Both mainstream parties are struggling to hold their base of supporters. Is it time for a new sheriff in town? by Larry Warrick
(libertarian)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
"The Democrats and Republicans have squandered the Founders' legacy of liberty and justice under the Constitution. Countless government officials in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government ignore their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution."CP website
Founded in 1992 as the U.S. Taxpayers Party by Howard Phillips, the party reorganized between 1995 and 1999 as a national party, achieving ballot access in 39 states for the 1996 elections. In 1999 it was renamed the Constitution Party. Boasting 367,000 registered party voters, it is the third largest political party in terms of voter registration and expects to have ballot access in all 50 states in 2012.
A review of the party platform predictably reflects the principles of our founding document:
Life: For all human beings, from conception to natural death;
Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed individual;
Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted;
Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden;
Constitution and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;
States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government, nor prohibited by the Constitution to the states, is reserved to the states or to the people;
American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.
2008 party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin is a regular feature on radio and in print. His archives can be found here. Amongst his many accolades, Chuck is also the founder-pastor of Crossroads Baptist church in Pensacola, Florida.
As a libertarian and firm believer in the republican (with a small 'r') form of government (anarchy is not a stable state for society) the constitution party platform is comfortable reading and clearly defined. Its decidedly Christian moral structure and adherence to constitutional principles make it as American as apple pie.
For anyone who has been paying attention to events in both American society and politics, third parties who field candidates of sound moral character and who adhere to the strict constitutional limitations of government should play well with the independent and disenchanted mainstream party voters, such as the TEA party groups, giving the Constitution Party an edge in 2012 that neither of the two mainstream parties will be able to counter. Now that's a 'change' I can 'believe in'.
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Posted By: Dale Husband
Date: June 24, 2010 01:01:41 PM
"Its decidedly Christian moral structure and adherence to constitutional principles make it as American as apple pie."
Actually, the CP goes much further than that, and so it is anything but loyal to the principles of the Constitution. See here: http://www.nolanchart.com/article6458.html
How can you claim to be libertarian and support a party that is religious instead??? A religious party threatens freedom for the non-religious.
Posted By: Joel S. Hirschhorn
Date: June 24, 2010 02:29:53 PM
Here is the key test to examine the legitimacy of the CP: Does it fully support making Congress obey Article V and give Americans what they have a right to - an Article V convention?
The Founders correctly anticipated the day when Americans would lose trust and confidence in the federal government and so it created the convention option that would give state delegates the right to propose constitutional amendments. Any conscious citizen would realize that Congress will never enact true political reforms or propose constitutional amendments that would reform our corrupt and dysfunctional system. So, let's hear from the CP about their support for the first Article V convention!!!!
Learn all the facts about the convention option at foavc.org and especially how over 700 applications for a convention from all 50 states have been ignored by Congress, meaning that countless members have broken the law and their oaths of office.
Posted By: Bill Walker
Date: June 28, 2010 12:04:31 PM
If there is any doubt that the "Constitution" Party is not a party that supports the Constitution, its position on an Article V Convention is pretty conclusive. The party opposes obeying the Constitution and its 2008 candidate holds the same. Thus, the party lies when it says it believes in the original intent of the founders. If it did so, it would support a convention.
The real test today for any candidate is to find out their position on an Article V Convention. If they avoid, refuse to answer and so on, you know they may say they support the Constitution but don't mean it. If instead they come out in support of an Article V Convention, vote for them. They really mean it when they say they support the Constitution.
Posted By: Mike Blevins
Date: July 2, 2010 01:28:30 AM
I am uncomfortable with the strong sectarian stance the CP takes. Although I'm a Christian, I'm much pleased with the decidedly non-religious approach of the Libertarian Party. I believe politics and organized religion are a bad mix.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: July 2, 2010 10:05:56 PM
I often vote for Constitution Party candidates when no limited government conservative is running. I don't agree with much of the rationale used by Constitution Party members to describe their reverence for the Constitution. I see the party as a Christian Party with a constitution centric platform. In other words, a club, a herd of very narrow ideological definition...like all third parties. Useless politically. A place for folks to play at politics.
-Jahfre Fire Eater
