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CPNC Newsletter - August 2003
Greetings, Friends of Liberty!
We have some great news to report, along with several announcements. Our monthly newsletters, though packed with information, are not all there is to read. We post new items on our web site periodically which do not appear in the newsletter. Likewise, some items appearing in the newsletter do not appear on our web site. And, as if that weren't enough, there are Yahoo! groups that you can participate in, providing not only more material, but also interaction with others of like minds as well as with those whose ideas will challenge you. More on that in a later newsletter.
In July, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has perhaps gained the most attention among conservative and Christian people. His stand for the Ten Commandments has culminated in a ruling by a federal court that will ultimately require him to remove the 2.5 ton Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Supreme Court building. Rather than rehearse the news of these recent events, it seems more appropriate to pass along the following press release of an upcoming rally. If you can possibly attend, please do so.
KEEP THE TEN COMMANDMENTS RALLY
MONTGOMERY ALABAMA, Saturday, August 16, 10:00 AM STEPS OF THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT BUILDING
On Aug. 16, at 10:00 a.m., Vision America 21 will be sponsoring a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court building in Montgomery, Ala. Thousands of pastors, God-fearing Americans and elected officials will be there to express their support for the Ten Commandments and honorable servant Chief Justice Roy Moore. More importantly, we will be acknowledging our firm belief that the God of the Bible is our God as well, and the Constitution of the United States has not authorized judges to forbid Americans to acknowledge Him in the public sector. For more information call Don Crum at
Nationally known speakers and elected officials to speak.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALABAMA CONSTITUTION PARTY DENOUNCES ANTI-TEN COMMANDMENT FEDERAL COURT DECISION
"The Alabama Constitution Party will be represented at the planned peaceful civil disobedience protest, to take place on August 16th, if the courts insist on the removal of the Ten Commandments," Crum said.
"The First Amendment is very clear as to whose power is being restricted - Congress," Crum said. The Alabama Constitution Party will join in the planned peaceful civil disobedience protest if the court orders that the Ten Commandments be removed. Some have pledged to do all within their power to prevent the removal of the monument even if threatened with imprisonment. The Constitution Party, now the third largest national political party in voter registration is growing rapidly due to its strong support of the Constitution and states rights. It has proved to be a champion of freedom and is working to build a strong state affiliate in Alabama despite difficult ballot access requirements imposed by the state election laws.
#### The Constitution Party National Headquarters can be reached at 23 North Lime Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 hq John Adams - Correspondence to Zabdiel Adams- June 21, 1776 "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand." George Washington - Presidential Farewell Address-September 17, 1796 "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness-these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens." John Jay - Correspondence to Spanish Mnst. Galvez-March 6, 1780 "….the people of the United States are convinced that virtue alone can animate and support their governments, and that they can in no other way establish and perpetuate a national character, honorable to themselves and their posterity, than by an unshaken adherence to the rules which religion, morality, and treaties may prescribe for their conduct." Institutes on the Constitution
Charlotte and Wilmington area residents - heads up! We now have details on the second Institute on the Constitution to be conducted in our state. Our state party's recently appointed secretary, Mr. Ken Dunn, will be hosting the Institute. Here are the details, and we recommend getting in on it early.
Charlotte
Location: Calvary Church
Address: 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC
Dates: Sept. 17 through Nov. 19 (Wed. evenings)
Times: 7:00pm to 8:15/8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: Lisa Carter @ or Ken Dunn
We are alsoto having another Institute in the southeast corner of the state, if there is sufficient interest in it. We know of some who have already expressed an interest and could begin an Institute to be held somewhere in Wilmington on Monday evenings beginning either Sept. 15 or 22. Please let us know ASAP if you are interested in attending this Institute. If you're not familiar with the Institute on the Constitution, you can read all about it at http://www.instituteontheconstitution.com.
It's that time of year again. Time for our annual Statewide Meeting. This meeting will feature a report on the progress of party activities over the past 12 months, proposals for adoption of formal bylaws, discussion of campaigns and strategy for the 2004 election cycle, and more. Please make plans to attend. This year's meeting will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Charlotte area. Charlotte has been an active place these past 12 months and it is only fitting that the folks who are doing the work be rewarded with a meeting in their back yard. Specific time and place of the meeting will be announced as the date approaches.
My family and I attended North Carolina's first Camp American this past July 20-26. It was held at Singletary Lake State Park in Bladen County. Speakers included Larry Pratt (Executive Director of Gun Owners of America), Tom DeWeese (President of American Policy Center), Chuck Michaelis and Noelle Dielman (directors of Camp American), and Charlie Smith. There were 17 young people who attended - not a large group, but most beginnings are small. The food, fellowship, and fun were great. My wife and I went as volunteers. As such, we both were cabin counselors, kitchen helpers, activity supervisors, etc. In addition, I was asked to speak twice to the campers about patriotism and government from a biblical perspective. I also conducted a nightly half-hour Bible study.
Directors Matt and Noelle Dielman are now making plans for next year's camp. They are targeting the camp to take place at the same park, but a little earlier in the summer in order to take advantage of some cooler daytime temperatures. The exact dates will not be known until January 1. Also, the Dielmans are reportedly working on getting Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore (the Ten Commandments judge) to come and address the campers. Why not plan to have your young people attend next year? Adult volunteers are always needed as well. See the Camp American website for more details.
In July, we began our Ballot Access Drive with a visit by Cal Zastrow to the Charlotte area. A couple of our volunteers spent time with him getting tips on gathering signatures. A few days ago, we received the first batch of signatures at the state office totaling 113 signatures from 22 counties. While this is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what is needed at present (59,000), as I said of Camp American, most beginnings are small. We presently have volunteers who are making efforts to gather signatures in their areas. We are doing the same, in addition to making plans to have tables at places where signers are numerous.
What are you doing to help with this very important project? How much does America mean to you? Have you signed one of our petition forms? If not, we can arrange it, if you'll contact us. Will you help us gather signatures? Will you help us pray? Our God can give us the victory in this matter, but we will need to bring it before Him daily. Pray not only for the signatures to be obtained, but for the proposed NC house bill (H867) to pass and become law - this would drop our required number to 1/4 of the present number.
Along with progress reports on the two items highlighted in last month's newsletter, there are three new items listed. Let's pray for the successful passage of these.
NC: H867 - Electoral Fairness Act - No new progress or movement on this bill to report. Last action: - re-referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operation of the House.
NC: H5 - 2003 Education Lottery Referendum - This bill would offer voters a referendum in November as to whether the state should have a lottery for the purposes of funding education in the state. Our position on this is one of opposition. We do not agree with a lottery and will oppose it all the way, regardless of the purpose of its proceeds. Last action: - referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operation of the House.
US: HR384 - Enumerated Powers Act - No new progress or movement on this bill to report. Last action: - referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
US: HR2778 - Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act - Introduced July 17, 2003 by Rep. Ron Paul and described as follows: "To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes." This bill's purpose is not only to abolish the Fed, but also thereby to re-establish sound money in the US economy. Although it is likely not to succeed, we stand with Rep. Paul in his desire to see us move back to sound, constitutional money, and away from the fraudulent Federal Reserve currency we are strapped with. Last action: - referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
US: HR2779 - Honest Money Act - Introduced July 17, 2003 by Rep. Ron Paul. This is a companion bill to HR2778 and will repeal section 5103 of title 31, United States Code, which section effectively outlaws honest (constitutional) money in favor of "legal tender." Again, although it is likely not to succeed, we support this bill. Last action: - referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
This month I want to highlight a new feature of our own state party website. Recently, I've come across the texts of some excellent speeches and have placed one on our website for your consideration. It is a speech made on the floor of the US House on July 10, 2003, by Congressman Ron Paul. In it, he exposes the actions and attitudes of those who identify themselves as "conservative" to get the dollars and votes of the American people, only to turn around and work their own moderate or liberal agenda once elected. He entitled his speech, "Neo-conned." You'll find it at http://www.cpnc.info - look for Speeches under Featured Items on the left-hand sidebar. It is listed as Ron Paul: Neo-conned.
In future months, I plan to add speeches one at a time which are of two basic ideas: 1) our Founders themselves addressing issues pertinent to our nation's founding and our liberties, and 2) others, even of recent date, identifying the principles of freedom or exposing those things which are destroying it.
This is to be the first of several discussions of our concept of government in modern America.
In recent weeks, I have increasingly heard accounts of bad behavior on the part of our government, especially with respect to departments within the government (state and federal) which look after the health and well-being of the people. This includes, of course, the infamous DSS - Department of Social Services.
In fact, a woman contacted our party office over the past couple of weeks to tell us her sad story. Without going into many details, suffice it to say that this woman's family has been - for several years - harassed and harmed by the DSS in our state. In my response to her, I was curious if she desired so type of advocacy from us. She simply responded that she only desired to make her story known to the people of this state so that others may beware and not have to experience what she and her family experienced at the hands of DSS.
It was also within the past few weeks that a court ruling was made in favor of a family in the Charlotte area whose 2-year-old escaped the parent's arms during a diaper change and managed to get outside the home while being stark naked. Someone driving by happened to see the child and called DSS on the family. After 4 years of battle with the DSS in and out of the court, a judge with some common sense ruled that the DSS could not compel the family to comply with its demands seeing that there was no demonstrable harm being done to the child, and that, according to the judge, every parent from time to time has those kinds of moments. In other words, DSS was making unreasonable demands without due cause.
In the most recent edition of The New American magazine, dated August 11, 2003, the cover story is about state and federal departments of social services ruining the lives of families across our country. The tragic story of Wenatchee, Washington, is but one example, says the magazine, of child protection services run amok. Said the article, "Reason finally regained its footing in Wenatchee -- but not before innocent people had been jailed, dozens of families had been rent asunder, and scores of children had suffered genuine abuse at the hands of their supposed protectors." I encourage you to find a copy and read it.
So what does all this have to do with misconceptions of government? Very simply, we have a major misconception in this country as to government's proper role. Many make the argument that social services do a valuable service by catching and stopping (and in some cases preventing) abuse of children or other family members.
The misconception is that government is responsible to safeguard our people from anything that might harm us.
While this sounds good (as many wrong ideas do), when one examines the government our Founders gave us, and the principles upon which it is based, it will become obvious that this function of our present government is not what our Founders envisioned, nor established.
First of all, examine the Constitution. See exactly what our federal government was designed to do. When read together with the Bill of Rights (Amendments 1 through 10), it will be seen that this is a document which spells out what the government can do - not what the people can't do. The Tenth Amendment then states in effect if it isn't specifically stated, then the government can't do it.
Question: Does our Constitution and Bill of Rights grant to the federal government (any branch) the business of social welfare?
Answer: No. There is no provision for this.
Second, our Constitution's second article, concerning the legislative branch of the federal government, details what the Congress may regulate or make laws upon.
Question: Does Congress have the authority to regulate relationships, families, communities, or make laws concerning them?
Answer: No. There is no provision for this. Yet, Congress passed the Mondale Act nearly 30 years ago establishing child abuse reporting and enforcement mechanisms in all 50 states, thus federalizing social services.
Third, what we do see in our Constitution is that there is a very basic purpose for our federal government: Facilitate defense of the states against foreign aggression and tie them together into a cohesive unit. Initially, states were stronger than the federal government.
Question: Does social services fall within the basic purpose of defending the states and keeping them together as one country?
Answer: No.
Fourth, while it can't be found in the Constitution that there is responsibility of our federal government to supervise, fund, or otherwise engage in social welfare operations, we can find such operations encouraged by the tenets of Marxism-Communism with its cradle-to-the-grave philosophy. Wherever Communism has reared its ugly head, the regimes which install it engage in dictatorial government, forcing a police state upon their people. Agents of the government may come and do as they please with the populace, taking people and moving them, holding them, forcing them to go.
I ask you, then, is social services, which sometimes take people and moves them, more in line with our Founders, or with those who aim to destroy America? Is it more compatible with the Constitution or the Communist Manifesto?
Last of all, if you claim to be a Christian, show me where the Bible you believe in gives the government the responsibility for your children. Does not the Bible lay upon parents this responsibility?
No doubt, some will ask, "But what would we do if social services were abolished?" A better question to ask would be this: "How in the world did America survive over 150 years without it?" You see, somehow in our past, we dealt with these problems in our families, in the churches, and in our communities. And little by little, we gave up the responsibilities of caring for our children and safeguarding them. Now, we are taught in the government schools that it is government's responsibility. Perhaps without realizing it, we've accepted the secular concept of government: government is our provider, our protector, our god. We seem to accept this without objection or whimper . And then we wonder why our children are being taken from us.
Let me extend to our newsletter readers an invitation to contribute to the newsletter. So far, the email newsletter has been almost entirely the work of the chairman. While the chairman enjoys this labor of love, there are always fresh ideas and contributions among our members and friends that would encourage and challenge readers. If you would like to contribute an article - be it a news item, legislative alert, commentary, instructional discussion, etc. - please let us know. We encourage our members to be active in the arena of ideas.
May God help us to stand on Principle.
For Christ and the Constitution,
Michael Harrison
Chairman
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