August 2014
OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE CONSTITUTION PARTY
TAKE ACTION
NOW!
Message from the Chairman
A Look Back
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GET ACTIVE IN YOUR
STATE PARTY.
Volume 3, Issue 8
From time to time I review past newsletters to see how I assessed things. In my
message of December 2013 I wrote, "As many of you may have heard by now,
Steven Johnson, Constitution Party chairman of Iron County, Utah and candidate
for the city council of Enoch, a city of over 5,000 was elected to one of two city
council seats in the November Election. And now is the time for us to begin
searching for candidates to run for local, county, and state office in the 2014."
The Constitution Party has 150 candidates running in 2014 (see this link): a
testament of their devotion to principle and a commitment to building our party.
Last March, I wrote, about a new analysis: “The Internet Makes Third Parties and
Independents Viable in 2016: Social and Alternative Media Level the Playing
Field.” The article asserted, “Political dissatisfaction combined with the Internet
enabling third parties and independents to mount competitive campaigns will
bring new opportunities for Americans to voice their displeasure, and new
opportunities to vote for candidates who are ‘dependent on the people alone.’”
That’s still good news as we move forward: take a moment to visit our webpage
and you’ll see how our articles, podcasts, and newsletters are making an impact.
War Makes Strange
Bedfellows
In April I noted, “In Alaska, a state where the Constitution Party has never been
organized, we have gathered 1,400 signatures for J. R. Meyer, the gubernatorial
candidate. J.R. must turn in 2,975 valid signatures to be on the November ballot.
Garnering three percent of the vote will maintain ballot access for 2016.” We
earned ballot status in the Frontier State—see the special report on page six.
Last month I stated, “No matter what role you take on within the Constitution
Party, you are keeping alive the ideals of freedom as handed down from the
Founding Fathers. Thank you for all you do.” That’s worth repeating.
For now I’ll only say this: Please do all you can to meet Bob Peck’s challenge on
page five, plan ahead to attend our National Committee meeting in November
(page four), and join the Howard Phillips Legacy Society (next page).
What Happened To The
Baby?
Gratefully,
CURRENTLY HOLDING ELECTED POSITIONS
AK
Pam Goode
Deltana Community Corporation Board
Delta Junction
IL
Phil Collins
Libertyville Township Trustee
Lake County
MI
Rich Ryskamp
Board of Directors
Grand Rapids Community College
OR
Mary Starrett
Yamhill County Commissioner
PA
Bob Goodrich
Osceola Township Supervisor
James N. Clymer
Judge of Elections
Manor New East Precinct
Manor Township
The Howard Phillips Legacy Society
Our party has been blessed in the past year with a
dramatic upswing of visits to our Facebook page, more
readers of our party newsletter than ever before, and by
a number of Constitutionalists who are putting up their
name as candidates.
That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes
a decisive plan of action, grass roots activists willing to
work hard, and generous patriots who commit financial
donations to get the job done.
Among those who invest in the Constitution Party are a
growing number of Howard Phillips Legacy Society.
Named after the founder of our party, The Howard
Phillips Legacy Society provides the regular income
necessary to run the “business end” of our work.
Members receive the exclusive VICTORY REPORT
newsletter various gifts of appreciation for joining –
including a one gram 999.9 pure silver ingot especially
created for the Constitution Party (pictured above).
Learn more about Howard Phillips here, and how to join
The Howard Phillips Legacy Society here.
UT
Bryce Hamilton
Duchesne City Council
Steven W. Johnson
Enoch City Council
WA
A.J. Burton
Medical Lake City Council
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman: Frank Fluckiger, UT
Vice-Chairman: Randall C. Stufflebeam, IL
Secretary: Cindy Redburn, MO
Treasurer: Jim Headings, TN
Curtis Caine, M.D., MS
James N. Clymer, PA
Darrell Castle, TN
Ricardo Davis, GA
Peter B. Gemma, FL
Hon. Virgil Goode, VA
Janine Hansen, NV
Karen Murray, WA
Sam Pew, UT
Don Shrader, OH
Nicholas Sumbles, MA
Steven Walker, IN
Wayne Zimmerschied, MN
Constitution Party National Committee  PO Box 1782  Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17608  1-800-2-VetoIRS  1-800-283-8647
Because You Asked …
ARTICLE V CONVENTION OF THE STATES
The Constitution Party is often asked for its opinion on
what is known as an Article V Convention of the States.
Our platform states: “We oppose any attempt to call for
a Constitutional convention, for any purpose
whatsoever, because it cannot be limited to any single
issue, and such convention could seriously erode our
Constitutionally-protected unalienable rights.”
Janine Hansen, a member of the national Constitution
Party Executive Committee, recently examined the
dangers of such a convention in an article titled,
Everything is So Bad We Have to do Something So Let’s
Have An Article V Convention. In it she quotes former
Chief Justice Warren Burger who said, “I have also
repeatedly given my opinion that there is no effective
way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional
Convention. The Convention could make its own rules
and set its own agenda. Congress might try to limit the
Convention to one amendment or to one issue, but
there is no way to assure that the Convention would
obey. After a Convention is convened, it will be too late
to stop the convention if we don’t like its agenda …”
Her article also looks as the history of Article V, how
delegates may be chosen, who is behind such a
convention (on both the conservative and liberal
sides), and looks at one of the proposed amendments –
the Balanced Budget Amendment.
Originally published in the August 2014 Nevada
Families for Freedom Newsletter
(www.nevadafamilies.org), you can read the full article
on the Constitution Party website at this link:
Janine Hansen on the Article V Convention.
That the Constitution Party has consistently and
continually opposed an Article V Convention is
evidenced by its platform stance and supplemental
materials found on its national website at:
www.constitutionparty.com/constitutionalconvention
We hope you will read Janine’s article and the other
links found on the platform page so you will be armed
with the facts you may need to make a decision on an
Article V Convention.
NATIONAL NEWS ITEMS:
Israel. Darrell Castle, former national vice-chairman
and 2008 Constitution Party vice-presidential
candidate, recently tackled the tough issue of the U.S.
relationship with Israel in a series of his Castle Report
podcasts and an article you may have read in our last
email.
One of the points he is clear to make is the Constitution
Party stance on involvement in the affairs of other
nations. You can click on the names to read the
Constitution Party planks on Foreign Policy and
Defense in the national platform.
If you missed the podcasts or the article you may listen
here:
The United States of Israel, part one and
The United States of Israel, part two.
Or read here: The United States, Israel, and the
Constitution Party.
Ferguson, Missouri. The riots in Ferguson, Missouri
inundated the airwaves for days, and raised many
questions in the minds of thinking Americans.
Cynthia Davis, former four-term member of the
Missouri State Legislature and 2012 Constitution Party
candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, took on those
questions in a recent Home Front with Cynthia Davis
live podcast. Her guests were Dan Benson, a retired
police officer with the City of Bridgeton, and William
Grigg, a former senior editor for The New American
magazine. You can hear how they apply their
knowledge and experience to the events in Ferguson
and hear their explanation of what is proper
constitutional jurisdiction in police matters.
Listen here: Riots in Ferguson, Missouri
STATE PARTY REPORT: WEST VIRGINIA
Phil Hudok, Constitution Party of West Virginia U.S.
Senate candidate, achieved ballot access by ONE, yes ONE
petition signature! Miracles do happen. Follow Phil’s
campaign at his website: www.hudok.com.
Mark November 15-16, 2014 on your calendar!
The Fall 2014 National Committee Meeting
will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio at the
Cincinnati Airport Double Tree.
Click the link for information about the hotel
and to make room reservations.
Registration and other details can be found on
the national Constitution Party website at:
www.constitutionparty.com/get-involved/events
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: NATIONAL COMMENTATOR BEN SWANN
“Journalism in its purest form is a high calling. In its worst (current) form, it is nothing more
than propaganda and distraction for the masses. The Fourth Estate, as journalism has
historically been called, was derived for the purpose of holding elected leaders, legislators and
public servants accountable to the people. Nearly every major issue the United States faces
today; loss of civil liberties, the drug war, foreign wars and intervention, the growing police
state, the endless printing of currency, the rise and fall of the petro-dollar, drone strikes,
American soil as a battlefield, total disregard for rule of law, and so on, can be directly traced
to a lack of exposure by, or understanding from journalists.” www.benswann.com
Thursday Night: the Hospitality room will have light food and snacks for arrivals.
Friday:
Executive Committee Meeting – 9 am to 4 pm
Leadership & Training Meeting – all day
Continental Breakfast and Luncheon – included in registration fee
Riverboat Dinner Cruise – 630 pm, included in registration fee
Saturday:
Agenda to be published soon
Continental Breakfast and Luncheon – include in registration fee
Plan to arrive on the 13th! A block of rooms have been reserved for our use. Please tell the reservations agent
that you are with the Constitution Party to get our special rate of $93 per night. Rooms have double queen-size
beds. Price is good for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Cincinnati Airport Double tree
2826 Terminal Drive,
Hebron, Kentucky 41048
1-859-371-6166
IT’S OFFICIAL!
Since the Primary election and because of state party conventions, some
changes have been made to the list of candidates. More changes may be
forthcoming as we are notified of results. Check back often for the latest
updates.
Please visit the ELECTION CENTRAL page of our website where you will
find our Key Candidates and the list of all Constitution Party candidates.
You will also find links to the following pages:
BALLOT ACCESS FAQS
CP PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HISTORY
CONSTITUTION PARTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE CHAIRMAN ISSUES A CHALLENGE
I, Robert W. Peck, am hereby nominating you, my
fellow patriots, to take the Constitutionist Challenge
by taking one of the two following actions:
1. Contact a Constitution Party candidate in your
area and volunteer to work in their campaign doorbelling, yard sign placement, phone calling,
etc., or:
2. If you don't have a Constitution Party candidate
in your area, send a donation to a Constitution
Party candidate somewhere else in the country
- Anywhere!
Over the years I've given hundreds, if not thousands,
of hours to the campaigns of Constitution Party
candidates. I have put up yard signs all over town,
walked parade routes handing out literature, gone
door-to-door with campaign materials, planned events,
organized volunteers, even built a website or two,
produced videos and a whole lot more. Helping hands
are what Constitution Party candidates need most. If
you have a Constitution Party candidate in your area,
call and offer them every Saturday morning from now
until the election, or give them two evenings a week for
phone calling, or just call and ask what they need most.
This year I don't have a local candidate to work for, so
instead I'm donating to Constitution Party candidates
around the country. I can name at least six that I've
given to so far. Considering what your time is worth,
even at minimum wage, giving $20 a week to
Constitution Party candidates would be getting off
cheap as compared to spending every Saturday
knocking on doors. If you don't already have a favorite
Constitution Party candidate in mind, check out our
nationwide list of candidates here – Election Central
2014. Start with the key candidates at the top who are
positioned to have the biggest impact in their state,
then work down the list clicking on any candidate who
has a website with a donation button. If you don’t
want to choose a candidate, then donate to the
national party so they can help target states that need
help with ballot access.
As Constitution Party of Missouri Chairman, Ray Kish,
said in one of my all-time favorite Constitution Party
videos:
HEY AMERICA,
HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIBERTY WORTH?
Please send candidate, state party news,
or info on Constitution Party members
who are currently holding elected office
(see list on page two) to:
commsdirector@constitutionparty.com
ALASKA CONSTITUTION PARTY:
VISION TOUR 2014
by Karen Murray
National Communications Director
The Alaska Constitution Party (ACP) is showing its
true colors in the battle for ballot access in their state.
Campaigning in the Last Frontier state is not for the
faint-of-heart: it’s for those with a love of freedom,
independence and a determination to climb any
mountain to reach the goal. I was priviledged to meet
three of ACP’s most stellar candidates on my recent
trip to Alaska.
My first taste of campaigining Alaska-style came when
I met up with Pam Goode from Delta Junction. Pam is
running for Alaska House District 9. We met at a
militia encampment in the mountains above a town
called Sutton, about 6 hours drive from Pam’s home in
Delta Junction. It was pouring down rain, slick with
thick mud and muck, up a road that was barely a track
across open dirt fields, well-worn by the off-road
vehicles that frequent the area. When I arrived I
found Pam out between the tents and camp trailers,
clipboard in hand, persuading some of the most diehard militia members to sign her petition and those of
J. R. Myers and Maria Rensel, candidates for governor
and lieutenant governor, respectively.
The second encounter was my first meeting with ACP
gubernatorial candidate J.R. Myers, who is also state
chairman. We met at the McDonald’s in Wasilla, as he
was making his tour through the state gathering
signatures, meeting with people and members of the
media. From his home in Haines (near the capitol of
Juneau, relatively speaking) to Soldotna on the Kenai
Peninsula, to Anchorage, through Wasilla on his way
to Fairbanks and back to Haines in his pickup. To put
this in perspective, he had to cross the Canadian
border four times and travel about 2060 miles in
seven days. J.R. is serious about putting the Alaska
Constitution Party on the map.
So are Maria Rensel, Lieutenant Governor candidate
and Pam Goode, who teamed up to make the ACP
Vision Tour 2014 across much of the state.
I met up with them at a place called Turner’s Corner,
near Fishhook, known as the Gateway to Hatcher’s
Pass. Turner’s Corner is a gas station-store-eatery in
what seems to be the middle of nowhere but the
several hours we were there, the gas pumps were
constantly busy. The owner and the two candidates
stood in the rain (a common Alaska malady one just
learns to live with, wet being the most common stateof-being after cold), gathering signatures and talking
about land-use issues on public land: the owner being
quite experienced at fighting state and federal entities
and winning. With Alaskans like this the ACP will
become a major player in Alaskan politics. Having
already left the Republican Party behind, we are
hopeful he will join and support the Constitution
Party. From there Vision Tour 2014 traveled to
Whittier, Kenai, Seward, and Anchorage, gathering
signatures at post offices and other public places.
Finally we met up again a couple of days later, at
Founder’s Day in Houston, Alaska that is. Houston is
the fireworks capital of Alaska, it being the only town
where they can legally be sold and used in the area,
not that this stops independent Alaskans from
shooting them off anyway on Independence Day. The
State Troopers don’t seem to mind too much, unless
you irritate someone or start a fire then it might
become a problem.
Thousands of people show up for this annual event at
the local fire house, and our ACP candidates had a
productive day with lots of signatures and many new
contacts. Even the bit of angst at some fiery paper
lanterns that drifted into some nearby trees soon
passed as the fire department was quick to respond.
The outcome? Pam Goode submitted four times as
many signatures as she needed. J.R. Myers and Maria
Rensel each submitted over 1000 signatures more
than they needed. All three are now certified as being
on the ballot for the General Election. If J.R. or Maria
receive three percent or more of the vote, the ACP will
obtain official recognition as a political party in the
state of Alaska. One poll early on showed J.R. at four
percent. We anxiously await November’s results.
Read News Coverage at Alaska Public Media: More than a Win, Constitution Party Candidates want Ballot Access
www.CONSTITUTIONPARTY.com