Comments by Jeff Lewis | Eastern North Carolina Now

Over the past several years, as national director of Patriot Coalition, our general counsel Richard D. Fry and/or I have researched this issue in great detail, and debated a wide range of their "experts" across the country, many of which are available in our Article V channel (45 videos) at YouTube here:

www.youtube.com

Besides the numerous debates, I highly recommend the second video, which is one I filmed of my friend Publius in Virginia last year. I also recommend the videos with Dr. Edwin Vieira discussing an Article V Convention and COS architect Michael Farris' dangerous Parental Rights Amendment, which totally pits parental rights against government indoctrination.

Thomas Jefferson said the price of liberty is "eternal vigilance." Had it been simply defeated, the sponsors would simply reintroduce it again in the next general assembly.

That despite the shady behavior of the leadership, giving the public no notice on an issue of such great importance, and then muzzling opposition at the drive-by, pencil-whip hearing they held, the Republican leadership continues to extort votes. If only they would uphold their oaths.

We all know what happens when members don't tow-the-line by supporting what the leadership wants: their bills don't get hearings or votes in other areas. This is how the dishonorable game is played. Everyone knows it. EVERYONE.

Now, if they will play these shenanigans just to get the Article V application resolution passed, what will they do to get the amendments passed over the course of 2-3 election cycles?

Already, in neighboring states like Virginia, well-funded political PAC's are letting it be known that opponents such as Delegate Marshall and Senator Black, the two "statesmen" in Virginia blocking this insanity won't see any more donations to their campaigns, and in some cases, the establishment is funding primary opponents to run these statesmen out of the legislature in Richmond.

In North Carolina, our own Republican Lt. Governor has been trying to fast-track this process for years. Publius is right. The enemy isn't just at the gate, he's running around loose in the N.C. General Assembly with mad-con-cow.

That Republican leadership in North Carolina are driving this reckless attempt to trigger a convention and playing games with the rules and public instead of using its constitutional authority to interpose, tells me we need new leadership, and perhaps to replace most of the "scoundrels and scalawags" (N.C. Governor Zebulon Baird Vance's words) who refuse to take no for an answer. I'm certain that is what I will tell any of them that ask for my help or my money for their next campaign.

The Constitution isn't the problem. COS admits that. Why is amending it the solution, then? It isn't. I don't trust them because they don't keep their oath now. I won't trust them to be honorable at a convention or in the ratification process.

Jeff Lewis
National Director, Legislative Affairs
Patriot Coalition
Jeff@patriotcoalition.com

Commented: Saturday, July 1st, 2017 @ 8:09 pm By: Jeff Lewis