The past several weeks have certainly been busy ones but the really busy time is yet to come! As the political campaign season "heats up", we all find ourselves with more and more opportunities to get involved, whether it be a casual conversation with an acquaintance about a particular candidate or issue to the rigors of running for office (or helping someone else run). The CPoW is busy preparing for what looks to be a very active "season" here in Wisconsin.
We had a good attendance from around the state at our recent State Convention (held in DePere on April 17). The business meeting provided opportunity for some spirited discussion on a variety of topics yet we were able to arrive at needed decisions about several changes we are recommending to the National Platform Committee for their consideration at the National Convention in Valley Forge next month (more on that later).
At the close of our State Convention, Cal Zastrow, the Constitution Party's National Field Director, both challenged and inspired us with the concept of "pioneering", of being political pioneers. We have a duty to clear the brush (or Bush?) out of the way, build thoroughfares of freedom, leading the way for those yet to come. Our forefathers thought posterily - when they considered their current circumstance, they knew change was needed and set about to make it come to pass whether or not they would directly profit from the freedom they hoped to gain. In many instances, they did not but they departed knowing what they had done made the way better for future generations. Cal challenged us to adopt this same spirit as we set about to build our Party.
The next big date on our "calendar" is the National Convention next month (June 23-26) in Valley Forge, PA. At the Convention, we will adopt our National Platform, select our Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees and launch our Party's National campaign for the Fall election. For those who may not know, Michael Anthony Peroutka (pronounced purr-ROOT-cah), an attorney from Baltimore, MD is the presumed nominee for President. Michael has recently announced his choice for a running mate: Dr. Chuck Baldwin, a pastor and radio show host from Pensacola, FL. Our voting delegation has been selected but others may certainly join us in Valley Forge for this historic event. Particular details about all the family-friendly events, tours, and other activities planned for these few days in June can be found by visiting the CP's national website at www.constitutionparty.org.
For those who cannot attend the National Convention but want to learn more about Michael Peroutka and his campaign, please check out his website (www.peroutka2004.com). You can sign up to receive regular email notices and alerts from Michael's campaign. This campaign will be very "high tech" as compared to previous CP campaigns. There will be "personal chats" and "stump speeches" just as in other campaigns but, in many cases, these will be done electronically through the Internet.
But Michael and Chuck need not be - should not be - the only candidates the CPoW promotes in the upcoming months. There are many offices at the county and state levels in Wisconsin that are in need of good, qualified, Constitutionally-minded candidates --- like YOU! The time to decide is now. Nomination papers for offices to be filled in the fall election can be picked up and circulated to gain the required signatures beginning June 1st (check with your local county or town clerk for specific details about the office you seek). Will you be CPoW candidate for office this fall? One thing many people often ask is, "who from your Party is currently serving in public office?". That's a fair question since we are a political party in the business of getting people from our Party elected to office. What can we tell them if nobody runs and wins office? In fact, a good way to help Michael and Chuck win this fall (or any national candidates in the future) is for us to have CPoW members run for LOCAL public office and win. This would also answer the statement, "you guys can't win", wouldn't it? Please give serious, prayerful consideration to seeking public office this fall. If you are interested and/or planning to run, please let me know immediately.
As an ongoing part of both building the Party and, now, promoting our candidates for National office (and any statewide or local CPoW candidates that come forward), we are currently planning our entries into the county fairs. This year, these public relations events will be handled differently. "Clusters" consisting of four to five neighboring counties will sponsor as many entries as that cluster can afford and staff rather than have it coordinated (and funded) from the state level. To find out which cluster you are in and who is the primary contact for your cluster, please check our website. If you don't find the information you need there, please call or write us.
The greatest reason we have chosen to begin operating our fair entries this way is that we need to build LOCAL organizations. We must be careful to conduct our affairs in like manner as we expect our government to be operated and accountable - more from the LOCAL level than the state level. Another reason is the "Frami factor". Our former Chairman and good friend would tirelessly and faithfully set up and staff fair booth after fair booth throughout the state. Ed was relentless when it came to working the fairs. But this fair season will be our first without Ed and this is one area where we definitely will have to learn how to go on "Framilessly" (as he would want us to do).
To make this new approach work, we need everyone reading this letter to pitch in and help out the cluster nearest you. We need you to both contribute to the local cluster's expenses in securing a fair booth (in most cases, it costs anywhere from $175 to $300 just to rent booth space at a fair) and to volunteer to work a few hours staffing the booth. This is "pure politics" at its best. Will you help the CPoW get our message out to our friends and neighbors at this year's County Fairs?
I'm pleased to report that the number of inquiries and requests for information has definitely increased. We provide information packets to those who write or call and ask for one but this literature is not without expense. As the campaign season heats up, be assured that the number of requests for information will increase even more. I have the privilege of reading the letters and taking the calls from our fellow Wisconsinites who often remark how they have been seeking after, even praying for, a political party they can be proud of and support 100%. Many tell us they feel abandoned by the Republicans and are so thankful they caught a glimpse of one of our bumper stickers or heard somebody say something about a "constitution party". We need your continued financial help to supply materials for "inquiring minds".
Certainly, there are those who are not convinced our efforts will help our Republic - now or later. They naysay our work to Restore the Republic, suggesting that all we will do is "help get (insert the Democrat's name here) elected". Their pragmatic approach and political shortsightedness fall right into the hands of those who would have us continue on the path to national suicide. I recently had a conversation with a friend who was attempting to extol the virtues of accepting the "half loaf" given by our Republican friends. His closing statement was something like "…while not the best, the Republicans are the best vehicle I can use for now." His implication was that he rides in this "vehicle" in an equal manner with all the other passengers. What my friend - and maybe your friends as well - doesn't understand is that he and his "rightwing, conservative" fellow travelers are regularly relegated to the trunk, only brought out around election time to sit in the main cabin (even then, typically in the back seat) so they can be seen and heard for a period of time until it's time to go back to the trunk (the day after the election!).
It can be frustrating when attempting to help others see the folly of relying on a "vehicle" that has let them down time after time and that is taking them and the rest of the country in the wrong direction. A few months ago, I sent a copy of a popular flyer entitled, "Why Voting For The Lesser of Two Evils Is Always Wrong!" in one of our monthly mailings. This piece outlines seven specific reasons why voting for either Tweedle-Dem or Tweedle-Repub is wrong and will never get us where we need to be as a nation. We have posted this article on our website (www.cpow.org) and recommend it to you for use in recruiting. Perhaps you could memorize a few of the points (all of them if you can!) and be prepared to present them the next time someone scoffs at our efforts to offer the American people a better choice in candidates. Preparation for battle is 50% of victory (proper execution is the other half!!).
These are certainly challenging but exciting days. Daily we are bombarded with news of this or that abuse of our laws and our beloved Constitution by an oligarchy (composed of members of both major parties) that is bent on either obtaining or retaining power. The current debate has little or nothing to do with PRINCIPLES but rather POLITICS and the power that comes from it. Our continued adventurism overseas will do nothing but gain us more enemies and dead sons and daughters. The fierce battle to debase and eventually destroy the basic unit of our civilization - the family - rages on in the legislatures and courts. We are a people coming fast and hard to THE crossroads of our very existence. How much more can we take? When will it all collapse? I don't know so I choose to be like Patrick Henry - to know the whole truth, the worst of it and provide for it. My provision is to have a vision of freedom and a spirit of liberty that cannot be dimmed by the allure of power or position. We all must fight for what we believe and, as Henry thunderously exclaimed to his fellow Virginians - and to the world -, be willing to die to obtain it!
We need you now, not next year or when things "get better". They won't without your help and aid now. You are needed in the battle - TODAY. Will you answer the call? Join us in Valley Forge as we further develop our "battle plans". Join us in the trenches for some "heart-to-heart combat" at the county fairs. Join us by providing your financial resources to help supply the needed "ammo". You can make a difference - will you?
For Liberty and Freedom for All,
Randy W. Hamby
Chairman
P.S. - As another means of providing much-needed "aid and comfort" to our Party, we enclose a monthly prayer list for May and June. Please use this to guide your daily prayers for our Party. We can accomplish nothing without His blessing and guidance.