JUNE 19, 2002

EDITORIAL OPINION PIECE

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

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

The American Proclamation of Freedom
by Rick Stanley

On June 19, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln outlined the Emancipation Proclamation, which would eventually abolish slavery in all the U.S. territories. In an excerpt from his speech, Lincoln wrote "... all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedoms of such persons and will do no act or acts to repress such persons or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."

Powerful words for a time in our history that was to establish guarantees that unjust enslavement would never happen again. However, I believe tyrannical oppression by an unconstitutional government has enslaved the America of today. The U.S. government through illegal means has exerted, exploited and placed unreasonable burdens, by their abuse of power and authority, upon the people of America today. Americans have either voluntarily or involuntarily become the bondsmen of unconstitutional laws imposed by executive, judicial and legislative branches that restrict, oppress, control or curtail the freedoms guaranteed them by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

It is time for American citizens to regain their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms -- through elimination of illegal laws and onerous representatives and returning once again to the founding principles that established this country as a true republic. We need a proclamation today for Americans -- for restoration of our freedoms and our children's freedoms, and that these freedoms shall be established, protected and upheld by constitutional law, under a constitutionally defined governing body.

Here is that proclamation for today.

We, Americans of the United States, with Divine Providence and Protection, do proclaim and hereby declare the rights and freedoms of Americans as guaranteed under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to be sovereign and indefeasible. We further proclaim that the true American Republic government, a government constitutionally defined that is of the people, by the people and for the people, will establish, uphold and defend equal rights and opportunities for all Americans; and with declarative purpose resolve to pursue prosperity, happiness and liberty for this nation and all its parts through constitutionally equated principles, precepts, and laws. That such fundamental doctrines shall include protection of all citizens by constitutional laws; freedom from oppressive and exploitative government and freedom of constitutionally instituted governing bodies; freedom to seek to secure and protect property ownership, and freedom from unlawful intrusions, searches or seizures; freedom from imposition of unfair taxation with citizen and elected representative involvement, and freedom to have constitutionally defined and collected taxes; freedom to keep and bear arms for self-defense and preservation; freedom to move about without restriction within ones communities and across state lines and national borders; freedom to live and take up residence, and freedom from forced or limited travel; freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of the press; freedom to protect oneself, one's family and possessions; freedom to vote in free elections as a means of delegating authority to the governing bodies; freedom of due process of law with freedom from cruel and unusual punishment; freedom to worship whatever, however, or wherever one chooses; freedom to work in occupations of one's own choosing; freedom to seek further education, knowledge and learning; and other such unalterable and inalienable freedoms as written and guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

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"We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts -- not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." -- Abraham Lincoln

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government." -- Thomas Jefferson

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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.