Everybody and Everything has a Lobby, Except the People
and Their Constitutions. Look again.
“The People are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our Liberty…”Thomas Jefferson
On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, New York State officials gave their approval to Robert Schulz, Judith Whitmore and Anthony Futia for the creation of a Constitution Lobby to be called “We The People of New York, Inc,” a non-political, not-for-profit organization, formed of, by and for the People of New York. The day before, an identical Constitution Lobby was established in Connecticut by three of its patriots. The two organizations are separate and independent. Other States are preparing to do the same. We in Florida are striving for the same.
The incorporation papers for these new entities have the feel of something special. Bob Schulz, prominent Constitutional activist and visionary for the idea, drafted the statement of purposes. He has long called for institutionalized citizen vigilance and hopes every state will follow suit. “This is an unusual document as far as incorporating papers are concerned,” Schulz said. “There are forty purposes stated in the Certificate and each conveys a separate idea, which is integral to the whole concept. The content also includes a definite philosophy or “framer’s intent,” to ensure that neither the government nor the People can lay their own interpretation or mis-interpretation on what is intended,” he concluded.
Schulz wants a Constitution Lobby to be established in every state “for perpetuity” to ensure the current situation could never happen again in America. “It is our fault and up to We the People to get things back on track. We can only do this by looking to and returning to our Charters of Freedom, the Supreme Law of our land.”
The Constitution Lobby is nothing less than a mass movement of the People organized to watch what government is doing at every level and to hold them directly accountable to our State and Federal Constitutions and City Charters.
The fact that New York State and Connecticut have permitted these organizations to proceed says it all. Finally, there will be an official way for the PEOPLE to come together and be heard, that is not dependent on the electoral process, or who is in office or who they voted for. This should be especially meaningful for those who find themselves frustrated, angry, (pauperized), astonished (!) by what has been happening to our Nation, our states and our economy.
With a Constitution Lobby, we won’t have to spin our wheels trying to be heard – we will be able to come together in an official, non-political way. When enough people join the Lobby, we will have the organization, power and resources to reverse an otherwise downward turn which threatens hard times and loss of liberties for all.
How many Americans know they have a State Constitution? How many know what
it says? How many know if their elected officials are following it or not? Who is overseeing the process to ensure that they do? Do the People really understand how we SUFFER if our elected officials ignore the set of Laws which are supposed to govern those we put into office?
Schulz’s efforts to monitor government activity for violations of the Constitutions in New York and at the federal level are no secret to most in the patriot movement. The activities and programs of We The People Foundation and its predecessor organizations can best be understood and appreciated by a visit to www.givemeliberty.org. While he was on a roll in New York before turning his attention to the big guns in Washington, it became clear that individuals and small groups were too vulnerable and also likely to be ignored when it came to government accountability. Having watched what the millions of “tea party patriots” and others who have been in the patriot movement have gone through, he is convinced that the time is finally here to bring all together.
A Constitution Lobby established in any state can fulfill its mission, but only if it speaks for a large number of members. “The effectiveness of any lobby is directly proportional to the number of members,” Schulz has said. To be effective, the organization needs at least 3-5% of the state’s total population. With 16 million in New York, that means upwards of 800,000 people need to step up and say “I WILL.” Members will be asked to pay annual dues of $25 per year and to consider the cost-benefit ratio. The cost is $25.00. The benefits will be predictability, the end of confusion and chaos, the demise of the rule of man’s whim and the restoration of the rule of law.
By looking to our Charters of Freedom and returning there, we will be set on a positive path which will right the wrongs, especially for future generations. Being non-political and non-partisan, it doesn’t matter what party Harry or Jenny support, who they vote for, what happens in the election outcome or what groups or organizations they belong to. As members of the Constitution Lobby, they’re paying to have trained monitors watch government at every level ensuring they use the Constitutions as the filter for every decision. If it isn’t in Law, it will be called out, so any person can belong to the Constitution Lobby who wants constitutional governance carried out in decency and good order.
Those who belong to tea party groups or other Liberty organizations will have the Constitution Lobby as an ongoing effort to complement their other activities. The Lobby keeps going no matter who gets into office or what is taking place politically. Everyone in government, the media and the state will come to know there is a no-nonsense, effective watchdog in place to keep government on track. How so?
The dues paid by members will be used to establish a network of constitutional monitors to be located across the state. Each will be paid a stipend for their service. Think of it! In New York, there will be 1240 monitors, (62 counties x 20 monitors for each, as well as the State Legislature and the federal Congress). These people who have a sincere passion for Liberty will attend government sessions, watching what is taking place. The monitors will interact with a Citizen Vigilance Center to be located in the state capital, where constitutional attorneys will stand ready to perform their pivotal role in the overall process.
Schulz sees the Citizen Vigilance Center in every state as a brand new building, built in the likeness of Jefferson’s self-designed home, “Monticello,” that the People will come to adore as a symbol of their efforts to restore and maintain constitutional governance. He has long chuckled with audiences about the domed building in each state capital where the People instinctively know the government is either “doing it for or to the People.” Now he hopes another domed building will rise like a phoenix out of the ashes to show that the People really did wake up in time and peaceably take back the ultimate power which was meant to reside with them in the first place.
What types of issues will the Constitution Lobby take on? The membership will only focus on government wrong-doings that ignore or breech the principles, prohibitions, restrictions and mandates of our State and Federal Constitutions and City Charters. There is a long list waiting for the People to address. For example, a return to our governing documents would change the world we live in today:
- No public money or eminent domain in aid of private parties.
- No state debt without voter approval.
- Balanced annual budgets.
- No electronic voting machines so the people know their votes are being accurately counted.
- Home rule protections.
- No laws favoring public over private education.
- In the event of undeclared war, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya, there would be no National Guard members sent to participate.
- People would know they are secure in “persons, houses, papers and effects.
- We would be taking a look at gold and silver tender for payments of debts, especially now, as an alternative to what is happening with the dollar so people are protected and can meet their basic needs.
- Every State Constitution acknowledges the People’s Right to Petition government to remedy violations. A Lobby would ensure this Process is restored and respected so that both sides – the People and the government – use and respect the process for the benefit of the People.
- The issue of taxes and militias would be addressed, but enough said for now.
In New York and Connecticut, the focus is on getting the needed members so the work can begin. If you are fortunate enough to live in either of these states, if you are concerned about the economy, the general condition and direction of the state and see the need for much more government accountability, become a founding member of your Constitution Lobby by visiting www.givemeliberty.org/constitutionlobby. See “JOIN.” This is also the place to learn all about the idea and receive updates.
If you are living in one of the other 48 states, get on the weekly national call, a telephone conference for interested citizens to hear Bob Schulz talk about the concept, and how to make it happen. Patriots preparing to incorporate are on the call and will share information. The call takes place on Wednesday evenings at 9.30pmEST.
Dial 402 237 2901, then the code: 5092984#.
You can also help the Constitution Lobby concept become a reality in every state
by telling others. A minimum of three people are required to be initial incorporators and it helps if they are connected to pro-Constitution groups in their state. Schulz and his team will help each state to get up and running as needed.
The Constitution Lobby is not meant to be perceived as a new organization or group, but rather as a natural outgrowth of the People’s activities, a coalition of their combined abilities. Schulz sees every Constitution Lobby managed by the representatives of state and national freedom-oriented entities. In a recent meeting with Stewart Rhodes, head of the national Oathkeepers organization, Stewart said the Constitution Lobby should operate like a “Navy Seal” team, with experts on different areas of the Constitution, merging their skills to work as a team to accomplish the Mission.
For many years, long before the People, the government or the media were yet interested or could feel the effects of government gone astray, Schulz said repeatedly that a time would come when We, the People would have to wake up and choose. We will either rally around the Divine Rights of Free Men, the Constitution and the Rule of Law, putting America back on Her Course as only we can, or continue to rely on the promises and assurances of men, experiencing more debt, dependency and decay as the Republic regressed.
As you approach our Independence holiday, contemplate a Constitution Lobby in your state. Let your imagination run wild and you might start to smile. The air is fresh and clean up where the Constitution reigns Supreme. What if the People really could accomplish such an idea at this time? Say your prayers for New York and Connecticut who have opened the door for the rest of us and thank Bob Schulz for showing the way to a deeper understanding of what it means to be an American, of our duty as freedom keepers for our Constitutions. Say “YES! I will carry the Torch of Liberty and pass it forward for future generations to come.” Do it for those millions yet unborn, who will live for the words: YOU ARE FREE.”
Judith Whitmore is one of the incorporators for the Constitution Lobby in New York. She has worked side-by-side with Bob Schulz since January, 2009.
Join us for Freedom
Rick Seltman
Florida
