I read with great interest a piece written by my friend and fellow activist, Phil Pepin, entitled “Why Elections, the Tea Party and Activism Won’t Save Our Republic.” Pepin claims the conflict to be not about Democrat vs. Republican. Labels have no meaning and are used by both parties to distract, divide and conquer—nothing more, nothing less. Nor is it about Left vs. Right. Again, meaningless, misleading labels. It is, says Pepin, about moral leadership vs. immoral power hungry tyrants on both sides of the aisle who abandoned their respect for Constitutional principles and the Republic long ago, craving—like drug addicted derelicts—their power “fix” to reign supreme and without end over sovereign states and the sovereign citizens who dwell therein.

I see this unholy alliance of “Tyrannists” (a term I coined to singularly define Statists, Progressives, and their kind) on the one hand, and CINO’s (Conservatives in Name Only) from BOTH parties on the other, now converging as a unified juggernaut focused menacingly at the very heart of the republic—We the People!

The Tyrannist/CINO coalition has successfully adopted and employed the idea that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Those of us opposing them, the ones I call “Constitutional Conservatives”, are now facing the fight of their very lives.

Akin to the theatrical good vs. evil scenario, the Tyrannist/CINO army of subjugation and conquest threatens to destroy the foundation of personal sovereignty this republic defined, fought for, and cultured over the last 235 years. Are We, the People, the true Constitutional Conservatives of all races, cultures and political beliefs, to succumb to tyranny and surrender what remains of our God given sovereignty or will we fight as “counter-revolutionaries” to retake the republic from the Progressive “revolutionaries” now openly marching behind the banner of tyranny and pseudo-conservatism? What are we to do and, more importantly, how are we to do it?

I propose we jettison the labels created by the enemies of the republic. Specifically, “Democrat” and “Republican.” They are meaningless! They serve no purpose but to divide the citizens—one from the other. The idea that all Democrats are “liberal” and all Republicans “conservative” is utter nonsense! Elderly citizens, many proudly wearing the “Democrat” ID badge, are about as liberal as Ronald Regan was! On the other hand, the citizens of Texas have seen it’s so called Republican “conservative” leadership in the Senate, House of Representatives and even the governor’s office time and time again salute and pledge allegiance to the Tyrannist/CINO banner. (Witness the complete failure of “conservative” leadership regarding sanctuary cities, TSA anti-grope and similar legislation in the Texas 82nd Legislature.) Self professed Republicans, hiding behind the mask of conservatism, constantly retreating before the onslaught of the Tyrannist/CINO horde, spewing conservative slogans all the while admitting they would rather switch than fight—where does it end? Not only is this behavior disgusting and shameful but the citizens are left unprotected and defenseless to face—alone—the monster that is the federal government and its rogue minions who continue to subjugate us from state houses across the land.

Grassroots organizations must evolve into lean, mean, formidable teams of Constitutional Conservatives. One example (of many) is a concept developed and taught by JD Benfer of San Antonio, Texas. The Citizen Lobbyist Network (CLN) has proven itself to be a successful vehicle for counter-revolutionaries, i.e., US! Specifically, CLN trains grassroots activists how to move from the lawn of the state capitol into the offices of the legislators within while successfully lobbying for conservative issues. Think of this “lawn to lobby” concept as a wagon wheel. At the center is the hub—the training command center for grassroots counter-revolutionaries. The spokes of the wheel represent the various activist organizations throughout the state or region. The rim of the wheel is the communications network the groups develop for themselves—in person, phone, email, fax, text, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

The coalescing force of the CLN concept has produced various degrees of success. Texas legislators were completely caught off guard when group after group of “citizen lobbyists” confronted them in a united front on issues most important to Texas conservative citizens. However, even with citizen lobbyists standing on their desks, the legislators often ignored them and marched to the beat of the CINO drum.

We have learned here in Texas that several “fronts” must be fought simultaneously to “crack” the Tyrannist/CINO outer “skin” while destroying the “machine” from within:

1. Maintain the pressure on the outer wall. Specifically, bombard the camps of both Tyrannists and CINOs demanding they listen and comply with the demands of the Constitutional Conservatives. Let them know WE WILL NOT GO AWAY! We CAN wear them down with a constant, coordinated “bombardment” of Citizen Lobbyists in their state capitol offices as well as their district offices. Spare no one. Don’t ignore those seemingly true conservatives who compromise conservative values for a “quick and easy fix” whenever and wherever the moment is right. Appearances are always deceiving in politics and the state house and governor’s office is no different.

2. Openly support those legislators that are true Constitutional Conservatives and have proven themselves as such by their actions, i.e., voting record, legislation sponsorship, etc. Let those that truly talk the talk AND walk the walk know we will support them vigorously and that a Tyrannist/CINO attack on one conservative legislator will be considered an attack on all—and that the citizens will respond in kind!

3. Convince those Constitutional Conservatives in the Legislature to speak openly about those who appear to embrace conservative values yet privately pray at the Tyrannist/CINO alter. Bring to light that information and disseminate it across activist state-wide lines of communication. Let all political “dirt” be brought to light. Let the people deal with those who betray conservative ideology from without. Encourage and support true conservative legislators to deal with Tyrannists/CINOs from within.

4. Influence and support legislators to introduce, and pass, service term limits. Twelve years is more than enough time to spend in any one job. Complacency and familiarity breed contempt (of constitutional principles (not to mention the citizens)). New, fresh faces and ideas are needed to invigorate the legislative process and keep government honest. Term limits must apply to the governor’s time in office as well. Insist on it via referendum if necessary.

5. Don’t wait for the general election in November to face the Tyrannists/CINOs. By then it is too late! Draft, groom and support (financially and morally) those Constitutional Conservatives willing to give of themselves for the good of society. Run for office yourself! If not for the state house, then for city council, county commissioner, local school board, etc. Don’t wait for others to approach you. Take the point and lead the way for Constitutional Conservatives everywhere. Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself: “If not you, then who?”

The Tyrannist/CINO machine is gaining momentum. They know we, the Constitutional Conservatives, now know and fully understand their objectives: loss of personal sovereignty, liberty and property. We are in the eleventh hour, Patriots. If we do nothing, if we stand down, if we ignore the grim reality that envelops us then we are lost. The time is now, citizens, to engage the domestic enemies of our republic. To do otherwise, is to surrender, hoist the white flag of defeat and bind ourselves, and our children, into slavery.

Tenth Amendment Talking Points

1.  The People created the federal government to be their agent for certain enumerated purposes only.  The Constitutional ratifying structure was created so it would be clear that it was the People, and not the States, that were doing the ratifying.

2.  The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that which has been delegated by the people to the federal government, and also that which is absolutely necessary to advancing those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution of the United States.  The rest is to be handled by the state governments, or locally, by the people themselves.

3.  The Constitution does not include a congressional power to override state laws.  It does not give the judicial branch unlimited jurisdiction over all matters.  It does not provide Congress with the power to legislate over everything. This is verified by the simple fact that attempts to make these principles part of the Constitution were soundly rejected by its signers.

4.  If the Congress had been intended to carry out anything they claim would promote the “general welfare,” what would be the point of listing its specific powers in Article I, Section 8, since these would’ve already been covered?

5.  James Madison, during the Constitutional ratification process, drafted the “Virginia Plan” to give Congress general legislative authority and to empower the national judiciary to hear any case that might cause friction among the states, to give the congress a veto over state laws, to empower the national government to use the military against the states, and to eliminate the states’ accustomed role in selecting members of Congress.  Each one of these proposals was soundly defeated.  In fact, Madison made many more attempts to authorize a national veto over state laws, and these were repeatedly defeated as well.

6.  The Tenth Amendment was adopted after the Constitutional ratification process to emphasize the fact that the states remained individual and unique sovereignties; that they were empowered in areas that the Constitution did not delegate to the federal government.  With this in mind, any federal attempt to legislate beyond the Constitutional limits of Congress’ authority is a usurpation of state sovereignty – and unconstitutional.

7.  Tragically, the Tenth Amendment has become almost a nullity at this point in our history, but there are a great many reasons to bring it to the forefront.  Most importantly, though, we must keep in mind that the Founders envisioned a loose confederation of states – not a one-size-fits-all solution for everything that could arise.  Why?  The simple answer lies in the fact that they had just escaped the tyranny of a king who thought he knew best how to govern everything – including local colonies from across an ocean.

10th Amendment Resolution

The following is a sample 10th Amendment House Concurrent Resolution approved by the Tenth Amendment Center. Activists, we encourage you to send this to your state senators and representatives – and ask them to introduce this resolution in your state.

A RESOLUTION affirming the sovereignty of the People of the State of _________.

WHEREAS, in the American system, sovereignty is defined as final authority, and the People, not government, are sovereign; and

WHEREAS, the people of the State of __________ are not united with the People of the other forty-nine states that comprise the United States of America on a principle of unlimited submission to their federal government; and

WHEREAS, all power not delegated by the people to government is retained; and

WHEREAS, the People of the several States comprising the United States of America created the federal government to be their agent for certain enumerated purposes only; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: “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 that which has been delegated by the people to the federal government in the Constitution of the United States, and also that which is necessary and proper to advancing those enumerated powers; with the rest being left to state governments or the people themselves; and

WHEREAS, powers, too numerous to list for the purposes of this resolution, have been exercised, past and present, by federal administrations, under the leadership of both Democrats and Republicans, which infringe on the sovereignty of the people of this state, and may further violate the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, when powers are assumed by the federal government which have not been delegated to it by the People, a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy; that without this remedy, the People of this State would be under the dominion, absolute and unlimited, of whoever might exercise this right of judgment for them.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE  _____ OF THE _______ GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ______, WITH THE SENATE

CONCURRING, that we hereby affirm the sovereignty of the People of the State of _______ under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise delegated to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall serve as a Notice and Demand to the federal government to cease and desist any and all activities outside the scope of their constitutionally-delegated powers; and, it be further

RESOLVED, that a committee of conference be appointed by this legislature, which shall have as its charge to recommend and propose legislation which would have the effect of nullifying specific federal laws and regulations which are outside the scope of the powers delegated by the People to the federal government in the Constitution; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a committee of correspondence be appointed, which shall have as its charge to communicate the preceding resolutions to the Legislatures of the several States; to assure them that this State continues in the same esteem of their friendship as currently exists;  that it considers union, for specified national purposes, and particularly those enumerated in the Constitution of the United States, to be friendly to the peace, happiness and prosperity of all the States; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of this State’s Congressional delegation with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

“Somebody ought to do something!”

“I’m tired of shouting at my TV but what am I to do? Write a letter? Send an email? A fax? What for?  “They” don’t care about us and they’re not listening!”

“What are we supposed to do?”

Sound familiar? Well, Patriots, there’s not one thing you can do—there are actually three options to choose from—as a 21^st century Patriot we can exercise one, two or all three at the same time!

Imagine if you will a trident—a long three pronged spear commonly associated with the classical god of the sea—Neptune (or Poseidon). The first prong is “educate,” the middle—“advocate,” the third—“participate.” The trident is the Patriots’ best weapon in the fight to save our republic from those hell bent on shredding the Constitution and replacing it with a “living” document. Here’s how.

Educate—First, start with educating yourself. Have you read the Declaration of Independence? The Constitution? How about the Bill of Rights? Remember them from civics class? Oh, that’s right; civics class has long since vanished from the majority of our schools. Only old guys like me remember learning about local, state and federal government and how they are supposed to work together; laws—and how they are to be created, argued and passed and how those laws are supposed to be interpreted, enforced and by whom.

Feeling comfortable with your knowledge of basic civics? What about political ideology? Is a democracy the same as a republic? What does “left” mean? What about “right?” What’s the difference between “Progressives” and “Populists?” Are they diametrically opposed or kissing cousins? Is the FED (Federal Reserve Bank) the “fourth branch” of our government as they think they are, or are they a collusion of key banks whose primary mission is dictating financial policy to financial institutions throughout the country? What is a republican form of government? (No, it does not refer to George W. Bush and the previous administration.) Who and what are Progressives? (No, they are not interested in “progress” unless you subscribe to their definition and are willing to fund “progress” in the form of increased taxes.) Are Populists the most popular people in politics?

Yes, these questions are silly but do you know the correct answers? Furthermore, can you explain them to your spouse, your children, your neighbors and friends and, if so, what are you going to do with this knowledge?

Advocate—So you think you understand the differences and similarities between republicans and democrats, Marx and Jefferson, Machiavelli and Locke? Great! Now, go forth and argue your cause! Don’t cry out alone in the darkness. Mobilize your independent spirit and energize your first amendment right of free speech. How?

Participate—It’s time to get off your fanny, get on your feet and get involved! Become politically active. Join a tea party, 9-12 group, Tenth Amendment team, Oath Keepers or one of dozens of politically active groups growing in strength and stature throughout the republic. Don’t stand down waiting for someone else to do something. Set the leadership pace, take the point and others will follow. Be the one others emulate (don’t be another silent couch potato content to accept the scraps of injustice thrown by “our” political representatives and leaders in local, state and federal legislatures and power centers).

Now, Patriots, right now—stand up, peacefully wield your “trident” and move out! The survival of the republic depends upon YOU!

Steve Baysinger

San Antonio, Texas

baysinger_steve@yahoo.com