Posted by Kevin Smith on 02/23/09

We seem to be on contant alert regarding our federal goverment's military operations in drills and preparations to confront us, the civilians in our homes, with `managed force if necessary'. We should never be in denial for the possibilities of these actions. However, we should aways recognize and support our very local law enforcement agencies by voicing to them that only they have the right to acting as the first line of defense on our behalf. Make good effort to know your local police and county sheriff departments. Voice your concerns to them. Attempt to gain some feedback to learn what plans they may be engaged in cooperation with the federal military, or even with private contract law enforcement companys procurred by our federal government.

Related to this matter, actions are now being taken by the York County Council members to change their elected terms from 2 years to 4 years. The government closest to home as county council is needs to remain accessible and made accountable every two years. A county council can promote much damage in four years. VOICE NO! ... VOTE NO!   Read this article.

  York County closer to referendum on four-year council terms

By Matt Garfield - The Herald

Voters in York County soon could get another chance to decide how long their elected officials hold office.

County leaders moved closer this week to holding a referendum on whether to double the length of their terms, from two to four years. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only two -- York and Edgefield -- elect county representatives every two years. All the other counties' leaders serve four-year terms.

"This is about stability," said Councilman Paul Lindemann of Fort Mill, a chief proponent of the switch. "Ultimately, it's up to the people, and I think the people will speak."

The proposal passed Monday night by a 4-3 vote, with Councilmen Joe Cox and Curwood Chappell offering the most spirited opposition. Newcomer Chad Williams also voted no.

"You are intelligent enough to keep me here or take me out," Chappell said to voters. "What's the problem with confronting our constituency every two years? What are we afraid of?"

Chappell vowed to oppose those who want to lengthen terms, saying, "I'm going to hit you with everything God Almighty has given me."

Cox also favors leaving the terms in place. "I just think two years is enough," he said. "If it's good enough for John Spratt, it's good enough for me."

Posted 12/12/09 foundingfather Chester, SC

Posted by Kevin Smith on 10/15/09

On October 13 Rep. John M. Spratt of South Carolina's 5^th Congressional District became the 302^nd member of the U.S. House of Representatives to sign on as cosponsor of 'The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009'. We commend Congressman Spratt for recognizing the will of his constituents by joining, to date, 302 other members of the House to pursue this very important and needed legislation. Hundreds of petitions were signed and delivered by his constituents. Thank you for all of your work and support to send a solid message of clarity to your elected representatives. Now that Rep. Spratt has signed onto H.R.1207 please telephone his offices and thank him for his support to this bill. It is our hope that H.R.1207 and the Senate companion bill S.604 will move forward without obstructions. Telephone Rep. John M. Spratt today and thank him. Washington office  202-225-5501, Rock Hill office 803-327-1114, Sumter office 803-773-3362 and Darlington office 843-393-3998.

Posted 10/15/09 rightsman Las Vegas,, NV

Kevin Smith, It is good that Rep. Spratt has signed on to HR1207. Rep. Paul needs all the support he can get. We have seen how effective our letters, calls, faxes and e-mails can be. Can we do the same thing at the local level? Can we form groups at the local level to influence the city councils or their equivalent, and county commissions or their equivalent? "All politics is local." Some famous person said that a lot of years ago, and it is true. Can we, with the same concerted efforts, effect a change in our local governments? Can we bring about a change in the make up of our State Governments? Men and women who have the right mind set can be elected. Then we can more easily "hold their feet to the fire". Just a thought. Thank you, Robert Walker

Posted 10/19/09 Mike Roux Rock Hill, SC

Great job, Kevin!

Posted by Kevin Smith on 10/15/09

This is only one story duplicated thousands of times throughout our Nation's towns, cities and communities.

Joe and his wife Kris are who most would consider to be ordinary citizens, most likely to be your quite neighbor next door. Neither one of them had been politically active until a new friend, Ryan, placed an add in a local paper stating that he was fed up with this government plan for health care to push more unwanted involvement into citizens' lives and pocketbooks. His ad simply stated that he was going to show up at U.S. Rep. John Spratt's local office on a Saturday afternoon and invited anyone else sharing his concern to join him. That Saturday was August 22 and 125 citizens showed up with Ryan who quickly understood they hungered for more opportunities to be heard. Ryan told the crowd, "I've never done anything like this before!" which prompted the crowd to return a shout of "Don't stop now!" Problem was, Ryan is a city police officer whose superiors adamantly 'advised' him that this activity could threaten his employment with the city. This is when Joe and Kris decided to pick up with this newly found passion for patriotism and committed to fan the recent sparks initiated by Ryan. Of course, their attendance to the DC Rally three weeks later could only have propelled their spirited hearts to 'warp drive'. When Joe and Kris returned from Washington, the first thing Joe did was to go downtown to City Hall and lay down $50 to rent the city's outdoor amphitheater next door for an upcoming Saturday. Realizing what they had just done, Joe and Kris decided they'd better start making some plans for this secured venue. They began referring to it as The Freedom Rally. Joe reached out to a couple of other folks who knew of still others and called for a meeting to nail down details such as invited speakers, public address system, music, a couple of police officers for 'just in case', and public announcements to provide the possibility of attendance. Saturday, October 3 arrived with a showing of 300 citizens, many together as families to rally with period-dressed Patrick Henry in delivering his infamous 'Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death' speech of March 23,1775, a couple of respected elected honest-to-goodness public servants, and an address of persuasions on how to become more actively engaged as citizens. Pocket sized copies of The U.S. Constitution were distributed at no charge to adults and children. Petitions were signed which call for Rep. John Spratt to sign onto HR1207, 'The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009'. (Two weeks later, Rep. Spratt signed on) Attendees were also invited to complete a survey to determine their most important issues of concern. One hundred twenty-three were completed and returned with the tabulated results displayed below. Time was even allotted for citizens to participate with an open mike to provide opportunity for questions or even just statements if preferred.

There are thousands, probably a hundred-thousand Joe's gracing our Nation. Just maybe Ryan, Joe and Kris only heard that same voice that has been calling you. That inner voice which increases intensity with every heartbeat, it's calling Liberty! Freedom! Liberty I will not surrender! My freedom I will not compromise! Maybe the voice they heard was that of Samuel Adams stating unequivocally "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." We know we must light the fire! By anyone's measure this event provided a great success as the purpose was to inform and promote citizen involvement... and the people were heard shouting, "Don't stop now!"

 Results of tabulated survey

Ten current political issues were listed and citizens attending The Freedom Rally were asked to indicate five issues they deemed the most important. One hundred twenty-three surveys were completed and returned.  

1.   Preserving the Constitution - 64%
      Taxes and Deficit Spending - 64%

2.    Health Care Reform - 54%

3.    Government Corruption - 52%

4.    Cap and Trade - 47%

5.    Individual Liberties - 40%

6.    Right to Life - 32%
       National Security - 32%

7.    Transparency - 27%

8.    Social Security - 15%

Write-in votes included:
    Term Limits
    Line Item Veto
    Ending Welfare State
    Energy Security
    Accountability
    Education
    School Choice/Vouchers

Posted 10/15/09 rightsman Las Vegas,, NV

Kevin Smith, Thank you! This is great news! In a short period of time one small ad resulted in a nation wide impact. That's getting a big bang for a buck! We have shown what an impact we can make at the federal level, now let's make the same impact at the local level. We are winning! Thank you, Robert Walker

Posted by Kevin Smith on 02/12/09

Newly elected RNC Chairman Michael Steele said on Thursday:

As President Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, said last November, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before."

It didn't take long for the liberal Democrats to put that political strategy into play.

They have taken advantage of our nation's present economic woes to ram through Congress the biggest spending bill in American history.

President Obama, who talked so much about a new era of bipartisanship and cooperation on the campaign trail, didn't take long to throw that rhetoric out the window to support Nancy Pelosi's liberal spending spree.

Our economy is in trouble. We all agree on that.

President Obama says that it is only the federal government that can give our economy a boost.

But even if you believe that silly premise...

We should not forget that it was a republican in the White House and republicans in the Congress that supported that president's unconstitutional and invalid surmises of economic principles that was also thrust onto our country. The urgency of 9/11' (and the uniting of America citizens it brought) was also used to send our huge invading force into Iraq for other reasonings than pursuing the known and admitted perpetrator, Osama Bin Laden, who was in Pakistan's border area. Let us beware anytime the word CRISIS is thrown to the citizens, no matter who is doing the 'throwing'. These recent statements and protest by republican leaders can only appear to be usual partisan politics. The party has a ways to go to prove otherwise. Onlyby using the US Constitution as our standard for the role and conduct of government can there be any sincere and solid premise for justifying the actions by the party leaders and representatives. One thing is certain; we're going to be hearing the word CRISIS much more and I predict it will mostly pertain to our rights and protections of liberties as citizens. As well informed C4L members, you have the responsibility to engage yourselves into the political system by first `just showing up' to the upcoming precinct reorganization meetings. Have questions about this simple process?, Don't hesitate to contact me

Posted 02/15/09 officer mary Goose Creek, SC

Hi Hal, Berkeley County meeting is this coming Monday...and I'm getting signatured on the appropriate docs from people I know in precincts that may not be organized...just in case. On the whole crisis thing... How do we really tell people how to prepare and what to be on alert for without scaring them to death? I'm working on some "hurricane preparedness" blogs that pretty well cover everything a person might need to be self sufficient for anywhere from one month to a year. HR 645 and the serious land grab right now basically for more power...not to undo the rediculous grab that Bush did over 8 yrs...but grabbing for more and more...have me missing a lot of sleep. Hal...I'm not lying to you or being dramatic...I'm really scared by a lot of the current news items too. It's like there's some sinister plan that coincides with the 2010 Census. I'm thinking we need to encourage members to apply for those jobs...and see what they're up to. They could allow us to re: to the Census questions elecronically...so, my question is: why aren't they? Why is it soooo important that they be "at the door"? And, once they're there...what are they tasked with? Are they looking to see if there's any flags, crosses, animals or horses, homeschooling, organizing, what type of elecronics...energy uses, gun cabinets. I don't feel comfortable with this current government standing on my front porch. Mary (Goose Creek-2)

Posted by Kevin Smith on 02/10/09

Below are some questions you can ask a current office seeker or office holder to determine their competency. www.instituteontheconstitution.com

IS YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE COMPETENT?

Do you believe our Constitution is a "living document?" If so, what does that mean?

Do you believe the Constitution should be construed according to the intent of the Framers?

Do you believe the federal government has all powers except those prohibited by the Constitution, or no powers except those delegated by the Constitution?

Do you believe our constitutional republic is still workable today? If not, how would you change it?

Do you believe the Constitution prohibits state governments from acknowledging God and His Law?

Do you believe the Constitution provides for separation of church and state? If so, where is that provision, and how is it worded?

Do you believe Article III Section II gives Congress the authority to limit the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? If so, under what circumstances would you vote to invoke that authority?

Do you believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms?

Do you believe the Constitution guarantees a right to privacy? If so, where is that right found in the Constitution? Does it include such practices as abortion and sodomy?

Do you believe the Bible has a proper role in the formulation of law and policy? If so, how?

What, in your opinion, is the purpose of government?

Posted 02/11/09 Mike in Virginia Fredericksburg, VA

Another question might be, "Did you read the 'stimulus' bill before voting on it?"

Posted 02/11/09 Felegund Jonesville, KY

I can answer the title question in two words- Mitch McConnell. No further explanation needed.