Taking Back America is Doable

Americans as a whole, at least the half who voted for Barack Obama are sorely lacking in their understanding of the Constitution and the power it gave the people over an increasingly encroaching federal government. It has been disheartening to speak to so many who truly do not understand the extreme dangers of socialism, fascism or communism. Equally heartening, has been the ever growing number of people reading and studying the Constitution for the first time. As realization to the immense danger to our Constitutional rights has dawned on millions of Americans, they look around and wonder what what they can do to stop the federal government.

We have to face the fact that the checks and balances system set up by the founding fathers has failed us completely ... it's a great system, but they never imagined that sheer ignorance would sweep across Washington, D.C. through the sacred halls of Congress, the Supreme Court and the White House. If the Obama Administration and Congress are not ignorant, then each person pursuing the destruction of the Constitution is committing wholesale treason in the direct violation of their oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution.

When we look to see where things might have began to go wrong we can look directly to the 17th Amendment:

AMENDMENT XVII

Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.

Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

So let's take a look at what is precisely wrong with the 17th Amendment. From a blog entitled The Campaign to Restore Federalism, which Brad Daw pointed me in the direction of, I found an interesting, and extremely informative, post called:

Begin by Repealing the 17th Amendment
16 April 2009

One of the fundamental presumptions of the U.S. Constitution is this: when governmental power is consolidated and unchecked it is unresponsive to the needs of the governed and limits an individual’s ability to live freely. The framers originally sought to prevent the overreach of government by creating an elegant framework to distribute power as widely as possible through a structured competition of natural self-interests. It is for this reason that the framers preserved the integrity of the states, these independent but united “laboratories of democracy”, and it is this federal system that the 17th Amendment (which provides for the direct, popular election of U.S. Senators) destroyed. This amendment has resulted in, as the framers predicted, an authoritative national government with influence, power and control unchecked by any political mechanism. This domination threatens the uniquely American way of life and the solvency of the national government. ~ More

The executive director of The Campaign to Restore Federalism is a university professor in Atlanta, Georgia. He speaks to groups and media in support of this educational effort. You may contact The Campaign by writing to restore.federalism@gmail.com.

Representative Brad Daw of the Utah State legislature has been researching this subject thoroughly and has enlightened me about it. As I have become better educated in the matter, I have come to understand how much damage the 17th Amendment has done to the American people and the representation we were supposed to have, as establishing by the founding fathers, as opposed to what we've ended up with.

Brad pointed me to another article that is very interesting, although I could have done without the Abraham Lincoln bashing and support of Ron Paul.

Repeal the 17th Amendment
by Thomas J. DiLorenzo

Every once in a blue moon someone in Congress (usually Congressman Ron Paul of Texas) proposes a law or resolution that would actually improve the prospects for human liberty and prosperity. It’s rare, but not nonexistent. One such case is Senate Joint Resolution 35, introduced into the U.S. Senate on April 28, 2004, which was recently brought to my attention by Laurence Vance.

S.J. Res. 35 reads: "Resolved . . . . The seventeenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed." That’s Section 1. Section 2 reads that "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years . . ."

This was the original design of the founding fathers; U.S. senators were not directly elected by the voting public until 1914. Thus, S.J. Res. 35 proposes a return to founding principles and is therefore a most revolutionary idea. A good overview of the history of the Seventeenth Amendment is Ralph A. Rossum’s book, Federalism, the Supreme Court, and the Seventeenth Amendment. Rossum correctly points out that the system of federalism or "divided sovereignty" that the founding fathers created with the Constitution was never intended to be enforced by the Supreme Court alone. Congress, the president, and most importantly, the citizens of the states, were also to have an equal say on constitutional matters. ~ More

And so, it is clear that this is one course of action we must take in our goal to Take America Back from the those who are systematically destroying it.

And as a quick aside: Should Barack Obama prove to have not been born in the U.S. or have surrendered his citizenship when he lived and attended school in Indonesia, then every executive order and piece of legislation he has signed into law is null and void. Huh, reverse every bit of damage he and congress have done to the Constitution and the American people in one fell swoop.

Interestingly, instead of offering up irrefutable proof of his citizenship he hired a high powered law firm to get every case thrown out of court on the grounds that we as American citizens do not have a vested interest in the outcome. Really? No vested interest?

Hey Obama, I have simple solution to this problem that is growing daily instead of going away! Produce a valid birth certificate instead of the silly one you posted on your campaign site.

So yeah, it's time to seriously start the examination into the repealing of the 17th Amendment nationwide. It's time to stand up and be heard. It's time to make sure Washington D.C. understands that we are millions strong and we will not go away. When was the last time you called your state and U.S. legislators and said, "I'm calling to object..."

Mark Shurtleff for Senate in 2010

The text of his announcement speech on 20 May 2009, 12:30 PM:

Today I'm officially launching my campaign for United States Senate to represent you – the good people from the great state of Utah in service to our blessed but troubled nation. And to my primary opponent, Senator Bennett, I sincerely say, thank you for your service. We gave you 18 years to do the people’s work. But that is time enough, and the winds of change, they are ablowing.

Not the bigger government, corporate welfare, radical liberal nannyism type of change promised and now being implemented by Obama. But, starting today, we the people of Utah, we the people of the United States, are "Taking Back America!" No more taxpayer-funded bailouts. No
more government owned businesses. No more ever-expanding federal entitlement programs. No more slouching toward socialism!

My family and I have been eager to let you all know officially that I am launching this campaign. I know it may have been long in coming, as we have struggled with the question of where the greatest need lies, and how best I might serve that need. Because in the end, it all comes down to my motto as your Attorney General, one I borrowed from Cicero and John Adams: “The people’s good is the highest law.” The people’s good is the highest priority of government. It has been my commitment and sworn oath as your Attorney General, and it will continue to be so as your United States Senator. As we stand before you today, we couldn’t be more excited and energized-- and from the calls, letters, emails, texts and yes, even tweets we have received, we are not alone! I’d like to thank you for your support and for loving our country, and I need you to join the team!

First, a word about my family. I love them and honor and thank them, for they assuredly sacrifice a great deal to share me with you. And that is most true for my dear wife, M’Liss. She is an extraordinary and talented woman and a wonderful mother who loves this country and this state as much as I do; who is as worried about the direction of our country and the future of our
children and grandchildren as you do; and who is willing to shoulder the additional burden at home, so that I might serve you.

Let me tell you why I want to be your senator. Many disturbing trends over the last few decades have left us angry and asking how did we get where we are today. How is it that Washington, and even our own Republican representatives, have abandoned conservative principles, again, principles, to create the monster we now call federal government. This is not the America envisioned by General George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Has the nation of Abraham Lincoln, conceived in liberty - that government of, by and for the people - perished? This is not the America of even our grandfathers and our fathers. And it is certainly not the America I want to leave my children!

Last fall, the majority of Americans voted for “change”. But I don’t believe they knew that the change they would be getting would be bigger government, more taxes, more spending, more inside-the-beltway mentality.

We have seen the change proposed by the Obama administration. And frankly, he can keep the change. We’ll keep our freedoms!

Truth be told, Obama is not the root cause of our current economic crisis; we cannot change this country by sending back the same representatives and senators who contributed to the problem. Einstein quipped: “insanity means doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result” - and he was right. If we want to change Washington, we must change horses and with the Democrats in control, there is no better time than now. Enough is enough!

Mitt Romney said it best last year when running for president: “Washington fundamentally is broken, and people in this country want to see change, and that’s not going to happen by somebody who’s been there, for whom Washington is a way of life."

And what is the change I want? We must take back America by putting a stop to spending money we don’t have. We need a constitutional balanced budget amendment! I want to do in Washington, what our state Senate and House of Representatives have done here in Utah with our budget. I want to stop the reckless expenditure of money! I want every federal program to be accountable for results and I want that accountability to come from the people at the state level. Washington has turned upside down our inspired system of federalism that places very limited power in the hands of the feds and most of the power in the people and their state and local government. I want to be that voice in Congress, and that federal partner, that fervently
believes in and supports the states’ rights platform just announced a moment ago by the new Patrick Henry Caucus.

Congress has usurped too much federal power—power that should be returned to the people and the states, including the power to control our public lands and deny access to water and grazing and mining rights clawed out of the wilderness by the sweat of our ancestors brow; and allow access to only a select few. What is more, we need access to those lands for responsible recreation with our families and it can be done carefully, so it does not harm the scenic treasures of Utah!

To take back America, the tax rate must go down—we simply can’t afford and must not require Americans to spend 50% of our earnings on combined taxes, federal, state, local and sales. Add it up—at the higher brackets it’s over ½ of what we earn. And we most certainly cannot restore America’s world-leading economy by taxing out of existence the very foundation of that economic greatness: American small business owners.

And I want everyone who earns money to pay something, even if it’s only a little—there should be no free rides—it violates the principles of thrift, industry and paying your own way, which builds self-confidence, pride of achievement and industry. America has grown soft with giveaways, and we need to grow strong once again. Where does it all end? My answer is that it
must end here. And it starts today—join me in taking back America!

We gave the prior Republican administration, and a Republican senate and a Republican congress a chance to make real change, and frankly they blew it.

So many of my friends today ask me, what happened to the Republican Party? What happened to smaller government and more personal responsibility and freedom? What happened to the proper balance of federal control versus state and local control?

When Senator Bennett first ran for office he promised us 12 years in Washington. He said that was all he needed to get done what he promised to do. Then he asked for one more term—he was in leadership and could help us. So we gave it to him. But instead of promoting principles of individual responsibility he let us down and looked upon government as the solution.

Ronald Reagan often said that government is the problem, not the solution – I echo that with all my heart! While I was successfully suing the country’s largest private mortgage companies as attorney general to try to keep the housing bubble from bursting under its own weight, Congress, and yes, Senator Bennett, looked the other way while government sponsored
monopolies known as Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac were coddled and supported, which led to over confidence on Wall Street and poor risk assessments by insurance companies, and that is what led directly to the collapse.

And last fall, Senator Bennett personally huddled behind closed doors with [the] Fed. Chair Bernanke and Secretary Paulsen and engineered the seven hundred billion – that’s billion with a “B” – Wall Street bailout. He did not just vote for it — he says it was his plan!

When the 2006 and 2008 elections came around, Democrats saw something we missed. The new generation was interested. They wanted to know, “What is this thing we call government? What is it supposed to do for me? What am I to do for it?” The kids that we have worried about handing the national debt to — well they are now growing up, and they want to know why. The Democrats stepped in with their ideals; they appealed to the future of America, and they won and that will prove to be a disaster unless we stop it and return to a limited government based on preserving personal freedoms and individual liberties.

We conservatives can all see that we are over 100 days down a dangerous slippery slope to socialism. The rumblings can be felt nationwide. We are ready to bring our party back to life, and the time is now. We can no longer support Republicans who vote against our ideals and represent Washington to us instead of us to Washington. It’s time to get back to basics, in a modern, available and transparent way. Indeed, we need to take our country, our America, back!

Over the next few months I will present my plans on how we will take America back—back from the bureaucrats who run everything back there.

Back from the politicians who belong to that most prestigious of clubs in the country. Back from spendthrift pork barrel policies and back room deals.

Back to the core principles upon which America was formed in the first place. And, hopefully, back from the nationalization of our free market system, back even from the brink of socialism!
In the not too distant past, conservative principles prevailed and government served its proper role and purpose, which was to serve as a barrier, a shield, and a shelter to allow you and me and our children to find happiness—to make our own happiness. Now it’s time again for the people of Utah to gather together and elect a senator to represent them in Washington, so that citizens can go about their daily lives without having to look over their shoulders and behind their backs, so that they can get their education, support themselves, and raise their families.

Well, Utahns, I want to be that person for you! As your attorney general I have fought hard to protect citizens, families, children…and most of my most successful programs like the Amber Alert, War Against Meth, Internet Safety Education and the Child Abduction Response Teams, were all developed and implemented through public-private and nonprofit partnerships – not taxpayer dollars!

I know that the law is meant to protect us –not to control us and your senators are supposed to represent us –not manage us. In the words of Glen Beck, “We surround them!” They are our servants, not our masters. Let me serve you! I know it is unusual to challenge someone within your own party, however, 24 years in the Senate, which is what it would be if Bob Bennett were to win again, is simply too long. I know he will raise the tired argument that his seniority and leadership positions in the club allow him to better serve us.

And it is true that in Washington seniority matters, but not if that seniority is taking us in the wrong direction. More of the wrong medicine never cured anybody. Besides, I live by that old saying, “Leadership is action, not position!” Even better, Leadership is the right action! We cannot simply wait, as the good senator has suggested, for the political pendulum to swing
back, hoping and praying not too much damage will be done in the meantime.'

Time is of the essence in saving our country. And it is not just for us. For well over a century all of humanity around the globe has looked to the strength of American democracy as that light upon the hill that cannot be hid. Last week in Israel I met with Prime Minister Bebe Netanyahu. He told me that the fate of his great free democratic island in a sea of totalitarianism, anger and hatred is directly linked to our success as the leader of Western civilization. He is right and I promised him I would do my part to strengthen and support that critical political and cultural alliance.

Fellow patriots, at the Salt Lake Tea Party on April 15th, I recalled the words of the leader of the Sons of Liberty, Samuel Adams, that the time for talk is done and the time for action has come. It is time for a new generation of leadership who will not go along with the old guard. It is time for true change and I pledge to fight hard for that change and to tirelessly serve you, to secure and protect your God-given rights of life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness and to fervently represent your deeply held convictions.

Today is a day of action. Today, right now, we the people must step up and together we will take back America, one senate seat at a time!

###

At this time, I offer my strong endorsement of Mark L. Shurtleff, Utah's current Attorney General, in his run for the U.S. Senate against Senator Bob Bennett. It is my belief that Mark will stand for Utah and her citizens, defend the Constitution to the utmost and not kowtow to the pressure of the Washington, D.C. elite.

Please go to www.markshurtleff.com and offer your support in as many ways as possible, even monetarily if you are able.

Over the course of the next 18 months, you will find me blogging about different points of Mark's stances on issues that matter most to Americans. I encourage you to research his record and understand, even when not popular, Mark upheld the rule of law as outlined in the Constitution of the United States. It is time to Take America Back and he is the man who can do this better than Bob Bennett.

What did Abraham Lincoln say that was so prophetic?

Grand Ol'Gang by Andy Thomas (www.andythomas.com)

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."

~ William J.H. Boetcker
Correction!

Robison Wells set me straight. This quote was not by Abraham Lincoln, as erroneously reported. It was actually by William J. H. Boetcker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._H._Boetcker)

At least I was in good company. Ronald Reagan made the same mistake.

Call to Action for Utah

Utah legislators have called a combined news conference/rally to introduce landmark states' rights legislation. Watch Glenn Beck on Friday, May 16, 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox News to find out what's happening.

If you live in Utah, here are the details about the news conference where the legislation will be unveiled:

News Conference/Rally in Support of Patrick Henry Caucus
Landmark Gun Rights' Legislation
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Noon, Utah State Capitol
(West Stairs, inside, 2nd floor)

A group of Utah legislators, fondly known as "The Fab Five," have formed "The Patrick Henry Caucus" and are inviting like-minded legislators from all 50 states to join them in this national effort to restore states' rights. Please encourage your legislator to contact us about how to get involved. Cherilyn@WCEResearch.org

Utah State Representatives Keith Grover, Chris Herrod, Stephen Sandstrom, Ken Sumsion, and Carl Wimmer are the Caucus's founding members. Representative Wimmer, representing the Caucus, was featured on Glenn Beck's TV show recently:



and



Representative Wimmer will be featured live in the Fox News studio in NYC on Friday, May 16, 2009 5 p.m. Eastern time.

The May 20 Utah news conference will unveil the landmark legislation proposed to restore States' Rights. A rally will follow to celebrate this historic event in support of this cause.

"Many of us in the Tea Party Movement and many other like-minded groups have spent countless hours speaking to our local representatives about States' Rights and now they are listening," said Utah Tea Party Organizer David Kirkham. "This may be the most important Tea Party Rally we will attend to date. This is what we are fighting for; this is what we rallied for. This is the first effort in what will be a long struggle to reign in the federal government."

Please come and stand with our Utah Legislators who are willing to take a stand for all of America. If your state is not yet involved in The Patrick Henry Caucus, we urge you to call them today and ask them to join! This is how we take our country back to the principles it was founded on.

If you're in Utah, bring your favorite (family-friendly) States' Rights signs. Questions? Email: Cherilyn@WCEResearch.org

Let's bring thousands of Utahns together to show the nation we mean business. This is our line in the sand and it is only the beginning!

Thomas Jefferson Warned Us

Thank you, Seth Adam Smith, for this beautiful and inspiring video.

I'd like to announce the launch of the new blog Tea Party Utah, which will focus on events around the state involving the fight for the republic and the Constitution. Please drop by and visit, details of events, videos, etc. will be posted there.

4th of July Tea Party - Provo, Utah

On April 15th of 2009 tea parties were thrown all over the nation, over 2,000 rallies and American Conservative voices raised in protest against high taxes, socialism and came out in a strong and loud defense of the Constitution.

Many asked, what do we do next. We keep the momentum moving.

On July 4th, the American voice will raise once again, to much higher levels than April 15th. Washington, D.C. will hear or they'll be looking for jobs in 2010. Well, we're going to make sure they are all looking for jobs in 2010, anyway, but I digress.

There is no better way to celebrate America's Independence Day than fighting for our freedom. Patrick Henry, one of my absolute favorite founding fathers, said to the assembly on that day so long ago: ~ Read More