArticleV #TexasPlan #ConventionOfStates

This is an audience participation show - Our call in number is (914) 205-5632.

On this Independence Holiday Weekend, we will take a look at the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Hat tip to Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell, for piqueing my interest to take a different look at the Declaration and the U.S. Constitution.

Some news items first, followed by the presentation.  If time allows, we'll take calls.

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas co-director Paul Hodson. #COSProject #ArticleV #TexasPlan #ConventionOfStates

This is an audience participation show - Our call in number is (914) 205-5632.

On January 8th, 2016, Texas Governor Greg Abbott advocated the following:

"I want legislation authorizing Texas to join other states in calling for a convention of states to fix the cracks in our broken Constitution."  During the same speech, Governor Abbott outlined the "Texas Plan", a series of nine model amendments/subjects to rein in the federal government.

One of the common questions we get here in Texas, from supporters and legislators alike, is how does the Texas Plan fit in with the Convention of States Project?  Today's episode will address this question, and provide some help in understanding the relationship between the two.

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas. #COSProject #ArticleV #TexasPlan #ConventionOfStates

This is an audience participation show - Our call in number is (914) 205-5632.

Amid the growing frustration and impatience with our federal government and it's relentless assault on state and individual liberty, is there any cause for encouragement that a solution, found right in the Constitution, can work?

We'll discuss why there is reason to be greatly encouraged by the Convention of States Project - not so much a presentation as a glimpse into just how far we've come in less than three years, and what bodes on the horizon.

Plus, we have some very exciting news to share.

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.

This is an audience participation show - Our call in number is (914) 205-5632.

The Convention of States Project is less than three years old.  In that time we have grown our support to over 1.5 million around the nation.

Here in Texas, we are just hundreds of supporters shy of 80,000; we've quadrupled in size since this time last year!

The biggest factor in our growth is the continuing abuse of the Constitution by the federal government.  Patriots across the nation are excited when they learn that they can take part in a real solution to correct and restrain that abuse, and they are signing up in droves.

What can we expect next for those involved in this movement?  How do you transition from being just another grassroots activist to a collaborator with your state legislators?  The Convention of States is the first project launched by the parent organization, Citizens for Self-Governance; the name of that organization should give some indication of where we intend to go!

On today's episode we'll discuss some opportunities available for our supporters, volunteers, and state leaders.

Last week we bypassed our news segment, so we'll catch up two weeks worth first.  Then, a live presentation; we'll welcome calls ((914) 205-5632) as we move through the presentation.

"That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.

Two years ago this week, the Republican Party of Texas became the first political party in history to add a pro Article V plank to it's platform.  

Following Texas' lead, other State GOP conventions are also adding similar pro Article V planks to their platforms.  Many other States are considering this action.

Just three short weeks ago, the Texas GOP again confirmed this plank on it's platform, and also added the passage of an Article V resolution as one of the top five legislative priorities for the coming session.

Based on our experience here in Texas, today we'll discuss some of the reasons why this activity has value, delve into the process of putting a plank on a political party's platform, and conclude with some unexpected benefits this activity can bring to your State's Convention of States team.

If time permits, we'll then open the phone lines for your thoughts - (914) 205-5632.

That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.

After a two week hiatus, we're back with a fresh look at the Convention of States.  

And what a week to come back; Louisiana became the 8th State to pass the Convention of States resolution.

We'll segue from that news to review some of the debate on the floor of the Louisiana Senate on Wednesday, much of which centered around the core subject of the Convention of States resolution: "to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government."  How do we defend against the opposition challenging that our resolution could endanger the Bill of Rights, or the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th amendments?

We'll discuss these questions, provide some opinion/answers, and open the phone lines for your thoughts.

That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.

This week's episode will begin by highlighting news for the Convention of States out of Louisiana, Missouri, and South Dakota..

Then, we'll discuss that there's no denying this has been perhaps the strangest Presidential election cycle in our nation's history.  The Republican Party began the process with 17 candidates throwing their hat into the ring.  The Democrat Party had a relative handful at the beginning of their process.  Both of the major parties have had lively debate, a fair-share of rough-and-tumble campaign battles, some back-and-forth surges in momentum, and even some questioning of the very process involved in selecting a nominee.

This past week two of the last three remaining Republican candidates have suspended their campaigns: Senator Ted Cruz and Governor John Kasich.  This leaves businessman Donald Trump as the sole Republican candidate, and the presumptive nominee of the party heading into the Republican National Convention this coming July in Cleveland.

On the Democrat side, we have witnessed a see-saw battle for popular votes between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Senator Bernie Sanders.  Most pundits see a Hillary Clinton nomination from the Democrat side, much of that strength coming from that party's super-delegate system.

But, what of the Convention of States movement?  Does the knowledge of the available choices for President in the general election affect the Convention of States at all?  If so, how?  If it does, should it?

We'll discuss these questions, provide some opinion/answers, and open the phone lines for your thoughts.

That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.

This week's episode will highlight some great news for the Convention of States out of Oklahoma and Maine (yes, THAT Maine!).

We'll cover the journey of Article V through the Constitutional Convention.  Where did it come from?  What was the intent of the Framers, and how did they express that intent?  Why do the State Legislatures have the enumerated power to apply for a "convention for proposing amendments"?  Was that mode added as a last moment afterthought, or did the Framers give us reason to believe that this mode was their intent from the beginning of the convention?

We'll then open up the phone lines for any questions/discussion regarding the Convention of States Project.

That Provident Article" is hosted by Convention of States Texas volunteer Paul Hodson, with the Convention of States since late 2013, a District Captain in Texas from February 2014 through November 2015, and now serving as Co-Director for the Convention of States Texas.