Thanks for the work you are expending to build
a forum that provides access to the views of the possible alternatives
in American politics. Your site is quite comprehensive but your
synopsis of our party's positions contains some inaccuracies.
While we would be described by some as "conservative"
on many of our positions, the statement regarding our backs
being turned to the future is a strange comment. While
we strive to learn from our nation's past, so we may wisely
approach decisions regarding the present and future, this does
not mean what you have communicated here. Indeed all political
parties are focused on trying to affect the future. A
primary part of our focus is enforcing the Constitution of the
United States of America. It is not just a document of our nation's
past, but is still actively the supreme law of the land. The
need for enforcing its limits upon government power are as great,
if not greater now than when it first was ratified. It's provisions
are not "hazy", actually, it very clearly lists the powers that
the Federal Government is allowed to have and prohibits it from
exercising powers that are not specifically delegated to it
by the Constitution. The fact that its mandates are not adhered
to is not because it's text is unclear, but because those elected
to public office are not being held accountable to the Constitution's
power limits by the American people.
It could easily be argued that we are more forward
looking than most in politics in that we are doing what we can
now to reign-in an out-of-control government so that the people
of this nation can enjoy a future where our rights and freedoms
will continue to be secure.
We are strong defenders of the Constitution
and agree with the Declaration of Independence that our rights
are given to us by God. This means that they are not something
that government can take away from us. Actually, it is the duty
of government to secure those rights. However, we do not have
the "right" do whatever we want. For example, people to not
have the "right" to murder other people, or rape, or steal,
etc. In light of this, we contend that parents do not have the
"right" to kill their children. Rather, they have a duty to
protect them from harm and a duty to provide and care for them.
They do not have the "right" to kill their children or abandon
them if they are found to be inconvenient to have around or
prove to be a burden to them. It is from this perspective that
we recognize that a woman does not have the right to kill her
pre-born child in her womb, a child which is naturally entrusted
to her care in the most intimate of ways. Indeed, she has an
even greater duty to do the exact opposite of this.
To deny a person of their entire life on the
basis of their age is abhorrent to us. Our party believes in
the concept of equal protection under the law for all people.
The Constitution clearly states that "no person shall be deprived
of life...except by due process of law." This would especially
include those who are the most helpless and innocent among us.
Contrary to your assumption regarding religious
liberty, we strongly affirm the right to religious freedom and
liberty of conscience. The Constitution does not prohibit people
from expressing their religious faith or beliefs, either in
a political context or elsewhere. Rather, the opposite is true.
It states: "Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment
of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In this
light we contend the Federal government has no constitutional
authority to fund, regulate, restrict or forcibly influence
establishments of religion and it is banned from prohibiting
the free exercise of religion. This would include banning the
free exercise of religion in any environment including public
schools, etc. (We also recognize that the Federal Government
has no constitutional authority to fund, regulate or be involved
in influencing the education of children in any way.)
If you want to find people to whom religious
freedom is important, find someone who places high value on
their religious faith.
Platform excerpt:
"Our Constitution grants no authority to the
federal government either to grant or deny the religious expressions
of the people in any place. Both the First and Tenth Amendments
forbid such tyranny.
We call upon all branches of government to
cease their attacks on the religious liberties of the people."
Regarding AIDS: We, of course, do not advocate
that anyone with a disease of any kind (AIDS included) should
be deprived of their rights. We do contend that AIDS should
be treated the same as other diseases and that it is, at its
core, a public health issue rather than a civil rights issue.
Platform excerpt:
"The first duty of civil government is to
protect innocent human life. AIDS and HIV is a contagious
disease which is dangerous to public health. It should not
be treated as a civil rights issue."
Regarding the military, we do not believe that
serving in a particular function in the military is a "right"
any more than serving in Congress is a "right" or having any
other particular government job is a "right." Congress has the
constitutional responsibility of "making rules for the government
and regulation of land and naval forces." Their job is to set
policies, including recruiting and operational standards that
will allow our armed forces to most effectively provide for
the common defense of the United States. We feel the changes
the military has to make to incorporate women in combat are
counterproductive to those ends. It is because of this that
we do not advocate the use of women in combat positions in the
military, not because we have doubts about or have disparaging
views of women's capabilities.
Platform excerpt:
"We call for the maintenance of a strong,
state-of-the-art military on land, sea, in the air, and in
space. We urge the executive and legislative branches to continue
to provide for the modernization of our armed forces, in keeping
with advancing technologies and a constantly changing world
situation...We reject the policies and practices that permit
women to train for or participate in combat. Because of the
radical feminization of the military over the past two decades,
it must be recognized that these "advances" undermine the
integrity and morale of our military organizations by dual
qualification standards and forced integration."
The Constitution Party stands for enforcing
the constitution's limits on the Federal Government and for
restoring moral integrity to the foundations of civil government.
This should serve to benefit all law-abiding Americans.
Best Regards,
Greg Moeller
Constitution Party Internet Technologies Team
