Each year we celebrate the Declaration of Independence which was a stinging indictment against King George and his tyranny. Sometimes, especially in this materialistic society in which we live today, we forget many of those signers not only put their fortunes at risk, but their very lives and those of their families. They had an understanding of the need to be a free people that we may never fully understand.
After declaring their independence from the King of England in July of 1776 and the Revolutionary War just getting started in April of 1775, the founding fathers had to know that failure was not an option.
In 1777, the Articles of Confederation “Pre Constitution” was signed which governed the states in the early years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The articles, however; were insufficient as means to govern the Nation. The need for super majorities was a problem requiring a unanimous vote on all amendments, and majority yea votes on all legislation. States were placing tariffs on one another. There was no central currency. There were disputes over boundaries and waterways. Some states even threatened to partner with foreign countries.
It was apparent there needed to be a central authority to deal with the weaker Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Perhaps even more concerning was the King of England’s perception that the thirteen States were unable to enforce their policies against foreign governments with military might. As such, the British refused to remove their troops and trading posts from the Northwest Territories. Americans were not afforded favored treatment at British ports. U.S. Minister to England, who would later become President, John Adams, could not broker a deal with the British to negotiate a commercial treaty because individual states would not be bound by it. The inequity in different currencies was also a problem with foreign countries. Differing money in different states had varying values.
As a result of our weak position both domestically and internationally, something had to be done to strengthen our position.
Tensions were running high within the states. Pockets of rebellion were taking place; so much so that George Washington warned, “There are combustibles in every state which a spark might set fire to.”
On May 27Th 1787, the Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia Convention) was held to strengthen the Articles of Confederation and soon the process to form a new government had begun which resulted in the U.S. Constitution.
The only agreement that came relatively easy is what we refer to as the Pre amble to the Constitution. We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity, do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America.
There were many obstacles to overcome including proportional representation which many small states refused, since they had considerably smaller populations than those of the larger states. After months of debate between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia plan, “The Great Compromise” was decided and voted upon giving each state two Senators and House Representatives, being decided upon by the population of each state.
There continued over these many months much argument, threats to walk out of the Convention, and true differences of opinion of the forming of this soon to be republic.
After four tedious months an agreement was reached for our new government. What is particularly interesting is the framers never thought it would take so long. James Madison was there on borrowed funds.
There were 55 drafters of the US Constitution and 39 signers of the US Constitution. They took the best characteristics from several governments such as Anglo-Saxon Law, the people’s law of Ancient Israel and philosophers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Cicero.
This magnificent document prompted such responses from the framers which leads one to believe even they were in disbelief to this remarkable finished work.
Benjamin Franklin: “I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance (As the framing of the Constitution) should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent ruler in whom all inferior spirits live and move and hand have their being. “
John Adams: ”The Constitution is the single greatest effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen. “
Charles Pinckney: “When the general convention met, no citizen of the United States could expect less from it than I did so many jarring interests and prejudices to reconcile. The variety of pressing dangers at our doors, even during the war, were barely sufficient to force us to act in concert and necessarily give way at time to each other. But when the great work was done and published, I was not only most agreeably not disappointed, but struck with amazement. Nothing less than the superintending hand of Providence that so miraculously carried us through the war could have brought this about.”
George Washington: “It appears to me…. Little short of a miracle that the delegates from so many different states are also different from each other in manners, circumstances, and prejudices should unite in forming a system of national government so little liable to well-founded objections.”
We can also, sadly, see how we have allowed our nation to drift ever so far away from the framers and this magnificent document just in our lifetime.
We have reached a point in time where we have accumulated massive debt for our children and grandchildren, which means that for the first time in recent history, they will have a lower standard living than we and our parents enjoyed.
Inflation is moving upwards, unemployment is still at over nine percent, the economy is on the brink of collapse, and we have to ask ourselves, what will we do? We have allowed the Federal Government to chip away at State’s rights to the point the States are enslaved by the Federal government. To be sure conservatives believe in a central government as outlined by the Constitution and believe in paying taxes to support those functions accordingly.
Clearly evident are both the Democrats and the Republicans are unable to forgo their own insatiable appetite for spending, which gives them power with lobbyists and keeps them in office. The Republican controlled Congress failed to hold their ground on cutting spending and signed onto raising the debt ceiling 2.5 Trillion and a “cutting plan” that will RAISE our National debt SEVEN TRILLION over the next ten years. At a recent meeting the LACC had with Republican Congressman Todd Akin, he admitted the leadership in the Republican led Congress, “really blew it.” Yes they did. The Congressman’s honesty was appreciated. Todd Akin and Vicky Hartzler voted against raising the Nation’s debt ceiling, In contrast, Missouri’s own Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer voted to raise the Nation’s ceiling, and potentially cripple our military if the super committee doesn’t come to an agreement. Automatic triggers will kick in and take 500 billion dollars from the defense budget and another $500 billion from Medicare. Luetkemeyer a conservative? You decide.
Congressman Luetkemeyer should adhere to those words quoted by James Madison. “I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse, and in a Republican Government, a greater curse than any other.”
The ACLU is supported by your tax dollars and is now suing the Camdenton R-III District with your money. All because we as parents have the right to protect what we want our kids to see, or not see. The ACLU wants kids to have the right to access at a public school what you won’t allow your own kids to access at home. Have you had enough yet?
Do you want to restore traditional conservative values to our Country? The idea of the Lake Area Conservative Club was discussed in one living room a little more than a year ago with about twenty people. Several months we worked on what we, as a conservative organization wanted to pursue. Many of us were tired of being lied to by both parties who call themselves conservative, but didn’t end up voting those values. We wanted something different, something honest. We are multifaceted in our mission. We want to pursue true conservatism (simply stated, you vote how you believe without compromise to your values). We will promote and work for those candidates. We also want to encourage those in the LACC to run for public office. We want to build an organization that is growing in strength and numbers that can affect how our legislators vote.
The Lake Area Conservative Club believes the task at hand is large, but not insurmountable. What will it take? One person, one community, one state at a time across this nation, taking the time to affect the change required. The response to the LACC has been overwhelming and we are rapidly growing because of our convictions.
On September 17th, the Lake Area Conservative Club will celebrate the 224th Anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution with its 1st Annual Constitution Dinner. We hope you remember the courage and commitment of our forefathers as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Cliff Luber
President,
Lake Area Conservative Club
