Op-Ed by David K. Wilder

The John Birch Society emerged as a self-proclaimed bulwark against communist infiltration in 1950s America. Yet, despite its reputation as a ‘far right’ group, it’s astonishing how closely JBS aligns with liberal agendas. Both JBS and organizations like Common Cause unite to undermine core Constitutional principles and silence the will of ‘We The People.’

Against the forthcoming outrage from JBS, the truth becomes undeniable. After attending a JBS webinar viciously attacking the use of an Article V convention of states, I witnessed firsthand their twisted reasoning. They sought to discredit a fundamental constitutional safeguard—the power of states to assemble and propose amendments—by distorting its intent and purpose.

The house of cards starts with analyzing the one example they point to- the alleged out of control, unauthorized, ‘run-away’ constitutional convention of 1787. Ignoring the 150 years of colonial use of conventions, they pick this one to cast fear of state conventions.

The Framers were not reckless men. They were experienced statesmen who had participated in over a century of colonial and interstate conventions before 1787. Conventions were not exotic or revolutionary instruments; they were a well-established method for states to deliberate and coordinate action.

Under the Articles of Confederation (AOC), Congress possessed no authority to prohibit the states from assembling to address defects in the confederation system. The Annapolis Convention identified structural failures and recommended a broader convention. States including Virginia and New Jersey formally called for that gathering. Twelve states ultimately sent delegations. It was normal intergovernmental coordination.

They use an argument made at the time against a ‘national’ government, and support of a federal one.   Ready for the semantic hocus-pocus?  The recommendation from the 1786 Annapolis convention to fix the federal government, and the subsequent calls from Virginia and New Jersey for the same were allegedly only to revise the AOC and its good ‘federal’ structure.  Anything beyond that would create a ‘national’ government – which would be bad!

The proof? We still have a federal government and is foundational to our enduring Republic. The new framework divided power more precisely and preserved state sovereignty more securely than the AOC ever had. There was no run-away creating a national (not federal) government.

The AOC required just nine states to justify a convention.  The 1787 convention had twelve.  The AOC required any changes to be ratified by all states, and it was.   Again, Congress at the time could share opinions and recommendations – but had no authority to override the State’s will.  The 1787 was legally and responsibly called and convened.  The change in the new constitution was unanimously ratified by the states in strict adherence to the AOC.

The presenter then took a chunk of time to criticize and attack the Convention of States Action (COSA).  Focusing on COSA missteps does not argue against the use of a constitutional right.  It also showed JBS joining forces with Common Cause and other groups that once warned of centralized tyranny. In stark irony, they now all join to prevent the states from using the one structural tool the Framers gave them to correct it.

In a further aberration of constitutional respect, the presenter argued that the 1787 delegates ignored their commissions from their State and fell back on the foundational authority of We The People.  That is how the run-away happened!  The people spoke up and calamity ensued.

But a majority of delegates did follow their commission.  Some delegates actually thought it did go too far (From NY)  and some, not far enough (VA).  Debates are messy like that.  Shockingly, this natural contention of ideas and the ‘unauthorized’ people in the convention was stated as the reason to distrust the convention process.  There would be debate, and compromise and all sorts of nasty things happening.   Just like in 1787!

I have my own thoughts about why a lobbying group like the JBS values the status-quo, but I can’t know their motivations.  It is heart-wrenching to see the results of their actions however.  They pick a fight against patriotic, constitution-abiding citizens and not against the true tyranny in America.  Who wins with their activity?  The Washington tyranny.

Congress is the ‘run-away’ element in government – followed closely by the judiciary and executive branches.   There is $38 Trillion debt as proof.  There is $1.5 Trillion in fraud (or more) as proof.

Let every citizen support action that combats tyranny, not side-line squabbling with other patriots pursuing their fight for liberty and freedom.  The remedy exists. The authority exists. The need is undeniable. The only remaining question is whether the states will use it.