The blog has been transferred to:
http://vermontcampaignforliberty.blogspot.com/
The main C4L Liberty Blog
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Vermont State Sovereignty Resolution
Here's the text of the State Sovereignty Resolution:
Time to remind Washington that Vermont has always been independent!
Proposed State Sovereignty Resolution:
AFFIRMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF THE 10TH AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, We, the people of Vermont, like Ethan Allen in 1781, are “resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States specifically provides that, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being those powers specifically granted to it by the Constitution of the United States and the principle of Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments and is widely regarded as one of America’s most valuable contributions to political science; and
WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be limited in its powers relative to those of the various states; and
WHEREAS, Many federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States , and infringe upon Vermont ’s reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the last century the Federal Government has slowly and incrementally invaded the legislative jurisdiction rightly granted to the State's under the Constitution of the United States to such an extent that Federal Government has preempted said jurisdiction thereby limited the State's ability to provide for their citizens.
WHEREAS, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now being considered by the present administration and from Congress would further infringe on the States’ reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers, and may further violate the Constitution of the United States;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
1) That the State of Vermont hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States and this Resolution shall serve as a Notice and Demand to the federal government to maintain the balance of powers where the Constitution of the United States; and it be further
2) That this memorial serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.
3) That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.
4) That the Clerk of the House shall immediately transmit copies of this Resolution to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of each state’s legislature of the United States of America, and each member of Congress from the State of Vermont.
If you are opposed to federally mandated, unfunded programs which create liabilities for the taxpayers of Vermont without the benefit of local deliberation please sign this proposed resolution and send it to your State Representative and State Senator. Let him/her know that you support State Sovereignty legislation for the state of Vermont.
We the People:
Your Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
Town ____________________________________ VT _______________
Your signature: _____________________________________________
Send this signed resolution to your Representative and/or Senator:
Their name: _______________________________________________
115 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
You can find your representatives online at: http://votesmart.org/
Time to remind Washington that Vermont has always been independent!
Proposed State Sovereignty Resolution:
AFFIRMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF THE 10TH AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, We, the people of Vermont, like Ethan Allen in 1781, are “resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States specifically provides that, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being those powers specifically granted to it by the Constitution of the United States and the principle of Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments and is widely regarded as one of America’s most valuable contributions to political science; and
WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be limited in its powers relative to those of the various states; and
WHEREAS, Many federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States , and infringe upon Vermont ’s reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the last century the Federal Government has slowly and incrementally invaded the legislative jurisdiction rightly granted to the State's under the Constitution of the United States to such an extent that Federal Government has preempted said jurisdiction thereby limited the State's ability to provide for their citizens.
WHEREAS, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now being considered by the present administration and from Congress would further infringe on the States’ reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers, and may further violate the Constitution of the United States;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
1) That the State of Vermont hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States and this Resolution shall serve as a Notice and Demand to the federal government to maintain the balance of powers where the Constitution of the United States; and it be further
2) That this memorial serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.
3) That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.
4) That the Clerk of the House shall immediately transmit copies of this Resolution to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of each state’s legislature of the United States of America, and each member of Congress from the State of Vermont.
If you are opposed to federally mandated, unfunded programs which create liabilities for the taxpayers of Vermont without the benefit of local deliberation please sign this proposed resolution and send it to your State Representative and State Senator. Let him/her know that you support State Sovereignty legislation for the state of Vermont.
We the People:
Your Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
Town ____________________________________ VT _______________
Your signature: _____________________________________________
Send this signed resolution to your Representative and/or Senator:
Their name: _______________________________________________
115 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
You can find your representatives online at: http://votesmart.org/
Monday, July 6, 2009
Vermont State Sovereignty Resolution
Time to remind Washington that Vermont has always been independent!
Proposed State Sovereignty Resolution:
AFFIRMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF THE 10TH AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, We, the people of Vermont, like Ethan Allen in 1781, are “resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States specifically provides that, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being those powers specifically granted to it by the Constitution of the United States and the principle of Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments and is widely regarded as one of America’s most valuable contributions to political science; and
WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be limited in its powers relative to those of the various states; and
WHEREAS, Many federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States , and infringe upon Vermont ’s reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the last century the Federal Government has slowly and incrementally invaded the legislative jurisdiction rightly granted to the State's under the Constitution of the United States to such an extent that Federal Government has preempted said jurisdiction thereby limited the State's ability to provide for their citizens.
WHEREAS, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now being considered by the present administration and from Congress would further infringe on the States’ reserve powers and the people’s reserved powers, and may further violate the Constitution of the United States;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
1) That the State of Vermont hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States and this Resolution shall serve as a Notice and Demand to the federal government to maintain the balance of powers where the Constitution of the United States; and it be further
2) That this memorial serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.
3) That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.
4) That the Clerk of the House shall immediately transmit copies of this Resolution to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of each state’s legislature of the United States of America, and each member of Congress from the State of Vermont.
If you are opposed to federally mandated, unfunded programs which create liabilities for the taxpayers of Vermont without the benefit of local deliberation please sign this proposed resolution and send it to your State Representative and State Senator. Let him/her know that you support State Sovereignty legislation for the state of Vermont.
We the People:
Your Name: ________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
Town ____________________________________ VT _______________
Your signature: _____________________________________________
Send this signed resolution to your Representative and/or Senator:
Their name: _______________________________________________
115 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
You can find your representatives online at: http://votesmart.org/
A New Declaration of Independence
by Jessica Bernier
A Speech given at the Barre Tea Party July 4th, 2009
Happy Independence Day!
Earlier this year I read a modernized version of the Declaration Of Independence written by a man named Micah Nelson. It rang so true to me that I have to share it with you today-abridged, because like the original it is very long.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The nature of our sentiments regarding The United States is manifest in our deeply held regard for the Ideals which she has but recently, so proudly hailed- Personal Liberty, Justice and above all Freedom.
It is for the protection of these Ideals our Founders established the government set forth in the Constitution of the United States, based on the precepts of Liberty as recorded in our Declaration of Independence.
Our rights and freedoms stem from our nature as men, not from the governments we choose to establish among ourselves. The legitimate and noble role of government is the defense of those rights from violation or infringement- be the perpetrator our fellow man or a tyrant.
At the Birth of our nation, many believed our Bill of Rights would be unnecessary; it is now clear that our Bill of Rights stands as the final levy against a flood of tyranny.
The History of our government in the last century has been marked with the eroding of our Liberties as Free Men.
To Prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid Nation.
All ten of the Amendments we commonly know as the Bill of Rights have in some manner been weakened without our consent- dressed as necessary legislation to keep us safe.
Our government has matched the expansion of its power with an expansion of its budget, trillions beyond what we as a nation can honestly afford.
It has abdicated its legitimate role of defending our borders and caring for the Veterans who sacrifice their safety for our liberty;
It has decimated the sovereignty of state laws and courts.
It has created a complicated bureaucracy for every situation-- from taxation to homeland security--- in an attempt to exhaust citizens into compliance.
It has interfered with the pricing of our commodities and services, placing basic medical and energy needs in jeopardy.
It has established a welfare system which unfairly takes from taxpayers to provide for the poor, subsidizing mediocrity with no incentive for success, trapping our most vulnerable citizens in an endless cycle of dependence.
It has used the general funds of the government to subsidize private industries and corporations, altering the principles of a free market and artificially controlling prices to the detriment of the consumer.
It has placed the burden of these excesses on our children's children- taxing the future, of wealth they may never see.
It has limited our freedom of speech in the name of fairness, vilifying opinionated political speech- the very speech the first amendment was conceived to protect.
In every stage of these oppressions we, collectively, have done nothing.
We have entrusted to a few self proclaimed elites the political destiny of our nation- naively hoping in their wise discretion
It is clear now that we have failed in our duty as citizens to hold our government accountable to the Constitution.
Instead We have blamed the conservatives and the liberals, the establishment and the nonconformist, the fundamentalists and secularists, the Republicans and the Democrats.
In reality we have no one to blame but ourselves.
We, therefore, the Citizens of the United States, Recognizing the importance of the preservation of American Liberty, hereby affirm that Citizens of this great nation are, and by right ought to be free men. We affirm that our government does and by right should, belong to the people; and that we will no longer condone the use of fear, false patriotism, or desire for security in wresting hard fought freedoms from the grasp of the common man.
For the support of this Affirmation, we mutually pledge to each other the assurance of vigilant attention to the care of our rights and responsibilities so that they may be a blessing to generations to come."
Usurpations and abuses of power are nothing new to humankind. From the rebellion of the barons in England which led to the creation of the Magna Carta to the Continental Congress which led to our own beloved Declaration of Independence, people have testified to and preserved in writing their status as free people.
The patriots were NOT protesting taxes for government social programs. They would never conceive of the government fulfilling this type of role! No, they were protesting taxes and impositions in the name of empire, war, and mercantilism.
Sound Familiar?
The authors of the Magna Carta and the United States and Vermont Constitutions secured for posterity the right to petition for redress of grievances. Because our petitions have gone unheeded or met with repeated injury, we must take a page from our Founders.
Later this year, elected delegates representing the people of each state will convene as a national assembly to debate our Constitutional Crisis and establish practical strategies the People can take to peacefully reclaim Liberty and restore Constitutional Order.
These historical proceedings will be known as the Continental Congress 2009.
Fliers are being circulated today with information about the We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education and the We The People Congress.
It's time for us to wake up from our complacency and work together to impose the yoke of Law upon our servant federal government.
Are we going to stand up or down for our freedom? Will we protect the Constitution at all costs? Even if it makes you unpopular?
So long as those of us who claim to care about freedom and liberty accept personality and politics as a substitute for real leadership and governance we will never be able to turn back the tidal wave we're facing.
Vermonters have a duty to principle. The 18th Article of the Vermont Constitution bears this title:
Regard to fundamental principles and virtues necessary to preserve liberty
It doesn't get any plainer than this, folks:
That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles,
and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality,
are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free;
the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, and in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.
It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL for you to vote for someone who is wishy-washy in regard to the law, decadent and self-indulgent. It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL for you to vote for someone who will reward idleness, wastefulness and partiality.
It is YOUR DUTY to consider the fundamental principles of justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality when you vote! They are ABSOLUTELY necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep government free!
After the votes are counted our elected officials swear an oath or affirmation. This is what they say:
"You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this Assembly, you will not propose, or assent to, any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to you injurious to the people,
nor do, nor consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this State;
but will, in all things, conduct yourself as a faithful, honest Representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of your judgment and ability. So help you God. Under the pains and penalties of perjury."
I know more than a few of you can think of more than a few instances where this oath has been flagrantly ignored and violated.
It is YOUR DUTY "to exact a due and CONSTANT regard for them from your legislators and magistrates!"
The Constitution will not defend itself. It is up to WE THE PEOPLE to protect it-for future generations.
We have a situation in our state in which a bill was passed- which contained an unconstitutional provision. -- (H442, commonly known as the supplemental budget)-
The legislature was warned by the attorney general before they voted on it that the provision to require the administration to get permission from the legislature before eliminating any state employee positions was unconstitutional.
Whether or not you agree with the idea behind the provision, it is still unconstitutional. Whether or not you liked other parts of the bill, it is still unconstitutional.
The executive branch may not give some of its authority to the legislative branch. It violates the separation of powers. Every person who put their name on that bill violated their oath of office.
This is wrong. I don't care who you are, what party you belong to, what other wonderful legislation you've been party to-this still violates the Constitution.
I want to remind our legislators that their job is to craft responsible legislation, not to spend weeks on a single issue that wasn't even on the radar at the beginning of the session, or to pawn off legislative duties onto unelected committees because they lacked the proper time to do the jobs they were elected to do.
I want to remind our legislators that this behavior during the worst recession since the great Depression was irresponsible and led to sloppy and unconstitutional legislation.
Our infrastructure is falling apart, the unemployment fund is starting to make that sucking sound that comes when you drain a bathtub and private sector job growth in Vermont for the last decade--s at 0%!
I've discussed this with legislators. To be honest I'm disappointed and disgusted with the explanations and excuses I've received. The Bible says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."
It's not about personalities and politics! It's about principle!
I've been told that "this is why we have three branches of government... now it's up to the courts to decide." THIS from legislators who have taken an OATH OF OFFICE to "make no law injurious to the people or that will have a tendency to abridge their rights under the Constitution."
Some might think, "Big deal, it's just a part of the governor's job." But it IS a big deal because the government belongs to the people.
We have ceased to recognize this for far too long and this is part of the reason we find ourselves in the situation we are in today-being "ruled" by a group of elites who treat us as subjects rather than employers!
So I ask you, WHERE is the principle? Why should we allow elected officials to abrogate the duties of a branch of government?
Why should we allow the Federal Government to abrogate the duties of our state?
The Tenth Amendment states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
That's it. If the Constitution doesn't directly specify powers to the Federal Government and if the Constitution doesn't forbid the states from them then the states alone are responsible for those powers.
With this in mind, any federal attempt to legislate beyond the Constitutional limits of Congress' authority is a usurpation of state sovereignty and unconstitutional.
Do you support Federalized health care? No Child Left Behind? Cap and Trade? Bailouts of private companies? Subsidizations of industries?
The VT Campaign for Liberty has drafted a proposal for a State Sovereignty resolution. There are copies of our proposal available here today for you to read and consider. If you agree with the resolution I ask that you sign and send a copy to your state representatives and Senators.
It is only by standing up and claiming your rights that the government will respect them. Do not sit down, do not be discouraged. There are many battles which must be fought if we are to win the war. Our objective-to retain our God-given rights as free people.
A Speech given at the Barre Tea Party July 4th, 2009
Happy Independence Day!
Earlier this year I read a modernized version of the Declaration Of Independence written by a man named Micah Nelson. It rang so true to me that I have to share it with you today-abridged, because like the original it is very long.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The nature of our sentiments regarding The United States is manifest in our deeply held regard for the Ideals which she has but recently, so proudly hailed- Personal Liberty, Justice and above all Freedom.
It is for the protection of these Ideals our Founders established the government set forth in the Constitution of the United States, based on the precepts of Liberty as recorded in our Declaration of Independence.
Our rights and freedoms stem from our nature as men, not from the governments we choose to establish among ourselves. The legitimate and noble role of government is the defense of those rights from violation or infringement- be the perpetrator our fellow man or a tyrant.
At the Birth of our nation, many believed our Bill of Rights would be unnecessary; it is now clear that our Bill of Rights stands as the final levy against a flood of tyranny.
The History of our government in the last century has been marked with the eroding of our Liberties as Free Men.
To Prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid Nation.
All ten of the Amendments we commonly know as the Bill of Rights have in some manner been weakened without our consent- dressed as necessary legislation to keep us safe.
Our government has matched the expansion of its power with an expansion of its budget, trillions beyond what we as a nation can honestly afford.
It has abdicated its legitimate role of defending our borders and caring for the Veterans who sacrifice their safety for our liberty;
It has decimated the sovereignty of state laws and courts.
It has created a complicated bureaucracy for every situation-- from taxation to homeland security--- in an attempt to exhaust citizens into compliance.
It has interfered with the pricing of our commodities and services, placing basic medical and energy needs in jeopardy.
It has established a welfare system which unfairly takes from taxpayers to provide for the poor, subsidizing mediocrity with no incentive for success, trapping our most vulnerable citizens in an endless cycle of dependence.
It has used the general funds of the government to subsidize private industries and corporations, altering the principles of a free market and artificially controlling prices to the detriment of the consumer.
It has placed the burden of these excesses on our children's children- taxing the future, of wealth they may never see.
It has limited our freedom of speech in the name of fairness, vilifying opinionated political speech- the very speech the first amendment was conceived to protect.
In every stage of these oppressions we, collectively, have done nothing.
We have entrusted to a few self proclaimed elites the political destiny of our nation- naively hoping in their wise discretion
It is clear now that we have failed in our duty as citizens to hold our government accountable to the Constitution.
Instead We have blamed the conservatives and the liberals, the establishment and the nonconformist, the fundamentalists and secularists, the Republicans and the Democrats.
In reality we have no one to blame but ourselves.
We, therefore, the Citizens of the United States, Recognizing the importance of the preservation of American Liberty, hereby affirm that Citizens of this great nation are, and by right ought to be free men. We affirm that our government does and by right should, belong to the people; and that we will no longer condone the use of fear, false patriotism, or desire for security in wresting hard fought freedoms from the grasp of the common man.
For the support of this Affirmation, we mutually pledge to each other the assurance of vigilant attention to the care of our rights and responsibilities so that they may be a blessing to generations to come."
Usurpations and abuses of power are nothing new to humankind. From the rebellion of the barons in England which led to the creation of the Magna Carta to the Continental Congress which led to our own beloved Declaration of Independence, people have testified to and preserved in writing their status as free people.
The patriots were NOT protesting taxes for government social programs. They would never conceive of the government fulfilling this type of role! No, they were protesting taxes and impositions in the name of empire, war, and mercantilism.
Sound Familiar?
The authors of the Magna Carta and the United States and Vermont Constitutions secured for posterity the right to petition for redress of grievances. Because our petitions have gone unheeded or met with repeated injury, we must take a page from our Founders.
Later this year, elected delegates representing the people of each state will convene as a national assembly to debate our Constitutional Crisis and establish practical strategies the People can take to peacefully reclaim Liberty and restore Constitutional Order.
These historical proceedings will be known as the Continental Congress 2009.
Fliers are being circulated today with information about the We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education and the We The People Congress.
It's time for us to wake up from our complacency and work together to impose the yoke of Law upon our servant federal government.
Are we going to stand up or down for our freedom? Will we protect the Constitution at all costs? Even if it makes you unpopular?
So long as those of us who claim to care about freedom and liberty accept personality and politics as a substitute for real leadership and governance we will never be able to turn back the tidal wave we're facing.
Vermonters have a duty to principle. The 18th Article of the Vermont Constitution bears this title:
Regard to fundamental principles and virtues necessary to preserve liberty
It doesn't get any plainer than this, folks:
That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles,
and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality,
are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free;
the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, and in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.
It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL for you to vote for someone who is wishy-washy in regard to the law, decadent and self-indulgent. It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL for you to vote for someone who will reward idleness, wastefulness and partiality.
It is YOUR DUTY to consider the fundamental principles of justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality when you vote! They are ABSOLUTELY necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep government free!
After the votes are counted our elected officials swear an oath or affirmation. This is what they say:
"You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this Assembly, you will not propose, or assent to, any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to you injurious to the people,
nor do, nor consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this State;
but will, in all things, conduct yourself as a faithful, honest Representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of your judgment and ability. So help you God. Under the pains and penalties of perjury."
I know more than a few of you can think of more than a few instances where this oath has been flagrantly ignored and violated.
It is YOUR DUTY "to exact a due and CONSTANT regard for them from your legislators and magistrates!"
The Constitution will not defend itself. It is up to WE THE PEOPLE to protect it-for future generations.
We have a situation in our state in which a bill was passed- which contained an unconstitutional provision. -- (H442, commonly known as the supplemental budget)-
The legislature was warned by the attorney general before they voted on it that the provision to require the administration to get permission from the legislature before eliminating any state employee positions was unconstitutional.
Whether or not you agree with the idea behind the provision, it is still unconstitutional. Whether or not you liked other parts of the bill, it is still unconstitutional.
The executive branch may not give some of its authority to the legislative branch. It violates the separation of powers. Every person who put their name on that bill violated their oath of office.
This is wrong. I don't care who you are, what party you belong to, what other wonderful legislation you've been party to-this still violates the Constitution.
I want to remind our legislators that their job is to craft responsible legislation, not to spend weeks on a single issue that wasn't even on the radar at the beginning of the session, or to pawn off legislative duties onto unelected committees because they lacked the proper time to do the jobs they were elected to do.
I want to remind our legislators that this behavior during the worst recession since the great Depression was irresponsible and led to sloppy and unconstitutional legislation.
Our infrastructure is falling apart, the unemployment fund is starting to make that sucking sound that comes when you drain a bathtub and private sector job growth in Vermont for the last decade--s at 0%!
I've discussed this with legislators. To be honest I'm disappointed and disgusted with the explanations and excuses I've received. The Bible says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."
It's not about personalities and politics! It's about principle!
I've been told that "this is why we have three branches of government... now it's up to the courts to decide." THIS from legislators who have taken an OATH OF OFFICE to "make no law injurious to the people or that will have a tendency to abridge their rights under the Constitution."
Some might think, "Big deal, it's just a part of the governor's job." But it IS a big deal because the government belongs to the people.
We have ceased to recognize this for far too long and this is part of the reason we find ourselves in the situation we are in today-being "ruled" by a group of elites who treat us as subjects rather than employers!
So I ask you, WHERE is the principle? Why should we allow elected officials to abrogate the duties of a branch of government?
Why should we allow the Federal Government to abrogate the duties of our state?
The Tenth Amendment states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
That's it. If the Constitution doesn't directly specify powers to the Federal Government and if the Constitution doesn't forbid the states from them then the states alone are responsible for those powers.
With this in mind, any federal attempt to legislate beyond the Constitutional limits of Congress' authority is a usurpation of state sovereignty and unconstitutional.
Do you support Federalized health care? No Child Left Behind? Cap and Trade? Bailouts of private companies? Subsidizations of industries?
The VT Campaign for Liberty has drafted a proposal for a State Sovereignty resolution. There are copies of our proposal available here today for you to read and consider. If you agree with the resolution I ask that you sign and send a copy to your state representatives and Senators.
It is only by standing up and claiming your rights that the government will respect them. Do not sit down, do not be discouraged. There are many battles which must be fought if we are to win the war. Our objective-to retain our God-given rights as free people.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Vermont Non-Profit President gets $7.25 million
From Boston.com:
MONTPELIER, Vt.—The retiring head of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont got a $7.2 million payout when he left.
President and CEO William Milnes, Jr., who retired last year, got the money as part of a retirement payment and salary package when he left Blue Cross after 10 years.
Paulette Thabault, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, tells the Barre Montpelier Times Argus her agency is looking into the payout, since it's so big for a not-for-profit to give.
The payout was first reported by Seven Days, a weekly newspaper in Burlington.
For more info check out the article :
http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2009/03/26/report_retiring_blue_cross_exec_got_72_million/
In doing a little bit of research on Mr Milnes I dug up a fax he received from PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatmentfor Animals. You know the REAL ethical people who were caught throwing dead dogs in dumpsters:
http://www.thisistrue.com/peta.html
Anyhow, check out this .pdf in which Mr Milnes was requested to give vegetarians discounted health care on the backs of evil meat-eaters:
http://blog.peta.org/archives/Letter%20to%20Blue%20Cross%20Vermont.pdf
When are Vermonters going to wake up? When are we going to have an in-state media that reports what's going on up in Montpelier? The government forces out all but two medical insurers, and they, like a classic oligopoly, raise the rates through the roof.
"Under Bill's leadership Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont has grown, strengthened and improved in all areas," said Guy Boyer, chairman of the BCBSVT Board of Directors. No shit! They did it on our backs! With, of course, a lot of help from the lobbyists and their allies in the legislature.
I'll tell you, old Ike tried to warn us about the danger of the military-industrial complex... you know what's a greater danger, at least here in Vermont? The medical-academic complex. Insurance companies and the teacher's unions are destroying this state while the people smile and continue to elect the politicians that make it possible.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Letter to the Editor of the Vermont Standard
An Apology
It is with embarrassment that I admit that I was one of the few who didn't catch the pun in the Standard's headline last week, "Grange Hill Foes Flood Meeting". Though not a nearby resident, and therefore not subject to the referenced flooding, like many others in town, I am a foe of the project.
First, though, I'd like to apologize to Patsy Highberg, the Grange Hill leader, on behalf of the vast majority of her opponents who were distressed by the personal attacks and outbursts that were made by a couple of the anti-subsidized housing speakers. Such belligerence shouldn't be part of a civilized discussion. Decisions on such important matters should be made through a rational and objective review of the facts. I hope the School Board and the pro-Grange people will realize that emotions are running high and when it comes to your home and your family, passions sometimes spill over. And passions obviously are on full boil... sort of like the sap these days.
But looking at the project rationally, it's hard not to feel that the Board must decide to forego granting an easement to the project. The arguments, running by my count 11 to 2 against, proved the case that the School has little to gain by permanently giving away land which will create a potential safety and health hazard to the student's it's charged with protecting. It's hard to understand why the Board would commit to creating an eyesore at the entrance to the property with its complicated system of pipes, valves and sluice gates to benefit an over-engineered government project on the other side of the road. It should be recognized, if the request for an easement was brought up by a private developer, it wouldn't have a chance in Hades of being passed. For some reason, if it's funded with tax-payers money, against our will, it miraculously is given serious consideration. As the woman from HousingVermont admitted, the project has alternate plans for storm water removal. Good, let the Grange Hill project figure out how to deal with its environmental impact at its own expense. Leave the school out of it.
Lastly, I'd like to point out something ironic. Grange Hill's stated goal is to help people become part of our town. Isn't it funny that the exact range of people it proposes to help are the ones up in arms against it? The project is disrupting the community. It's sort of like the Viet Nam war, 'we're going to liberate you, if we have to kill you to do it'. In this case it's, we're going to build you a better neighborhood, if we have to wreck it to do so. We're going to shove a subsidized housing utopia down your throats for your own good. Sure, there might be collateral damage: a few streams might have to be re-routed, a significant portion of school property might have to be given up forever. Children might have to be put at risk for the common well-being; but HousingVermont knows what's best for you all. Hey, it's not like it's your land or your money.... well actually, folks, this time it is.
Turn down the easement, scale down the project, or move it elsewhere.
Hunter Melville
VTCampaignforLiberty.com/WindsorCounty
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
American Socialism for the Rich
Check out Matt Cropp and Marek Hirsch's Blog, American Socialism for the Rich at http://asrblog.com
It's the website about Vermont's most liberty-minded television show. You can watch video interviews that are of enormous interest to anyone involved in Vermont politics. Catch the latest interview with Rob Roper, the Vermont GOP Chairman as he "explains the need for a fiscally conservative voter block in Montpelier, to steer the state towards a vibrant and employed middle class and away from becoming a state park for the very wealthy." You'll find interviews with State Senator Ginny Lyons discussing the State's budget and how she intends to defend her party from Republican attacks. Other interviewees include Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss, Iraq War veteran and candidate Thomas Hermann and the leaders of the Vermont Secessionist Movement.
I love the masthead shot of Governor Douglas and Barack Obama chumming it up in what looks like the Oval office!
From the ASftR mission statement:
To allow for debate and discussion of economic, monetary, political, and social phenomena that serve to aid, obfuscate, or enact socialism for the rich in America. At the center of the blog is American Socialism for the Rich, a LIVE weekly television broadcast at 7pm on channel 15 in Burlington, VT in which Marek Hirsch and Matthew Cropp discuss events, whether local to Vermont, national , or international, that seriously impact our lives, and interview people with the expertise and vision to help elucidate the true nature of and reasons for those events. The blog is contributed to by the full ASftR team, and is, between the posting of the weekly shows, a place for the discussion and comment upon of current events by both the team and the community at large. Jump in and have fun!
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