TUG-OF-WAR BATTLE WITH TYRANNY

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was established with Balance of Power between the branches of government. Yet during recent years, a tug-of war battle has escalated in the Oval Office. The battle outcome will determine if the Balance of Power within the Constitution will be upheld, or if our country will fall under tyranny.

On March 11, 2011, President Obama unconstitutionally deployed an offensive military force to Libya by side-stepping the Balance of Power without congressional approval to do so. The first constitutional warning shot was fired above the Oval Office by a Democrat, U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich from Ohio.  Rep. Kucinich introduced a Resolution to mandate immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Libya due to the absence of congressional approval for the deployment.  Despite the strong bipartisan support, Kucinich's Resolution did not garner enough votes to pass.  However, another constitutional warning shot has been fired above the Oval Office, and this time by a Republican. House Concurrent Resolution 107 (H.Con.Res.107) was introduced to classify initiating war without congressional approval to be an unconstitutional, impeachable offense. Before this can be enacted, both the U.S. House and Senate must pass H.Con.Res.107. Upon passing, it will declare to any president seated in the Oval Office that presidential decisions and actions shall be held accountable by the U.S. Constitution. The basic difference between these two Resolutions is that the Kucinich Resolution focused on a solution to the issue, whereas H.Con.Res.107 focuses on a solution to the problem causing the issue.

U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC-3rd Dist.) sponsored H.Con.Res.107, and on March 7, 2012, it was introduced and referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The House Judiciary Committee is chaired by U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX-21st Dist.).

As voters watch for signs of progress in the legislative journey of H.Con.Res.107, Texans especially will closely watch Rep. Smith who is the first Republican from Texas to serve as chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. It is likely that Rep. Smith will hear from Texans, and others. Perhaps they will say, “the eyes of Texas are upon him” and that they want to see a major victory in the “ayes” for H.Con.Res.107.

In a telephone interview with U.S. Rep. Jones about his intent in introducing H.Con.Res.107, he clearly conveyed his respect for the Constitution as well as his desire to protect U.S. military troops. He cited the first paragraph in H.Con.Res.107, which states "Expressing the sense of    Congress that the use of offensive military force by a President without prior and clear authorization of an Act of Congress constitutes an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor under article II, section 4 of the Constitution." 

In response to a question about the definition of "high crime" in the above wording, Rep. Jones stated, "For the 'high crime and misdemeanor',  the term is used for broad sweeping crimes that aren't necessarily criminal.  It only applies to people in a 'high' position, such as the President, who can use the authority of that position to circumvent the law.  In this specific instance waging unauthorized war is clearly an abuse of power by the President and therefore qualifies." 

Rep. Jones mentioned that 31 congressional members are of the opinion that when a president unconstitutionally initiates offensive military force without congressional approval, their thought is for Congress to exercise the power to de-fund the military deployment. But a de-fund would not only cut off funds from that particular military force, it would also cut off much-needed supplies from even reaching those deployed troops. A de-fund is not wise because our troops would be in gravely hazardous conditions while on hostile foreign soil and without necessary survival supplies.

On March 22nd, U.S. Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN-2) was the first to align with Rep. Jones by becoming a cosponsor of H.Con.Res.107.  Other cosponsors now include Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA-4), Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-5), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO-6), and Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI-8).  A growing number of legislators and citizens have also chosen to take a stand with Rep. Jones.  He reported that his office has already received calls of support from 47 different states.

Our country's history book is written by individual Americans. Each U.S. Representative, each U.S. Senator, and each voting citizen hold an ink pen in their own hand for the writing of chapters in our country’s history book. In that book’s chapter for year 2012, this tug-of-war battle with tyranny will be recorded. The historical outcome of this battle is being written one page at a time by the ink pens held in the hands of the elected officials and citizens who shape this country.

COSPONSORS:

John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN-2), March 22, 2012

Tom McClintock (CA-4), March 28, 2012

Dan Burton (IN-5), April 18, 2012

Mike Coffman (CO-6), April 18, 2012

Reid J. Ribble (WI-8), April 27, 2012

Dan Benishek (MI-1), May 17, 2012

Louie Gohmert (TX-1), May 17, 2012

(1) Leave voice mail messages for any U.S. Rep. and/or U.S. Senator (any day/any time): call

 U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121; 

(2) article about Obama’s Libya deployment: http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/kuligowski/110622 ; 

(3) article about Kucinich’s Resolution: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/03/house-libya-resolutionsvote_n_870884.html ; 

(4) World Net Daily article/video: http://www.wnd.com/2012/03/obama-impeachment-bill-now-in-congress/

(5) Sign up for free online course entitled "Constitution 101: The Meaning & History of the Constitution"  www.constitution.hillsdale.edu ; and 

(6) permission granted to forward this article as written with author’s name included.