Topic: Government Accountability
RALLY AT THE BREACH!! - A Note on the U.S. Constitution
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - attributed to Abraham Lincoln at age 28
by Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution
(libertarian)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
There's an interesting essay that the great American thinker Lysander Spooner once penned in 1867 entitled "No Treason." To very briefly summarize this document, Spooner points out that there is no treason committed by those who disagree with Constitution of the United States. Recently a friend brought this up to me for a rather heated debate – which might have something to do with the fact that my pen-name since I started writing is "the Champion of the Constitution." (photo)
This article is my attempt to recap this conversation and add some points I've had after some time for reflection. While I concede the point that there is no treason in disagreeing with the Constitution – although it's quite different if you happen to be a politician who swore to uphold it - it is my firm belief that in our day and age we must rally around the Constitution.
First, yes, it is true that neither I nor you signed the Constitution.
Yes, it is also true that neither did our parents or grandparents.
And, yes, it is even true that those writing the Constitution could not possibly have represented the assent of all their constituents. Even if we did assume our ancestor's assent, there is a lot of false logic in the statement that just because they approved it that the document should be binding for all future generations.
Where I could not convince my friend was the principle that the Constitution is NOT the authority over her life, it is simply the law meant to CONSTRAIN the actions of government.
For that matter, what IS Government? Most, including myself two years prior, when the word 'government' is heard conjure up images of the President, a judge, Congress in session, or, more commonly, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Timmy "Turbo Tax" Geithner or Ben Bernanke. These people are not the Government to me, and I also include Congressman Ron Paul, whom I hold in much higher regard than the aforementioned, in that statement.
To me, Government is certainly NOT any single person or group of people. Government is a principle - the Rule of Law. The American Government exists - simply and solely - to protect the freedom of the individual.
I do not blindly adore the Constitution. Speaking for myself personally, I could do without the 16th, 17th, and 18th Amendments! No, what I really champion is the rule of law. What was the promise that was made and signed by a group of beleaguered and desperate patriots who – truth be told - were not fully backed by all their peers in the summer of 1776?
The Declaration of Independence was the promise to setup a new government to protect individuals from tyranny following the revolt. The Constitution of the United States was the fulfillment of that promise, the creation of a supreme law that would bind the hands of government.
Now, while I in actuality profoundly respect the opinion of my friend, we must reexamine our current situation. We are not exactly in a blissful meadow where we have the luxury to daydream up a theoretical anarchic scheme and then live happily ever after. For while there is no imperial monarch from some far-off island imposing his tyranny upon us all, our greatest enemies are not hiding in desolate mountains or the sands of some far-flung desert!
No, our true enemy is the enemy domestic. Many who walk the halls of Washington, D.C. are far greater threats to our liberties and prosperity.
They have left our borders as sieves, protected by non-military personnel from the so-called Department of Homeland Security.
We no longer have a Department of Defense – we have a Department of Offense, a Ministry of War, that has launched preemptive, unconstitutional, and illegal wars of aggression, most egregiously in Iraq.
Our enemies try to operate the national economy as if it were a machine, and not a complex biological system of individuals working together to mutually improve our lives.
These enemies have substituted irredeemable bits of depreciating paper for the lawful money guaranteed to us by the Constitution, coins of gold and silver.
They have spit upon the standards of human dignity by torturing others in our name.
It is a fact that if they had been forced to abide by the Constitution, their schemes would have failed or been much harder to implement. Those elected to Govern us have broken their oaths and must be removed and replaced with those who will not.
To all who will listen or read this, we must rally to the breach! We must rally to the Constitution or else be culled out, divided and neutralized. If I may continue my analogy in this article "Ron Paul's rEVOLution Versus the "One Ring" of the Federal Reserve", the battle to restore the Republic is figuratively no different than the Battle of Helm's Deep from The Two Towers. Halfway though this 3-minute video clip, an army of orcs breached the fortress walls by blowing it up, just as our public officials have breached a gigantic hole in the Constitution. I say we must meet them at the breach, and thrust them out of office.
They will do whatever they can to remain in power, to control us by debasing our money and frittering away our civil liberties as if they were garbage. They will use the typical stratagems – divide-and-conquer through terms meant to confuse like "conservative" and "liberal", diversions by using hot-button topics like abortion and same-sex marriage, and prey upon our differences in race and creeds in attempts to turn us upon ourselves.
Well, the enemies domestic are on notice that they have a stalker. I plead with you to join with me and become a Champion of the Constitution yourself.
Please decide for yourself whether I am correct as I believe the time is near at hand that will decide our fate - to enslave and destroy ourselves and our children or herald a new dawn for our Republic. The choice is ours.
In Liberty,
Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution
2010 Candidate for US Congress, PA-15th
[Reach the Author Here!] www.CampaignForLiberty.com www.EndTheFED.us LibertyMaven.com
Special thanks to Derek Wyatt for the graphic!
"When it's over, we can say: 'Well Done!'
But not yet, because it's only just begun!
So, pick up, and follow me, we're the only ones
To fight this thing, until we've won
We drive on and don't look back!
It doesn't mean we can't learn from our past!
All the things that we might've done wrong,
We could've been doing this all along!
Everybody, with your fists raised high!
Let me hear your battle cry tonight!
Stand beside, or step aside!
We're on the frontline!"
- Pillar's song "Frontline" Feel free to join the rEVOLution. We only accept volunteers!
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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
As always, unlike the NFL, the author grants full permission to allow any accounts of, rebroadcasts, retransmissions, repostings of this article to your blog or anywhere else in order to promote the Restoration of our Republic.
Veritas numquam perit. Veritas odit moras. Veritas vincit. Truth never perishes. Truth hates delay. Truth conquers.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito. Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it.
"Intelligence is quickness in seeing things as they are." - George Santayana
Nolan Chart Facebook Group Page Created
Summary of Articles and Bibliography for Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution (5/9/2009)
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Other Recent Articles by the Author
Bank United Collapses - FDIC "Insurance" Getting Wiped Out
Ron Paul's rEVOLution Versus the "One Ring" of the Federal Reserve
MAYDAY! Jake Towne for US Congress, Pennsylvania 15th District (PART 1/3)
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An aside on the Lincoln quote I paraphrased - I have not been able to source it, so that's why it reads "attributed." The closest I found was this "Lyceum Speech" which Lincoln made at the age of 28. An excerpt that I think is worth dwelling on for a moment in relation to the above article is below. (photo)
The reader should take note that just because I quote others, it does not necessarily mean I agree with them whole-heartedly. While Lincoln was a fantastic orator - like the current President, there are many acts he did that are quite questionable. Due to time constraints on my research, I remain uncertain as to Lincoln's possible role in instigating the Civil War. I am also afraid the infamous "greenbacks" and National Banking System put in place in 1863 are not to my liking.
"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step over the ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!—All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a Thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
I know the American People are much attached to their Government;--I know they would suffer much for its sake;--I know they would endure evils long and patiently, before they would ever think of exchanging it for another. Yet, notwithstanding all this, if the laws be continually despised and disregarded, if their rights to be secure in their persons and property, are held by no better tenure than the caprice of a mob, the alienation of their affections from the Government is the natural consequence; and to that, sooner or later, it must come...
The question recurs, "how shall we fortify against it?" The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap--let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars."
©2009 Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Last modified: Friday, May 29, 2009
The views expressed in this article are those of Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2009-05-28 15:32:51
Jake: Nice discussion of Spooner, whom I have long admired. I have sympathy for what you wrote about the Constitution.
I think I have to side with your friend on this point:
Where I could not convince my friend was the principle that the Constitution is NOT the authority over her life, it is simply the law meant to CONSTRAIN the actions of government.American history has taught us over and over again that the constraints the Constitution supposedly places on the government have been nearly wholly inadequate. The separation of powers has done little to check the growing power of the three branches of government. The Supreme Court routinely violates individual rights by ignoring key portions of the Constitution in their rulings. The imperial Presidency has grown to a level of dominance that even Hamilton might find hard to grasp. And finally Congress hardly even notices the Constitution in its day-to-day-dealings and routinely ignores those few who try to bring Constitutional concerns before it.
So where exactly have the constraints worked? It's hard to point to any that have worked to even a small degree. We certainly cannot point to any constraints that have been 100% effective. Given this fact, can we really say that the Constitution places constraints on government? It has not, and this cold, hard fact supports your friend's argument.
Many (including myself) argue that the Constitution is not followed, and that if it were followed we would not have as many problems as we have today. However, this observation does not by itself properly address the fact that the Constitution's constraints have failed.
This raises a very important question: do we not place undue reliance upon Constitutional constraints when history shows how weak those constraints have been?
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-28 21:11:13
Walt -
Thanks for your reply. From your reply it looks like we agree - the Constitution is not the authority over our lives, and it is MEANT to constrain the actions of government.
Where you elaborated is that the Constitution has been ineffective and I would have to agree :) I would even expand on this and say that the "breach" I refer to has been getting widened and widened through the years -- for instance the monetary system degraded step-by-relentless-step to its current (close-to-failed) state - it is important to realize that we did not get to this state overnight
"do we not place undue reliance upon Constitutional constraints when history shows how weak those constraints have been?"
Let me be optimistic here and say maybe its time to change the future. :)
If you have a better solution to the ills - the people hiring representatives that will heed the Constitution - I am all for hearing it . Massed, peaceful protests would be another good way :)
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2009-05-29 01:27:03
I wish I could say that I have a perfect solution, but I don't. The best I've ever been able to come up with is the idea that power must be taken away from the government. I'm not even sure that a Constitutional amendment would do the job, because the powers-that-be so regularly ignore the rest of the document...so why would they now pay attention to a new restriction?
Ultimately, I suppose the answer is mass education of what we could have with small government, rather than protests against big government. Screaming about the negatives of big government only attracts people more to the negatives. Instead, we need to laud the positives of smaller, much less intrusive government in order to win the people over. If we win the people over, the politicians will follow.
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-29 06:59:01
That makes two of us (without a perfect solution). I heavily concur with your education idea, it's part of my campaign mission statement here on slide 4.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15909415/Jake-Towne-for-US-Congress-PA15-May-2009
Posted By: Edu Montesanti Goldoni
Date: 2009-05-29 13:55:16
Great article, Jake!!!! Here from Brazil, I support your nice ideas of freedom and justice! And may you Americans reconstitute your image (based on the truth) of democracy and freedom, 'cause you have a nice history, a people who is an example for his sense of work, effort, justice and democracy (senses that my own people do not have), so you have to lead the world (not decid everything by yourselves, no! Leadership is "represent", nad you Americans, as the only world superpower, has this privilege, and I, as a Brazilian, wanto to see America great agaisn, be excited with your flag, hymn, people, sayings and done!
God bless Jake!! God bless America!!!
(but everything need to change...)
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-29 22:46:01
A reply from a reader from elsewhere:
"Please Don't try to whitewash Lysander Spooners words, with a venal interpretation. He made it clear on what he thought of the document.
There is no way in h@ll, that the constitution ever restrained the federal government from the people. How could it? It established absolute control of taxation and law making to a ruling class.
And, this put us under control how?
You can't blame the people for not understanding the deception. The indoctrination has been generational in scope. The people are taught in gov education, that this IS freedom.
If the people have never been allowed to see or know of freedom, how do they know this is not it?
They have had centuries to perfect the lie, to manipulate and gain power thru a forced system. Taxation is a force. It was one of the first things placed in the document.
They made sure they controlled all the law making too. They even closed the loop with the Supreme Court, they made sure we would be in bondage by the interpretations of a few people, only they would control. The Supreme Court gets to decide and interpret what rights the slaves have.
So really, the document is worthless because it is subject to final interpatation by a select few, and used only as a means to gain absolute power over the people.
There is absolutely no way to enforce it anyway, without eventual war."
My reply:
Point taken.... soooo what's your idea on what to do?
Here's mine.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15909415/Jake-Towne-for-US-Congress-PA15-May-2009
Posted By: creator
Date: 2009-05-30 10:17:02
Jake, God has given you wisdom beyond your years, for which I am truly grateful... :)
The comments under your article also present a fascinating exchange. Please allow me to "weigh in" in a lite-weight fashion on a few random points.
First, I agree with you that the constitution is perhaps the best thing we have to rally around, and, as a people, seek to enforce upon the fedgov beast.
There is of course no way that words on paper have any force or effect without the "engine of people's minds and will" actually executing the program described.
IMHO, the answer to both Walt and the "reader elsewhere" who you quoted is essentially the one championed by Downsize DC; namely, enlisting a vast army of citizens to apply relentless, daily pressure on the relatively tiny minority of congress-critters that are presently in office. The numbers are staggering; against less than 600 of them, there are (potentially) more than 300 MILLION of us.
Please don't misunderstand me! I am in no way opposed to placing men, like yourself, of insight and quality into the mix -- but as Jim Babka and DDC point out, the very nature and environment of the job are corrupting and the feedback mechanisms are all wrong. Possibly a Ron Paul or Jake Townsend may be able to resist that corruption, but most in that position must be subjected to a tidal wave of citizen pressure to ensure that they "do the right thing."
Another way of stating this concept is the lovely one coined by science fiction author L. Neil Smith, namely "Bill of Rights Enforcement." This enforcement task is one that ultimately falls to us, "We the People," because the "powers that be" (e.g. virtually all elected officials) have abandoned their oaths of office.
So, keep up the good fight! Keep on educating! May the dual prongs of truth made available through your writing on one hand and the excruciating economic and moral pain applied by fedgov on the other become a force that awakens and motivates many more Americans to action!
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-30 10:43:39
creator -
Thanks for your comment!! As you are probably aware, I belong to DownsizeDC.org as well, they are a great organization with a great vision!!
Posted By: Aaron Emery
Date: 2009-05-31 15:14:31
Jake,
Great stuff! Perhaps you will be our next Gandalf the Grey...that was lame but I hope it comes to fruition. There has been an awakening amongst the citizens recently and this MUST continue. Knowledge is power and that power must be given to the people. Or we could just take to the streets with pitchforks...
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-05-31 17:41:53
Thanks Aaron -
Gandalf is a bit old for me, but there's another one of my articles entitled "Ron Paul - The Grey Champion" that is full of some interesting thoughts above.
I checked my family's barn and we don't have any pitchforks..... just manure forks which pretty much look the same. If I am fortunate enough to get elected, I will definitely take my manure fork with me to Congress.
Jake
Posted By: Maria Folsom
Date: 2009-06-06 12:54:00
Jake, I just want to applaud you ONCE AGAIN for yet another fine article. Keep writing. Wish I could vote for you. I have no solutions or suggestions - just applause.
Posted By: Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
Date: 2009-06-06 13:08:51
Thanks Maria! Thumbs up and applause accepted :)
Posted By: Ron moss
Date: 2009-09-19 17:46:44
Andrew Jackson' 6th annual address, "Events have satisfied my mind and I believe the minds of the american people. that the mischiefs and damage which flow from a national bank far overbalance all it's advantages. The bold effort the present bank has made to conrtol the Government, the distresses it has wantonly produced, the violence of which it has been the occasion in one of ourcities famed for it's observance of law and order, are but premonitions of fate that awaits the American people shoule they be deluded into a perpetration of this institution or the establishment of another like it." Dec.1, 1834