It was Benjamin Franklin in 1775 who said, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”  I believe that dissent is necessary to keep the balance of power tilted towards the will of the people and balance the infallibility of our leaders. Without the capability of dissent we have seen that governments have become tyrannical and oppressive towards the very people the purportedly represent. We have witnessed what happens when dissent is oppressed recently in the Middle East and especially in Syria. Instead of a peaceful transition of power, the changing of a government has led to bloody violence and death. I do not believe all forms of dissent should be legal, recent Occupy protests have shown how civil disobedience taken to illegality can harm a cause rather than help one. However, the “capability” of dissent should not be removed from the political discourse. I am afraid that our nation is quickly becoming a place where dissent is becoming a crime and not the criminal activity.

President Obama signed into law the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011. This law permits Secret Service agents to designate any place they wish as a place where free speech, association and petition of the government are prohibited. And it permits the Secret Service to make these determinations based on the content of speech.

Secondly the law allows Secret Service to restrict any posted, cordoned off, or otherwise restricted area. This includes the White House or its grounds, or the Vice President’s official residence or its grounds; a building or grounds where the President or other person protected by the Secret Service is or will be temporarily visiting; or a building or grounds so restricted in conjunction with an event designated as a special event of national significance.

Last but not least it expands the areas to include areas where other persons protected by the Secret Service are present. The bill specifically addresses certain trespassing violations in D.C., which currently do not fall under federal law. Can anyone remember the past April the 15^th TEA Party rallies and Sept 11^th rallies? All of these fall within the scope of this new law. Another significant change in the bill is a change in the language, which will make it easier to prosecute those who are found to unlawfully have entered these restricted areas. This new law will make it easier to prevent or prosecute rallies, protests anticipated during this election cycle. Let’s not forget that a building or grounds can be restricted in conjunction with any event designated as a special event of national significance.

Some of the most significant changes in our nation were caused by the dissenter. You only have to look at Dr. Martin Luther King who through the civil rights movement changed the perception of race forever. Dwight D. Eisenhower said it best when he said, “Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels – men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion?”

H.R. 347: Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011 was signed into law by President Obama on March 8^th. This vote was taken under a procedure called “suspension of the rules” which is typically used to pass non-controversial bills. Votes under suspension require a 2/3rds majority. A failed vote under suspension can be taken again. The bill passed with 399 voting yes and only 3 voting no and 30 not voting. This signifies an overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives. This is exactly the type of bill that restricts freedom and liberty and that must be stopped. We still have a lot of work to do if our Republic has a chance of survival.

Many different proposals to alter the Presidential election process have been offered over the years, such as direct nation-wide election by the People, but none have been passed by Congress and sent to the States for ratification. Over the past 200 years, over 700 proposals have been introduced in Congress to reform or eliminate the Electoral College. There have been more proposals for Constitutional amendments on changing the Electoral College than on any other subject, but there is a great danger in changing the Electoral College system.

In a direct popular election, there would be every incentive for a multitude of minor parties to form in an attempt to prevent whatever popular majority might desire in a president. These minor parties would be formed by any number of special interest groups such as unions, fringe political groups and various organized social and political subdivisions. The surviving candidates would thus be drawn to the regionalist or extremist views represented by these parties in hopes of winning the run-off election. The result of a direct popular election for president, then, would likely be frayed and unstable political system characterized by a multitude of political parties and by more radical changes in policies from one administration to the next. The Electoral College system, in contrast, encourages political parties to coalesce divergent interests into two sets of coherent alternatives. Such an organization of social conflict and political debate contributes to the political stability of the nation.

The Electoral College maintains stability within the federal system of government. The reasoning is that in a formal federal structure, important political powers are reserved to the separate and several States. The States are even responsible for drawing the district lines for their House seats. The Senate was designed to represent each State equally regardless of its population. And the Electoral College was designed to represent each State’s choice for the presidency (with the number of each State’s electoral votes being the number of its Senators plus the number of its Representatives). To abolish the Electoral College in favor of a nationwide popular election for president would strike at the very heart of the federal structure laid out in our Constitution and would lead to the nationalization of our central government – to the detriment of the States.

As a strong proponent of States rights and State sovereignty creating a national popular vote would do the opposite of what its supporters would hope for. We the people who want a more representative form of government would do well to follow the wisdom of the founding fathers and leave the Electoral College system in place.

Trying to understand a seemingly complicated process, the following information has been gathered with hope that it will be of some help in getting others to join in the effort of getting our next president elected.  I am in no way an expert on the matter, just merely passing on information that can be time consuming to get answers to.)  Here is what I understand to be the way the process works:

In order to become a President of the United States of America you must first become a presidential candidate.  In order to become a presidential candidate you must first be nominated by a party to represent them as their candidate.  In order to get nominated by a party to represent them that party must first go through a long drawn out way of electing delegates who they will send to the party’s national convention to vote for who they think should be the best person to represent their party as a presidential candidate.  It is these delegates alone who have the final say in who the party’s presidential candidate will be.
In order for any Republican presidential candidate to receive the nomination of the republican party for the presidential election of 2012, they have to gain the votes of at least 1144 delegates at this year’s Republican National Convention (to be held in Tampa Bay, Florida August 27th trough 30th.)
Arkansas has a total of 36 delegate positions to fill to send to the Republican National Convention where they will cast their vote in the process to nominate the next Republican Presidential Candidate.  These 36 delegates are broken into three different categories:

12 Congressional District (CD) Delegates  (there are 4 congressional districts in AR and each will elect 3 CD delegates)

21 At Large (AL) Delegates (to be elected at the state level)

3 Republican National Committee (RNC) Members (these are not voted on but more like appointed)

There will also be alternate delegates which will have to be elected as well for each category equaling a total of  33  alternate delegates ( RNC members do not have alternates.)

Process to becoming a CD delegate, AL delegate, or alternate delegate:

To be a delegate you have to first be a member of your County Republican Party  in the county you are registered to vote in. If you are not, this is how you become a member of the committee (remember to check with the county chairman of your county’s Republican Party as each may be different in some way):

Step 1.  File at the Court House between noon, Thursday, Feb. 23rd and noon, Thursday, Mar. 1st.  (filing fee-$50 may be different)  Just so you are not caught off guard like I was be prepared to have your purse searched and walk through a scanner.  Here are more details from the  Garland County Republican Party web site on how to file.

 A reminder that the Filing Period opens this coming Thursday, February 23rd at 12 noon and continues for one week, closing at 12 noon on March 1st.

Your membership is good for one year. Some committees have vote in requirements that require meeting attendance and a procedural vote.

Once you are a member of the GCRP you may then choose to run as a CD Delegate or AL Delegate or an alternate of either.

If you wish, you may run for both kinds of delegates by starting out running for CD delegate and alternate at the county and district levels.  Then if you don’t make it you can try out for the AL delegates and alternates at the state level.
Step 4.  To become a CD delegate candidate you must show up at the Special County Convention meeting which will be held somewhere between April 23rd to May This meeting is strictly for selecting delegates to send to the Special District meeting where they will select the 3 CD delegates and 3 alternates to send to the National convention, each county is allocated a certain number of delegates to go to the special District committee meeting. o All members of the County Republican Committee must attend the Special County Convention meeting to vote for their delegate. Anyone can choose to be a delegate to the district meeting by having someone nominate them, (someone stands and says “I nominate ….. to be a delegate to the district convention”.  As long as the number of people wanting to be delegates does not exceed the number of slots allowed by our county, then it is pretty much a sure thing that you will proceed to the next level.  However if there are more people wanting to be delegates than there are openings, there will have to be a selecting process to bring it down to the number allowed.  Members have to be present to vote at this meeting.  There is no filing fee to be this kind of delegate.  This simple makes it so that you getting to be a voting member at the district meeting where they will be voting on whom they send to the national convention.    Note: This is also why you will not be advertising at this meeting which presidential candidate you will be supporting.

Step 5. Once your county has selected you as a delegate to the district convention you will then have to decide if you want to run for a CD delegate and/or AL delegate (you do not have to run for either but we hope that many of you will)  If you do decide to go for it then your next step is to file at the state headquarters during regular business hours from May 7, 2012 through May 21, 2012 (the two weeks prior to our Primary Election on May 22nd.) CD and AL Delegate candidates must commit themselves to a presidential candidate at the time of filing. Candidates must also submit a $150 filing fee.  There will be a list submitted by each of the Presidential campaigns to say who they prefer to be their delegates to make it easier on the voting process.  This list is produced by contacting your district campaign leader.  Here are more details on filing as a delegate from the Republican Party of Arkansas web site:

How to File as a Delegate

Filing Opens: Monday, May 7, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
Filing Closes: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. 
Fee: $150
Delegate application forms can be obtained by downloading the file at the bottom of this page or through the State Party Headquarters. You can request to have a form mailed to you by contacting the State Party at 501-372-7301.

Delegate candidates must turn in their completed and notarized form on or before 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2012, along with $150, payable to the Republican Party of Arkansas, to the State Party Headquarters by either certified mail or by hand-delivery.

Hand-delivery is recommended to ensure receipt and so that the accuracy of documents can be confirmed.  It is strongly recommended that you hand-deliver after the date of Thursday, May 17, 2012.  Documents are mailed at your own risk. Completed qualifying documents must be delivered to Party Headquarters by the provided deadlines. No extensions can be given.

For additional inquiries, contact Megan Tollett at megan@arkansasgop.org or by phone at 501-372-7301, M-F between 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. 

The Address of the Republican Party of Arkansas:                                                                            
1201 West 6th Street

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Also on their web site in a different location it says this:

PROCEDURE FOR FILING FOR DELEGATE OR ALTERNATE: Candidates seeking to represent the voters of Arkansas at the 2012 Republican National Convention must qualify by filing at the State GOP Headquarters during regular business hours from May 7, 2012 through May 21, 2012. If mailed, the filing must be received at the State GOP Headquarters by the close of business on May 21, 2012. Further, candidates must commit themselves to the support of a specific presidential candidate at the time of filing for a position as delegate/alternate. Properly filed candidates shall be eligible for election as delegates or alternates at the Special District Convention or the State Committee Meeting called for that purpose. The names of properly filed delegate/alternate candidates shall be listed on a ballot to be voted at the Special District Convention to be held on June 9, 2012. The names of properly filed candidates that remain following the allocation of delegates and alternates at the Special District Convention shall be listed on a ballot to be voted at the State Committee Meeting to be held on June 23, 2012. The qualifying filing fee is $150.00 per person payable to the Republican Party of Arkansas. It is suggested that each presidential candidate submit a list of recommended candidates for the delegates and alternates allocated to Arkansas. Delegate/Alternate candidates recommended by each presidential candidate or his/her designee will be identified on ballots to be voted at the Special District Convention and at the State Committee Meeting if the listing of recommended Delegate/Alternate candidates is received at the State GOP Headquarters by the close of business on May 28, 2012.
Once you have filed you are then qualified to be a CD and AL delegate candidate.

May 22, 2012 our presidential primary election takes place and the State of Arkansas says who they prefer to be the republican presidential nominee. This election will be the determining factor in how the CD and AL delegates are allocated.  Be sure to vote and get others to vote or else all our work is in vain!

Step 6.  Election of CD delegates.  Next you will have to attend the Special District Convention which will be held on June 9th for the sole purpose of electing CD delegates and alternates.  This meeting is open to anyone to come but only those who were selected as delegates at the county level will be able to vote at this meeting.  I’m not sure of the location or time of this meeting but I’m sure it will be posted and available as soon as it is finalized.

At the Special District Convention, depending on the outcome of the May 22nd Primary election and how the delegates are allocated, there will be a ballot listing all the delegate candidates to be voted on with * by each of the delegate candidates preferred by the presidential candidate who won.  If one Presidential Candidate won over 50 % of the Primary votes then he would get all 3 delegates and 3 alternates allocated to him.  Everyone at the meeting who is a district delegate will vote for 3 delegates on the ballot.  Then the votes will be counted and the top 3 with the most votes gets to be the 3 CD delegates to go to Florida at the RNC.  Then there will be another vote done the same way to select the 3 CD alternates. If you wish, you may choose to have your name scratched off the ballot if you do not want to be an alternate.  However, whether you choose to be an alternate delegate or not, you can still run as an AL delegate at the State Committee meeting.  If you win a CD alternate position and then you decide to run for AL delegate at State level and you win, then your vacant alternate position will then have to be refilled at the end of the State Committee meeting.  Here are the rules on how this is done from the Republican Party of Arkansas web site:  “Alternate Delegates elected at the Special District Convention may elect to be a candidate for Delegate “at-large” at the State Committee Meeting. If an Alternate Delegate elected at a Special District Convention is elected a Delegate “at-large” the Arkansas Delegates, following the State Committee Meeting, will appoint a replacement alternate delegate. The Arkansas Delegates shall award the Congressional District “alternate” vacancy to the unsuccessful District Alternate Candidate that receives the highest number of votes. If there is no unsuccessful District Alternate Candidate the Arkansas Delegates shall award the Congressional District “alternate” vacancy to the unsuccessful “at large” Alternate Candidate from the same Congressional District that receives the highest number of votes.”
If no Presidential candidate receives over 50% of the vote then the CD delegates will be allocated proportionately (2 CD delegates and alternates to the Presidential candidate who got the most votes and 1 CD delegate and alternate to the Presidential candidate who got the 2nd most votes.)  When voting at the Special District meeting the presidential candidate who got the most votes would have their delegates voted on first.  Note (from their web site): “In the event an insufficient number of candidates for delegate and alternate have filed in any district committed to any presidential candidate who is allocated delegate or alternate positions, those positions which cannot be filled from delegate/alternate candidates committed to that presidential candidate shall be reallocated to the presidential candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that district who has remaining candidates for delegate or alternate from that district committed to that presidential candidate available to fill the allocated positions.” It is essential that we get as many people to file as we can for this reason.

Step 7.  If you did not get elected as a CD delegate at the district level you are still eligible for one of the 21 AL delegate positions at the State level.  Your next step would be to attend the State Committee Meeting which will be held on June 23, 2012 (this meeting may be held in Hot Springs but it is not finalized yet.)  This meeting is open to the public but only the State Committee members will be allowed to vote for the delegates.  Here are some details on the process from their web site:  Process: AL delegates and alternates are elected at the state committee meeting. Voting participants will only be state committee members. Each presidential candidate receiving 15% of the vote statewide shall be allocated one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate. If a candidate receives 50% of statewide vote, they will be allocated the remaining AL delegates and alternates. If no candidate wins a majority, the remaining AL delegates will be allocated among top 3 vote-getters statewide proportionate to their votes with any fraction being round up for the higher voter getter.
Step 8.  If you are elected as a CD delegate or AL delegate then you will have to make arrangements to attend the Republican National Convention on August 27th through 30th, 2012.  The convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa Bay, Florida.  You can visit their web site here:  http://gopconvention2012.com/

Also to help you book a place to stay you can visit this site: 

http://www.hotels-rates.com/hotels/locations/Tampa/FL/usa/6941/

I don’t know what all takes place at the national convention but I do know that as a delegate you will be bound (obligated) to vote for the presidential candidate that you filed for for the first ballot vote (unless that presidential candidate has released you of your obligation.)  Otherwise after the first vote takes place you are automatically released and free to vote for any one thereafter.  The only time this should come into play is during a brokered convention, where none of the presidential candidates were able to gain more than 1144 delegates.  If this happens the convention will not be over until enough people change their vote so that one of the candidates get more than 1144 votes. 

Here is what Wikipedia says is suppose to take place at the convention:  A United States presidential nominating convention is a political convention held every four years in the United States by most of the political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The formal purpose of such a convention is to select the party’s nominee for President, as well as to adopt a statement of party principles and goals known as the platform and adopt the rules for the party’s activities, including the presidential nominating process for the next election cycle. Due to changes in election laws and the manner in which political campaigns are run, conventions since the latter half of the 20th century have virtually abdicated their original roles, and are today mostly ceremonial affairs.

And here is what Wikipedia says about brokered conventions:  A brokered convention is a situation in United States politics in which there are not enough delegates ‘won’ during the presidential primary and caucus elections for a single candidate to have a pre-existing majority, during the first official vote for a political party’s presidential candidate at its nominating convention. Once the first ballot, or vote, has occurred, and no candidate has a majority of the delegates’ votes, the convention is then considered brokered; thereafter, the nomination is decided through a process of alternating political horse-trading, and additional re-votes. In this circumstance, all regular delegates (who, previously, were pledged to the candidate who had won their respective state’s primary or caucus election) are “released,” and are able to switch their allegiance to a different candidate before the next round of balloting. It is hoped that this ‘freedom’ will result in a re-vote resulting in a clear majority of delegates for one candidate.

Super delegate votes are counted on the first ballot. Although the term “brokered convention” is sometimes used to refer to a convention where the outcome is decided by super delegate votes rather than pledged delegates alone, this is not the original sense of the term. Like a brokered convention, the potentially decisive role played by super delegates can often go against the popular vote from the primaries and caucuses.
According to the State headquarters anyone can go with you but only delegates and alternate delegates receive a pass to get in the convention.  There will be a limited number of guest passes but there were no guarantees on who could receive them. For a more detailed study of the process of becoming a delegate here is the link to the site I got most of my information from:  http://www.arkansasgop.org/index.cfm?p=delegate-selection-process The filing form they use and more detailed rules are attached at the bottom of the page.

After being accepted he couldn’t wait to tell me about his good fortune. He shared how he would now be eligible for free meals, free vocational training and even free healthcare. He even told me that they said if he ever got hurt off campus he should be sure to tell them he got hurt on campus so the care would be free. After listening to him and doing my best to be excited for him (because I know how hard he worked for it), I tried to explain a very important concept to him, nothing is ever free. I explained to him that he should be thankful because what he gets for “free” someone else paid for. I explained that he should appreciate everything he got and didn’t pay for because someone worked very hard to pay for what he received. I explained how the program that he was in was paid for by tax dollars provided by everybody who has a job. I explained that people who tell you things are free are not telling you the truth, because nothing in the world is free. As I was speaking I could see that my friend struggled with the concept of free. So I started asking him some questions about his “free” lunch.

I asked him. “Where do you go to get your free lunch? He said I go to the Rehabilittion center. I asked, who pays for the building, the heat and air conditioning, the electricity and gas. He said, I don’t know. I asked who cooks and prepares the food you eat? He said the cooks  do. I asked who pays them, they don’t work for free do they? He said, “Oh no they get paid pretty good thats why I want to learn how to be a cook”! Do you know where the money comes from to pay those cooks, I asked? He said I sure don’t. Well I said, let me tell you where that money comes from. Every day people everywhere go to work and work really hard so they can get money to buy the things they want. Everyday though the government takes money from them to pay for all the things the government wants to do. Sometimes they take the money away from people who don’t like what the government does with it, but the government tells them its for their own good! My friend told me that hardly seems fair; why don’t the people tell the government no? I said, you might not believe this but you are not allowed to tell the government no, as a matter of fact if you tell them no you could get in a lot of trouble and then they would take the money anyway! My friend just stared at me with amazement but I told him there is one thing he could do to stop the government from taking money his money. He said, “What Bro Glenn? I said, everyone that tells you you are going to get something for free ask them one question. If i get this for free, who pays for it? I told him to keep asking that question until they admit that it is the taxpayers that pay for it, every single one of them. There is no such thing as “free” stuff in government only tax payer funded stuff.

The last thing I asked him to do is that everytime you meet someone ask them if they pay taxes. If they say yes, first thank them for helping you achieve you dreams, then promise them that you will work very hard to learn your trade so you can pay your taxes and hopefully begin to pay forward the blessing you recieved from others. Then I quoted scripture reminding him (using an interpretation opposite of the President) that to  whom much is given, much is required. We must not let the world turn, right into wrong and up into down. The “to whom much is given” refers to those that by the grace of God recieved a blessing and the “to whom much is required” refers to the paying forward of the blessing to others so they may achieve their own goals. We finished our conversation by him telling me, Brother Glenn, you still are a good teacher! I said, Amen and Amen. Let’s not let anyone continue to lie to themselves and others, nothing is ever free. If something is free to one person always costs someone else. Reminds me of the life of Jesus! Hmmmmm……, once a Sunday school teacher, always a Sunday school teacher.

Unfortunately, the press has made a side show mockery of the foreign policy of our founding fathers in their effort to demean and marginalize believers in non-interventionism. Their effort has been largely effective but at what cost? The second and I believe more importantly is that in their effort they have created a pro war mentality in Patriots and Christians that is most disturbing. We have forgotten why we as a nation were and should be anti-war. We must hold to the belief that, ALL wars are bad and only some are necessary,

When war becomes a national policy the result is freedom and liberties are lost. James Madison said it best when he said, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” Thomas Jefferson said, “Having seen the people of
all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness.”  Americas first President George Washington said, “Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.” The big question is; if it was good for our nation’s founding and practiced by our founding fathers what changed?  Is it the principles that changed or the people? Of course we know the answer because principles never change and people always do.

As a Christian I have a Biblical world view, so let’s look at war from a Biblical perspective. The source of war according to the Bible is sin. It is sin that brought evil into this world and it is sin that causes men to do evil things. James 4:1-3 says it best, ‘From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

If we know what the enemy is then we can know how to defeat it. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, ‘for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) “Trying to defeat sin using guns and bombs is like trying to kill an elephant with a fly swatter, it simply won’t work and end up causing great harm to ourselves. Of course the answer is to use spiritual weapons instead. In Ephesians 6:12-13 it says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

But what does the Bible say about the carnal war? What do you think we should have done in WWII when a nation like Germany commits such great atrocities against humanity? According to the Bible some war is unavoidable, Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. In the Bible there are many examples of how God used the people as instruments of His wrath. Romans 13:4 explains it this way, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. So while God teaches us to avoid and eschew war he also give examples of when war is justified.

But what exactly is a “Just War”? St. Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas are considered the authors of the Just War theory. There premise is first that it is a fundamental Christian belief that war should be eliminated and peace and brotherly love should be promoted throughout the world. Secondly, they believe that in an imperfect world there will be time when war cannot be avoided and ultimately forced upon those who have no desire for war. The basic tenants of a Just war are as
follows:

1.      Just Cause – Only a defensive war is legitimate.

2.      Just intent – The purpose of a just war is to create peace.

3.      Last resort – A just war is the last resort for the combatants.

4.      Formally declared – No just war should be fought without a formal declaration by the highest authority.

5.      Limited objectives – If the purpose of war is peace, then total economic, political or social destruction can never be the end.

6.      Proportional means – Force should be limited to stop aggression and deter future attacks.

7.      Non-combatant Immunity – Individuals not contributing to the conflict should be exempt from attack.

These are the fundamental principles of a Just War and should be adhered to in the event war is inevitable.

A good book to read is War: Four Christian Views by Robert G.Clouse.

The conclusion of the matter is rather quite simple. First All wars are bad only, some are necessary. Secondly, wars and foreign entanglements were looked upon by our founders as bad and endangered freedom and liberty. Thirdly, if you are a believer we must understand war is not an option but rather a last resort. By the way that is the definition for non- interventionism. So the next time you hear or read reports from the main stream media slamming non-interventionism remind them that non-interventionism IS main stream and war was and never will be.

Beginning with Ar 1 Section 1 it states; All political power is inherent in the people and government is instituted for their protection, security and benefit;  I find it
interesting to note that the authors felt it was critical to establish who was in charge in the State of Arkansas. Next they go on to further state in Sec 22, The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction; and private property shall not be taken, appropriated or damaged for public use, without just compensation therefor.This make it very clear that property rights are the most important right in Arkansas. Finally in Sec 28 this statement declares how little the property can be encumbered by stating, All lands in this State are declared to be allodial; and feudal tenures of every description, with all their incidents, are prohibited.

What is allodial land you might ask? Allodial lands are the absolute property of their owner and not subject to any service or acknowledgment to a superior. An allodial title is the opposite of a feudal tenure such as fee simple. Allodial Title is a concept in
some systems of property law. It describes a situation where real property (land, buildings and fixtures) is owned free and clear of any encumbrances, including liens, mortgages and tax obligations. Allodial title is inalienable, in that it cannot be taken by any operation of law for any reason whatsoever.

So why is it important to understand all this stuff? The answer is because in Arkansas there is a great assault on property rights from the Maumelle watershed to the ETJ. (extra territorial jurisdiction) Property rights are being taken away at an
alarming rate. Consider all of the rules and regulations placed upon our land with no consideration to the landowner’s desire or rights. Consider the lands that have lost value because of code restrictions and subdivision rules. All of these things are being done outside the authority of the Arkansas constitution.
It’s about time we begin reasserting our rights and rebuking those who would attempt to restrict devalue and even take what they have no right to. If we cannot protect our land rights we will not be able to protect individual rights. Get educated and get engaged  and we can restore freedom and liberty in Arkansas.

The Joint Budget Committee is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on January 17, 18 and 19 to hold pre-session budget hearings on fiscal issues that will be considered during the Fiscal Session. These meetings will be held in Room A of the new Big Mac building located immediately to the northwest of the Capitol building.

Contact information when Legislature is in session:
State Senators: 501-682-2902
State Representatives: 501-682-6211

Let them know you want them to Freeze Spending, Find Waste Fraud and Abuse, Fund only Proper Role of Government.

Democrats and Republicans fought all summer over the best way to control the country’s debt and deficit and even created a “Special Committee” of the wisest of the wise to “fix” what ails this economy and no surprise, they accomplished nothing. Now, under the August deal, the borrowing cap is raised automatically unless Congress can muster a two-thirds majority in both chambers to block the extension. Of, course this won’t happen so, “pop goes the weasel” another debt increase.

However something good can come of this if we get involved now, in the debate. It has been just shy of 1000 days since the United States government had a budget. It is no small wonder why the debt ceiling must be raised over and over again considering there is NOTHING TO RESTRAIN SPENDING! There is no budget and no debt limit, what do we think would happen? Do we believe Congress would exercise restraint; who are we kidding? So we must speak up now and tell them No Budget, No Debt Increase. This must be our conversation today, tomorrow and however long it takes, to right this sinking ship of fools.