Summertime! What an eventful time of the year. So many activities planned - visits with friends far and near, picnics and parades. We have been busy as have our opponents  more on that later.

The CPoW held its annual State Convention on Saturday, June 18 in Reedsburg at the Voyageur Inn. We had a relatively light business meeting agenda so that portion of the Convention went quickly. All the officers you see listed in the left margin were unanimously reelected for another two year term. After the business meeting, our afternoon speakers provided valuable insights into their campaign efforts from last fall that helped us better understand what it takes to run for office. The afternoon session was capped off with an inspirational speech by Pastor Dan Gibson, one of our State Committee members. After dinner, we were treated to a special presentation by Dr. P. Jake Jacobs. Dr. Jacobs spoke on our blessed Christian heritage that was woven into the initial fabric of our nation by our Founding Fathers. The final activity  the annual auction  proved to be both fun and profitable.

Next year s Convention will be held on Saturday, April 8 in the Madison area (site to yet be determined). If you missed this year s Convention, circle your 2006 calendars now!

One fun aspect of summer is the County Fair season. This year, as in years past, CPoW members and friends will be sponsoring booths at a number of these fairs throughout the state. Not sure if your county s fair is having a CPoW booth? Look for the Cluster Contact  for your county (found on our website). If a booth is being planned at a fair near you, please volunteer to work at the booth. It is a great way to visit with your friends and neighbors and share the CPoW with them. Even though it s not an election year, interest in politics and what is happening to and with our country and state remains. The cynicism bred from last year s close election and recent decisions by our leaders provides opportunities for us to present an alternative to Tweedle Dem and Tweedle Repub!

Some recent Supreme Court decisions demonstrate how far out of step with mainstream America the Court has become. The ridiculous decision regarding the display of the Ten Commandments was really no decision at all. To claim that the Decalogue is either historical or religious depending on where it is posted or plotted suggests its relevance  to the individuals who view and/or read it changes based on location. In a recent press release, the national CP offered the following:

To deny recognition of the Ten Commandments is to reject a fundamental cornerstone of America s legal and cultural heritage..

The First Amendment states that Congress shall not interfere with the free exercise of religion, and Congress shall not establish a religion. Recognition of the country s Biblical heritage is not the establishment of a religion, but is the recognition of historic fact. 

While the Supreme Court correctly upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land, it rejected certain renderings inside courthouses, arguing that they violate the separation of church and state. This sets the stage for a new wave of lawsuits to apply on a case by case basis the Court s conflicted and confusing decisions, while we are treated to the spectacle of federal judges acting as the legal equivalent of interior decorators trying to decide which version of a Ten Commandments display conforms to whatever doctrine of `separation of church and state  happens to be in fashion. All of this ignores the historical fact of the influence of the Ten Commandments on America s constitutional government and judicial system. 

Later, the Court insulted the sensibilities of millions of Americans when it ruled private property could be seized under eminent domain  and handed over to another person or group if the possibility existed of increased tax revenues for whatever the new use would be. Quoting from the official CP response to this ruling:

In the case of Kelo v. City of New London 04 - 108, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that a city may seize private homes and use the land for an economic revitalization project provided the city pays the homeowners just compensation .

We, in the Constitution Party, believe that the right to own private property is fundamental to civilization, and that every citizen has a natural right to own, control, and dispose of his or her property.

A person s home and private property serves as the basis for liberty because without personal economic power (a home, a job, the right to accumulate property), a person cannot support himself or his or her family and is therefore at the mercy of government control.

Government taking a person s property and delivering it to another private party in order to enhance the government s tax revenue is disgusting behavior. Simply put, tax revenue for government is now more important than a person s home. 

These are just two reasons why the CPoW exists  to offer candidates for public office (local, state and national) who understand the absolute necessity of bringing our nation back to its Biblical, Constitutional roots and who will work to do so. What will you do to help today? Will you support us with your time, talent and treasure? We need you with us in the fight today  join us! Help us financially  would you send us $500? How about $100? A smaller amount would be welcomed as well. Perhaps you would rather contribute regularly through our new LIBERTY CLUB. No matter the level of involvement, we need you with us today. As Patrick Henry queried his colleagues, What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?  Now, just as in Mr. Henry s day, we face challenges that require all of us to give of ourselves and our means. What will you do today that will impact tomorrow for freedom?

For God, Family and Republic,