Constitution Party Continues Unprecedented Growth
Phil Jose
Communications Director,
Constitution Party of Missouri
(314) 409-2316
www.constitutionpartymo.org
COLUMBIA MO—Constitution Party members from across Missouri gathered this past Saturday to report on the state of the party in their area. Whether they were from Kansas City, Springfield, St Louis, or points in between, all proudly and excitedly spoke of the same thing—the party has grown by leaps and bounds and is poised to gain even more momentum.
Party leaders are reporting record attendance at local meetings. They’re seeing ever-increasing interest in the party by the general public. Most importantly, they’re seeing people stepping up and stepping into leadership roles—at the congressional district, county, and local levels the party is being organized into a force to be reckoned with statewide.
Every member present agreed that the hard organizational work now being done is only the foundation for a greater goal: to run viable candidates in serious campaigns in 2010 and get them elected.
Although this goal will entail great effort, party members believe that it’s attainable and very necessary. This country is drifting farther and farther away from its constitutionally rooted form of government with encroachments on our freedoms and fiscal irresponsibility. More and more voters will be looking for candidates committed to returning us to government where the rule of law is supreme.
The Constitution Party will be ready for the challenge.
Constitution Party Missouri State Chairman Donna Ivanovich is available for further comment at 314-956-6181 or donnaivanovich@constitutionpartymo.org
Why the “Fair Tax “is Unfair
by Darrell L. Castle
Constitution Party Vice-Chairman
The following explanation is in response to inquiries asking, “Why is the Constitution Party opposed to the “Fair Tax”?
Politicians cannot be trusted to make the Fair Tax a fair tax. This tax could be imposed by a simple act of Congress while formally ending the income tax would require a Constitutional Amendment. Therefore, Congressional nature being what it is, there is a good chance we could end up with both.
Second, the Fair Tax proponents say the tax would start out at 23% but they admit that the real number would be closer to 30%. With a 30% federal sales tax and a state sales tax of 10% as it is in Tennessee, the actual sales tax would be about 40%. That would be an outrageously high tax!
Third, the Fair Tax proposal calls for a rebate of the tax on food and basic necessities to those below the federal poverty level. You can be sure this would create another large federal bureaucracy to manage the rebate.
Finally, the main reason I oppose the Fair Tax is because the correct direct Federal tax on the American people is no tax at all. There is no legitimate reason whatsoever for any direct Federal tax on the American people. My position is easily validated when we examine the actual reason we have a current income tax in the first place. It might surprise you to know that the income tax does not exist primarily to fund the expenses of operating the Federal Government. Instead it exists to pay interest to our central bank which is the Federal Reserve System and to pay interest to the other central banks of the world for the money they create on their computers and then lend to us. This system is unconscionable because it reduces us to the level of medieval serfs working on the estates of the central bankers. Serfs were bound to the estate of the land owners for whom they worked their entire lives. The owner literally owned their labor just as the Federal Government own ours (if you don’t give the fruit of your labor to the Federal Government, men with guns come and get you and put you in jail). The serf usually got to keep about 50% of what his labor produced for his own needs just as we are allowed to keep about 50% of what we produce. The serf’s labor could be sold to others just as our labor is sold to China and other countries to pay the interest on the money the Federal Government borrows from those countries. Our labor represents the minutes, hours, days, months, and years that make up our lives. That is what has been taken from us, not for a legitimate purpose, but to pay interest to central banks. Allow me to explain.
If you look at this year’s budget, you will see that it is approximately $3.6 trillion. The deficit started at $1.2 trillion, is now $2.3 trillion, and is heading for $3 trillion because tax revenue has slowed dramatically. This means the Federal Government will spend at least two-thirds more than it takes in through tax this year alone. The difference must be borrowed from other countries or central banks. The principle and interest must be repaid from tax revenue. That is why the government is obsessed with the collection of taxes. A budget even close to constitutional levels could easily be funded by a small, non-punitive, import tariff.
To purchase goods and services, the American people would be required to pay this tax. Therefore, the Fair Tax is a tax on consumption and is payment extracted from us for permission to live. What it says about us is that we cannot pursue our hopes and dreams without the Federal Government’s permission which is granted by payment of the tax. We cannot feed our families without permission from the Government. Even if the Government rebates the food tax, we must beg (apply) for it. Most importantly, to accept the Fair Tax as something better than the income tax would be to concede the principle that the Federal Government does not have the legitimate right to directly tax us. So, the only fair direct Federal tax is no tax.
D-Day Rally
State Secretary Cindy Redburn gives a speech at the Demand Day Rally in Jefferson City.
Campaign For Liberty Rally
Cindy, Donna and Ray at the Campaign for Liberty rally in St. Louis
The Big Business/Big Government Axis Of Evil
By Chuck Baldwin
April 14, 2009
Self-proclaimed “conservatives” love to tout themselves as ardent supporters of the “free enterprise” system. In the name of “capitalism,” they support any and every piece of legislation or governmental decision that caters to business–especially Big Business. Favorite policies of these folks include anything and everything that calls itself “free trade.” Furthermore, these same “conservatives” will support just about anything and everything that is said to advance the so-called “global economy.”
Needless to say, in the name of “free trade” millions of American jobs and thousands of American manufacturing plants have been outsourced to foreign countries and interests. And leading the charge for “free trade,” outsourcing, and the “global economy” is the international cabal known as Big Business. But Big Business does not play this game alone. Joining Big Business is its pernicious partner, Big Government.
Together, Big Business and Big Government form a tyrannical tandem that is squeezing the breath out of our once-great republic. In fact, people need to understand that what is passing for “capitalism” in America today is nothing more than “Corporatism.”
Corporatism has little to do with genuine capitalism or free enterprise. Freedom and federalism thrive when true capitalism and free enterprise are at work. But Corporatism has nothing to do with freedom and everything to do with tyranny.
Corporatism is the marriage of Big Business with Big Government. Corporatism uses the force and weight of government to create giant monopolies, which strangle competition and freedom. Rules and regulations are enacted that make it impossible for “little” guys to compete. The trade laws of nations are pitted against each other, forcing free nations to sacrifice their own peace and security to accommodate the economies of totalitarian regimes. And, of course, Big Business is the recipient of gargantuan profits in the process.
Please understand that the movers and shakers of Big Business have no national loyalty. They claim no country, salute no flag, and recognize no independence but their own. They are the travel companions of the bloodiest butchers on the planet. They have homes in every corner of the globe and are happy to share the beds of the vilest people on earth. They would gladly sell the heart and soul of America to the highest bidder, and have long ago sold their own hearts and souls to the devil.
And there is no limit to how intimately Big Business and Big Government can collaborate to steal people’s liberties. A classic case in point is the burgeoning effort to control and regulate private, homegrown gardens.
In the face of a growing recession, thousands of people across America are planting and growing their own gardens. And this is not lost to Corporatism. Remember, Corporatism’s great goal is to create monopolies and crush freedom, leaving the cabal controlling both Big Business and Big Government alone atop the world of prosperity and power. Therefore, it will use every tool at its disposal to protect any and all of Corporatism’s favored players. And when it comes to America’s food supply, Big Agriculture is that favored player.
Even as Michelle Obama plants a White House garden and encourages Americans everywhere to do the same thing, her husband is creating a brand new tool for the Big Business/Big Government powerbrokers: a new “Food Safety Administration” (FSA).
At the same time, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) has introduced H.R. 875 to “protect the public health.” But it is not the public health that Ms. DeLauro wants to protect. It is the health of the demonic duo of Big Business and Big Government. Two other bills with similar machinations are S. 425, introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and H.R. 815, submitted by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado).
In a nutshell, when these bills become law, every homegrown garden in the country will be regulated, inspected, controlled, and taxed by the federal government. (No, I am not making it up.) In addition, small, independent farms would most certainly be put out of business. In effect, the great Nanny State is posturing itself to completely take over the food business in America.
First, the Big Business/Big Government Axis of Evil began taking over the banking and financial institutions. Next, it was the automobile business that was in Corporatism’s crosshairs. Now, it is energy, healthcare, and even the food business–down to the smallest backyard, homegrown garden–that Corporatism is plotting to plunder.
It is an ingenious system: first, Big Government regulates legitimate business to the point that it can no longer function in a free and open market. Then it paves the way for foreign investors to gain influence or even seize control of those same businesses. Then it forces the mergers of smaller entities into international monstrosities. Then it passes laws making it impossible for the remaining small, independent businesses to compete. Meanwhile, the newly created super-wealthy collaborators in Big Business are more than eager to share their bounty with their fellow miscreants inside Big Government.
The obvious result of all this chicanery is the creation of a superior ruling class and the destruction of a free and independent middle class. If all this sounds familiar, it is because Corporatism used to be known by another name: fascism! And this is exactly what is being created right in front of our very eyes, here in the good old U.S.A.
If “conservatives” were more cognizant of and diligent to protect the U.S. Constitution and principles of liberty contained in our Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, they would be able to see through the façade of modern Corporatism that masks its totalitarian agenda under the guise of “free trade.”
So, in the meantime, go ahead and grow your garden, because you are going to need it. But, at the same time, be prepared to give an account to your local FSA agent. He’ll want to know how much you’ve grown, how much you sold or gave away, and to whom you sold or gave it. He’ll want to inspect it; he’ll expect you to fill out the appropriate government forms, including names, addresses, amounts, prices, etc. And this goes for all those church and social club potluck dinners as well. Oh, yes! He’ll also expect you all to pay taxes on it.
Either that, or convince your State legislators and governor to do what the Thirteen Colonies did: tell King George to go to Hades! But if you don’t have–and cannot get–a State legislature and governor willing to do that, you’ll need to either move or start turning your entire life over to the new fascist America that Big Business and Big Government are creating, because the die has been cast, and it doesn’t appear that there is any going back.
*If you appreciate this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link:
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/donate.php
© Chuck Baldwin
Milton Freidman- Socialism vs. Capitalism
Economist Milton Freidman taught Donahue a lesson when Phil attempted to equate greed with capitalism.
Friedman regards free enterprise as the best economic system ever developed by civilization and cites history as the proof of his contention.
Milton Freidman, 1912 – 2006
THE RECURRING NIGHTMARE
by Mary Starrett
Constitution Party Communications Director
High school grads who’d like to attend college in another state often can’t unless they can afford to pony up thousands in out-of state tuition. Of course, if said high school grad is an un-convicted felon, it’s a whole different story. Under proposed federal legislation, illegal aliens (these days referred to as undocumented students/immigrants/residents) who wish to attend state colleges and universities would be able to do so without paying the higher out-of state charges.
The so-called DREAM (Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act (HR 1751 and S759) would grant legal status to illegals who came to the US before turning 16 and who have lived here for at least five years; but not before giving him or her a seat in a college classroom that may have been denied to your child.
Under the latest Dream Act, legal status would be available to students who have completed high school, received a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or have been admitted to an institution of higher education. That status would be valid for up to six years.
Of course, this begs the question we’ve learned not even to ask anymore, “how do those here illegally show up at schools for years without being detected, summarily booted and then deported?”
The DREAM Act is actually a recurring nightmare that’s been haunting us for years. Among those pushing this free ride bill are unions, always on the prowl for future dues-paying members. According to what has been termed the “Hispanosphere” by pro- illegal immigration websites the DREAM ACT is “the bill that won’t go away.”
First introduced in 2000, The DREAM Act’s timing couldn’t be worse. This piece of legislation has support from both parties- reminding us the two parties are no longer distinct but the same on virtually every issue- especially amnesty for illegals. The Act would further bankrupt our colleges and take precious resources away from hard working American citizens and their children. According to the immigration reform group FAIR, the DREAM Act would:
1 – Reward parents who violated immigration laws through their children, and provide a powerful incentive for more illegal immigration.
2 – Transfer seats and tuition subsidies to illegal aliens at a time when state higher education budgets are being slashed, admissions curtailed, and tuitions increased.
3 – By broadly defining “student” it gives amnesty to large numbers of illegal aliens who may be pursing any sort of education.
4 – Accelerate chain migration and exponential population growth because illegal aliens who are granted green cards will be able to petition the Department of Homeland Security in the future to grant their parents and relatives legal status too.
Adding insult to injury, after you, the American taxpayer, have paid thousands per year to educate each of the millions of “undocumented students” through grade school and high school, you would then be asked to subsidize their college tuition.
While “undocumented immigrants” cost Americans more and more money we simply do not have, Hispanic activist groups continue to push the envelope. According to the Associated Press, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of many radical groups crying for “equal rights” for the (illegal) Hispanics in this country, has vowed to keep its workshops closed to “Anglos.”
The invitations went out saying races other than Hispanic were not welcome. (Just TRY sending out a notice that said “Whites Only”!) Spelling Bees are being held for children in American public schools in Spanish. Kids who can’t read or write or speak the English language are being given a shot at excelling in their native tongue.
Remember that Republicans and Democrats alike are supporting this piece of legislation. Time is short to let your elected representatives in the House and the Senate know you’re having enough trouble putting your own kids through school, and that this is one DREAM you don’t want to come true.
Don’t Waste Your Vote
by James N. Clymer
Constitution Party National Chairman
Ever since I became involved in the third party movement, I’ve had to deal with the standard excuse for continuing to vote for someone who supports ideas and values with which the voter disagrees. The tired bromide goes something like this. “I really like your platform and what you stand for but I feel like I’d just be wasting my vote if I voted for you.” My comeback is: “How long do you think it will take to get the kind of government you believe in, so long as you keep voting for people who won’t support your views?”
Of course there are many good responses to the failed logic that claims you are wasting your vote by voting your convictions. Why is a vote for one who will represent nearly 100% of your values, e.g. Chuck Baldwin, but fails to get elected any more of a wasted vote than the vote for McCain who might represent 60% of your values, who also loses?
More graphically, a vote for Chuck Baldwin is less of a wasted vote than a vote for John McCain who, if he had won, would likely have promoted the same causes that Obama is pursuing and perhaps would have a more successful record in the results because the Republican faithful would be obliged to go right along with him.
Do you really believe a vote for Peroutka/Baldwin in 2004 was a wasted vote when the votes cast for George Bush made possible his rush toward a fascist economy and a tyrannical federal government and laid the perfect groundwork for Obama to finish the job?
Third party voters are discerning voters. They vote their convictions. They weigh the deeds of those competing for their vote rather than merely listening to their words. They understand that their vote is the currency of their political virtue and spend it wisely. They hold to the principle that “duty is mine; the results are in the hand of God.”
