We Surround Them

1. We Surround Them February 26, 2010

2. This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central (Train) Station on the 23rd of March 2009, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station at 08:00 am • Place holder for youtube clip. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k&annotation_id=annotation_72265&feature=iv

3. What We Are • Educational in orientation • Becoming familiar with the Constitution • Information clearinghouse • A source for principled politics • A strategy incubator • A politician free-zone • We cannot be co-opted by politicians • We must be very discerning

4. What We Are Not? • Republican Recruitment Zone • Democrat Recruitment Zone • Radical Secession Movement • Survivalist Group

5. Our Mission • Our purpose is to form a group of like minded citizens to: • Advance our understanding of the "how & why" related to the founders original intent of our gov't and how this relates to what we're experiencing today. • Come up with practical ways for us to begin discussions on these topics with community (friends, family, neighbors, etc.) and invite them to join our group as appropriate. • Actively work towards gov’t adherence to the framework of the Constitution and the principles of our Founders.

6. Natural Law – Why is it important?

7. The Constitutional Timeline

8. Natural Law • The American notion captured in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence. • When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. • The basis for our separation from King George • Distinguished between the law of man and self-evident Natural Law

9. Natural Law • Enjoys a VERY long history • Aristotle • Stoicism • Popularized by Aquinas • Modern times John Locke • Heavily influenced Jefferson

10. Natural Law • Natural Law Defined - Traditionally, the system of rules and principles that should guide human behavior which, despite any laws or other regulations enacted, might be discovered through rational intelligence and morality. • God, Rational Intelligence, Morality • Pgs 354-355, The Making of America • Widely quoted by Founders • Pgs 45, 125-126, The 5000 Year Leap • Cicero, Unalienable Rights

11. Natural Law • Current State • Not highly regarded in modern jurisprudence • Has been supplanted by “positive” law

12. Natural Law - Conclusion • Outlook • We must stand our ground on this • No need to be offensive, just informed • Remember, not only is Natural Law under attack, so are the Founders. • You’re in good company

13. Liberty Clip Video clip from John Adams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSFoN6kkkF8

14. Break • Refreshment Time!! • Introduce yourself to someone

15. Symptoms of Problems Government Intrusion Healthcare, Cap & Trade Gov’t Interference Bailouts, Tarps Disconnect with Voters Not listen, Closed doors Bad Finances Deficits, OOC spending Privileged few Buy votes, spec interests Problems Usurpation of power thru violations of Constitution framework Unlimited money GovernmentIssues

16. Solutions to Symptoms Vote the bums out Petition Write your legislator Petitions Rallies Better legislation Solution to Problems Back to Constitution as Founders intended. Power back to States Amendments to Constitution Resolutions Nullifications Abolish the Fed Government Solutions

17. Impact Fed Government Problems Voters Educate self – Understand the Constitution, states rights Educate community – Recommend books, website, join this group to learn Constitution, state rights. Challenge school curriculums. Encourage community to get out and vote. Recommend candidates who understand Constitution and willing to fight for state rights. Nominate Candidate Find candidate who understands Constitution and states rights, understand his responsibilities to defend states rights and shows willingness. Political parties nominate so need party that understands Constitution, state rights. Will require either (1) converting existing party staff (2) take over party with new persons who understand Const (3) Start new party Vote for Candidate Candidate who understands Constitution and states rights, understand his responsibilities to defend states rights and shows willingness. State or local candidates only (no federal) Party affiliation doesn’t matter as long as candidate meets above requirements. Petitioning Only regarding amendments, nullifications and resolutions Rallies at state capitol, not Washington, D.C. Lobbyists for Constitution, State rights. Most likely new direction.

18. Impact Fed Government Symptoms of Problems Voters Educate self – on current local, state, national issues. Educate community – on current issues. Encourage community to get out and vote. Recommend candidates (or party) who support your view on current issues. Nominate Candidate Find candidate who supports your views on current issues. Align with existing political party. The party which most supports your views. Vote for Candidate Local, state or federal candidates that support your current local, state or national issues. Vote for candidate based on party that supports your views. Petitioning Regarding pending legislation. Rallies at Washington, D.C. mostly Lobbyists – find existing and just plug in.

19. The Spoiled Brat Syndrome • Symptom vs. problem • Future - better or worse • Replace old child with new • Who’s the parent • What trumps • How’s that working out

20. Why We Need to Get Involved • Personal belief - Joe • Custodial duties • Jefferson would have said “morally obligated” • We break it, we fix it • Glad won’t be around in future • Judged by what we didn’t do

21. How to Get Involved • Common denominator of the majority • No money and no time • Busier, more broke, problems than neighbor • Folks live lives of quiet desperation. • Key is understanding the need, and then making the commitment. • Matching your lifestyle to your actions • Always an action

22. Life Style Scenarios • No time no money • Time but no money • Money but no time • Time and money

23. NO TIME NO MONEY(Matching Actions) • Read five pages a day • 3 1/2 minutes a day • Do in car (audio), doctors office, kid events • Complete “The 5000 Year Leap” – 2 months • If you know it, you’ll talk it • Say a prayer daily • Washington details on divine intervention • 15 seconds a day • Find on Internet

24. NO TIME NO MONEY(Matching Actions) • Take a stand • Stop the political correctness • Merry Christmas • Natural Law • Support those willing to commit • Spouse, friend, neighbor • Give up one TV/Radio show a day, week • Substitute • Glenn Beck, Mark Levine

25. SOME MONEY(Matching Actions) • Donate monthly • Organizations • Campaign for Liberty • American Taxpayers for Prosperity • Senate Conservatives Fund • Tea Party • Candidates • State level - Vogel, Cuccinelli, Marshall • Constitution, States Rights • National - Ron Paul, Marco Rubio • Local - ?? • Constitution, State Rights

26. SOME TIME(Matching Actions) • See Impact Fed Government Problems • Try to pick one or two and specialize • Use your expertise • Loudoun County Republican Party Committee Chairman • Representative Joe May election. • LCPC curriculum regarding Constitution. • HB 112 Parenthood bill • Sub-group Teams • Use your expertise ** Limit or eliminate time on Fed Symptoms

27. Impact Fed Government Problems Voters Educate self – Understand the Constitution, states rights Educate community – Recommend books, website, join this group to learn Constitution, state rights. Challenge school curriculums. Encourage community to get out and vote. Recommend candidates who understand Constitution and willing to fight for state rights. Nominate Candidate Find candidate who understands Constitution and states rights, understand his responsibilities to defend states rights and shows willingness. Political parties nominate so need party that understands Constitution, state rights. Will require either (1) converting existing party staff (2) take over party with new persons who understand Const (3) Start new party Vote for Candidate Candidate who understands Constitution and states rights, understand his responsibilities to defend states rights and shows willingness. State or local candidates only (no federal) Party affiliation doesn’t matter as long as candidate meets above requirements. Petitioning Only regarding amendments, nullifications and resolutions Rallies at state capitol, not Washington, D.C. Lobbyists for Constitution, State rights. Most likely new direction.

28. Action items • Commit to making a difference • Go to bed at night knowing you did your part • Evaluate your situation • Time, money and expertise • Develop a plan of action • Specifics (time, money, activity) • Use this group • Attend meetings • Information, direction, motivation

29. Misc items • Educate yourself • The 5000 Year Leap, W.Cleon Skousen • The Making of America, W. Cleon Skousen • http://www.meetup.com/Constitutional-Study-Group-Loudoun-County-VA/ (social) • Future discussion, group organization • Connect Team • Coordinate with other groups • Visibility Team • Technology, media, involvement • Membership • Political Awareness Team • What is happening, when, where

30. After Meeting • Drinks at Vintage 50 !! • Hat !