"Be a lifelong student. The more you learn, the more you earn and the more self-confidence you will have." – Brian Tracy

I haven’t posted in a while for many reasons, but I felt this was more than appropriate for everyone in this COUNTRY to read. This message speaks volumes to what really goes on in Congress, and their failure at progress and necessary change:

Announcing his retirement plans this afternoon, Sen. Evan Bayh [D, IN] cited the dysfunctions of Congress as his main reason:

“For some time I’ve had a growing conviction that Congress is not working as it should. There is much too much partisanship and not enough progress. Too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem solving. Even at a time of enormous national challenge, the people’s business is not getting done. Examples of this are legion but two recent ones will suffice.

Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed. But seven members who endorsed the idea, actually co-sponsored the legislation, instead voted no for short-term political reasons.

Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create new jobs — our nation’s top priority today — fell apart amidst complaints from both the left and the right.

All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state and our nation than continued service in Congress. To put it into words I think most people can understand, I love working for the people of Indiana. I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives. But I do not love Congress.You can watch full video of his announcement here.

This is copied from a post by OpenCongress.org available here.

I consider myself a Libertarian and enjoy reading the weekly “LP Monday Message” emails delivered by the Libertarian Party. This week’s email is of, in my opinion particular importance and therefore I chose to post it here on my website.

December 14, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Tomorrow, December 15, is Bill of Rights Day. I don’t know how much we’ll hear about it in the media, but you and I know how important the Bill of Rights is. The Founders recognized that it was important to be specific about what government must not do.

The Libertarian Party platform expresses support for the Bill of Rights in many places. For example:

First Amendment:
“We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.” (1.1)

Second Amendment:
“We affirm the right to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. We oppose all laws at any level of government requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition.” (1.6)

Fourth Amendment:
“We support the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property.” (1.2)

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments:
“We oppose reduction of constitutional safeguards of the rights of the criminally accused. The rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied.” (1.5)

Of course, one of the most serious problems America faces today is that the federal government completely ignores the Tenth Amendment, which says the federal government only has the limited powers granted by the Constitution, and no other powers. Unfortunately, our federal government has usurped a long list of powers that are not granted by the Constitution — far too many to list in this email.

The Democratic and Republican parties, and their politicians, have very little respect for the Bill of Rights. The Bush and Obama administrations have been especially destructive, not only continuing the expansion of federal power far beyond what is allowed by the Tenth Amendment, but also trampling on due process, privacy protections, and free speech.

Most Americans admire the Bill of Rights, but I think many of them are unaware how much our government violates them. If you run for office as a Libertarian candidate, you can help inform people. We not only need Libertarian candidates elected, we also need to convince Americans to demand that the government must get back inside the limits of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Sincerely,

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

This is not an endorsement of the Libertarian Party or the Libertarian National Committee. I am not a paid-member of the LP, just a concerned American interested in passing on an important message.

If you feel this post is in violation of copyright, or an infringement against the LP, or that credit has not been appropriately, or adequately given please email stephen@bruington.com.