May 27, 2002

EDITORIAL OPINION PIECE

Stanley for U.S. Senate Campaign
Web Site: http://www.stanley2002.org
Contact: Rick Stanley, (303) 329-0481
Email:

=====================================================
The following statement of editorial opinion is offered for your use by Rick Stanley, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate.

MEMORIAL DAY
by Rick Stanley

Sometimes people ask me why I'm doing this. Running for U.S. Senate, I mean. As a Libertarian. Hasn't got a snowball's chance, they say. Sometimes I even wonder myself.

Then I remember that day so long ago when I entered my country's service. The words still echo in my mind: "... do solemnly swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." And I am reassured.

I think of a sitting president who knew of the impending attack on New York City, and did not lift a finger to prevent it. I think of the perfidious senators and representatives in Congress. Those men and women have also sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States. But their words ring hollow when they vote for an abomination like the U.S.A. Patriot Act without even reading it. They voted to repeal the Bill of Rights because it was the easy thing to do. The popular thing to do. The madness of the moment.

I think of the many who have fallen in our country's service. Korea. Vietnam. The Persian Gulf. Afghanistan. They gave their lives defending the Constitution. And yet, in every case, our leaders sold them out, sending them to fight on foreign soil in an unconstitutional exercise of America's imperial power. The Constitution says that Congress shall have power to declare war. But the traitors in Washington do not think of that. They think only of political expedience; of how the latest vote will affect their popularity in the opinion polls. They betray their oaths to support the Constitution -- again, and again, and again.

I think of the so-called War on Drugs. How three-quarters of a million Americans are arrested every year for simple possession of marijuana. I think of millions of peaceful people locked away in prison for "victimless" crimes. I read the Constitution once again, and I realize that there is not one shred of authority there for what our government has done. Thousands of innocent Americans have been killed and millions imprisoned because our government is waging an unconstitutional domestic war.

I think of judges all across America who will not allow defendants in their courtrooms to talk about the Constitution. Think of that! The supreme Law of the Land, set aside by judicial fiat.

I think of the government's war on gun owners. The Constitution says that the right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be infringed. It doesn't matter to them. They mean to rule America, and not merely to govern her. They want you, and me, and all our fellow citizens, to be docile, and passive, and unarmed.

I think of my ideals. Duty. Honor. Country. I remember that governments are instituted among men to secure our rights -- rights bestowed on us by the Creator of the Universe. I think of all that and the gorge rises in my stomach and my resolve is hardened.

I will not dishonor the memory of those who have fallen. I will never forsake the ideals that inspired the heroes who gave their last full measure of devotion. Until my dying day I will do my utmost to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. No matter the odds. Regardless of the consequences.

I will fulfill my oath.

======================================================
Rick Stanley is the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate from Colorado (www.stanley2002.org). Stanley is a Denver businessman with 27 years' experience serving the construction, plant maintenance and fleet maintenance industries. He is currently the owner and CEO of Stanley Fasteners and Shop Supply.