Monday, October 26, 2009

The Party’s Over: Inside the Mind of a “Born-Again Independent”


Contact your Representative
Contact your Senator
Contact President Obama

Finger-pointing, mudslinging, slogans, rhetoric, spin, lobbyism, fundraising, pundits, tax increases, broken promises, lies and deceit, etc etc etc…I want out! I’m done with paying to be on a losing team…especially one that’s lost sight of the true American spirit…

I want to start from the top, so bare with me and my garrulous nature while I lay the foundation of my logic.

What exactly governs The United States of America? Most of us, including me, would have been quick to answer this question proudly with “the people!” but we would be wrong. We are not a democracy. Our founding fathers left us a republic: a government of laws, specifically the Constitution. In fact, our founders warned of the dangers of democracies:

"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders
itself."
John Adams


"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
Benjamin Franklin


Our founders recognized that a majority can’t necessarily be trusted. Convince enough people of an ideology-whether good or bad-and you’ll soon find yourself in an oligarchy: a government ruled by a group of people presumed to embody ideals. We all can see that never in history has a democracy served a people well. An oligarchic group seeks power and convinces a people it knows best for them, cradling a people into a trance-like trust that soon fades into tyrannical oppression. One of the best examples of this: The Nazi Party, which won its way into the hearts of Germans by a democratic majority vote.

You may ask as I once did, “Why do we vote?” The answer: to uphold the law and mind the republic. Our Constitution was designed to leave little wiggle-room for government expansion. Our founders intended the checks and balance system to prevent distortion of the law. The three branches of government: the judicial (the Supreme Court), the legislative (Congress and the Senate) and the executive (the President) aren’t supposed to like one another or work together. Our President is to have the federal collective’s best interest at heart. The Court is to have the law’s best interest at heart. The Senate and the Congress are to have each of their states and citizen’s best interests at heart (and every citizen should have their liberty’s best interest at heart, which is why we also relied on press to rat out injustice). Each branch ideally is supposed to have different vested interests in our system and the struggle to protect those interests is meant to keep the other branches honest. How it was supposed to work:


*Each state votes for 2 senators to report to the federation and represent equal weight of the 50 states.
*Each representative in the house is picked by districts within each state to represent the people of only that district. (Already, there should be many varying opinions and concerns enough to prevent power gain, if followed correctly).
*The states, not the people, vote for the president. (While the people within their states vote, they are only voting for which way they would like their state to vote, but each state’s vote is carefully weighted to not counteract any other state. For example, while Ohio may have a smaller population than California, it is no less of a state. This is why the Electoral College exists. We are like mini countries within one union-and not one entity is more important than the other to the federation.)
*Once the President is picked by the states, he is entrusted to appoint judges to the Supreme Court based on their ability and reputation to correctly interpret and uphold the laws of the land, but congress must approve or it cannot be.

Really, Senators and Representatives should not live in Washington DC. They are supposed to be citizens living amongst their peers, with jobs of their own in their own states, witnessing their neighbor’s concerns and struggles first-hand. Serving the people is a sacrifice on behalf of liberty to be an honest voice when called upon to meet. They were never intended to be a part of the “political machine”-they belong under the jurisdiction of their own state’s Constitution.

The only way to “throw off” this entirely intricate and balanced system is to introduce organized thought by way of a political party. You see, no matter what the ideals may be in a political party, their intentions are always the same: to overpower the balanced system and get provisions in law while they control more than one branch. It’s cheating. It has happened since the very beginning. People used to be weary of those who identified with a political party, but eventually only political parties would offer candidates, so people had to pick the better of 2 poisons. Political parties reached across state lines and, eventually people started to lose interest in their states and gain interest in the federal collective.

Today, for example, democrats or “liberals” as they would call themselves are in control of every branch of government. The democrat party owes a lot of people favors. There are powerful lobbyists, corporations and unions to whom the party has made promises in order to gain power. When a democrat sits in the executive chair, he sits with power and weight of everyone behind him, thus throwing off the balance of the branches. When democrats are in the legislative branch, they do the president’s bidding, which defies the Constitution. They lend the power of the legislative branch to the already overweight executive branch. The judicial system has sympathy with the progressive liberal movement and has even used foreign laws to serve their agenda, thus corrupting and violating the entire American system. The democrat party is in complete control. That’s beyond democracy; it is an oligarchy, and what we were warned about. While in control, they’ll make power-grabs, rendering the Constitution less and less relevant.
I’m only using the democrats now, because it’s a perfect example of what can go wrong, but republicans have done it too…and are currently selling out their core beliefs to steal power back.

They want in on the oligarchy so badly; they’ll recruit liberals in “republican” clothing as a power play. Both parties will tell you we have a democracy here in America. They need you to believe that for the sake of their agenda. They’re lying to you for your blind trust. You can tell because the republican congressmen and senators make a plea to any republican voter in any state, thus breaking their constitutional obligation to the people they serve. Both parties have tried to do away with the Electoral College…that’s a major warning sign.

How do we fix all of this? First, register independent/undecided. Political parties have had it too good for too long. They only campaign to undecided voters, which is why you see them only go to places like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. If we all registered independent, it will make them listen to you instead of making you listen to them. I’m not saying don’t vote for a democrat or a republican, but question where their loyalty really lies. Make them state what they want to do if elected, and then make clear that your vote is only to uphold the constitution, not serve partisan politics. Get vocal. Don’t let parties bully you-don’t let them slander you into quiet submission. You are the boss. You are protected by the laws of the land. Those who fail you are in violation of the Constitution…no matter how long we’ve let their unethical behavior slide unbeknownst to ourselves.

(PS all my blogs will not be this cumbersome and boring, but I feel my opinions need to be prefaced with where I stand as a Constitutionalist Independent)

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government
fears the people, there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson

"I believe there
are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by the
gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden
usurpation." President James Madison (1751-1836) speech, Virginia Convention,
1788

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government."
Thomas Paine

"We the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts--not
to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the
Constitution." Abraham Lincoln

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the
people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it
come to dominate our lives and interests." Patrick Henry







Contact your Representative
Contact your Senator
Contact President Obama

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

It will take a GOOD woman to clean up the mess in the W.H..
Come and be a supporter today!
http://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin?v=wall

Lee said...

And how exactly did you become friendly with Shane?

Well written.

Angel Fleming said...

to anonymous: i am keeping my eye on palin...she seems very promising and i can't wait to read her new book. my fear is that republicans will gain in the midterm election putting an end to obama's games and thus making him look good enough to win in 2012. it's what pretty much happened with clinton...stay vigilant and don't let up past midterms. vote with knowledge.

and to Lee, thank you. shane and i happened upon each other through like-minded groups and have had hilarious exchanges ever since.

Jeff Brodhead said...

Thanks Angel for the invite. (@Glenn Beck FB)
Good read!
I plan to have my kids read this.

baaaa. Baaaa. BAAAAA! BANG-BANG!
(gotta love Ben Franklin!)

Anonymous said...

The main problem facing the Progressives Agenda is that only a small percentage of Americans will go along with their governing concept Lock, Stock and Barrell. In order to gain a majority of support the Progressives have to create "NEED" among a Majority of Americans. The only way that this can be accomplished without external forces to blame is for them to Collapse the Existing System; which is exactly what their agenda is right now. The Dark Times which lay ahead of us in this nation is that "Moment of Truth" wherein the Majority will either take the hand of assistance or slap it away. No Benevolent Leader likes to be rejected by his subjects and history shows that such actions are met with Punishment. On this day our counry will either be on the road to Freedom or on the Path to Destruction.

Preston Tullos said...

There is a way to replace the House of Representatives with citizen-legislators. GOOOH - Get Out Of Our House is growing and gaining momentum. It is a process that selects a candidate from among the people and pays for the campaign.

Angel Fleming said...

i think you would all be intrigued to check out the 3-step "restart" plan proposed on myamericaagain.org
it's the best shot we've got to keep elected officials in line.

Anonymous said...

Please keep in mind that the www.myamericaagain.org site is just a temporary website. Parscale media is currently working on our fully functional website (including chapter forums, the indictment engine, and more) and Oxygen Productions is working on our first of a series of videos. Our kick-off goal is on or about Thanks Giving Day 09.

I enjoyed your explanations of the branches of government. There are far too many American’s that do not know this. An educated population is certainly our ally. The only thing I’d add would be a brief description of how Congress and the Senate are supposed to compliment one another. It was intended for Congress to be more of the emotional of the two. What are the needs of the people of my state and how can we help them? The Senate, on the other hand, was supposed to be the logic that complimented the emotion. They were/are supposed to ask to questions of each piece of legislation that comes to them from Congress; 1). Is this Constitutional?, and 2). Can we afford it?

Very well written, I’m impressed! Granted by now you know that I am the more easily impressed AA! representative that you’ve exchanged thoughts and ideas with.

Angel Fleming said...

Thanks, Larry, I wanted to keep it as short and simple as possible because it's new info to a lot of people and I didn't want to lose their interest in explaining every nuance. This is just laying the groundwork for people to question "What else was I misinformed about?" and investigate it themselves...I do not intend to be the "go to" source for info, but educated opinions. Americans have a responsibility to their country and family's future to learn this for themselves as I have done and continue to do.

Mj said...

I appreciated your article. Isn't it true that Washington opposed the party system?
All who respect the Constitution have to unify to defeat the assault upon it, and we have to unify now.
Here's one idea:
http://www.lightsoutforliberty.com/
I'd welcome comments.
Thank you,
Mary Jane

David Bowie said...

Thanks for suggesting this site, Angel. No one believes in, and supports our Constitution more than I do. We need more American Patriots such as yourself to stand up and be counted

Heath.NH said...

I was given, by a decent lookin girl, a card and invitation to her boyfriends site, that she thought i'd like. I've checkd it out and will chech back. I may find I agree with some of these shared thoughts. I'd like to think of myself as a Good American although not as informed as I could be.I do think that America has slipped from its intended greatness and needs PEOPLE to stop being so greedy and start giving a damn again for the greater good of the common man. My geuss is she equated my display of flags on my car as having similar opinions as this group or persons. I do love my country. Did infact join our military and would still fight to protect our land and my FAMILY. I still remove my hat for the National Anthem.

COTErack said...

@ HealthNH- Hi and welcome to the community! That was my girlfriend, it was the second time she had seen your vehicle and was impressed by the overwhelming display of patriotism, so she felt compelled to give you a card. I would like to thank you for your service to our country and say you are not alone. People are starting to give a damn again, people that were content with carrying on with life as usual without caring about the direction our nation was headed, but now have awoken. We need to band together as people of a common belief in our constitution and the values our founders instilled upon us. Partisan politics are destroying the country our founders left us, paid for in their blood, sweat and tears. Please, join us here as this is one step forward in the grander goal of a return to normalcy in our great nation.

Buddy Shipley said...

"Liberals in Republican clothing" often result in getting ultra-liberal Democrats elected. Perhaps because conservative Republicans are so disheartened and disgusted by their choices they just can't bring themselves to vote for anyoneso they forfeit to the Marxists...

Politican parties exist because there is strength in numbers, and "independent" is not a party.

Depending on your state, registering as "independent" (Unaffliliated) may mean you cannot vote in Primaries.

If you want to work to change the GOP from within, you must be a registered Republican to participate in Assemblies and Caucuses.


Technical Nit: Congress consists of two houses: The House of Representatives and the Senate.

Angel Fleming said...

I didn't say do not vote for a party-I said don't belong to one. I vote for whomever I choose despite party affiliation. If you look at the history of partisan politics in the US ideals have changed a lot of hands and a lot of parties. Voting the party way can be dangerous. Make them listen. Leave the party and tell them you could go either way or neither. Changing the GOP might not be the answer, leaving it might. But the point is to be vigilant. Look at the emergency election in upstate NY the GOP is backing the LIBERAL republican rather than the CONSERVATIVE one to win! When asked why he backed the liberal candidate, Newt said he goes where the party goes! I'm out of that. I vote my conscience and I vote FOR the Constitution. I'm not letting parties scare me or hold my vote hostage any more.

I amended the slip-up in wording, thanks.

Angel Fleming said...

Oh I meant to point out...you mentioned primaries and I wanted to address that. My state happens to be one of the states where such is the case: you must register as the party to vote. That's a scare tactic to make you pick a party. An independent can vote in the primary of either party (the vote is an automatic registration for the party as well and you can switch back to unenrolled after-it's the best of both worlds) I realize the "strength in numbers" thing..but why can't independants have strength in numbers against politicians? Fear to leave a party sounds like no reason to stay.

Shane Hayes said...

I think that the one thing harder then getting congress to scale back its power is getting the American people to realize that it needs it. So many people have this institutionalized belief that we live in a democracy and their congressman is supposed to live in Washington, only coming home to campaign. If we're going to truly change the system we need to educate the public and that means getting civics back in the classroom. Unfortunately I believe the teachers union would bar this effort.

Buddy Shipley said...

By definition, "independent" means disparate, isolated, not a cohesive voting bloc of like-minded people. Certainly there may be people of like-mind within the bloc, but since there is no party, there is no platform, no shared purpose.

Describing yourself as "independent" can mean many different things to different people. A 3rd party would only ensure a Democrat victory (Ross Perot gave us Clinton, I'm sorry to say I helped). I think the only viable solution is to fix the party we have. I could be wrong (the GOP began as a 3rd party).

Heath.NH said...

I have to admit that I know little of politics ( except that it's usually a room full of lies ) and I look to my wife for clerification. I believe that we would be better with NO government and that EVERYONE should get off thier asses to take charge of thier lives. we are in this mess by expecting SOMEONE ELSE to take care of things or fix all our problems. No one will pick up trash they walk by, let the other guy go first at an intersection, or even stop kids from playing in the street. It's seems to me that all most want is " What do I get?". I've got plenty to spout about but I won't type that long.

Angel Fleming said...

Buddy, my question to you is, do you support the constitution??? Did you read the post at all? Supporting a party defies the consitution and i sited all the reasons why above.
Your definition of "independence" seems a little biased in a negative way. Independence, as our founding fathers believe is very necessary. To not claim a party is to not reveal your hand so it forces candidates to not organize under an ideology but be frank and uphold the constitution. Ideologies can be debated in the private sector but have no place in our political system. It works best without parties. I implore you to actually read my argument this time as I posted it in the blog above.

and, Heath, in NH, no government is anarchy. the government you're experiencing now in America is not what our founders intended. "Democracy" hijacked the system with partisan politics and has sewn seeds of socialism and laziness into the American people's hearts. what you're witnessing is the death of something amazing and partisan politics can't save it...only passionate constitutionalists can.
check out this video, it's short and explains government so well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4r0VUybeXY

Robert said...

Angel, I got linked up to this site through Facebook. I like the main web page logo! Very interesting and I am impressed as well by your thoughts about government and the institutions of power therein; what it’s supposed to be about, and especially what it is now. I couldn't agree with you more about your implications (if they were implications) regarding how clear it should be to everyone that this country has run far afoul from the origins of what our forefathers had intended about how government was to be run in these United States. Not that I have had any doubt about this. From reading this now though, you have provided me with new insight about the nonsensical logic about maintaining any kind of political party loyalty. It makes perfect sense. DON'T show your cards to any politician. I actually registered Libertarian last year after being registered republican for many years now. From what I can tell from your writings, I'm quite certain I may be of the same political belief as yourself.

Angel Fleming said...

while i hold libertarian/constitutionalist views...i register independent. let my ideals be mine and let the politicians fight for them. if they want to organize into parties, let them do so (at their own peril, because once peoploe wake up, they won't ever want a controlling party), but it's completely corrupt how it requires fundraising, and mandatory signatures and slogans with empty promises...let's take back integrity by declaring we ALL are the swing vote.

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