ARTICLE 3.
PETITIONS FOR REDRESS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT3
A. BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
The Constitution for The United States of America is being violated. It has been violated over many years, by many administrations, by every branch of government, by each party.
Much as our forefathers repeatedly petitioned the King for redress of violation of their rights, We the People, pursuant to the last ten words of the First Amendment to the Constitution, otherwise known as the “accountability clause”, have repeatedly petitioned the three branches of our federal government for Redress of Grievances. The People have petitioned in many ways, over many years, by many means including, by individual, informal, written, and verbal communication, and by countless formal proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances. [See attached petitions]
Among the proper petitions filed are those related to:
1. Meddling in the internal affairs of other countries without any constitutional authority;
2. Undeclared wars in violation of the War Powers Clauses of Articles I and II;
3 Learn more about this Article: see the PETITIONS FOR REDRESS; see the PETITION for Writ of Certiorari and Appendix to the Supreme Court of the United States (the unsuccessful attempt by the People to have the Court, for the first time in America’s history, define the meaning of the last ten words of the First Amendment). See the related CC 2009 video presentation: Mark Lane, Attorney- The Right to Petition and the First Amendment; and Robert L. Schulz, Chairman, We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education , Inc.- We The People v. United States.
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3. The gifting and lending of public money and credit to private corporations for decidedly private purposes – bailouts – without any constitutional authority whatsoever;
4. A debt-based, fiat currency controlled by the Federal Reserve System, a cartel of private
banks, all in violation of the Money Clauses of Article I;
5. Direct, un-apportioned taxes on labor in violation of the Tax Clauses of Article I;
6. Invasion of privacy and a developing police state in violation of the Privacy Clauses of the
4th Amendment;
7. Un-enforced immigration laws in violation of that mandate, plainly-worded in Article II of
the Constitution, that requires the president to faithfully execute the laws;
8. A President who refuses every request to provide evidence that he is a Natural Born Citizen, as Article II requires.
9. The counting of votes in secret, as all machines do, in violation of the constitutional Right
not only to vote, but to know that all votes are being accurately counted;
10. The absence of well-regulated State Militias, and the presence of federal gun control laws that violate the 2nd Amendment; and
11. The government’s attempt to merge the governments of the United States, Mexico, and
Canada into a “North American Union.”
These Petitions for Redress of Constitutional violations have been answered only with repeated injury. For instance, the Petitions served upon officials in the Executive and Legislative branches have been answered only with silence, notwithstanding the fact that the Government is obligated to respond, as the fulfillment of the logical process implied by the Accountability Clause (i.e., the last ten words of the First Amendment), which instructs the People of their Right to Petition and thus their Right to be answered. Petitions for Redress filed with the courts by individuals or small groups are repeatedly dismissed for “lack of standing.” Before the Courts will hear a constitutional challenge of a violation by the Government, they require each and every individual Petitioner to prove to the Court that he has the right to “stand” before the Court to argue his case against the Government. To prove his “standing,” the courts require proof that the Petitioner’s injury (resulting from the government’s violation of the Constitution) is different in kind and degree – more concrete and particularized -- than the harm suffered by every other person in the country. Since this is not possible, the Court’s definition of "Standing" means that all unwelcomed constitutional challenges from the People will be dismissed. This position prevents the very foundation upon which the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are built: that each and every provision of the Constitution is a guarantee to each and every person of an INDIVIDUAL, UNALIENABLE RIGHT. In a system based on the Letter and Spirit of our Founding Documents, every violation of the Constitution does in fact injure or harm the INDIVIDUAL, and should thereby give him or her the RIGHT to stand in Court to seek relief.
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Under these facts and circumstances, it is well settled in American jurisprudence that silence is an admission. The government, by its silence, has admitted to its violations of the Constitution.
Therefore, We the People now find the three branches of government to be in violation of the Accountability Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution; the public officials to be guilty of dereliction of duty in violation of their Oath of Office; and their actions, as listed in the aforementioned Petitions for Redress, to be outside the boundaries drawn around their power and, therefore, unconstitutional.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #1 TO CONGRESS
Because the federal judiciary dismisses for “lack of standing” or “lack of jurisdiction” those Petitions by citizens who seek to remedy violations of the Constitution by public officials, the Congress of the United States shall adopt legislation to amend the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure:
1. affirming the jurisdiction of all federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and
2. to prohibit any and all federal courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed; and
3. to assure that any state or federal judge who violates the Rule related to paragraph “1” or “2” above shall be deemed to have violated his or her Oath of Office and shall be removed from office in accordance with existing Rules and disqualified from holding public office thereafter, and
4. defining the meaning of the word “proper,” within the context of the first paragraph above, as follows:
The term “Petition” is not defined in the Constitution. To be sure, a communication, to be protected as a Petition to the Government for Redress of Grievances would have to embody certain components to ensure that the document was a Petition and not a “pretended petition.” Not all communications, nor just any document, can be regarded as a Constitutionally-protected Petition for Redress of Grievances. Petitions for Redress that qualify for protection by the First Amendment include Petitions to remedy violations of the Constitution, which:
are serious and documented, not frivolous;
contain no falsehoods;
are not absent probable cause;
have the quality of a dispute;
come from a person outside of the formal political culture;
contain both a “direction” and a “demand” for relief;
have been punctilious (meaning, it follows formatting conventions);
address public, collective grievances;
involve Constitutional Principles;
have been signed only or primarily by citizens;
have been dignified (meaning authenticated);
have widespread participation and consequences;
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are instruments of deliberation not agitation;
prove new information;
do not advocate violence or crime.
C. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #2 TO CONGRESS
Because public officials in the Legislative and Executive branches refuse to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, the Congress of the United States shall adopt a concurrent Resolution:
1. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, where the term, “proper Petition” is defined in Instruction B#4 above;
2. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed should respond to all other Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
D. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT
1. Affirm the jurisdiction of all state and federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department;
2. Prohibit any and all federal and state courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and that
3. Remove any judge from office who violates the above, for violating his or her Oath of Office, and disqualify him or her from holding public office thereafter, all in accordance with existing Rules.
E. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION TO THE PRESIDENT
The President shall affirm the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
F. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
Each of the several State Legislatures shall adopt legislation, as necessary, to recall from office any elected or appointed public official for failure to respond to any proper Petition for Redress of Grievances;
1. The State Legislatures shall refuse to accept any and all federal funds until all three branches of the federal government are in compliance with the Instructions in “B” through “E” above;
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2. The State Legislatures shall adopt legislation providing for the institution of a Citizens’ Grand Jury for the purpose of hearing complaints and issuing indictments, against any public official who may be in violation of his or her Oath of Office and/or of the Accountability Clause of the 1st Amendment;
3. The state legislatures shall adopt legislation removing impediments to and restoring writs of quo warranto and to obtain a hearing on the merits.
G. RECOMMENDED CIVIC ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE
1. Instruct the State Legislatures and members of Congress to adopt the aforementioned;
2. Form coalitions or groups to lobby State Legislatures and members of Congress to obtain the adoption of the aforementioned;
3. Instruct State Officials to remove all Oath violators from their positions of authority; and
4. Sign these Articles of Freedom to give the aforementioned the moral authority it requires.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM PART FOUR
ARTICLE 2.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE2
A. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
WHEREAS, Laws inconsistent with the Letter or Spirit of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution for the United States may be hastily and unadvisedly passed: Be it
ORDAINED, that {here shall be listed the members of the Joint Committee for Constitutional Governance} shall be constituted a Joint Committee called the Committee for Constitutional Governance, to review all bills about to be passed into law by the Congress. And for that purpose the Committee shall assemble themselves, from time to time, when the Congress shall be convened. The size and funding of the Committee shall be sufficient to allow the effective and efficient operation of the Committee, based on an annual review by and containing the recommendations of the General Accounting Office (GAO). All bills that have passed the Senate and House of Representatives, shall, before they become Laws, be presented to the Committee, which will identify and record in its minutes the provision(s) of the Constitution, if any, that authorize the parts of the bill, and prohibitions or restrictions that would be violated. If upon such consideration it should appear improper to said Committee or a majority of them, that the bill should become a law of the Nation, that the Committee return the bill, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the Senate or House of Representatives, in whichsoever the same shall have originated, who shall enter the objections set down by the Committee at large, in their Minutes and proceed to reconsider the
2 Learn more about this Article: read the CONSTITUTION and the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. See the related CC 2009 video presentations: Michael Badnarik, President, Continental Congress 2009, Keynote Address – Charters of Freedom, November 12, 2009; and Robert Schulz, organizer of CC 2009, Keynote Address – The Constitution Does Not Defend Itself And Is Not A Menu.
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bill. If a provision(s) in any bill is found to be repugnant to the Letter or Spirit of our Declaration of Independence, and/or our Constitution, the bill shall be returned to the Chamber where it originated, together with its objections. That Chamber shall publish the objections in its Minutes and proceed to an up or down roll call vote, accepting or rejecting the Committee’s report, prior to any future action. If the bill passes the roll call vote, accepting the Committee’s report the bill, itself, would then be voted on. If a majority of the members agree to pass the bill in spite of the Committee’s objections, the bill together with the objections shall then be sent to the other Chamber, where the process would then be repeated: up or down roll call vote on the Committee’s Report followed by the vote on the bill itself.
And in order to prevent any unnecessary delays,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, each bill shall be returned by the Committee within
ten days:
i) unless the Committee notifies each Chamber that it requires more time to complete its review, specifying the time required, but in no event shall the Committee take more than thirty days to return the bill, or
ii) unless the Congress, by their adjournment, renders a return of the bill within ten days impractical, in which case the bill will be returned on the first day of the meeting of the Congress, after the expiration of ten days.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
WHEREAS, Laws inconsistent with the Letter or Spirit of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution for the United States may be hastily and unadvisedly passed: Be it
ORDAINED, that {here shall be listed the members of the Joint Committee for Constitutional Governance} shall be constituted a Committee, to be called Committee for Constitutional Governance, which shall review all bills about to be passed into law by the State Legislature. And for that purpose the Committee shall assemble themselves, from time to time, when the Legislature shall be convened. The size and funding of the Committee shall be sufficient to allow the effective and efficient operation of the Committee, based on an annual review by and including the recommendations of the Comptroller’s Office. All bills that have passed by each Chamber of the Legislature shall, before they become Laws, be presented to the Committee, which will identify and record in its minutes the provision(s), if any, of the State Constitution that authorize the parts of the bill and any prohibitions or restrictions that would be violated. If upon such consideration it should appear improper to said Committee or a majority of them, that the bill should become a law of the State, then the Committee shall return the bill, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the Chamber in whichsoever the bill shall have originated, who shall enter the objections set down by the Committee at large, in their Minutes and proceed to reconsider the bill. If a provision in any bill is found to be repugnant to the Letter or Spirit of our Declaration of Independence, and/or the State Constitution, the bill shall be returned to the Chamber where it originated, together with its objections. That Chamber shall publish the objections in its Minutes and proceed to an up or down roll call vote, accepting or rejecting the Committee’s report, prior to any future action on the bill. If the bill passes the roll call vote, accepting the Committee’s report the bill, itself, would then be voted on. If a majority of the members agree to pass the bill despite of the Committee’s objections, the bill
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together with the objections shall then be sent to the other Chamber, where the process would then be repeated by an up or down roll call vote on the Committee’s Report followed by the vote on the bill itself.
And in order to prevent any unnecessary delays,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, each bill shall be returned by the Committee within ten days:
(i) unless the Committee notifies each Chamber that it requires more time to complete its review, specifying the time required, but in no event shall the Committee take more than thirty days to return the bill, or
(ii) unless the Legislature, by its adjournment, renders a return of the bill within ten days impractical, in which case the bill will be returned on the first day of the meeting of the Legislature, after the expiration of ten days.
ARTICLE 3.
PETITIONS FOR REDRESS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT3
A. BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
The Constitution for The United States of America is being violated. It has been violated over many years, by many administrations, by every branch of government, by each party.
Much as our forefathers repeatedly petitioned the King for redress of violation of their rights, We the People, pursuant to the last ten words of the First Amendment to the Constitution, otherwise known as the “accountability clause”, have repeatedly petitioned the three branches of our federal government for Redress of Grievances. The People have petitioned in many ways, over many years, by many means including, by individual, informal, written, and verbal communication, and by countless formal proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances. [See attached petitions]
Among the proper petitions filed are those related to:
1. Meddling in the internal affairs of other countries without any constitutional authority;
2. Undeclared wars in violation of the War Powers Clauses of Articles I and II;
3 Learn more about this Article: see the PETITIONS FOR REDRESS; see the PETITION for Writ of Certiorari and Appendix to the Supreme Court of the United States (the unsuccessful attempt by the People to have the Court, for the first time in America’s history, define the meaning of the last ten words of the First Amendment). See the related CC 2009 video presentation: Mark Lane, Attorney- The Right to Petition and the First Amendment; and Robert L. Schulz, Chairman, We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education , Inc.- We The People v. United States.
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3. The gifting and lending of public money and credit to private corporations for decidedly private purposes – bailouts – without any constitutional authority whatsoever;
4. A debt-based, fiat currency controlled by the Federal Reserve System, a cartel of private
banks, all in violation of the Money Clauses of Article I;
5. Direct, un-apportioned taxes on labor in violation of the Tax Clauses of Article I;
6. Invasion of privacy and a developing police state in violation of the Privacy Clauses of the
4th Amendment;
7. Un-enforced immigration laws in violation of that mandate, plainly-worded in Article II of
the Constitution, that requires the president to faithfully execute the laws;
8. A President who refuses every request to provide evidence that he is a Natural Born Citizen, as Article II requires.
9. The counting of votes in secret, as all machines do, in violation of the constitutional Right
not only to vote, but to know that all votes are being accurately counted;
10. The absence of well-regulated State Militias, and the presence of federal gun control laws that violate the 2nd Amendment; and
11. The government’s attempt to merge the governments of the United States, Mexico, and
Canada into a “North American Union.”
These Petitions for Redress of Constitutional violations have been answered only with repeated injury. For instance, the Petitions served upon officials in the Executive and Legislative branches have been answered only with silence, notwithstanding the fact that the Government is obligated to respond, as the fulfillment of the logical process implied by the Accountability Clause (i.e., the last ten words of the First Amendment), which instructs the People of their Right to Petition and thus their Right to be answered. Petitions for Redress filed with the courts by individuals or small groups are repeatedly dismissed for “lack of standing.” Before the Courts will hear a constitutional challenge of a violation by the Government, they require each and every individual Petitioner to prove to the Court that he has the right to “stand” before the Court to argue his case against the Government. To prove his “standing,” the courts require proof that the Petitioner’s injury (resulting from the government’s violation of the Constitution) is different in kind and degree – more concrete and particularized -- than the harm suffered by every other person in the country. Since this is not possible, the Court’s definition of "Standing" means that all unwelcomed constitutional challenges from the People will be dismissed. This position prevents the very foundation upon which the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are built: that each and every provision of the Constitution is a guarantee to each and every person of an INDIVIDUAL, UNALIENABLE RIGHT. In a system based on the Letter and Spirit of our Founding Documents, every violation of the Constitution does in fact injure or harm the INDIVIDUAL, and should thereby give him or her the RIGHT to stand in Court to seek relief.
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Under these facts and circumstances, it is well settled in American jurisprudence that silence is an admission. The government, by its silence, has admitted to its violations of the Constitution.
Therefore, We the People now find the three branches of government to be in violation of the Accountability Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution; the public officials to be guilty of dereliction of duty in violation of their Oath of Office; and their actions, as listed in the aforementioned Petitions for Redress, to be outside the boundaries drawn around their power and, therefore, unconstitutional.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #1 TO CONGRESS
Because the federal judiciary dismisses for “lack of standing” or “lack of jurisdiction” those Petitions by citizens who seek to remedy violations of the Constitution by public officials, the Congress of the United States shall adopt legislation to amend the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure:
1. affirming the jurisdiction of all federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and
2. to prohibit any and all federal courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed; and
3. to assure that any state or federal judge who violates the Rule related to paragraph “1” or “2” above shall be deemed to have violated his or her Oath of Office and shall be removed from office in accordance with existing Rules and disqualified from holding public office thereafter, and
4. defining the meaning of the word “proper,” within the context of the first paragraph above, as follows:
The term “Petition” is not defined in the Constitution. To be sure, a communication, to be protected as a Petition to the Government for Redress of Grievances would have to embody certain components to ensure that the document was a Petition and not a “pretended petition.” Not all communications, nor just any document, can be regarded as a Constitutionally-protected Petition for Redress of Grievances. Petitions for Redress that qualify for protection by the First Amendment include Petitions to remedy violations of the Constitution, which:
are serious and documented, not frivolous;
contain no falsehoods;
are not absent probable cause;
have the quality of a dispute;
come from a person outside of the formal political culture;
contain both a “direction” and a “demand” for relief;
have been punctilious (meaning, it follows formatting conventions);
address public, collective grievances;
involve Constitutional Principles;
have been signed only or primarily by citizens;
have been dignified (meaning authenticated);
have widespread participation and consequences;
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are instruments of deliberation not agitation;
prove new information;
do not advocate violence or crime.
C. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #2 TO CONGRESS
Because public officials in the Legislative and Executive branches refuse to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, the Congress of the United States shall adopt a concurrent Resolution:
1. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, where the term, “proper Petition” is defined in Instruction B#4 above;
2. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed should respond to all other Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
D. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT
1. Affirm the jurisdiction of all state and federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department;
2. Prohibit any and all federal and state courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and that
3. Remove any judge from office who violates the above, for violating his or her Oath of Office, and disqualify him or her from holding public office thereafter, all in accordance with existing Rules.
E. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION TO THE PRESIDENT
The President shall affirm the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
F. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
Each of the several State Legislatures shall adopt legislation, as necessary, to recall from office any elected or appointed public official for failure to respond to any proper Petition for Redress of Grievances;
1. The State Legislatures shall refuse to accept any and all federal funds until all three branches of the federal government are in compliance with the Instructions in “B” through “E” above;
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2. The State Legislatures shall adopt legislation providing for the institution of a Citizens’ Grand Jury for the purpose of hearing complaints and issuing indictments, against any public official who may be in violation of his or her Oath of Office and/or of the Accountability Clause of the 1st Amendment;
3. The state legislatures shall adopt legislation removing impediments to and restoring writs of quo warranto and to obtain a hearing on the merits.
G. RECOMMENDED CIVIC ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE
1. Instruct the State Legislatures and members of Congress to adopt the aforementioned;
2. Form coalitions or groups to lobby State Legislatures and members of Congress to obtain the adoption of the aforementioned;
3. Instruct State Officials to remove all Oath violators from their positions of authority; and
4. Sign these Articles of Freedom to give the aforementioned the moral authority it requires.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE2
A. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
WHEREAS, Laws inconsistent with the Letter or Spirit of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution for the United States may be hastily and unadvisedly passed: Be it
ORDAINED, that {here shall be listed the members of the Joint Committee for Constitutional Governance} shall be constituted a Joint Committee called the Committee for Constitutional Governance, to review all bills about to be passed into law by the Congress. And for that purpose the Committee shall assemble themselves, from time to time, when the Congress shall be convened. The size and funding of the Committee shall be sufficient to allow the effective and efficient operation of the Committee, based on an annual review by and containing the recommendations of the General Accounting Office (GAO). All bills that have passed the Senate and House of Representatives, shall, before they become Laws, be presented to the Committee, which will identify and record in its minutes the provision(s) of the Constitution, if any, that authorize the parts of the bill, and prohibitions or restrictions that would be violated. If upon such consideration it should appear improper to said Committee or a majority of them, that the bill should become a law of the Nation, that the Committee return the bill, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the Senate or House of Representatives, in whichsoever the same shall have originated, who shall enter the objections set down by the Committee at large, in their Minutes and proceed to reconsider the
2 Learn more about this Article: read the CONSTITUTION and the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. See the related CC 2009 video presentations: Michael Badnarik, President, Continental Congress 2009, Keynote Address – Charters of Freedom, November 12, 2009; and Robert Schulz, organizer of CC 2009, Keynote Address – The Constitution Does Not Defend Itself And Is Not A Menu.
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bill. If a provision(s) in any bill is found to be repugnant to the Letter or Spirit of our Declaration of Independence, and/or our Constitution, the bill shall be returned to the Chamber where it originated, together with its objections. That Chamber shall publish the objections in its Minutes and proceed to an up or down roll call vote, accepting or rejecting the Committee’s report, prior to any future action. If the bill passes the roll call vote, accepting the Committee’s report the bill, itself, would then be voted on. If a majority of the members agree to pass the bill in spite of the Committee’s objections, the bill together with the objections shall then be sent to the other Chamber, where the process would then be repeated: up or down roll call vote on the Committee’s Report followed by the vote on the bill itself.
And in order to prevent any unnecessary delays,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, each bill shall be returned by the Committee within
ten days:
i) unless the Committee notifies each Chamber that it requires more time to complete its review, specifying the time required, but in no event shall the Committee take more than thirty days to return the bill, or
ii) unless the Congress, by their adjournment, renders a return of the bill within ten days impractical, in which case the bill will be returned on the first day of the meeting of the Congress, after the expiration of ten days.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
WHEREAS, Laws inconsistent with the Letter or Spirit of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution for the United States may be hastily and unadvisedly passed: Be it
ORDAINED, that {here shall be listed the members of the Joint Committee for Constitutional Governance} shall be constituted a Committee, to be called Committee for Constitutional Governance, which shall review all bills about to be passed into law by the State Legislature. And for that purpose the Committee shall assemble themselves, from time to time, when the Legislature shall be convened. The size and funding of the Committee shall be sufficient to allow the effective and efficient operation of the Committee, based on an annual review by and including the recommendations of the Comptroller’s Office. All bills that have passed by each Chamber of the Legislature shall, before they become Laws, be presented to the Committee, which will identify and record in its minutes the provision(s), if any, of the State Constitution that authorize the parts of the bill and any prohibitions or restrictions that would be violated. If upon such consideration it should appear improper to said Committee or a majority of them, that the bill should become a law of the State, then the Committee shall return the bill, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the Chamber in whichsoever the bill shall have originated, who shall enter the objections set down by the Committee at large, in their Minutes and proceed to reconsider the bill. If a provision in any bill is found to be repugnant to the Letter or Spirit of our Declaration of Independence, and/or the State Constitution, the bill shall be returned to the Chamber where it originated, together with its objections. That Chamber shall publish the objections in its Minutes and proceed to an up or down roll call vote, accepting or rejecting the Committee’s report, prior to any future action on the bill. If the bill passes the roll call vote, accepting the Committee’s report the bill, itself, would then be voted on. If a majority of the members agree to pass the bill despite of the Committee’s objections, the bill
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7
together with the objections shall then be sent to the other Chamber, where the process would then be repeated by an up or down roll call vote on the Committee’s Report followed by the vote on the bill itself.
And in order to prevent any unnecessary delays,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, each bill shall be returned by the Committee within ten days:
(i) unless the Committee notifies each Chamber that it requires more time to complete its review, specifying the time required, but in no event shall the Committee take more than thirty days to return the bill, or
(ii) unless the Legislature, by its adjournment, renders a return of the bill within ten days impractical, in which case the bill will be returned on the first day of the meeting of the Legislature, after the expiration of ten days.
ARTICLE 3.
PETITIONS FOR REDRESS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT3
A. BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
The Constitution for The United States of America is being violated. It has been violated over many years, by many administrations, by every branch of government, by each party.
Much as our forefathers repeatedly petitioned the King for redress of violation of their rights, We the People, pursuant to the last ten words of the First Amendment to the Constitution, otherwise known as the “accountability clause”, have repeatedly petitioned the three branches of our federal government for Redress of Grievances. The People have petitioned in many ways, over many years, by many means including, by individual, informal, written, and verbal communication, and by countless formal proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances. [See attached petitions]
Among the proper petitions filed are those related to:
1. Meddling in the internal affairs of other countries without any constitutional authority;
2. Undeclared wars in violation of the War Powers Clauses of Articles I and II;
3 Learn more about this Article: see the PETITIONS FOR REDRESS; see the PETITION for Writ of Certiorari and Appendix to the Supreme Court of the United States (the unsuccessful attempt by the People to have the Court, for the first time in America’s history, define the meaning of the last ten words of the First Amendment). See the related CC 2009 video presentation: Mark Lane, Attorney- The Right to Petition and the First Amendment; and Robert L. Schulz, Chairman, We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education , Inc.- We The People v. United States.
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3. The gifting and lending of public money and credit to private corporations for decidedly private purposes – bailouts – without any constitutional authority whatsoever;
4. A debt-based, fiat currency controlled by the Federal Reserve System, a cartel of private
banks, all in violation of the Money Clauses of Article I;
5. Direct, un-apportioned taxes on labor in violation of the Tax Clauses of Article I;
6. Invasion of privacy and a developing police state in violation of the Privacy Clauses of the
4th Amendment;
7. Un-enforced immigration laws in violation of that mandate, plainly-worded in Article II of
the Constitution, that requires the president to faithfully execute the laws;
8. A President who refuses every request to provide evidence that he is a Natural Born Citizen, as Article II requires.
9. The counting of votes in secret, as all machines do, in violation of the constitutional Right
not only to vote, but to know that all votes are being accurately counted;
10. The absence of well-regulated State Militias, and the presence of federal gun control laws that violate the 2nd Amendment; and
11. The government’s attempt to merge the governments of the United States, Mexico, and
Canada into a “North American Union.”
These Petitions for Redress of Constitutional violations have been answered only with repeated injury. For instance, the Petitions served upon officials in the Executive and Legislative branches have been answered only with silence, notwithstanding the fact that the Government is obligated to respond, as the fulfillment of the logical process implied by the Accountability Clause (i.e., the last ten words of the First Amendment), which instructs the People of their Right to Petition and thus their Right to be answered. Petitions for Redress filed with the courts by individuals or small groups are repeatedly dismissed for “lack of standing.” Before the Courts will hear a constitutional challenge of a violation by the Government, they require each and every individual Petitioner to prove to the Court that he has the right to “stand” before the Court to argue his case against the Government. To prove his “standing,” the courts require proof that the Petitioner’s injury (resulting from the government’s violation of the Constitution) is different in kind and degree – more concrete and particularized -- than the harm suffered by every other person in the country. Since this is not possible, the Court’s definition of "Standing" means that all unwelcomed constitutional challenges from the People will be dismissed. This position prevents the very foundation upon which the Declaration of Independence and Constitution are built: that each and every provision of the Constitution is a guarantee to each and every person of an INDIVIDUAL, UNALIENABLE RIGHT. In a system based on the Letter and Spirit of our Founding Documents, every violation of the Constitution does in fact injure or harm the INDIVIDUAL, and should thereby give him or her the RIGHT to stand in Court to seek relief.
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Under these facts and circumstances, it is well settled in American jurisprudence that silence is an admission. The government, by its silence, has admitted to its violations of the Constitution.
Therefore, We the People now find the three branches of government to be in violation of the Accountability Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution; the public officials to be guilty of dereliction of duty in violation of their Oath of Office; and their actions, as listed in the aforementioned Petitions for Redress, to be outside the boundaries drawn around their power and, therefore, unconstitutional.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #1 TO CONGRESS
Because the federal judiciary dismisses for “lack of standing” or “lack of jurisdiction” those Petitions by citizens who seek to remedy violations of the Constitution by public officials, the Congress of the United States shall adopt legislation to amend the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure:
1. affirming the jurisdiction of all federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and
2. to prohibit any and all federal courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed; and
3. to assure that any state or federal judge who violates the Rule related to paragraph “1” or “2” above shall be deemed to have violated his or her Oath of Office and shall be removed from office in accordance with existing Rules and disqualified from holding public office thereafter, and
4. defining the meaning of the word “proper,” within the context of the first paragraph above, as follows:
The term “Petition” is not defined in the Constitution. To be sure, a communication, to be protected as a Petition to the Government for Redress of Grievances would have to embody certain components to ensure that the document was a Petition and not a “pretended petition.” Not all communications, nor just any document, can be regarded as a Constitutionally-protected Petition for Redress of Grievances. Petitions for Redress that qualify for protection by the First Amendment include Petitions to remedy violations of the Constitution, which:
are serious and documented, not frivolous;
contain no falsehoods;
are not absent probable cause;
have the quality of a dispute;
come from a person outside of the formal political culture;
contain both a “direction” and a “demand” for relief;
have been punctilious (meaning, it follows formatting conventions);
address public, collective grievances;
involve Constitutional Principles;
have been signed only or primarily by citizens;
have been dignified (meaning authenticated);
have widespread participation and consequences;
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are instruments of deliberation not agitation;
prove new information;
do not advocate violence or crime.
C. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION #2 TO CONGRESS
Because public officials in the Legislative and Executive branches refuse to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, the Congress of the United States shall adopt a concurrent Resolution:
1. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances, where the term, “proper Petition” is defined in Instruction B#4 above;
2. affirming the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed should respond to all other Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
D. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT
1. Affirm the jurisdiction of all state and federal courts to hear challenges to the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public official, elected or appointed, or agency or department;
2. Prohibit any and all federal and state courts from denying standing to any individual to challenge the Constitutionality of any action by any state or federal public officials, elected or appointed, or agency or department; and that
3. Remove any judge from office who violates the above, for violating his or her Oath of Office, and disqualify him or her from holding public office thereafter, all in accordance with existing Rules.
E. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION TO THE PRESIDENT
The President shall affirm the fact that every public official, state or federal, elected or appointed is obligated to respond to proper Petitions for Redress of Grievances.
F. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
Each of the several State Legislatures shall adopt legislation, as necessary, to recall from office any elected or appointed public official for failure to respond to any proper Petition for Redress of Grievances;
1. The State Legislatures shall refuse to accept any and all federal funds until all three branches of the federal government are in compliance with the Instructions in “B” through “E” above;
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2. The State Legislatures shall adopt legislation providing for the institution of a Citizens’ Grand Jury for the purpose of hearing complaints and issuing indictments, against any public official who may be in violation of his or her Oath of Office and/or of the Accountability Clause of the 1st Amendment;
3. The state legislatures shall adopt legislation removing impediments to and restoring writs of quo warranto and to obtain a hearing on the merits.
G. RECOMMENDED CIVIC ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE
1. Instruct the State Legislatures and members of Congress to adopt the aforementioned;
2. Form coalitions or groups to lobby State Legislatures and members of Congress to obtain the adoption of the aforementioned;
3. Instruct State Officials to remove all Oath violators from their positions of authority; and
4. Sign these Articles of Freedom to give the aforementioned the moral authority it requires.
SCHOOLO OF FREEDOM 102A
(Not a student yet? Enroll for free at www.gwschool.net.)
George Washington is widely revered as the Father of America--the man who was uniquely qualified to be this nation's first president. Thomas Jefferson remarked to a colleague that, "it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance."1
Born into wealth, Washington quickly gained experiences that led him down the path to the presidency. As a young man he realized that, "There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature."2 Washington was not able to receive as much of an education as he would have liked due to the early death of his father, but he soon became involved in land surveying and acquisition, an enterprise which provided him with important connections that would assist in his later career.
Washington began his military career first as a Major, and then as a commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. Later, he volunteered as an aide to British General Edward Braddock during a campaign to expel the French forces from the Ohio area. The battle in which Braddock was killed soon become a well-known story of Washington's courage, as the latter led a retreat in which two different horses he was riding were shot from underneath him, and four bullets pierced his cloak. "...by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation," he later wrote to his brother.3
Previous aspirations for a military did not become realized as he had hoped, so Washington focused on his plantation and politics. His marriage to Martha, a widow with children and a considerable fortune, provided him resources to cultivate and expand. Though a slave owner, he was kind and caring--so much so that few of the slaves ever attempted escape. His increasing wealth and development further propelled Washington in the social and political circles of the day. He enjoyed private life immensely, but Britain's economic oppression grated him to the point of action. He was in attendance when Patrick Henry introduced his resolutions against the Stamp Act in May of 1765. A few years later, he stated that resistance to "our lordly masters"4 had become necessary and, peaceful petitions to Parliament having proven unproductive, an escalation was merited.
As committees were organized and resolutions formed in leading up to the Revolution, Washington was usually witness, and often a participant. He was elected as a delegate to the first Continental Congress, took command of military companies in Virginia, served as Chairman of the Committee of Safety in Fairfax County, and was also elected a delegate to the second Continental Congress. It was in this latter Congress that Washington was, for several reasons, nominated and unanimously elected as Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of all the colonies. Ever the exemplar of humility, he refused any payment beyond necessary expenses, and asked "every gentleman in the room"5 to serve as witness that he considered himself unfit for the job.
Much has been written about the marvelous military career Washington had in ensuing years. His soldiers respected him, Americans revered him, and the British underestimated him. He was, as Henry Lee later eulogized him to Congress, "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."6 In terms of military leadership, what set Washington apart from other commanders before his time and since was his indifference towards the power he wielded--indeed, rather than mere indifference, he was keenly cognizant of its corrupting power, which was anathema to him. Whereas many men in his position would retain and abuse this position, Washington was quick to divest himself of it. Within days of the departure of British forces after their defeat, Washington stepped down from his office. On December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission to the Continental Congress, stating: "Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."7 Within 24 hours he was back home in Mount Vernon.
Having heard of the possibility of this retirement, King George III previously commented that, "if he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." General Washington proved him correct.
Washington's retirement for a few years was slowly but steadily interrupted by the political climate surrounding the chaotic relations between the colonies in the post-war period. He felt that "something must be done, or the fabric must fall, for it is certainly tottering,"8 yet was slow to embrace the idea of a constitutional convention. Ultimately deciding that the states should determine "whether the Revolution must ultimately be considered a blessing or a curse,"9 he began in earnest to persuade others to support a convention. Once again showing his lack of concern for popularity and power, Washington was hesitant to attend the convention himself, and was hoping to be excused. Instead, he was chosen as one of Virginia's five delegates. Though he sought no influence, his countrymen recognized in him the virtues of a statesman whose leadership was essential in helping the colonies navigate self-government.
That leadership earned him the unanimous election as president of the convention, where he almost never offered his opinion while presiding over the body. Outside the convention hall, however, his advice was eagerly sought, and often very influential. Upon completion of the Constitution--a document Washington thought imperfect, yet nevertheless eagerly supported--he unsurprisingly hoped to once again return to the peace and enjoyment of private life. His fellow Americans, of course, thought differently; upon consideration of worthy candidates for the nation's first President, all eyes looked to him. Indeed, it was thought by almost all that only he could govern a budding nation and keep the diverse colonies unified. "As the first of everything, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent," he wrote James Madison, "it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."10
Washington's character was no less tried and successfully tested during his time in office. While clearly not perfect, he nevertheless governed equitably, with praiseworthy character, and the high regard of those whom he served. The eminent historian David McCullough captured him best: "Had Washington been born in the days of idolatry, he would be worshiped as a god. If there are spots on his character, they are like spots on the sun, only discernible by the magnifying powers of a telescope."11
1 Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Walter Jones. (2 January 1814)
2 Letter to Mrs. George William Fairfax (12 September 1758)
4 Letter to George Mason, 5 April 1769
5 Washington Irving, George Washington: A Biography, 168
6 Memoirs of Lee. Eulogy on Washington, Dec. 26, 1799.
8 Letter to John Jay, 18 May 1786
9 Letters of General Washington to the governors of the several states
10 Letter to James Madison, May 1789
11 David McCullough, Pennsylvania Journal, 1777-1776, 290
Connor Boyack is a web developer, political economist, and budding philanthropist trying to change the world one byte at a time. He serves as State Coordinator for the Tenth Amendment Center in Utah, and Communications Coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty in Utah County. Read his blog or send him an email.
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ARTICLES OF FREEDOM PART THREE
ARTICLE 1.
SOVEREIGNTY AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE1
A. AFFIRMATION
We, the People, in order to maintain our independence from any oppressor, to protect our Rights as Free Men and Women, to secure the blessings of liberty for our posterity, and to document our Resolve to resist any external or internal force which may seek to curtail those Rights make this affirmation:
All sovereignty originates with the Creator, and is gifted to the individual; from where it is delegated to the family, the family to the State, the State to the Nation. Any corruption of this order violates Natural Law and the God-given Rights of the People.
WHEREAS, all political power is inherent in the People, and
WHEREAS, the Natural Rights of Persons are unalienable, and any violation of these rights is cause for remuneration and/or punishment, and
WHEREAS, according to the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of government is "to secure these rights," and
WHEREAS, a government that has become destructive of these rights has abused its authority, and
WHEREAS, history has shown that the further away governments are removed from the People, the more corrupt and oppressive they become, and
WHEREAS, the Officers of our governments have taken an Oath or Affirmation to support and defend the Federal, and State Constitutions, and
WHEREAS, the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and
WHEREAS, certain unelected, supra-national bodies seek to usurp the authority of the United States Constitution, and therefore the actions of these bodies are incompatible with the Liberty of the People of the United States, and
1 Learn more about the subject matter of this Article: In June of 2008 and again in August of 2009, every member of Congress and the President were Petitioned for Redress of Grievances relating the then latest, unlawful and unconstitutional action by the Government to undermine the sovereignty of the People, the States and the Union itself, in this case, the attempt to create a North American Union. The People and their Petitions were ignored; read the SOVEREIGNTY Petition. See the related CC 2009 video presentations: Tom DeWeese, Executive Director, American Policy Center and First Delegate from Virginia – Sovereignty and the North American Union.
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WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence declares Man's Right to establish governments to secure his Liberty, and alter or abolish those which do not, and
WHEREAS, the Concept of exclusive Judicial Review of Constitutionality is not to be found anywhere in the Federal Constitution, and
WHEREAS, the 9th and 10th Amendments to the Federal Constitution clearly indicate that all powers not enumerated in the Federal Constitution are reserved to the States or the People; and
WHEREAS, the States are not ruling on Constitutionality; it is the responsibility of the People, as the final arbiters of the Constitution, to decide on what is or is not Constitutional, and
WHEREAS, this Body, is a body made up of the People who are able to instruct our servant government, and
WHEREAS, We, the People, do not consent to supra-national bodies which may or may not seek to become a world, or even regional, governing body,
THEREFORE, Be it Resolved, that : We, the People do hereby declare ourselves to be independent of all supra-national bodies; including but not limited to: The United Nations (UN) and any subsidiary thereof, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), any so-called Free Trade agreements and organizations (such as WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT); any association or group which seeks to subvert the Constitution (such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission); and that we declare any treaties that these bodies create to be null and void.”
And Be it Resolved, that: We the People do not consent to tyranny, and we will actively resist any infringement upon our Liberty, as described in the Declaration of Independence, and which has been secured by the Constitution for the United States, and which springs from the stirring of our own hearts and souls.”
Be it further Resolved, that: We, the People reaffirm our unalienable Rights as they are enumerated in the Declaration of Independence which states, in part, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these rights, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and institute new Government, laying its foundations once again on the principles of Liberty and Freedom. We further affirm the Right of the People to organize government powers in such a form that shall seem mostly likely to them to secure their unalienable rights, including but not limited to: Life, Liberty, Property, the Pursuit of Happiness, and Self-governance, through the utilization of any and all means available to them.
Be it further Resolved, that: this Body appeals to the People to secure their sovereignty by any and all means necessary. This body recognizes that if or when force is brought to bear on the People, it is the Right of the People to meet that force with equal force; be it from a foreign body, or the misuse of domestic power. Any infringement on the Liberty and Freedom of the People as enumerated in the Constitution is an act of WAR against the people and the People and their Militias have the Right and Duty to repel it.
Be it further Resolved, that: this Affirmation serves as notice to any and all would-be oppressors that the People's resolve shall not be questioned, and no person or group has the Right to exert their will upon another. The strength of our convictions is deep and powerful; and these are tested
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at great risk to our would-be oppressors. If this tyranny is brought to our doors, then the consequences will be brought to theirs.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
AND EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
Congress and the Legislatures of each of the Several States shall reaffirm the fundamental political and legal principles that:
The Declaration of Independence is the Original and Supreme Assertion of the Independence and Sovereignty of We the People and as such, it constitutes the Great and Indispensible Charter and Guarantee of our Freedom and Liberty.
The Declaration of Independence asserts that We the People have “assume[d] among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them”; and that the original thirteen Colonies took upon themselves the status of “Free and Independent States” with “full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do”.
The purpose of the Constitution of the United States is to provide a Charter for the Government of the People of the United States in their “separate and equal station” that they have assumed “ among the powers of the earth” through the formation of “a more perfect Union” among the States. Through this Union, the Sovereignty of the People is exercised through a federal government under the control of the People and for their benefit. Therefore, the Constitution cannot serve any international, supra-national, anti-national or merely private function that would infringe upon the right of the People to that separate and equal station that the Declaration of Independence guarantees them.
The Constitution of the United States, as the Supreme Law of the Land, is based upon the Principles of Liberty stated in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, the Oath or Affirmation taken by all government officials at every level to protect and defend the Constitution also binds them to support those principles in the Declaration of Independence.
Therefore, no public official may lawfully take any action whatsoever that:
i. results in the surrender, alienation or delegation of the sovereignty of the People of the United States
ii. by entangling alliances, special relationships, or through political or economic subservience, advances the interests of any other nation, international organization, supranational entity or private organization at the expense of the sovereignty of the United States.
Any such action by a public official is a violation of that individual’s Oath or Affirmation of Office and is therefore treason against the Constitution for the United States of America.
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C. ADDITIONAL REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
We hereby instruct Congress to repeal all legislation for which it cannot show constitutional authority under the enumerated powers of Article I, Section 8.
D. ADDITIONAL REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SEVERAL STATES
We hereby instruct our State Legislatures to:
1. Adopt State Sovereignty Resolutions that assert the power of the State to treat as null and void all federal legislation that exceeds the enumerated powers of Congress under the Constitution; and to enforce such resolutions by the interposition of the State to protect its citizens from unconstitutional federal legislation.
2. Demonstrate principled leadership: Strengthen the State's power to protect its citizens; and completely and forever eliminate the most common means of federal coercion by refusing all federal funds that are not specifically authorized by the Constitution.
3. Encourage the true and proper “general welfare” of the State by repealing state welfare legislation. Thus, leave the citizens free to build strong families, exercise true individual charity and rebuild actual community through voluntary association rather than government coercion.
E. RECOMMENDED CIVIC ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE
WHEREAS, federal violations of the General Welfare Clause cannot be truly reversed without a voluntary resumption of personal responsibility, we urge our fellow citizens to join us in promoting the true “general welfare” of the United States through the following citizen actions. We call upon the People to:
1. Break the chains of government dependence by refusing to participate in any unconstitutional government welfare program, whether individual or corporate, including but not limited to: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, grants, subsidies, or any other form of federal welfare;
2. Make informed choices regarding health insurance, vaccinations, mental health screenings, dietary supplements, medications and other health decisions based on personal choice, and not merely in obedience to intrusive and offensive federal laws, with a willingness to disobey such laws when conscience or reason dictate;
3. Seek out information about companies that use federal and state governments as their agents to rob us of our wealth and enrich themselves through bailouts, grants, subsidies and other corporate welfare, and to communicate to them our refusal to do business with them while they persist in their thievery;
4. Refuse support to churches, religious organizations and charities that denigrate our
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Constitution by availing themselves of unconstitutional government programs rather than voluntary charity; and instead to vigorously and generously support churches and religious organizations that boldly stand for the Principles of Liberty enshrined in our Constitution; and, additionally, to rebuild strong community structures on the basis of voluntary association rather than government coercion.
5. Refuse to give the federal government absolute control over our children's education while compelling us to pay for it; and to practice our parental rights by providing our children education at home or through private institutions, thereby protecting them from harmful, dishonest, and subversive government indoctrination.
6. To live our lives as free individuals, not ceding any authority to the federal government which we have not expressly granted to it in our Constitution; and to disobey, when appropriate, any unconstitutional laws; and use every means at our disposal to challenge usurpations through the courts, political action, and any other means deemed necessary.
SOVEREIGNTY AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE1
A. AFFIRMATION
We, the People, in order to maintain our independence from any oppressor, to protect our Rights as Free Men and Women, to secure the blessings of liberty for our posterity, and to document our Resolve to resist any external or internal force which may seek to curtail those Rights make this affirmation:
All sovereignty originates with the Creator, and is gifted to the individual; from where it is delegated to the family, the family to the State, the State to the Nation. Any corruption of this order violates Natural Law and the God-given Rights of the People.
WHEREAS, all political power is inherent in the People, and
WHEREAS, the Natural Rights of Persons are unalienable, and any violation of these rights is cause for remuneration and/or punishment, and
WHEREAS, according to the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of government is "to secure these rights," and
WHEREAS, a government that has become destructive of these rights has abused its authority, and
WHEREAS, history has shown that the further away governments are removed from the People, the more corrupt and oppressive they become, and
WHEREAS, the Officers of our governments have taken an Oath or Affirmation to support and defend the Federal, and State Constitutions, and
WHEREAS, the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and
WHEREAS, certain unelected, supra-national bodies seek to usurp the authority of the United States Constitution, and therefore the actions of these bodies are incompatible with the Liberty of the People of the United States, and
1 Learn more about the subject matter of this Article: In June of 2008 and again in August of 2009, every member of Congress and the President were Petitioned for Redress of Grievances relating the then latest, unlawful and unconstitutional action by the Government to undermine the sovereignty of the People, the States and the Union itself, in this case, the attempt to create a North American Union. The People and their Petitions were ignored; read the SOVEREIGNTY Petition. See the related CC 2009 video presentations: Tom DeWeese, Executive Director, American Policy Center and First Delegate from Virginia – Sovereignty and the North American Union.
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2
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence declares Man's Right to establish governments to secure his Liberty, and alter or abolish those which do not, and
WHEREAS, the Concept of exclusive Judicial Review of Constitutionality is not to be found anywhere in the Federal Constitution, and
WHEREAS, the 9th and 10th Amendments to the Federal Constitution clearly indicate that all powers not enumerated in the Federal Constitution are reserved to the States or the People; and
WHEREAS, the States are not ruling on Constitutionality; it is the responsibility of the People, as the final arbiters of the Constitution, to decide on what is or is not Constitutional, and
WHEREAS, this Body, is a body made up of the People who are able to instruct our servant government, and
WHEREAS, We, the People, do not consent to supra-national bodies which may or may not seek to become a world, or even regional, governing body,
THEREFORE, Be it Resolved, that : We, the People do hereby declare ourselves to be independent of all supra-national bodies; including but not limited to: The United Nations (UN) and any subsidiary thereof, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), any so-called Free Trade agreements and organizations (such as WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT); any association or group which seeks to subvert the Constitution (such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission); and that we declare any treaties that these bodies create to be null and void.”
And Be it Resolved, that: We the People do not consent to tyranny, and we will actively resist any infringement upon our Liberty, as described in the Declaration of Independence, and which has been secured by the Constitution for the United States, and which springs from the stirring of our own hearts and souls.”
Be it further Resolved, that: We, the People reaffirm our unalienable Rights as they are enumerated in the Declaration of Independence which states, in part, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these rights, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and institute new Government, laying its foundations once again on the principles of Liberty and Freedom. We further affirm the Right of the People to organize government powers in such a form that shall seem mostly likely to them to secure their unalienable rights, including but not limited to: Life, Liberty, Property, the Pursuit of Happiness, and Self-governance, through the utilization of any and all means available to them.
Be it further Resolved, that: this Body appeals to the People to secure their sovereignty by any and all means necessary. This body recognizes that if or when force is brought to bear on the People, it is the Right of the People to meet that force with equal force; be it from a foreign body, or the misuse of domestic power. Any infringement on the Liberty and Freedom of the People as enumerated in the Constitution is an act of WAR against the people and the People and their Militias have the Right and Duty to repel it.
Be it further Resolved, that: this Affirmation serves as notice to any and all would-be oppressors that the People's resolve shall not be questioned, and no person or group has the Right to exert their will upon another. The strength of our convictions is deep and powerful; and these are tested
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
Call to Action: Go to www.ArticlesofFreedom.us. Take the Nationwide Civic Action Pledge. Join millions of others.
3
at great risk to our would-be oppressors. If this tyranny is brought to our doors, then the consequences will be brought to theirs.
B. REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
AND EACH OF THE SEVERAL STATES
Congress and the Legislatures of each of the Several States shall reaffirm the fundamental political and legal principles that:
The Declaration of Independence is the Original and Supreme Assertion of the Independence and Sovereignty of We the People and as such, it constitutes the Great and Indispensible Charter and Guarantee of our Freedom and Liberty.
The Declaration of Independence asserts that We the People have “assume[d] among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them”; and that the original thirteen Colonies took upon themselves the status of “Free and Independent States” with “full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do”.
The purpose of the Constitution of the United States is to provide a Charter for the Government of the People of the United States in their “separate and equal station” that they have assumed “ among the powers of the earth” through the formation of “a more perfect Union” among the States. Through this Union, the Sovereignty of the People is exercised through a federal government under the control of the People and for their benefit. Therefore, the Constitution cannot serve any international, supra-national, anti-national or merely private function that would infringe upon the right of the People to that separate and equal station that the Declaration of Independence guarantees them.
The Constitution of the United States, as the Supreme Law of the Land, is based upon the Principles of Liberty stated in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, the Oath or Affirmation taken by all government officials at every level to protect and defend the Constitution also binds them to support those principles in the Declaration of Independence.
Therefore, no public official may lawfully take any action whatsoever that:
i. results in the surrender, alienation or delegation of the sovereignty of the People of the United States
ii. by entangling alliances, special relationships, or through political or economic subservience, advances the interests of any other nation, international organization, supranational entity or private organization at the expense of the sovereignty of the United States.
Any such action by a public official is a violation of that individual’s Oath or Affirmation of Office and is therefore treason against the Constitution for the United States of America.
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C. ADDITIONAL REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CONGRESS
We hereby instruct Congress to repeal all legislation for which it cannot show constitutional authority under the enumerated powers of Article I, Section 8.
D. ADDITIONAL REMEDIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SEVERAL STATES
We hereby instruct our State Legislatures to:
1. Adopt State Sovereignty Resolutions that assert the power of the State to treat as null and void all federal legislation that exceeds the enumerated powers of Congress under the Constitution; and to enforce such resolutions by the interposition of the State to protect its citizens from unconstitutional federal legislation.
2. Demonstrate principled leadership: Strengthen the State's power to protect its citizens; and completely and forever eliminate the most common means of federal coercion by refusing all federal funds that are not specifically authorized by the Constitution.
3. Encourage the true and proper “general welfare” of the State by repealing state welfare legislation. Thus, leave the citizens free to build strong families, exercise true individual charity and rebuild actual community through voluntary association rather than government coercion.
E. RECOMMENDED CIVIC ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE
WHEREAS, federal violations of the General Welfare Clause cannot be truly reversed without a voluntary resumption of personal responsibility, we urge our fellow citizens to join us in promoting the true “general welfare” of the United States through the following citizen actions. We call upon the People to:
1. Break the chains of government dependence by refusing to participate in any unconstitutional government welfare program, whether individual or corporate, including but not limited to: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, grants, subsidies, or any other form of federal welfare;
2. Make informed choices regarding health insurance, vaccinations, mental health screenings, dietary supplements, medications and other health decisions based on personal choice, and not merely in obedience to intrusive and offensive federal laws, with a willingness to disobey such laws when conscience or reason dictate;
3. Seek out information about companies that use federal and state governments as their agents to rob us of our wealth and enrich themselves through bailouts, grants, subsidies and other corporate welfare, and to communicate to them our refusal to do business with them while they persist in their thievery;
4. Refuse support to churches, religious organizations and charities that denigrate our
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Constitution by availing themselves of unconstitutional government programs rather than voluntary charity; and instead to vigorously and generously support churches and religious organizations that boldly stand for the Principles of Liberty enshrined in our Constitution; and, additionally, to rebuild strong community structures on the basis of voluntary association rather than government coercion.
5. Refuse to give the federal government absolute control over our children's education while compelling us to pay for it; and to practice our parental rights by providing our children education at home or through private institutions, thereby protecting them from harmful, dishonest, and subversive government indoctrination.
6. To live our lives as free individuals, not ceding any authority to the federal government which we have not expressly granted to it in our Constitution; and to disobey, when appropriate, any unconstitutional laws; and use every means at our disposal to challenge usurpations through the courts, political action, and any other means deemed necessary.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM PART TWO
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Declaration and Resolves
of Continental Congress 2009
In Defense of a Free People, the time has come to reassert our God-Given, Natural Rights and cast off tyranny…
Let the Facts Reveal: The federal government of the United States of America was instituted to secure the Individual Rights of our citizens and instead now threatens our Life, Liberty and Property through usurpations of the Constitution. Emboldened by our own lack of responsibility and due diligence in these matters, government has exceeded its’ mandate and abandoned those Founding Principles which have made our nation exceptional;
Our servant government has undertaken these unconstitutional actions in direct violation of their enumerated duties, to the detriment of the People’s liberty and the sovereignty of our Republic;
Over many years and spanning multiple political administrations, the People who have, in good conscience, attempted to deliberate our grievances and voice our dissent against these offensive actions through both Petition and Assembly, have been maligned and ignored with contempt;
The People of the several States of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, justly alarmed at these arbitrary and unconstitutional actions, have met as Citizen-Delegates, and sat in a general Congress, in the city of St. Charles, Illinois;
Whereupon We, as these Citizen- Delegates, have gathered in defense of Divine Justice, Liberty and the principles of limited government, now stand in clear recognition of the Supreme Law of the Land – the Constitution for the United States of America;
Therefore, We demand that Government immediately re-establish Constitutional Rule of Law, lest the People be forced to do so themselves; and we hereby serve notice that in the Defense of Freedom and Liberty there shall be NO COMPROMISE to which we shall ever yield.
21 November 2009
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PRAYER FOR CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009*
Almighty God,
On this day, the eleventh of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, we turn our attention to Thee and those who Minister with Thee, to Protect and Guard this Nation and the Rights of Free Men.
As we enter into these deliberations, we Humbly ask for Thy Guidance, Illumination, Protection and Peace that we may know Thy Will for our Beloved United States of America and this Continental Congress. Give us the Strength, the Energy and the Courage to do what is Right through this Body.
At all times, Protect those who are gathered here, our loved ones and all who are standing now for the Rights of Free Men, not only in this time together, but as we move forward to Fulfill your Plan.
We ask Thee to Enfold us in that which You Know will enable us to Carry on the Sacred Trust given by our Founding Fathers, through Whom Thy Voice was heard.
We offer all we are or have or ever hope to be into this Service for our Country and Fellow Man. Unite us as One Heart, One Mind, One Body.
We give Thee ALL Credit for All Good that may come from our humble efforts and we ask Thy Great Mercy and Forgiveness for the wrongs which have been committed against the Charters of Freedom which Thou gave to this world through the American People.
May we carry on the Torch of Liberty that all on this earth may one day know the Gifts and Blessings Thou intend for each of us.
We offer this Prayer to Thee, Our Creator and Nature’s God, with a Firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence.
Amen.
*Offered initially at the Opening Ceremony on November 11, 2009, and then at the dawn of each day’s deliberations.
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viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION iii
DECLARATION AND RESOLVES OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009 vi
THE PRAYER FOR CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009 vii
Article 1: SOVEREIGNTY AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1
A. Affirmation 1
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress and Each of the Several States 3
C. Additional Remedial Instructions to Congress 4
D. Additional Instructions to Each of the Several States 4
E. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 4
Article 2: CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE 5
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 5
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 6
Article 3: PETITION FOR REDRESS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT 7
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 7
B. Remedial Instructions #1 to Congress 9
C. Remedial Instructions #2 to Congress 10
D. Remedial Instructions to the Supreme Court 10
E. Remedial Instruction to the President 10
F. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 10
G. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 11
Article 4: MILITIAS, FIREARMS AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT 11
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 11
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 12
C. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 13
Article 5: PRIVACY AND THE FOURTH AMENDMENT 14
A. Remedial Instructions to the Federal Government 14
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 14
C. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 15
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ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Article 6: PRIVATE PROPERTY AND 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th AND 14th AMENDMENTS 17
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 17
B. Constitutional Provisions 18
C. Energy Independence 19
D. The Wildlands Project – Conservation of Biological Diversity 19
E. Remedial Instructions to Congress 19
F. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 21
G. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 21
Article 7: JURIES AND THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT 22
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 22
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 23
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 23
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 23
Article 8: INCOME TAX AND THE SIXTEENTH AMENDMENT 24
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 24
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 24
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 25
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 25
Article 9: FOREIGN POLICY AND THE GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE OF
THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION 27
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 27
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 28
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 28
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 28
Article 10: MONEY AND ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 29
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 29
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 30
C. Recommended Civic Action by the People 31
Article 11: PUBLIC DEBT AND ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 32
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 32
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 34
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 35
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 36
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x
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Article 12: WAR POWERS AND ARTICLES 1 AND 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION 37
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 37
B. Remedial Instruction to Congress and the President 39
C. Additional Remedial Instructions to Congress 39
D. Additional Remedial Instructions to the President 39
E. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 40
F. Recommended Civic Actions for the People 40
Article 13: ELIGIBILITY AND THE NATURAL BORN CITIZEN CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 41
PART I: A RESOLUTION 41
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 41
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 42
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 42
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 43
PART II: A PRESENTMENT 43
Article 14: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE OATH OF OFFICE CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 1, AND THE FAITHFULLY EXECUTE CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION 45
A. Remedial Instructions to the President 46
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 47
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 47
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 48
Article 15: ANCILLARY REPORT BY THE FOREIGN POLICY AND GENERAL
WELFARE COMMITTEE REGARDING THE WELFARE STATE 48
THE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE 50
NATIONWIDE CIVIC ACTION and PLEDGE 51
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vi
Declaration and Resolves
of Continental Congress 2009
In Defense of a Free People, the time has come to reassert our God-Given, Natural Rights and cast off tyranny…
Let the Facts Reveal: The federal government of the United States of America was instituted to secure the Individual Rights of our citizens and instead now threatens our Life, Liberty and Property through usurpations of the Constitution. Emboldened by our own lack of responsibility and due diligence in these matters, government has exceeded its’ mandate and abandoned those Founding Principles which have made our nation exceptional;
Our servant government has undertaken these unconstitutional actions in direct violation of their enumerated duties, to the detriment of the People’s liberty and the sovereignty of our Republic;
Over many years and spanning multiple political administrations, the People who have, in good conscience, attempted to deliberate our grievances and voice our dissent against these offensive actions through both Petition and Assembly, have been maligned and ignored with contempt;
The People of the several States of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, justly alarmed at these arbitrary and unconstitutional actions, have met as Citizen-Delegates, and sat in a general Congress, in the city of St. Charles, Illinois;
Whereupon We, as these Citizen- Delegates, have gathered in defense of Divine Justice, Liberty and the principles of limited government, now stand in clear recognition of the Supreme Law of the Land – the Constitution for the United States of America;
Therefore, We demand that Government immediately re-establish Constitutional Rule of Law, lest the People be forced to do so themselves; and we hereby serve notice that in the Defense of Freedom and Liberty there shall be NO COMPROMISE to which we shall ever yield.
21 November 2009
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vii
PRAYER FOR CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009*
Almighty God,
On this day, the eleventh of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, we turn our attention to Thee and those who Minister with Thee, to Protect and Guard this Nation and the Rights of Free Men.
As we enter into these deliberations, we Humbly ask for Thy Guidance, Illumination, Protection and Peace that we may know Thy Will for our Beloved United States of America and this Continental Congress. Give us the Strength, the Energy and the Courage to do what is Right through this Body.
At all times, Protect those who are gathered here, our loved ones and all who are standing now for the Rights of Free Men, not only in this time together, but as we move forward to Fulfill your Plan.
We ask Thee to Enfold us in that which You Know will enable us to Carry on the Sacred Trust given by our Founding Fathers, through Whom Thy Voice was heard.
We offer all we are or have or ever hope to be into this Service for our Country and Fellow Man. Unite us as One Heart, One Mind, One Body.
We give Thee ALL Credit for All Good that may come from our humble efforts and we ask Thy Great Mercy and Forgiveness for the wrongs which have been committed against the Charters of Freedom which Thou gave to this world through the American People.
May we carry on the Torch of Liberty that all on this earth may one day know the Gifts and Blessings Thou intend for each of us.
We offer this Prayer to Thee, Our Creator and Nature’s God, with a Firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence.
Amen.
*Offered initially at the Opening Ceremony on November 11, 2009, and then at the dawn of each day’s deliberations.
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viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION iii
DECLARATION AND RESOLVES OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009 vi
THE PRAYER FOR CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009 vii
Article 1: SOVEREIGNTY AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1
A. Affirmation 1
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress and Each of the Several States 3
C. Additional Remedial Instructions to Congress 4
D. Additional Instructions to Each of the Several States 4
E. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 4
Article 2: CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE 5
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 5
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 6
Article 3: PETITION FOR REDRESS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT 7
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 7
B. Remedial Instructions #1 to Congress 9
C. Remedial Instructions #2 to Congress 10
D. Remedial Instructions to the Supreme Court 10
E. Remedial Instruction to the President 10
F. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 10
G. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 11
Article 4: MILITIAS, FIREARMS AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT 11
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 11
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 12
C. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 13
Article 5: PRIVACY AND THE FOURTH AMENDMENT 14
A. Remedial Instructions to the Federal Government 14
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 14
C. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 15
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ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Article 6: PRIVATE PROPERTY AND 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th AND 14th AMENDMENTS 17
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 17
B. Constitutional Provisions 18
C. Energy Independence 19
D. The Wildlands Project – Conservation of Biological Diversity 19
E. Remedial Instructions to Congress 19
F. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 21
G. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 21
Article 7: JURIES AND THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT 22
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 22
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 23
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 23
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 23
Article 8: INCOME TAX AND THE SIXTEENTH AMENDMENT 24
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 24
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 24
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 25
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 25
Article 9: FOREIGN POLICY AND THE GENERAL WELFARE CLAUSE OF
THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION 27
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 27
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 28
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 28
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 28
Article 10: MONEY AND ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 29
A. Remedial Instructions to Congress 29
B. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 30
C. Recommended Civic Action by the People 31
Article 11: PUBLIC DEBT AND ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 32
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 32
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 34
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 35
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 36
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x
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Article 12: WAR POWERS AND ARTICLES 1 AND 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION 37
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 37
B. Remedial Instruction to Congress and the President 39
C. Additional Remedial Instructions to Congress 39
D. Additional Remedial Instructions to the President 39
E. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 40
F. Recommended Civic Actions for the People 40
Article 13: ELIGIBILITY AND THE NATURAL BORN CITIZEN CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION 41
PART I: A RESOLUTION 41
A. Background and Statement of the Facts 41
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 42
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 42
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 43
PART II: A PRESENTMENT 43
Article 14: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE OATH OF OFFICE CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 1, AND THE FAITHFULLY EXECUTE CLAUSE
OF ARTICLE 2, SECTION 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION 45
A. Remedial Instructions to the President 46
B. Remedial Instructions to Congress 47
C. Remedial Instructions to Each of the Several States 47
D. Recommended Civic Actions by the People 48
Article 15: ANCILLARY REPORT BY THE FOREIGN POLICY AND GENERAL
WELFARE COMMITTEE REGARDING THE WELFARE STATE 48
THE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE 50
NATIONWIDE CIVIC ACTION and PLEDGE 51
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM PART ONE
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM
*** * ***
The works of the
continental congress 2009
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
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ii
For the free people
of the united states of america
***
from the citizen-delegates representing each of forty-eight states, who convened for eleven days at pheasant run in st. charles, Illinois, to deliberate, debate and decide a plan to restore constitutional governance in the united states of America.
November 11 – 21, 2009
Copyright ©2009 by We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Inc.
for Continental Congress 2009
All rights reserved.
Any portion or section herein may be reproduced in its entirety, with no alterations or additions, and shared freely with all Peoples if credit or source is cited as the Articles of Freedom, the Works of the Continental Congress 2009.
We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Inc.
2458 Ridge Road, Queensbury, New York 12804
www.givemeliberty.org
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iii
INTRODUCTION
Think of the millions of folks, including members of the Armed Forces, who have raised their right hand and said, “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Think of the millions who have placed their right hand over their heart and said, “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
How could anyone who has pledged their devotion to the Constitution, reconcile the following violations of the Constitution that are destroying America? When will it end?
For decades, our Government has been meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, without any Constitutional authority, causing foreign nationals to direct their hostilities towards us, which has given us a War on Terror and a growing Police State that is repugnant to the Fourth Amendment and the General Welfare of a Free People;
For decades, we have had undeclared wars in violation of the War Powers clauses of Articles I and II;
We are now gifting and lending public money and credit to private corporations for decidedly private purposes (corporate welfare), without any constitutional authority, whatsoever;
We have a fiat currency, in violation of the money clauses of Article I;
We have been emitting trillions of dollars worth of Bills of Credit through or under the auspices of the Federal Reserve System in violation of Article I;
We have been incurring trillions of dollars worth of debt for the payment of expenditures for programs and activities that are not enumerated in Article I, and therefore not authorized;
We have a fraudulently ratified 16th Amendment in violation of Article V, a direct, un-apportioned tax on labor in violation of the tax clauses of Article I, and a judicial system that refuses to consider the evidence, in violation of Article III;
For decades we have had unenforced immigration laws in violation of that mandate, plainly-worded in Article II, that requires the President to “faithfully execute” all the laws passed by Congress;
We have a President whose father was not an American citizen, a violation of Article II;
We are counting our votes in secret, as all machines do, in violation of our constitutional right not only to vote but to know that our votes are being accurately counted;
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We have an absence of well-regulated state militias, and we have federal gun control laws, all in violation of the Second Amendment;
For decades, in violation of the sovereignty clauses of the Declaration of Independence, the United States has been entering into treaties, contracts and relationships with foreign entities, and giving authority to international bodies, dissipating, destroying and undermining America’s sovereignty;
We have private land being taken for private purposes in violation of the Fifth Amendment.
We have a Government about to become a provider of Health Care, and about to order the People to purchase a product, powers that are not enumerated in Article I, and therefore not authorized.
We have money bills originating in the Senate, in violation of Article I.
We have a Senate that is using a supermajority vote to decide whether to enact a law, without an amendment to the Constitution, all in violation of Article I, Sections 3 and 5, and Article 5.
These violations have challenged the Constitutional Republic of the United States and Her People to Its core.
Above all, we have government officials who, for fourteen years, and more, have refused to honor their fundamental obligation to respond to the People’s First Amendment Petitions to Redress these violations. I call this the “capstone grievance.”
It is well settled in American Jurisprudence that if anyone has an obligation to respond and he fails to do so, his silence amounts to admission. It is also well settled that any Right that is not enforceable is not a Right – that is, with every Right there is a Remedy. However, the Constitution cannot defend itself. It is the duty of the People to defend it.
The We The People Foundation exists for the purpose of protecting and defending our federal and state Constitutions and to ensure the day comes when the American People will have institutionalized citizen vigilance for the purpose of routinely holding their elected officials accountable to their Constitutions, regardless of their political stripes and whether they voted for them.
The vision for Continental Congress 2009 came in December of 2008, while I was preparing to give a speech at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The idea was well received. From January 1 – May 1, I traveled to 88 cities in all 50 states to meet with People to see if this was an idea they would support and help make a reality. They agreed.
On May 21, the Foundation sponsored a meeting of leaders of the Freedom movement at the Jekyll Island Club in Georgia. This was the place where the Federal Reserve was first conceived in 1910. We stood in the Federal Reserve Room, as it is called, and asked our Creator to put a new and righteous record for America in the place of what had gone before. We believe our
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v
prayers were answered. We discussed Continental Congress 2009 and if this was an idea they could support and help make a reality. They all agreed.
From June 1 – October 10, a national structure was established to accommodate Continental Congress 2009. State coordinators in nearly every state volunteered their time and energy along with other citizens. A small national management team formed to assist. Delegates were nominated in each state to attend the Congress.
A Constitutionally – correct election was held on October 10. On November 11, 2009, the delegates attended Continental Congress 2009 at the Pheasant Run Conference Center in St. Charles, Illinois, sponsored by the Foundation. The Delegates of Continental Congress 2009 were not professional legislators or wordsmiths. They were ordinary, non-aligned citizens from across America and all walks of life. They set aside their lives for this Assembly. They represented You and Me, the Free People of America.
The conclusion of their efforts, their recommended Course of Action to restore and maintain Constitutional obedience in America, is This Document called ‘‘Articles of Freedom.’’
It is proposed that these Articles be distributed to All in the Land, with the intent to draw the attention and courage of a “goodly number of millions of People” who, entitled to their Freedom and essential to Its maintenance, Arise to Restore and maintain the Constitution for the United States of America.
Then and only then shall America’s Destiny be Fulfilled.
Please take the time to read the Articles of Freedom. Learn about the Constitution. Take the Pledge to stand with millions of Americans as the Articles of Freedom are served on our elected officials, and then, if necessary, to participate in coordinated, non-violent, legal and Constitutional civic actions to stop the violations.
Robert L. Schulz
Founder and Chairman
We The People Foundation for Constitutional
*** * ***
The works of the
continental congress 2009
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
Call to Action: Go to www.ArticlesofFreedom.us. Take the Nationwide Civic Action Pledge. Join millions of others.
ii
For the free people
of the united states of america
***
from the citizen-delegates representing each of forty-eight states, who convened for eleven days at pheasant run in st. charles, Illinois, to deliberate, debate and decide a plan to restore constitutional governance in the united states of America.
November 11 – 21, 2009
Copyright ©2009 by We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Inc.
for Continental Congress 2009
All rights reserved.
Any portion or section herein may be reproduced in its entirety, with no alterations or additions, and shared freely with all Peoples if credit or source is cited as the Articles of Freedom, the Works of the Continental Congress 2009.
We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Inc.
2458 Ridge Road, Queensbury, New York 12804
www.givemeliberty.org
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
Call to Action: Go to www.ArticlesofFreedom.us. Take the Nationwide Civic Action Pledge. Join millions of others.
iii
INTRODUCTION
Think of the millions of folks, including members of the Armed Forces, who have raised their right hand and said, “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Think of the millions who have placed their right hand over their heart and said, “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
How could anyone who has pledged their devotion to the Constitution, reconcile the following violations of the Constitution that are destroying America? When will it end?
For decades, our Government has been meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, without any Constitutional authority, causing foreign nationals to direct their hostilities towards us, which has given us a War on Terror and a growing Police State that is repugnant to the Fourth Amendment and the General Welfare of a Free People;
For decades, we have had undeclared wars in violation of the War Powers clauses of Articles I and II;
We are now gifting and lending public money and credit to private corporations for decidedly private purposes (corporate welfare), without any constitutional authority, whatsoever;
We have a fiat currency, in violation of the money clauses of Article I;
We have been emitting trillions of dollars worth of Bills of Credit through or under the auspices of the Federal Reserve System in violation of Article I;
We have been incurring trillions of dollars worth of debt for the payment of expenditures for programs and activities that are not enumerated in Article I, and therefore not authorized;
We have a fraudulently ratified 16th Amendment in violation of Article V, a direct, un-apportioned tax on labor in violation of the tax clauses of Article I, and a judicial system that refuses to consider the evidence, in violation of Article III;
For decades we have had unenforced immigration laws in violation of that mandate, plainly-worded in Article II, that requires the President to “faithfully execute” all the laws passed by Congress;
We have a President whose father was not an American citizen, a violation of Article II;
We are counting our votes in secret, as all machines do, in violation of our constitutional right not only to vote but to know that our votes are being accurately counted;
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
Call to Action: Go to www.ArticlesofFreedom.us. Take the Nationwide Civic Action Pledge. Join millions of others.
iv
We have an absence of well-regulated state militias, and we have federal gun control laws, all in violation of the Second Amendment;
For decades, in violation of the sovereignty clauses of the Declaration of Independence, the United States has been entering into treaties, contracts and relationships with foreign entities, and giving authority to international bodies, dissipating, destroying and undermining America’s sovereignty;
We have private land being taken for private purposes in violation of the Fifth Amendment.
We have a Government about to become a provider of Health Care, and about to order the People to purchase a product, powers that are not enumerated in Article I, and therefore not authorized.
We have money bills originating in the Senate, in violation of Article I.
We have a Senate that is using a supermajority vote to decide whether to enact a law, without an amendment to the Constitution, all in violation of Article I, Sections 3 and 5, and Article 5.
These violations have challenged the Constitutional Republic of the United States and Her People to Its core.
Above all, we have government officials who, for fourteen years, and more, have refused to honor their fundamental obligation to respond to the People’s First Amendment Petitions to Redress these violations. I call this the “capstone grievance.”
It is well settled in American Jurisprudence that if anyone has an obligation to respond and he fails to do so, his silence amounts to admission. It is also well settled that any Right that is not enforceable is not a Right – that is, with every Right there is a Remedy. However, the Constitution cannot defend itself. It is the duty of the People to defend it.
The We The People Foundation exists for the purpose of protecting and defending our federal and state Constitutions and to ensure the day comes when the American People will have institutionalized citizen vigilance for the purpose of routinely holding their elected officials accountable to their Constitutions, regardless of their political stripes and whether they voted for them.
The vision for Continental Congress 2009 came in December of 2008, while I was preparing to give a speech at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The idea was well received. From January 1 – May 1, I traveled to 88 cities in all 50 states to meet with People to see if this was an idea they would support and help make a reality. They agreed.
On May 21, the Foundation sponsored a meeting of leaders of the Freedom movement at the Jekyll Island Club in Georgia. This was the place where the Federal Reserve was first conceived in 1910. We stood in the Federal Reserve Room, as it is called, and asked our Creator to put a new and righteous record for America in the place of what had gone before. We believe our
ARTICLES OF FREEDOM RESTORING THE CONSTITUTION
Call to Action: Go to www.ArticlesofFreedom.us. Take the Nationwide Civic Action Pledge. Join millions of others.
v
prayers were answered. We discussed Continental Congress 2009 and if this was an idea they could support and help make a reality. They all agreed.
From June 1 – October 10, a national structure was established to accommodate Continental Congress 2009. State coordinators in nearly every state volunteered their time and energy along with other citizens. A small national management team formed to assist. Delegates were nominated in each state to attend the Congress.
A Constitutionally – correct election was held on October 10. On November 11, 2009, the delegates attended Continental Congress 2009 at the Pheasant Run Conference Center in St. Charles, Illinois, sponsored by the Foundation. The Delegates of Continental Congress 2009 were not professional legislators or wordsmiths. They were ordinary, non-aligned citizens from across America and all walks of life. They set aside their lives for this Assembly. They represented You and Me, the Free People of America.
The conclusion of their efforts, their recommended Course of Action to restore and maintain Constitutional obedience in America, is This Document called ‘‘Articles of Freedom.’’
It is proposed that these Articles be distributed to All in the Land, with the intent to draw the attention and courage of a “goodly number of millions of People” who, entitled to their Freedom and essential to Its maintenance, Arise to Restore and maintain the Constitution for the United States of America.
Then and only then shall America’s Destiny be Fulfilled.
Please take the time to read the Articles of Freedom. Learn about the Constitution. Take the Pledge to stand with millions of Americans as the Articles of Freedom are served on our elected officials, and then, if necessary, to participate in coordinated, non-violent, legal and Constitutional civic actions to stop the violations.
Robert L. Schulz
Founder and Chairman
We The People Foundation for Constitutional
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
CONSTITUTION LOBBY PHONE MEETING 8/3/11 930 est.
IMPORTANT: NEW INFORMATION National Call for Constitution Lobby
To Gary L. Foreman, Tony Scott, CONSTITUTIONLOBBY@dolz.info, John S, Ed Stehlin, William Finley, Ruth Zoeller, r treitz, mary@designyoursite.net, James Moudry, Jay, Bette Smith, vincent pertoso, Jamie Raney, Karl P. Koenigs, Jorge Adrian Salaices, Barbara Harless, Brian Uhler, chaosinc@sssnet.com, Rick Seltman, David Schied, Joe Davis, Mike Higgins
JOIN THE CALL!
Wednesday, August 2, 2011 - 9.30pmEST
NEW NUMBER: 218 895 0292
NEW PASSCODE: 17747777#
There will be a National Call on the Constitution Lobby for Wednesday evening, August 2, 2011, beginning at 9.30pmEST.
From now on, please go to www.givemeliberty.org/constitutionlobby to find out if a Call will take place that week. That way, everyone will know there is an easy place to go and find out what is taking place and no one will be caught out. Thank you!
The information will be posted there under the AGENDA section either way.
If there is a Call that week, the AGENDA will be posted with the date on that Wednesday.
We plan to have calls each week to keep building the momentum for the Constitution Lobby.
Rather than post a written update from each state onto the Agenda, we'd like to see the state contact leaders using the forum page, even if just to post a weekly update. Please get your contact info and message updated there.
Contact Mike Bodine at mike@givemeliberty.org
if you need assistance.
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