An Open Letter

This will be sent everywhere that I can send it. Hopefully some of you will support it and send it where you can.

“Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero

An open letter to all candidates, from all the parties, for the nomination to be President of the United States of America.

The nature of political debate in our great nation has devolved into a quagmire of 30 second sound bites and skirting of the issues facing our society. There are a few significant issues that are of great importance to our nation and our future. Please, at your leisure of course, review these questions and respond if you would be so kind.

Foreign Policy:

1. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution specifies the powers granted to the United States Congress. It states that one of those powers is “To declare War, grant letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;” The War Powers Act of 1973 allows for the President to send troops into combat (by authorization of Congress) for a period of 60 days with a further 30 withdrawal period. This act, and the sole authority of the Congress to declare war, seems to be in conflict with other actions that have allowed long term occupations and “nation building.” Will you commit now in writing and word to never place our troops in harm’s way without a Declaration of War from the Congress?
2. Will you pledge now in writing and in word to effectively secure the borders of the United States of America? The treasury of the United States, and the several states, cannot be spent for the benefit of those peoples that are not legally in the United States. This is a matter of protecting our laws and our economy.
3. Will you pledge now in writing and in word to sponsor an effective overhaul of our immigration laws that will allow for reasonable immigration balanced against our employment rate and needs?

Domestic Policy:

1. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that will prohibit our Legislature from passing any law that has provisions that preclude the Senators, Representatives, and the President from having to live under those laws?
2. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to adhere to the United States Constitution and not attempt by action or omission to pass laws that have an effect on the private lives of our fellow citizens excepting of course those actions that cause material harm to others?
3. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to repeal any law that allows for the use of Federal troops in domestic law enforcement actions?
4. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support and defend Amendment II of the United States Constitution and support the sovereign right of the citizens to defend themselves from criminal actions?
5. Article II, Section 1 states that “Each state shall appoint, in such a manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in Congress . . .” Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that requires all states to publish the names, offices, and manner of selection of all Electors vested with the authority to cast ballots for the office of the President of the United States?
6. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits any alteration or infringement upon the “Bill of Rights?”
7. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support Amendment XIII of the U.S. Constitution that specifically forbids slavery and involuntary servitude by repealing the Selective Service Act (in all of its manifestations)?
8. Will you commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the United States Constitution that would require the United States Supreme Court to grant certiorari to all questions of the meaning and application of the “Bill of Rights?”

Economic Policy:

1. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution specifies the powers granted to the United States Congress. It states that one of those powers is “To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the standard of Weights and Measures;” This section of the Constitution does not allow for the Congress to delegate this authority to a private body. The Federal Reserve as a private institution is allowed to operate as a private bank but they do not have the authority to take over Congressional authority and Congress can not delegate this authority any more than the Department of Defense can delegate our national armed forces to Black Water.
2. Will commit now, in writing and in word, to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prohibit the use of public funds for the benefit of private institutions and foreign governments without a popular vote to do so?

Any qualm with the United States Constitution cannot be solved by the Legislature passing a law to by-pass our foundation legal document. It cannot be solved by “signing statements” by the President of the United States. If there issues with our Constitution the mechanism exists to change the Constitution. I ask that you obey the Constitution.

Sincerely and most respectfully,

Brandt Smith

Citizen, veteran USAF