Constitution Party of Minnesota News

June, 2009 #75
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Convention and By-laws Report

By Wayne Zimmerschied, State party Vice Chair

Despite a low turnout, about a third of our qualified voting membership, we had a successful convention. All current officers were reelected for another term, and some minor changes to the By-Laws were passed.

The By-Laws now include the chair of the Veteran's Coalition as a voting member of the Executive Committee, and also authorize at-large voting members of the Executive Committee, restricted in number so that Congressional District Chairs constitute a clear majority (more than half) of the committee. Only the membership can elect at-large representatives, they cannot be appointed by the chair. Since the convention did not elect any such members, there will be none unless another state-wide membership meeting is called for this or another purpose. In arguments, the Veteran's Coalition was given special consideration because it is an outreach to recruit veterans into the party, and not an independent affinity group with its own agenda.

The By-Laws now specifically authorize a vote of the Executive Committee to take place outside their scheduled meetings. This has been the practice in the past, so it is merely a housekeeping change to add the verbiage to the By-Laws. These votes require a majority of all voting members of the Executive Committee, not just a majority of those voting. If we fill all our Congressional District Chair positions, the Committee would have thirteen voting members, so each such vote would require seven votes in the affirmative.

The proposal to amend the By-Laws to allow the CPMN to endorse candidates from other parties failed (about half voting in favor, requires two-thirds to pass). Arguments against the measure included the concept of "branding" the CPMN as a constitutional alternative to the "big box" parties, the need to give candidates a reason to join the CPMN and run under our banner, and examples of Republicans that received our endorsement in the past, then failed to introduce or support the legislation we offered. This means that, as a party, we cannot endorse conservative Republicans or Libertarians. The endorsing convention still has the option to not run candidates to oppose such conservatives, and the officers can work with the Libertarian Party and C4L to best allocate our resources. Naturally we, as individuals, are still free to support whatever candidates we see fit.



Comments and Tidbits

By Leo Heinze

It is interesting that one third of the national population (in a poll) consider themselves as neither Republican nor Democrat, but “independent.” This does not tell us much other than that people are not thinkers or very informed. While claiming to be independent, they continue to vote as always—Republican or Democrat, switching whenever they are fed up with the incumbent . What will it take to make people change their thinking that there is no other choice?

Perhaps a clue as to such behavior can be gleaned from how much “conservative” people support their causes or beliefs. The low turnout at the CPMN convention last month seems to say that conservatives or constitutionalists, as many like to be called, talk more than they walk. This goes for getting involved and in financial support. Our cause is just and righteous. Our efforts will continue, but it would be far more encouraging if people’s talk turned into walk. The idea that you should not waste your vote or effort in a losing cause does not hold water if you believe in principles. Standing on principle, you do not lose, even if you don’t win the election or cause.

Tiller “the Killer” was killed on May 31. That is Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas who has done thousands of late term abortions. He boasted of his noble service for women. While killing another human being is murder and unjustified, one can be reminded that Jesus said to Peter, when Peter cut off the ear of one of the guys who came to arrest Jesus just before his crucifixion, “Those who live by the sword die by the sword”. (Matthew, 26:52). I also remember being taught in catechism class that one dies the way you live. Certainly, both Jesus’s words and that catechism lesson seem to apply to Tiller. That is not saying God caused this murder but that he permitted it and let the words of Jesus speak for themselves.

Unfortunately, this killing will likely increase the government’s heavy hammer on people protesting the gross injustice of abortion.

In San Diego, the county board wanted to enforce an arbitrary rule that a minister could not hold a Bible study in his home. He had up to 20 people attend each meeting. This became public knowledge and an outcry followed when WoldNetDaily reported it on the internet. Pressure and protests began to pour in and the board decided to not carry out their threats of fines and possible prosecution. Their reasoning for the order was that it caused a parking problem. At most, there were up to six cars parked in the neighborhood for a few hours. Do something righteous and the hammer comes down.

The case of young Daniel Hauser being forced to undergo police-state forced chemo therapy for his cancer is another case of out of control authority. Both the medical system and the court system are tyrants who force their judgment on a family who is following their religious beliefs and opt for natural healing methods. It is another case of the tyrannical state using the hammer. Anyone who thinks we still live in a free country is quite uninformed. All the more need for new thinking in government.

Tim Pawlenty said he is not running for governor in 2010. No doubt he is running for president in 2012 and quitting while he’s ahead may be good strategy—that is if he can reduce spending to get within the budget without causing the crybabies to convince the public it was the wrong thing to do. Every power-hungry politician is now in the running and announcing their exploration or candidacy. Pawlenty is a politician and a Republican but he does not seem to be a “®epublican” which any real constitutionalist should be.



Let’s Make Inroads in Judiciary Elections

By Robert Peterson

The judiciary elections are an area of overlooked opportunity that some with legal abilities may want to consider as an area to run for office. Many voters often skip voting for judges due to lack of information about judicial candidates or even their party affiliations. Any CPMN judge candidates would have and advantage just from having the Constitution Party next to their name on the ballot, besides having their candidate information on the party’s website. It would not take that many votes to win.

The Campaign for Liberty website section for Montana has information about a Republican survey of supporters that they have been using to find new members for the Campaign for Liberty by contacting those in the survey who seem most likely candidates to support the C4L.



State Fair Booth-sitter Volunteers Needed

CPMN is again looking for volunteers to man our booth at the State Fair. Usually a day breaks down into three shifts. Response has been good in the past and we hope you will continue to volunteer your time and effort. We are also in need of new volunteers to join in this endeavor. Please contact Bill Dodge at: 1131 Baxter Ave N, Glencoe MN 55336, (612-499-2239), bdodge76@midco.net to volunteer.



Socialist Platform now a Reality

Norman Thomas was a leading American socialist, pacifist and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. He is reported to have said this in a 1944 speech:

“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism,’ they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without knowing how it happened.

“I no longer need to run as a Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.”

From Roger Clites, who is a professor of economics at a mid-west Christian college:

"I heard Norman Thomas speak shortly before he died in 1968. After the speech five or six of us stayed around to talk with him. One guy tried to taunt him by asking, "Mr. Thomas, why did you stop running for president so soon?"

Thomas responded, "The Democrats have put into place plank after plank of the socialist platform and soon the Republicans will compete with them in an attempt to gain support from voters who don't understand what they are doing." He added that America would become a socialist nation and not know how it happened."

(Editor’s Note: While the Democratic platform is now much like the socialist Norman Thomas, the Republicans are following it like it was theirs as well.)




Editor's Note: Comments by authors in this newsletter are not necessarily the policies or viewpoints of the Constitution Party of Minnesota. Anyone receiving this newsletter via Post Mail who can receive it via e-mail, please contact me at cpmn@embarqmail.com . Contributions to the party may be made by sending check to CPMN, 23078 21st Ave, St Cloud MN 56301 or on line at http://www.cpmn.org. CPMN does not accept tax money and does not participate in the Minnesota Personal Refund Program. Anyone desiring to get off the mailing list please send message to cpmn@embarqmail.com or CPMN, 509 4th Ave SW, Long Prairie MN 56347.

Brief articles for publication may be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month at the above addresses.

Published monthly by the Constitution Party of Minnesota, 23078 21st Ave, St Augusta MN 56301

Tammy Houle, Chair, dthoule@redred.com 507-644-3183

Wayne Zimmerschied, Vice Chair, zimmwayne@yahoo.com

Vivian Krech, Secretary. loukrech@comcast.net

Patricia Becker, Treasurer beckers@cloudnet.com

Leo Heinze, Newsletter Editor, cpmn@embarqmail.com 320-732-3144 (509 4 Ave SW, Long Prairie MN 56347)