We the People organization suing US government over Iraq war, the Patriot

[Emillereid]

act, etc. Here's the press release. Apparently lots of the members of this organization are withholding their taxes from the government until their grievances are redressed. They are claiming that the congress had no right to give up their sole authority to declare war, that the patriot act violates the constitution, etc.


7/16/2004 10:43:00 AM


To: National Desk, Congressional Correspondent


Contact: Bob Schulz of We The People Foundation For Constitutional Education, Inc., 518-656-3578 or [e-mail]; Web: http://www.givemeliberty.org


WASHINGTON, July 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- On Monday, July 19, nearly 3,000 people from 50 states will file a lawsuit in the United States District Court, in Washington DC, in defense of their First Amendment Right to retain their federal tax money until their grievances are redressed.


During the last five years, 14,592 people have petitioned the President and every member of Congress for a Redress of Grievances relating to:


a) The war powers clauses of the Constitution and the Iraq Resolution, and


b) The taxing clauses of the Constitution and the direct, un- apportioned tax on labor.


c) The money clauses of the Constitution and the national debt.


d) The "privacy" clauses of the Constitution and the USA Patriot Act.


The only remedy sought by the People has been answers to certain questions.


Bob Schulz, the chairman of We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education said, "Thus far, the Executive and Legislative branches have arrogantly refused to answer the People's questions; they have refused to be held accountable to the Constitution, which not only guarantees the People's Right to Petition the government for a Redress of Grievances and obligates the government to properly respond, but guarantees the People the Right to retain their money until their grievances are redressed."


"Instead of answering the questions the government has been retaliating against the growing number of People who have decided to take a principled stand in defense of their First Amendment Rights by retaining the money," said Schulz. "We will ask the Court to order the Administration to answer the questions and, if the Administration refuses, to enjoin the Administration from further punishing the Petitioners until the questions are answered."


"The People are the source of all political power and, in America, all of government is limited by a written Constitution," said Schulz. "Any Right that is not enforceable is not a Right. The Petition process is the only non-violent instrument available for the individual and the minority to hold government accountable to the Constitution. The ballot is merely an instrument for the majority."


On Monday morning, July 19, approximately 530 of the Plaintiffs will meet at the National Press Club to hear from two constitutional law professors and the Mark Lane, the attorney representing the Plaintiffs. Then, at noon, the group will march to the District Courthouse to demonstrate their support for the filing of the complaint.





http://www.usnewswire.com/

[Joanne98]

1. These guys are interesting

I saw them on C-SPAN and couldn't tell if they were right or left wing.

[Emillereid]

3. I watched it on C-Span too.

I think they are basically libertarian. What they are doing is to be applauded -- and maybe joined. They are first and foremost defending the constitution -- which should ideally be the cause of both the right and left wings.

[Nadienne]

2. Hmm... What a neat idea....

:)

[candy331]

4. Reagan fired the air traffic controllers who dared to call the

Feds on the carpet so what will be the fate of these?

[hang a left]

5. I knew a man VERY closely some 20 years ago who belonged

to an outfit like this. Their argument back then was the fact that gold no longer backed the dollar so therefore any taxation of the citizens was against the constitution. Although I think they may have a valid argument, I believe these people were attempting to avoid paying taxes to the federal government, and that the conservation of our Constitution was being used as an excuse. THat is my buck fifty on the subject.

However....I do like their lawsuit and would love to hear a Constitutional Scholar opine upon this method to have our governmental grievances addressed by filing suit.