FAIR AND BIASED: Why would Free Speech for People care who the GOP nominee is?

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Why would Free Speech for People care who the GOP nominee is?

Weekly Opinion Editorial

CUTTING OUT THE VOTER!

by Steve Fair

The 14^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1868. It is one of the three amendments in the founding document known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The 13^th amendment abolished slavery, the 14th amendment has what is known as the ‘insurrection/disqualification clause’ and the 15^th amendment granted voting rights to citizens no matter their race. Of the three, the 14^th was the most controversial and contested. The states of the defeated Confederacy were forced to ratify the 14^th before they could regain representation in Congress.

The 14^th has recently come under discussion in regard to section 3- the so-called insurrection/disqualification clause as it relates to former President Trump. Section 3 reads: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Last week, a DC group- Free Speech for People(FSP)- sued to block former President Trump to be included on the GOP primary ballot in Colorado. They contend Trump violated the 14^th amendment’s section 3 provision and therefore cannot hold elective office. It is likely the first of several similar lawsuits. The Trump campaign said the suit is stretching the law and has no legal basis. Three observations:

First, who is Free Speech for People? Established in 2010 by John Bonifaz and Jeff Clements, after they lost a case before the Supreme Court (Citizens United vs. FEC), FSP advocates a new constitutional amendment that would clarify the Bill of Rights applies to people, not corporations. FSP wants to cap the amount of money that can be spent in political campaigns(at least on the candidates they don’t support). They advocate not allowing corporate contributions to campaigns. Free Speech for People has also embraced a left-of-center agenda, and lobbied for President Donald Trump’s impeachment from the day he took office in 2017.

Why would a left-wing organization get involved in a Republican primary? Why would FSP care who the GOP nominee is in 2024? Why are they trying to keep Trump off the ballot? Trump’s ability to energize his base and get his vote out presents the biggest challenge to Biden and the Democrats. FSP is for neither free speech or the people.

Second, using the 14^th to disqualify Trump would be politically ludicrous. Trump is charged with 91criminal counts in four different jurisdictions, but none are inciting a riot or seditious conspiracy. Most legal scholars believe Trump would have had to physically been at the Capitol for the 14^th Section 3 to come into play. If FSP is successful at keeping Trump off the GOP ballot, his supporters might do more than just post on social media. Politically, using the 14^th to prevent Trump from being on the ballot would be devastating for the country.

Three, GOP voters should be given the choice with Trump on the ballot. Currently, the former POTUS is polling at 52.7% with Republican voters, but the first primary/caucus isn’t until January 15^th. A lot can/will happen in five months. Let GOP voters decide Trump’s fate

In politics, it is common practice to attempt to ‘clear the primary,’ but it is usually Party leaders and large donors doing the screening. They work behind the scenes to clear the field for their preferred candidate. They justify their action by declaring an extended primary hurts the candidate in the general election. Their action cuts out/ignores the voter. Why would a liberal organization (FSP) go all in on keeping Trump off the GOP ballot? The same reason- they want to cut out the voter!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Why FAIR & BIASED?

FAIR- because that's my name and BIASED because the truth is we are all biased- either for something or against it. What's important is that our bias(opinions) are based on right- on absolute truth and not on changing values. What's right cannot change based on a change in circumstances. That is the basis for situational ethics.

Situation Ethics is a theory that is concerned with the outcome or consequences of an action; the end, as opposed to an action being intrinsically wrong. In the case of situation ethics, the end can justify the means. There are no absolutes. Your actions are guided only by your conscience.

A person's view of right can be subjective. But there is a way mankind can definitely know what's right and that is revealed in God's Word- the Bible. As His creatures, we should be biased toward things our Creator is for and biased against those things He is against. May God grant us the grace and understanding to know the difference.

PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

How important is political party affiliation? Some people mistakenly believe only politicians need political affiliation, which they use for support to get elected. They contend the electorate or voters, do not need to be aligned with any Party. These same people often state they “support the man, not the Party.” But whether they recognize it or not, they are supporting a party when they “support the man.”
Most of the Founding Fathers had a negative view of political parties. In his farewell address to the nation, George Washington warned about political parties saying, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” In spite of Washington's warning, political parties were formed anyway.
From 1796 to 1828 the first political parties were formed. Starting with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, two opposing factions arose. Each was concerned with how the new government was to be organized. The Federalists believed in a strong central government. Their philosophy and beliefs would closely mirror the Democrat Party today. The Anti-Federalists strongly supported the rights of the states. They would more closely align with Republicans today.
Since the mid 1800s, the Ds and Rs have been the two major political parties in our country. Political parties flourished in our government mainly for legislative organization and expediencies sake. Why is Party affiliation important for the average voter? Party affiliation is important for three very simples reasons.
First, party affiliation is the first vote a citizen casts. When a citizen registers as a Democrat, then they are aligning philosophically with the values, beliefs, tenets, and positions of the Democrats on the issues. Party affiliation “defines” you are and what you stand for. It should be taken as seriously as a vote for a specific candidate. Research what each Party stands for, their positions on issues, and then align with the Party that is closest to your values. Copies of both major Party platforms are available on-line or at the local library.
Second, legislatures organize themselves and conduct business using party affiliation. The legislative branch of government is the most powerful arm of the three branches of government. Legislative bodies hold closed meeting of party members, called a caucus to decide on questions of policy or leadership. The Republicans hold a caucus meeting and the Democrats hold a caucus meeting-both at the state and federal level. Unfortunately, conservative, moderate and liberal philosophies do not hold caucus meetings or control the legislative agendas- parties do. When someone says they vote for “the man,” not the party, they fail to understand the power and function of a caucus system in a legislative body. The Party in the majority controls appointments, Chairmanships, the agenda and countless other things through the caucus.
Third, party affiliation should be a matter of conviction, not convenience. Often, people align with a party so they can vote in primary elections or based on family tradition or geographies. Even candidates will align, file and run affiliated with a Party they have little philosophical agreement with. That decision is made out of convenience, not conviction. While no political party is perfect or has all the answers, there is a distinct difference between the two major parties and honest citizens should align with the Party that reflects their convictions.
The Democrat Party is more liberal than the Republican Party. Liberals believe in more government control of business, the environment and speech, using large bureaucratic programs to address real or perceived social ills and constant reinterpretation of the Constitution. Liberals are more inclined to trust government than the people themselves. They see the role of government as a great provider of goods and services and have little faith in the individual to solve his own problems.
Republicans are more conservative than Democrats. Conservatives believe in less government control of the environment and business. They want fewer and less comprehensive government programs to address real or perceived social ills. They believe in personal responsibility and trust individuals to make decisions for themselves. Republicans believe in a strict literal interpretation of the Constitution. A person should find out which of these philosophies best fits their view if they wish to actively participate in the political process.
Party affiliation is important. Washington’s prophecy has come to past, and political parties have been used to empower “unprincipled men,” on both sides of the aisle, but like it or not, political parties are a reality in our system of government. Each concerned citizen should evaluate the philosophy, values, beliefs and tenets of each Party and align their party affiliation accordingly.

FAIR AND BIASED

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Why would Free Speech for People care who the GOP nominee is?

No comments:

You can reach Steve by email at okgop@aol.com or call him at 580.252.6284.

Who is Steve Fair?

Why FAIR & BIASED?

Steve's Recommended Links

Blog Archive

FEDERAL SPENDING WEBSITE

The Sermon on the Mount

The United States Constitution

The United States Declaration of Independence

The Federalist Papers

The Magna Carta

Washington's Farewell Address

TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!

PARTY AFFILIATION IS IMPORTANT! by Steve Fair- written in 2009

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PUSH CARD OR PROMOTIONAL PIECE?