Congress takes the vacations and enriches themselves. You pay the bill. It’s time for fiscal restraint, term limits, and real accountability. Join the movement.

The Convention of States meeting at Kathleen Clay Edwards Library in Greensboro brought together supporters from Senate Districts 26, Senator Phil Berger, 27, Senator Michael Garrett and 30, Senator Steve Jarvis. A planned speaker was not able to come.   Key Topics discussed The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a legislative update about the North Carolina Convention of States Resolution, with a short history of legislative actions back to the 2017-2018 session. Spirited discussion resulted due to hearing about the 4 years of the Senate's inaction to move the resolution to a vote. HB 151, which was passed last session by the NC Senate, was mentioned. HB 151 is only for term limits, unlike the Convention of States Resolution that includes 3 topics: term limits, fiscal restraint, and limiting the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government. A question was raised about state versus federal term limits. States could pass legislation for House representatives and senators; however, the Convention of States Resolution refers to term limits for Congress and federal bureaucrats. Attendees agreed that term limits alone would not fix the broken structure of the federal government.    Supporters felt the need for accountability for federal debt and that limiting the intake of federal money by the states was a step that could be taken. One of the Convention of States Resolution topics is fiscal restraint. Another supporter pointed out that an amendment to cap taxes and spending would increase the likelihood of a balanced budget. The feeling was that Congress needs to take fewer vacations and get to work for the country. Americans have to work for their vacations. It's time for Congress to earn theirs.  Opposition to an Article V Convention of the States Doubts were expressed that the NC Senate would do the people's bidding, no better than Congress. COS opponents, John Birch Society, Eagle Forum, Common Cause, and League of Women Voters were discussed, particularly the runaway convention myth. Attendees agreed that it is impossible for this to happen because 38 states have to ratify anything that comes out of the convention.  A Firsthand Warning from History One supporter talked about how the tell-tale signs of Communism they experienced in the Soviet Union have been creeping into U.S. institutions: political correctness, indoctrination in education, and most recently, the Covid-19 curfew, closing of churches, and vaccine mandates by Roy Cooper. The danger of not being an engaged citizenry is that these gradual shifts in government control can go unchecked, eroding freedoms that were hard-won and easily lost. The Founding Fathers’ Legacy The Founding Fathers fought tyranny. They didn't want the federal government controlling every minute of their daily lives. They gave us the Constitution and a provision to restore the balance of power through an Article V Convention of the States. Join the movement. Sign the petition. Melissa Martin resides in Senate District 30. She's a district captain for the Piedmont Region, state content writer and social media warrior.