Status of HJR 8:
The Ohio Republican Caucus has proposed, through the Ohio House of Representatives, a Joint Resolution, requesting the United States Congress to call a Constitutional Convention. Two Ohio organizations have called out this horrible plan, the Principled Policy Institute and the Christian Home Educators Stark County Association. HJR 8 will be heard on Wednsday, December 10, 2008. Contrary to what you may be told by Rep. Batchelder's aide, we received a committee notice from Rep. Blessing's office last Thursday stating that HJR 8 would indeed be on the calendar for a first hearing, sponsor testimony, and marked for a "Potential Vote" from committee. Additionally, one source confirmed with Rep. Huffman's aide, who indicated that there may also be a vote of the full House on the resolution that same afternoon (Wednesday).
There has been discussion about whether or not the Ohio Joint Resolution will be limited to the intent of the resolution. A blog article, written by the Principled Policy Institute, is specific to Ohio's resolution and it's directives to any potential Ohio delegates. Therefore, the posting is correct that trying to limit them to the one issue only is blindly optimistic at best, given the history of the original Constitutional Convention of 1787. However, we should not be deceived that Ohio's delegation would be muted should the ConCon be opened up to throwing off our Constitution in favor of a progressive, globalist directive that would have American sovereignty subjected to the United Nations, the World Court, and the opinions of the pro-aborts, environmentalist/global warming/population control folks, etc. Those delegates from Ohio, who may be chosen by a myriad number of means, would have little to fear from violation of the directives of a non-binding resolution. It is reasonable to assume that the current leadership, from Governor Strickland, Speaker Budish, and Senate President Harris will all want to have a hand in choosing delegates. Imagine what those delegates' philosophies and worldviews would look like.
This needs to be opposed with all possible haste. There is an indication (again from Huffman's office) that Senator Keith Faber is to introduce the Senate companion resolution to HJR 8. We would have to assume that even though these initiatives are coming from conservative Republicans, the Democrats and liberals would have very little to oppose in getting a ConCon as they have wanted for over 20 years.
We are still digging to get more information as quickly as possible on this. Stay tuned to this page.
Action Items
This is a call to immediate action. When you stop reading this, please stop what you are doing and take action immediately. Here is what is at stake: The U.S. Constitution. Forces are at work to get an article 5 Constitutional Convention. HJR 8 was introduced in the Ohio House on Dec.3. It is up for a vote on Wednesday Dec 10. If passed, Ohio could be considered the 33rd state to call for a Convention. Only 34 States are needed. Immediate action is needed.
NOTE: The Second Amendment could be completely gutted or removed in this process. If a Con Con was held while a liberal Congress and a new President was in power who openly disregards the rights of the unborn, we can expect more pro-death proliferation!
Here are the steps you need to take: (3 simple steps)
1. Get educated on the issue. There is a good 30 minute presentation from 2 states legislators that gives you a good primer. It is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8_pdJ1dPo&feature=related
2. Take action. E-Mail AND call your State Rep and EACH AND EVERY Co-sponsor and member of the Judiciary subcommittee.
Sample E-mail:
Please vote NO on HJR 8. While most Americans support having a balanced budget, we should firmly oppose a Constitutional Convention. Once an Article V convention is called, Congress, not the states will determine how delegates to the convention are chosen and the Convention itself will have no legal limitations on its scope or outcome no matter what the initial intention.
With our current political climate, I'm afraid any such convention would result in the Constitution and Bill of Rights our Founding Fathers gave us being disregarded.
Please use your influence to OPPOSE HJR 8.
Thank you.
Name, address, phone number, e-mail
Here is where to send it:
Link to Judiciary Committee Members:
http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaycommittees&task=2&type=Regular&committeeId=19
Co-Sponsors (14): (Some of them)
Matt Huffman ( R ) - Main Sponsor
District 4
Representative
77 S. High St
11th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-9624
Fax: (614) 719-0004
Email: district04@ohr.state.oh.us
Colleen Grady ( R )
District 18
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-4895
Fax: (614) 719-6957
Email: district18@ohr.state.oh.us
Tom Brinkman, Jr. ( R )
District 34
Representative
77 S. High St
11th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 644-6886
Fax: (614) 719-3588
Email: district34@ohr.state.oh.us
Arlene Setzer ( R )
District 36
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 644-8051
Fax: (614) 719-3590
Email: district36@ohr.state.oh.us
Clyde Evans ( R )
District 87
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-1366
Fax: (614) 719-6987
Email: district87@ohr.state.oh.us
Gerald L. Stebelton ( R )
District 5
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-8100
Fax: (614) 719-0005
Email: district05@ohr.state.oh.us
William G. Batchelder ( R )
District 69
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-8140
Fax: (614) 719-3969
Email: district69@ohr.state.oh.us
Louis W. Blessing, Jr. ( R )
District 29
Representative
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH
43215-6111
Tel: (614) 466-9091
Fax: (614) 719-3583
Email: district29@ohr.state.oh.us