Dear CPoW members and friends,

If anyone ever had any doubts why the CP and CPoW exist, many of the events and public statements witnessed over the past weeks provide ample proofs of the absolute necessity of our Party! From the Democratic presidential "hopefuls" trying to outdo each other with promises and schemes that will drive America further along the road to socialist suicide to our Republican President offering to virtually erase our nation's borders by providing a "free pass" to those who have flaunted our laws and who, in the face of growing dissatisfaction with our military adventurism overseas, continues to interweave our nation's future with that of "world government", we witness the growing nerve and desperation of those who would forever subvert us to "global governance".

We of the CP and CPoW stand firm in support for our goal to Restore the Republic, not Revise the Republic. Too many of our fellow Americans who tell us they generally agree with our platform and policy positions are slipping back into their political "tents of ease", waiting for a political "savior" from one of the two major parties to lead us to victory. They tell us, "Your candidate can't win" or "Why waste your vote?" or some other pathetic excuse for agreeing to side with the lesser of two evils (which is, of course, still EVIL). The battle lines are clearly drawn for those who wish to see them.

At this time of the year, we (too) are busy with political activity. Our National Presidential Nominating Convention is scheduled for June 23-27, 2004 in historic Valley Forge, PA. Currently, we have several men who have declared themselves candidates for our CP nomination. The front-runner would appear to be Michael Peroutka, an attorney from MD. (Some of you may remember that Michael joined us for our last State Convention in Beloit this past October). Michael has put together an impressive website that informs us about himself, his candidacy, his goals for the Party and his goals as President of the United States. I would encourage everyone to take a look for yourself. The address is www.peroutka2004.com and we have provided a link to his website from our CPoW website (www.cpow.org) homepage.

To prepare for the National Convention, we will be having another State Convention in April. This is sooner than usual since we just met in October (we normally go into convention approximately once every twelve months). Our by-laws require we hold to certain dates and times before a National Convention to make our platform recommendations, determine who we will send as delegates to the National Convention, and the like. The date selected is Saturday, April 17. The location will be DePere (just south of Green Bay).

As of this writing, I have only received two self-nomination forms requesting the author be considered as an official Wisconsin delegate to the National Convention. Everyone interested in being considered - even if you have gone before as a delegate - must submit a self-nomination form by Tuesday, February 17. This means we must receive it (or it must be postmarked) by the 17th. We encourage all current members in good standing to seriously consider attending the National Convention as a delegate. It is a tremendous opportunity.

Our 2004 membership drive is going well but we need to hear from more of you. In this and the last mailing, we have included a 2004 membership application. It is important that you not delay but complete and mail your membership application and appropriate dues TODAY! We are happy to announce that we have had two members purchase LIFE memberships for themselves! If this is an option you can afford, please do so TODAY! If not, a basic individual membership is $30/yr. and a basic family membership is $50/yr. Please provide all requested information on your application, including your signature. Regardless of the type of membership, we need you to join with us as we work together to build our party here in Wisconsin and on the national level.

On the back of the next page, I have included a copy of a seven-point talking paper on "Why voting for the lesser of two evils is always wrong!". I send it along a refresher to some and a reminder to others. I suggest you make copies of it on your home office printer or take it down to the local Kinko's (or wherever) so you'll have some copies to distribute. Inevitably, you will need to have this conversation with many of your contacts. Sadly, most of these may very well be those in your church or other Christians who just can't seem to pry themselves away from the notion that if they don't vote Republican, the bad Democrat candidate will get elected, etc. Those of us who have been around for awhile have certainly heard this line (and others) to defend what is ultimately indefensible.

I've also included an open letter from the Vice Chairman of the Constitution Party of Ohio, Dr. Patrick Johnson. As I first read his marvelous letter, I was a little uncomfortable with his instruction not to write letters to our elected officials. After reading the entire document, I found myself intrigued and seriously considering his advise in the context given. I will leave it to each of you to debate and decide the merits of Dr. Johnson's comments. The largest concept I took from this letter was the need to "oust 'em", as our gifted and very-vocal National CP Field Director Cal Zastrow enthused. I recent spoke with Cal and thanked him for stating what I believe to be the obvious need of our day. If the officials now in power will not do the right thing without my or your perpetual chiding, counseling, advising, demanding, etc., then perhaps they should find other "work". [GOOD NEWS! Cal has just agreed to come and speak to us at our April State Convention - you do not want to miss this!]

An editorial comment (if I may). Some folks who receive these mailings may not wish to remain on our list. That is understandable and if you will simply ask, your request will be honored promptly. Others choose to waste our time by sending unsolicited materials and information that is not related to our agenda or goals. Worse yet, some of these materials are sent "anonymously" (no return address or sender information provided). This is the height of cowardice. If you have something to say, have some courage and put your name to it or don't bother sending it!

We have much to accomplish in the coming weeks and months, so be prepared for action. Local primary elections will be held on February 17 to determine the slate of candidates for local and county offices for the Spring Election on April 6. There are a few CPoW members who are candidates for these offices (find out who on our website) and I'm sure they would appreciate your prayers and support. Others who we know to be good candidates for the office they seek should hear from us as well. Look for opportunities to "spread the word" during this season of heightened political interest. Make our fellow citizens aware that they do have another choice besides "Tweedle-Dem" and "Tweedle-Repub"!!

For Wisconsin and America,

Randy W. Hamby
Chairman