The Founders Formula
to
Fortify the Family
The strength of the
nation
depends on the strength
of the family
The family is the most important unit organized
society
Within families the individual finds greater
satisfaction and self-realization than in any
other segment of society. A self-reliant family is the nation’s best
poverty program
The Family Has Been Established by God
• The first family, Adam and Eve, provide an example of the family structure.
• The leadership pattern in the home includes a father and a mother who work together as equal partners, sharing responsibilities as necessary to create a safe environment for the growth and development of family members.
• Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
Father/Provider
• The noble role of the father is to provide for, protect, and represent his family in the community and government.
• The father is considered as the primary provider of the basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter) as well as educational opportunities to develop job skills and self-reliant character traits in children.
• The father has the right and responsibility to protect the family from physical, emotional, spiritual and moral harm.
Mother/Homemaker
• The mother has the honor and responsibility of “making the home” a safe haven where members are fed, nourished, and sustained physically, emotionally, spiritually and morally.
• The mother has a vital role in developing society’s greatest masterpiece – a human being.
• This role requires a wide variety of skills and therefore the mother/homemaker is encouraged to be a life-long learner to develop mind and talents with a high degree of excellence and discipline.
A father cannot be at peace
when his wife and children
are in danger.
The US Constitution was written to empower
fathers in their role to provide for, protect and
represent the family
Ancient Principles Proven to Secure Liberty
Vertical Separation of Powers
Each level of government is assigned the
responsibilities it can manage most
efficiently and effectively
Protecting the Community Standard
Individual citizens have the right and responsibility to
protect their communities from evil and harmful
influences
Moses Begins Leading with Ruler’s Law
The leader was responsible for solving all problems
More than 600,000 families
More than 3,000,000
individuals
“. . . And the people stood
by Moses from the morning
unto the evening”
Exodus 18:13
Jethro’s Council to Moses
Moses
Aaron – Joshua
Council of Seventy (Senate)
Elected Representatives (Congress)
600 Groups of 1000 Families
6,000 Groups of 100 Families
12,000 Groups of 50 Families
60,000 Groups of 10 Families
More than 600,000 Families
More than 3,000,000 people with power to govern themselves.
Exodus 18: 13-19 “The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people with thee.”
Moses divides the people into groups of 10 families each.
Protecting the Community Standard
What are they guilty of?
When good people allow evil things to come into their community and do nothing to stop it, they are also guilty of sin.
Moses returns to the mountain – Exodus 32
He pleads for the life of the remaining people
The Golden Calf
3000 people are killed 99.9% did not participate
Responsibilities of Self-Government
In a nation of self-governing people all citizens have a moral responsibility to the Lord for their
political conduct.
With the privilege of self-rule comes the obligation to exercise that privilege in
accordance with God’s commandments.
Men will be held accountable to God for action and inaction towards Government.
Finding the Balance of Freedom and Liberty
Freedom
A state of exemption from the power or control of
another. Exemption from fate, necessity, or
any constraint in consequence of
predetermination. The right to sovereignty and
self-determination.
Liberty
Civil liberty is an exemption from the
arbitrary will of others which exemption is
secured by established laws which restrain every
man from injuring or controlling another.
Public Morality
Private Morality
Remember . . . Liberty is secured by established laws which restrain every man from injuring or controlling another.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free.”
Galatians 5:1
Strong Government protects the civil liberties of individuals and families
Big government gives minimal and weak protection for individuals and families
The Founders Formula for a Strong Government
Vertical Separation of Powers
• Separation of powers between federal, state and local governments.
• Our Founders desired to assign to each level of government that service which it could perform most efficiently and most economically.
Vertical Separation of Powers
• James Madison explained “the powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.”
• The 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights clarifies this division by stating that “the powers not delegated to the United States by this Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Vertical Separation of Powers
Only specific limited power assigned to each level of government. The further up the pyramid, the less power given to that branch of
government.
The Federal Government
The Several States
Thousands of Counties
Millions of Communities
Tens of Millions Families
Hundreds of Millions Individuals
“The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among
the many, distributing to everyone exactly the functions he is competent to . . . It is by
dividing and subdividing these republics from the great national
one down through all its subordinations until it ends in
the administration of every man’s farm by himself, by
placing under everyone what his own eye may superintend, that
all will be done for the best.”
Thomas Jefferson
Individual level
• The people have unalienable rights to exercise agency in governing their own affairs as long as it did not impose on the rights of others.
• Individuals have the right and responsibility to solve problems relating to work, play, associations, creature comforts, education, acquisition, and disposition of property.
• As a member of society, the individual has the right to a voice and a vote.
Family Level
The family is granted exclusive and sovereign rights which cannot be invaded by another branch of government unless:
– There is evidence of extended and extreme neglect of children.
– There is evidence of criminal abuse.
– The family residence is being used for criminal purposes.
Inescapable Responsibilities of Parents
Conduct of Children
Education of Children
Religious Training of Children
Raising children to be morally
competent, self-sustaining adults
The Community Level
Things that a community can do better than an individual family
– Roads
– Schools
– Water
– Police protection
– City courts to handle misdemeanors
– Power to tax to provide these services
Civic Responsibility
• The community and state are the closest government entities to us as individuals and families.
• The least amount of civic attention is given to improving the community but this has the greatest impact on families.
• We must stand up and declare opposition to laws that destroy morality, decency, and safety within a community.
Participating in Local Government
• "Town meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people's reach, they teach men how to use it and how to enjoy it. A nation may establish a free government, but without [local] institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty." (Tocqueville, Democracy in America)
• Do we have the spirit of liberty in modern America? Tocqueville says it "cannot" exist without universal participation in local government.
The Bill of Rights
• The people insisted on a Bill of Rights. • They feared, from bitter experience of the past,
that the courts of government executives might somehow twist the meaning of certain words in the Constitution so as to deprive them of their rights, precisely as King George and his officers had done.
• This is why George Mason, a leading patriot from Virginia, declared that he would rather have his right hand chopped off than sign a Constitution without a Bill of Rights.
What is the Bill of Rights?
• It is not a declaration of rights at all. It is a declaration of prohibitions against the Federal Government.
• In the minds of the Founders, usurpation and intervention by the federal government in the affairs of the states and the people were the most ominous threats.
• Therefore the Bill of Rights opens with a bold prohibition against the Federal Government. These prohibitions are restrictive on all branches at a Federal level – Executive, Legislative, Judicial.
What the Bill of Rights is Not
• The Founders did not want the Federal government to serve as a watchdog over the states’ responsibility to protect the rights of the people.
• IF the states failed in their responsibility, they wanted the pressure to build up, thus forcing correction within the confines of the state.
What happens to separation of powers when we run
to the Federal Government to enforce issues that should be resolved within the state or community?
James Madison learns an important lesson
• James Madison tried to include a provision in the Bill of Rights which said: “No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.”
• Obviously, this was designed to authorize the federal government to intervene if a state failed to perform its duty.
• The Congress turned it down flat. They wanted the federal government to stay out of the business of the states. If the people found their state derelict they were to correct it on a state level and not come running to Washington or the federal courts to have it corrected.
Protections in the Bill of Rights
• The first amendment banned the federal government from becoming involved in the internal operations of the states, esp. with religion.
• The restraint or prohibition is against government, not the individual. Congress is forbidden to pass laws respecting religion. Instead of prohibiting religious leaders and organizations becoming involved in politics, it guarantees it.
Horizontal Separation of Powers
For the first time in modern history, the Founders divided these three branches into separate heads.
Legislative
• Article I
• Make the laws
Executive
• Article II
• Enforce the law
Judicial
• Article III
• Interpret the law
A Protective Chain
The horizontal separation of powers is a protective chain written into the original Constitution.
This separation of powers, when operating properly, protects the people by preventing the
consolidation of power into one person or branch of government.
Representatives – Guardians of Liberty
• Representatives are selected by a majority vote of the people. This is one of the fundamental differences between a republic and a democracy.
• The average citizen does not have time to study the issues to the extent required to make an informed vote. We elect representatives to do that for us.
• A representative government protects us from votes cast by individuals who are easily influenced by 30 second sound-bytes and expensive political ads.
Representation
Covenants and Accountability are the benefits of a representative government.
The representative has specific, covenant duty relating to the source and boundaries of his authority, the Constitution, and to those who choose him to perform that duty, the citizens. He is accountable to both for the ethical and wise performance of his duty.
Guardians of Liberty
• Guardians of liberty have been established at all levels and in all branches of government.
• Guardians were set up to ensure that the Constitutional provisions are in force.
Who are the guardians?
The people themselves!
First Level of Guardians
• The first level of guardianship comes from We the People.
• We must elect good leaders and hold them accountable for the execution of these responsibilities.
Additional Guardians
• Father : Guardian of the family. His role is to provide, protect, and represent the family.
• Local and State leaders: Guardians of the local governments
• House of Representatives: Guardians of the people
• Senate: Guardians of the States
• President: Guardian of the government
• Supreme Court : Guardian of the Constitution
Strong Government with vertical
separation of powers and local authority
Big Government with powers
transferred to the Federal Government
1787 2012
Vertical Separation of Powers
Turned upside down
One World Government
The Federal Government
Several States
Thousands of Counties
Millions of Communities
Tens of Millions Families
Hundreds of Millions
Individuals
1913 – The Fateful Year
Direct taxation on the people
16th Amendment
Removed control of economy from elected representatives and gave it to non-government owned private banks
Federal Reserve
Loss of State Representation
17th Amendment
The Butler Case – The Power to Tax EXPANDED
1936
The Federal Government Becomes the Watchdog over
the States
1940s
Federal Bureaus and Agencies created
Expanded Presidential Powers through Executive Orders and
Agreements
Judicial Legislation and Usurpation over State
Courts
Treaties to Restrict Freedom of Parents and Families
16th Amendment
• Introduced direct taxation on the people.
• Prior to the 16th amendment the Federal Government gave a tax assessment to the states.
• Interferes with the ability of the father to provide for his family.
Loss of state representation
• The original intent of the Founders was for Senators to be appointed by State Legislatures.
• The Founders had assigned the Senate the responsibility of representing the states as sovereign entities, which is why they were appointed by state legislatures rather than being elected directly by the people of the state.
The Role of the Senator
• They did not want the Senators to be compelled to involve themselves in the popular issues of the day but instead concentrate primarily on the protection of states rights and on maintaining the established order.
• The Senator would be accountable to the Legislature for how they protect State interests.
The 17th Amendment
• This amendment gives the people of each state the right to elect their United States Senators instead of having them appointed by their state legislatures.
• Both the Senate and the House are now a reflection of the popular will without reference to the sovereign interests of the states.
• The protective wall between individual families and the Federal government was broken. Prior to the 17th Amendment the Senators answered to State Legislatures and protected the rights of state and local governments.
The Power to Tax – EXPANDED!
United States v. Butler (1936)
• The Supreme Court shifted its thinking to believe that the “general welfare” clause was a general grant of power, and that Congress could spend tax money or even borrow money for a good cause even if it was not included in the enumerated powers.
• This decision alone destroyed the whole concept of limited government.
When did the Fed become the watch dog?
• The Founders did not want the Federal government to serve as a watchdog over the states’ responsibility to protect the rights of the people.
• IF the states failed in their responsibility, they wanted the pressure to build up, thus forcing correction within the confines of the state.
Historical Time Line
13th Amendment
• 1865
• Abolished slavery
14th Amendment
• 1868
• Guaranteed freed slaves their rights
15th Amendment
• 1870
• Guaranteed freed slaves the right to vote
3 Amendments passed in rapid succession after the Civil War
A Poorly Written Amendment
• The 14th amendment was written in retaliation to the civil war. The states of the North were punishing the states of the south.
• It was hastily and poorly written and includes the line “no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”
• Unfortunately it did more to destroy rights instead of protecting or giving rights.
1940s
• The Supreme Court separated the intent from the wording and substituted a totally revised and foreign interpretation.
• The Court declared that the purpose of the 14th Amendment was to limit the States not just on racial civil rights issues, but on numerous items contained within the Bill of Rights.
1940s
• The Federal Courts have also adopted a doctrine called “substantive due process” based on the 5th and 14th Amendments which has appropriated new federal jurisdiction by applying most of the federal Bill of Rights to State Governments.
• This amendment changed the Bill of Rights. They were no longer a prohibition against the Federal Government, but a prohibition against any level of government as defined by the Supreme Court.
How the 14th Amendment changed the 1st and 2nd Amendments
The original intent of the Founders was to get the Federal Government out so the State governments can be in.
– We have the responsibility within our own communities to protect our standards of morality, decency and safety.
– Each individual has a right and responsibility regarding standards of behavior in their community.
– If we the people allow evil to come into our community, then we are responsible.
Consequences of a Federal Watch Dog
• Judicial interpretation of the 14th Amendment allows the Federal Government to come in and dictate standards of morality, decency and safety within their own communities.
• Federal government is now coming into communities and churches to tell them what to do.
Current Examples:
Opinion on Prop 8 – 9th Circuit Court
“Prior to November 4, 2008, the California Constitution guaranteed the right to marry to opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples alike. On that day, the People of California adopted Proposition 8, which amended the State Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. We consider
whether that amendment violates the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
We conclude that it does.”
Current Examples:
Chicago’s ban on handguns: June 28, 2010
• The Supreme Court decision’s ruling against the city of Chicago pertaining to Chicago’s strict ban on handguns.
• The ruling basically said that the 14th Amendment allows the Federal Government to enforce Chicago’s right to bear arms.
Food for thought
• Have 2nd Amendment rights been protected or dictated?
• Does this open the door for the same type of dictatorial control over the 1st Amendment, the 10th Amendment, or any other part of the Bill of Rights?
• Will this decision establish a precedent that will allow them to come into each community and dictate standards of morality and decency?
Federal Bureaus and Agencies
• Over the last number of years, the Congress has established a number of agencies which have inundated the American free enterprise system with unconstitutional and destructive regulations.
• It is imperative the Congress reverse their actions and deregulate American businesses.
Executive Orders and Agreements
The unconstitutional expansion of the power of the President includes:
– Making new laws by executive order
– Imposing regulatory laws on domestic affairs
– Entering executive agreements with foreign nations
– Distributing trillions of dollars in government projects
– Administering billions of dollars in foreign aid
– Making grants of Federal Funds dependent on willing to accept policies and guidelines imposed by Washington
Problems with the Judiciary
• A bare majority of 5 justices can dominate national policy and procedures in a manner that constitutes making new laws and amending the Constitution.
• Supreme Court usurped authority over many types of cases in state courts.
• Erosion in public confidence as a result of appointments based on political considerations rather than judicial competence.
International Treaties – CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Anti-family activists working to undermine parental rights insist that children should be autonomous. They define “children’s rights’ to include, among other things, the right to abortion and sexual experimentation.
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is one of the greatest assaults on parental rights that went into effect in 1990. Every country except the U.S. and Somalia and ratified the CRC.
• Activists are using the courts, legislatures and schools to instill their anti-family, anti-moral, anti-life values in the young minds and hearts of our children and grandchildren.
International Treaties - CEDAW
UN Convention on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, known as CEDAW
• CEDAW intrudes on every aspect of family life – attacking
motherhood, life, religion, family roles and parental rights. • It calls for a change in the traditional role of men as well as
women in society and family and the elimination of practices which are based on stereotyped roles for men and women. (Motherhood is one of CEDAWS stereotyped roles)
• Jimmy Carter signed CEDAW in 1980, but so far conservatives have been able to block Senate ratification, which is required before a treaty can go into effect in the United States.
What part of the Constitution
has been broken
to create a Big Government
with little protection for families?
Problem Constitutional Reference
Executive Agreements and Orders Article I. Section 1. “all legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress”
Judicial Legislation Article I. Section 1. “all legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress”
Federal Bureaus and Agencies creating legislation and regulations
Article I. Section 1. “all legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress”
Direct taxation of the people 16th Amendment Judicial interpretation of “general welfare”
Loss of Representation – Selection of Senators 17th Amendment
Bill of Rights applied to State and Local Govt. with Federal Government watchdog.
Judicial interpretation of the 14th Amendment
Treaties written in a manner that restricts freedom of parents and families.
Article VI. “all treaties made under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land.
How do we repair a broken Constitution?
Constitutional Reference Actions to Repair
Article I. Section 1. “all legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress”
Election of a courageous Congress committed to Constitutional Restoration Deregulation and defunding
Clarify the role of the Executive branch with an amendment
Judicial Reform Amendment
16th Amendment The Liberty Amendment – Repeals the 16th Amendment
Eliminate the words “general welfare” from Article I. Section 8
17th Amendment
Repeal the 17th Amendment
14th Amendment Clarification of the 14th Amendment Redefine the Bill of Rights to reflect the original position of the Founders
Article VI. “all treaties . . . shall be the supreme law of the land.
Ask US Senators to make constituents aware of all treaties before they are ratified.
Suggested Amendments to the Constitution
Restrict an out-of-control
Executive Branch
Judicial Reform Amendment
Clarification of the 14th
Amendment
Liberty Amendment
(Repeals 16th)
Repeal 17th Amendment
Suggested Amendments
Restriction on an Out-of-Control Executive Branch – Executive orders apply ONLY to the administrative
offices of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.
– Remove authority from administrative agencies to make laws.
– Prevent the President from issuing any agreements with foreign powers, except as outlined under the treaty provisions of the Constitution.
Suggested Amendments
Judicial Reform Amendment – Section 1: Any decision or decree of the Supreme
Court which violates the original intent of the framers can be repealed by 2/3 of the House and Senate or ¾ of State Legislatures. Repeated violations grounds for impeachment.
– Section 2: Clarifies jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and courts of the Federal Judiciary.
– Section 3: Clarifies qualifications to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
See Healing of America, volume 4, page 38.
Suggested Amendments
Liberty Amendment
• To abolish the income tax, inheritance tax, and gift tax – repeals the 16th amendment
Suggested Amendments
Repeal the 17th Amendment
• Include a provision that the Senators be paid by individual states to increase loyalty of Senators to their own States.
• Include a provision that a Senator can be voted out of office by the decision of a super majority of their state legislators (super majority is 2/3).
Suggested Amendments
Clarification of 5th, 10th, and 14th Amendments
• Clarify that restrictions imposed by the 5th and 14th Amendments apply only to the Federal Government.
• Clarify that the 10th Amendment does not allow the Federal Government to become involved in the internal operations of the State.
• Redefine the Bill of Rights to reflect the original position of the Founders
In Addition . . .
• Insist on the phasing out of all bureaus which would not have been considered Constitutional prior to the Butler case in 1936.
• Eliminate national department of education – phasing out federal financing of public schools within the states.
• Eliminate the words “general welfare” from Article I. Section 8.
• Outlaw all ruling of administrative agencies not specifically approved by an act of Congress.
• Ask US Senators to make constituents aware of all treaties before they are ratified.