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April 18, 2005

In the State of Washington, as in other states, elected officials from the Governor on down swear an oath of office. The oath for elected officials in Washington state starts “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States…” If an elected official is aware that there is a violation of the Constitution or its amendments, it is the primary duty of said elected official to act on behalf of the people to defend the Constitution by any and all legal means as stated in the oath they take. Unambiguous.

So, how best should an elected official proceed with such a powerful directive?  By ignoring it? By asking permission or guidance of his or her party apparatus? By asking lobbyists clamoring for favor? By taking a poll to see if his or her constituents approve? Or by working with constituents and other elected officials to redress violations to the Constitution as the first priority of their office? By understanding the edicts of the constitution and its Amendments. By acting without bias or personal advantage. By asking, “What does the Constitution require of me?” By determining legal avenues to pursue, and above all, by listening to what his or her conscience articulates.

The Constitution states, “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Do lies that cause us to enter into wars constitute a high Crime? The Constitution says yes! Does the approval of torture in violation of international law rise to the level of a high crime? The Constitution says yes! Do wars that take property and drain the resources of another country, without fair payment, amount to high crimes? The Constitution says yes! When the President enters the United States into undeclared wars what are we obligated to do? We are required to stand in opposition as patriotic Americans! And do preemptive wars of aggression violate the constitution as well as international law? The Constitution says yes!

The First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Did the internment camps of World War II, or the camps at Guantanamo and elsewhere violate the protections of the First Amendment? The Constitution says yes! Do attempts to introduce religious teachings into government contravene the First Amendment? The Constitution says yes!

The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution states, “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” Is holding United States citizens against their will, without trial or due process, a violation of their Sixth Amendment rights even if they are suspected of crimes against the state, including treason? The Constitution says yes!

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Is the torture at Guantanamo and other camps directly banned by the Eighth Amendment. The Constitution says yes! I, repeat, the Constitution says yes!

What will you, our leaders do, when confronted with injustice, high crimes and the violation of our Constitutional rights?

Will you stand up to corruption?

Will you work with others to overcome injustice?

What actions will you take, now and in the future, to ensure that the Constitution is not just a grand idea, but a vital living document that America and the world looks to for justice?

And if the mandate of your oath is ignored, what is left of the promise that is America?

We are here to ask you, our legislators, to stand with the Constitution.

We ask that you openly oppose the illegal and corrupt war with Iraq.

We ask that you speak out to bring our troops home without further bloodshed.

We ask that you use your office to work towards the immediate end of hostilities in Iraq.

We ask that you support an effort to impeach and or arrest the criminals that initiated the war, the criminals that caused the death of 1550 Americans and 100,000 Iraqis.

Our nation was founded on the promise of liberty and justice, the promise of the rule of law. We have been promised a Constitution that protects all of us, both strong and weak. Our nations leaders, for too long, has violated and abused the Constitution to serve special interests and elites. They have broken every treaty ever signed with Native Americans. Our nation has invaded with force or clandestine operation sixty-seven other counties since 1945, almost always with the sole purpose of protecting a corporation’s interests. Almost all of the invasions and operations left these counties with totalitarian governments. Our national leaders have failed to uphold the Constitution. We ask that you, our state leaders, work to put a halt to our nations shame. We ask that you keep your oath.

Johnny Peaceseed