Sunday, December 27, 2009

Evening with the U.S. Constitution and Mike Lee

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Every single day I receive phone calls, emails and Facebook messages from people begging me to give them the answers ... they want to know how we are going to rescue the U.S. Constitution and the Republic. I have been very public about the solutions: become educated about the Constitution and the Republic, American history and our founding fathers. Learn why they chose a representational form of government over a pure democracy. But the thing I've said once if I've said it a thousand times, "find a candidate you can get behind and throw your support behind that person, 150%."

While Mike Lee has not formerly announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate and the seat Bob Bennett currently holds, he has made his intentions clear enough that everyone knows he will be throwing his hat into the ring in a matter of weeks. He is the one I'm throwing my support behind, 150%.

But this night is about the U.S. Constitution, why it was created, what it is all about. The Constitution is our rule of law, and as Mike Lee has said, every law and piece of legislation should be measured against the Constitution and then dealt with accordingly. Come and learn, be motivated and be inspired. Bring your friends, family and neighbors...leave no one untold about this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the most brilliant constitutional minds in our nation. I do not grant that title lightly, for I am related to another of the greatest constitutional minds in our nation.

This is an amazing opportunity for every Utahan. I love, support, stand for and defend the U.S. Constitution as our rule of law. This is your chance to strengthen your educational foundation as an American citizen. An educated and literate society cannot be overthrown...think about that for a moment, and then come meet Mike Lee.

I've created a flyer announcing "An Evening with the U.S. Constitution and Mike Lee" for willing Americans to hand out to their friends, family and neighbors. If you are interested in receiving one, please feel free to email me at ces@candacesalima.com and I'll send it right back to you.

Here's a little bit about Mike Lee himself:

Mike has a great love of the Constitution, which he holds dear and wants desperately to preserve. The Constitution - including everything from the Due Process Clause to the Presentment Clause - was discussed around the Lee family's dinner table, almost in the same way many families talk about the weather, school, or the day's events. As a result, at a very young age Mike acquired a great love and admiration for the Constitution and for the principles found therein.

After graduating from Law School in 1997, he served as a law clerk to Judge Dee Benson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. He then clerked for then-Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr., who was serving at that time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Court. From there he went into private practice, joining the Washington, D.C. office of Sidley & Austin, where he specialized in appellate and Supreme Court litigation. Several years later, Mike returned to Utah after being invited to serve as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Salt Lake City, preparing briefs and arguing cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He served as Governor Huntsman's General Counsel from January 2005 until June 2006, when he returned to Washington to serve a one-year clerkship at the U.S. Supreme Court with Justice Alito.

Mike returned to Utah (and to private practice) in the summer of 2007, joining the Salt Lake office of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Howrey LLP. Mike has earned a reputation as a truly outstanding lawyer based on his sound judgment, unsurpassed writing and courtroom advocacy skills, and thorough understanding of the Constitution (and of federal law generally).

Mike has a strong desire to bring about fundamental change in the way the federal government operates. In particular, he supports efforts to:

1. Secure passage and ratification of a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to operate on a balanced budget

2. Secure passage and ratification of a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on U.S. Senators and Representatives

3. Rein in entitlement spending

4. Reform campaign finance laws, many of which restrict core political speech in violation of the First Amendment and - while cleverly presented to the public as ethics-reform laws - are principally designed to give incumbent Senators and Representatives an unfair advantage over challengers

Mike, his wife Sharon, and their three children live in Alpine.

Mike is an administrator for The Article I Society, check it out: (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=143699482286&v=info#/group.php?v=wall&gid=143699482286)

And please become a member of "Draft Mike Lee to run for the U.S. Senate: (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=221765717795&ref=ts)

Keep an eye on this man. Michael Lee will be our next U.S. Senator. I am putting my "money" where my mouth is. This is how we will turn this nation around. Electing men and women with courage, strength, a deep and abiding love of the U.S. Constitution, America and an understanding of the American purpose in the world.

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Noah Webster Academy
Street: 205 East 400 South
City/Town: Orem, UT

Candace Salima
OR28 Precinct Chair
Republican Party

...but more importantly, first and foremost,

an American citizen.


Copyright 2009. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Meet with our Representative: Brad Daw

Don't forget everyone. Tonight is the night where Representative Brad Daw is meeting with everyone in Legislative District 60, be you a delegate or a constituent, you are invited to join us. This is your opportunity to hear Rep. Daw's take on what our nation is facing right now and what Utah's legislators can do to protect us.

Noah Webster Academy
206 East 400 South
Orem, UT

We have moved the time from 7:30 p.m. back to 7:00 p.m. So be sure and be there this evening by 6:55 p.m.. This is your chance to hear and be heard from someone who is in our corner! One hour of your time dedicated to the health and wealth of Utah. Not a bad way to spend an hour.

I hope to see you all there. Please bring your neighbors and friends...this is open to everyone in Legislative District 60.

Candace Salima
Candidate for Legislative District 60 Chair

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Legislative District 60 Open House

. . . Q&A with Representative Brad Daw

Meet with your legislator in Legislative District 60 -- Brad Daw. Brad has done a great job of representing our district over the last few years. This is your chance to sit down with him and ask him any questions you want.

Brad is extremely knowledgeable about the Constitution, America, Utah and what we are facing today, from both a federal and state level. He is a member of the Patrick Henry Caucus and is doing great things for the State of Utah.

This is a wonderful opportunity for both delegates and citizens to show up, learn from and question our representative and become more involved in the political process. This is one of the rare events which allows everyone to attend, not just delegates. So please spread the word and let's get involved!

Wednesday - August 13, 2009
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tentatively Scheduled at Noah Webster Academy
206 East 400 South
Orem, UT 84058

Contact: Candace E. Salima (801-358-6213) or ces@candacesalima.com.
Organized by Candace E. Salima of Orem Precinct 28.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

It's Time for a Tea Party

This Saturday is July 4th, America's Birthday. The Patriot's Day Tea Party is a gathering of Americans from all walks of life, from all parties, all organizations, all with one goal...the restoration of the Republic and the Constitution reinstated as the rule of law. We are speaking up for America. Americans uniting in a single voice in defense of our nation.

Yes, we have great speakers, great music, great food and fun planned for this tea party. But at its heart is the desire of each person attending to restore America to her full glory. May I issue each of you a solemn promise: America will not fall. We can and will save her. But it will take each of us talking to family, friends, neighbors and peers, encouraging them to stand up for truth, stand up for America.

This Saturday, those attending the Orem tea party will be joining over 1,33 other tea parties and millions of Americans across the nation as we unite in this great cause. As I have stated over and over, there is no greater way to celebrate the birth of America by fighting for our liberty and our Constitution on our Independence Day.

Have a wonderful week everyone. See you on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. sharp!

Lakeridge Junior High Football Field
951 South 400 West
Orem, UT
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Park in the UVU (Utah Valley University) parking lots H & J right across the street (behind the trees).

The parking lot to the north of Lakeridge Junior High is reserved for the disabled and elderly who are limited in their physical capabilities.

Remember that Rubios, Wallabys, Hot Dog King, Flour Girls & Dough Boys as well as SubZero Ice Cream will all be there selling food.

Also, Veterans of Foreign Wars will be selling drinks, the proceeds of which will go to the Veterans Administration in order to purchase a van to transport soldiers and veterans to and from their appointments.

I look forward to seeing you all there. Join us in the morning and early afternoon and then you're off for family celebrations and Freedom Festival festivities.

Speakers: Candace E. Salima, AG Mark Shurtleff, Rep. Brad Daw, Jean-Claude Wicks, Scott Bishop, Jennifer Kindrick, Doug Osmond, Denise (Letters to Soldiers), Sgt. Kraig A. Thorne

Musicians: Shaun Barrowes, Doug Osmond, Jill Camp Swensen, Drew Reese, Heather Andrews, Angela Winston and the One Voice Children's Choir

May God bless each of you and America,
Candace E. Salima

More details at: Tea Party Utah Blog
Facebook Event: Patriot Day July 4th Tea Party - Orem

Monday, June 22, 2009

Wake Up America

I will be interviewed about the direction America is heading in tomorrow on the Devin Norris Radio Show, join us at 8:00 a.m. MST or call in at (646) 378-1596. You can simply listen in by clicking on the link below. I'd love to have all of you calling in or listening tomorrow.

FYI: Devin Norris has already announced his intention to run for president in 2012 (http://devinnorris.com). He is a staunch conservative so I'm really looking forward to the conversation tomorrow!

Wake Up America

From Devin's radio show page:

Special Guest on this broadcast with best selling Author Candace E. Salima who is author of the book titled: Forged In the Refiners Fire. She will be here with us on Tuesday, June 23rd at 8:00 a.m. MST. We are going to talk about first where this nation is headed. Candace's point of view is very unique. Trust me, She will Wake America Up!

http://candacesalima.blogspot.com, http://candacesalima.com, http://teapartyutah.blogspot.com

Catch you all in the a.m.

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Monday, April 27, 2009

Utah Republican 2009 State Organizing Convention

2009 Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Davis County Conference Center
1651 North 700 West,
Layton, UT

8 a.m. State Central Committee
10 a.m. 2009 Organizing Convention Call to Order

Those intending to run for State Party Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer must file in writing no later than 5:00 pm Wednesday May 13, 2009.

Candidates may file by:

Fax: 801.533.0327
Email: info@utgop.org

In person:
117 E South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

CHECK OUT THE UT GOP BLOG

CONTACT US AT
info@utgop.org

800.230.UTAH
801.533.9777

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Utah Tax Day Tea Party

For Immediate Release: PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Salt Lake City: The Tax Day Tea Party is a national collaborative grassroots effort organized by Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, the DontGo Movement and many other online groups/coalitions.

The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the White House Administration and Congress. Specifically, the flawed "Stimulus Bill" and pork filled budget.

During Rick's rant, he called for a "Chicago tea Party" where advocates of the free-market system could join in a protest against out of control government spending. On February 27th, an estimated 30,000 Americans took to the street in 40+ cities across the country in the first nationwide "Tea Party" protest.

Newt Gingrich announces his endorsement of nation-wide Tax Day Tea Parties:

What: Tax Day Tea Party Protest Rally
Who: All of Utah with all other 49 states participating
When: April 15, 2009
From: Noon – 2PM
Where: Federal Building
125 S. State St.
Salt Lake City, UT

Contact Person: Adam Gardiner, 801-814-8963 // Email Adam

National Website: Taxdayteaparty.com
Local Website: Utah Tax Day Tea Party
Event Link: Join Us and Make Your Voice Be Heard, accept your invitation to the party.

###

Adam Gardiner is doing a fantastic job so I hope to see you all there! Let's blow that 30,000 out of the water and have millions upon millions of America participating across the nation. Go to the national website and locate your local Tax Day Tea Party and let's raise our voices to the heaven. America will stand. Freedom will stand. The Constitution will stand. Socialism will not succeed in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Confirmed Speakers:

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff: Strength and Power of the Constitution as the Rule of Law
Congressman Jason Chaffetz: Dangers of Big Government
Congressman Rob Bishop: High Taxes, BLM and Federal Land Grabs
Candace E. Salima: Dangers of Socialism

From the crowd, 2 to 3 minute speakers in between each of the main speakers. Come and let your voice be heard. The silent majority is silent no longer.

Bring your flags.
Bring your signs.
Bring your teabags.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Socialism Series Part 1: A Vision and a Hope for the Youth

I find it wholly and completely appropriate to begin our series on socialism with a talk by Ezra Taft Benson, the 13th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His words, so prophetic at the time, describe our day and time and the same deception which was occurring then has now taken over the nation.

The last presidential election, and I speak boldly and truthfully, was an election of race and ignorance. Minorities, almost as a whole, voted for the first black man to make a successful run for the oval office. It didn't matter what his politics or values were, he was black . . . they voted for him. And second, and most frightening, Americans no longer understand the inherent and insidious dangers of socialism to freedom and the American way.

Obama wants to wash away all that is good and right about America, sweep the republic under rug and emerge with shining example of socialism, nee' communism, just as predicted by Kreuchev in the mid 1960's.

And so, I ask you to carefully read, and take to heart, what Ezra Taft Benson had to say to the students of Brigham Young University on the topic of socialism, which is the practice of communism:

A Vision and a Hope for the Youth
Elder Ezra Taft Benson, Apostle
Speech to BYU Students
12 April 1977

My beloved brethren and sisters, humbly and gratefully I stand before you this morning and seek an interest in your faith and prayers that the message that I have may be accompanied by the Spirit. It is a wonderful sight that I view here this morning. It is good to be with you, my beloved young friends, distinguished members of the faculty, and special guests.

My wife and I have just returned from a glorious weekend at St. George, where I had the privilege of addressing three overflow audiences, two in the largest auditorium they have at Dixie College and made up largely of young people, and one on the fourth floor of the temple in a Solemn Assembly. We were honoring the centennial of the dedication of the St. George Temple, the first one to be erected in the western part of the country. We are still basking in the aftermath of another great general conference of the Church. Never in my memory have we had more explicit warnings from prophets of God; and nowhere in the world are there men better prepared or more obligated to issue such warnings.

The Celestial Kingdom

Today I want to discuss some principles and laws of the celestial kingdom, and some of the fallacies of their perverted counterfeits in the world. I share with you a vision of your eternal possibilities. The celestial kingdom, residence of God, our Eternal Father, is comprised of men and women who have complied with divine law and who were not deceived by the craftiness of men or the doctrines of devils. They are just men made perfect through the mediation and atonement of Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:69). They are obedient to celestial law; for, as the Lord has said, he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory (D&C 88:22).

Celestial laws, embodied in certain ordinances belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, are complied with by voluntary covenants. The laws are spiritual. Thus, our Father in Heaven has ordained certain holy sanctuaries, called temples, in which these laws may be fully explained, the laws include the law of obedience and sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration.

I want to speak more particularly this morning about this one law--the law of consecration. It is that one's time, talents, strength, property, and money are given up to the Lord for the express purpose of building up the kingdom of God and establishing Zion on the earth. Or, as we read in Doctrine and Covenants 105:5, "Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom."

Much has been written about this law and its attempted implementations in the early history of the Church; and much deception has taken root, even among some of our members, because of misinformed opinion or misguided interpretations. Some view it as merely an economic alternative to capitalism or the free enterprise system, others as an outgrowth of early communal experiments in America. Such a view is not only shortsighted but tends to diminish in importance a binding requirement for entrance into the celestial kingdom. The law of consecration is a celestial law, not an economic experiment.

The vehicle for implementing the law of consecration is the united order. The basic principle underlying the united order is that everything we have belongs to the Lord; and, therefore, the Lord may call upon us for any and all of our property, because it belongs to him. The united order was entered by "a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken" (D&C 42:30), according to the scriptures. In other words, an individual conveys his titles to all his property to the Church through the bishop. The property becomes the property of the Church. You read about this in the forty-second section of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The bishop then deeds back to the consecrator by legal instrument the amount of personal property required by the individual for the support of himself and his family, as the Lord declares, "according to his circumstances and his wants and needs" (D&C 51:3). This becomes the private, personal property of the individual to develop as he sees fit. It is his stewardship. When an individual produces a profit or surplus more than is needful for the support of himself and his family, the surplus is then placed in the bishops storehouse to administer to the poor and the needy. Under the united order, idleness has no place, and greed, selfishness, and covetousness are condemned. The united order may therefore operate with only a righteous people.

It has been erroneously concluded by some that the united order is both communal and communistic in theory and practice because the revelations speak of equality. Equality under the united order is not economic and social leveling as advocated by some today. Equality, as described by the Lord, is "equal[ity] according to [a man's] family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs" (D&C 51:3).

Is the united order a communal system? Emphatically not. It never has been and never will be. It is "intensely individualistic." Does the united order eliminate private ownership of property? No. "The fundamental principle of this system [is] the private ownership of property" (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Conference Report, October 1942, p. 57).

Two separate groups of saints have fully implemented this divine law. The first was the united order under Enoch, wherein the Lord designated this people Zion, "because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." We read of this in the seventh chapter, eighteenth verse, of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price. A second instance was the Nephite civilization following the visit of the Savior to the Western Hemisphere after his resurrection. This is recorded in 4 Nephi, the third verse particularly. The failure of the early Saints in this dispensation to live according to the fulness of the law is explained by the Lord in revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, sections 101 and 105.

I repeat and emphasize that the law of consecration is a law for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom. God, the Eternal Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and all holy beings abide by this law. It is an eternal law. It is a revelation by God to his Church in this dispensation. Though not in full operation today, it will be mandatory for all Saints to live the law in its fulness to receive celestial inheritance. You young people today abide a portion of this higher law as you tithe, pay a generous fast offering, go on missions, and make other contributions of money, service, and time.

Satan's Counterfeit System

But whenever the God of heaven establishes by revelation his design, Satan always comes among men to pervert the doctrine, saying, "Believe it not." He often establishes a counterfeit system, designed to deceive the children of men. His aim, as it was before the foundation of this earth was laid, is to thwart the agency of man and to subjugate him. Throughout all ages of mankind, the adversary has used human agents and despotic governments to establish his purpose. Satan is determined to destroy all that is dear, all that will ennoble and exalt man to a celestial kingdom.

Isaiah foresaw the time when a marvelous work and a wonder would come forth among men (see Isaiah 29:14). Isaiah also predicted that there would be those that "seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they [shall] say, Who seeth us?" (Isaiah 29:15). He saw the time when the work, man, shall say of him that made him, "He made me not," denying his creation (see Isaiah 29:16). It is well to ask what self-proclaimed atheists came on the human scene following the restoration of the gospel, who established secret works of darkness to overthrow nations by violent revolution and who blasphemously proclaimed the atheistic doctrine that God made us not. Yes, Satan works through human agents. We need only look to some of the ignoble figures in human history who were contemporary to the restoration of the gospel to discover fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. I refer to the infamous founders of communism, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Today, if we are alert, we can see further fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies.

Communism--a System Antithetical to the Gospel of Christ

Through the instigation of Marx and Engels, a most successful counterfeit to the united order was introduced into the world. The declaration of principles found in their Manifesto to the World advocated the overthrow of capitalism and free enterprise, the abolition of private property, the elimination of the family as a social unit, the abolition of all classes, the overthrow of all governments, and the establishment of communal ownership of property in a classless, stateless society. All this was to be accomplished by revolution.

On July 3, 1936, the First Presidency published this warning to Church members. I quote it in part; I hope you will get a copy of the full statement for your files. In part, the statement reads:

. . . Communism is not a political party, nor a political plan under the Constitution; it is a system of government that is the opposite of our Constitutional government. . . .

Since Communism, established, would destroy our American Constitutional government, to support Communism is treasonable to our free institutions, and no patriotic American citizen may become either a Communist or supporter of Communism.

To our Church members we say, Communism is not the United Order, and bears only the most superficial resemblance thereto. Communism is based upon intolerance and force, the United Order upon love and freedom of conscience and action. . . .

Communists cannot establish the United Order, nor will Communism bring it about. . . .

Communism being thus hostile to loyal American citizenship and incompatible with true Church membership, of necessity no loyal American citizen and no faithful Church member can be a Communist.

We call upon all Church members completely to eschew [and shun] Communism. The safety of our divinely inspired Constitutional government and the welfare of our Church imperatively demand that Communism shall have no place in America.

Signed,

President Heber J. Grant
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay
The First Presidency

You students have only to read some of the speeches and writings of the exiled Russian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn to appreciate this farsighted warning of the First Presidency.

I have been on both sides of the Iron Curtain several times. I have talked to these godless leaders face to face. I say to you with all the sincerity of my soul that since 1933 this godless counterfeit to the gospel has made tremendous progress towards its objective of world domination, for over one-third of the human family are now under totalitarian subjugation.

Today we are in a battle for the bodies and souls of men. It is a battle between two opposite systems: freedom and slavery, Christ and anti-Christ. The struggle today is more momentous than a decade ago, yet today the conventional wisdom, so called, is that we have got to learn to live with communism, to give up our ideas about national sovereignty. You hear that repeated today. Tell that to the millions--yes, the scores of millions--who have met death or imprisonment under the tyranny of communism. Learn to live with communism? Such would be the death knell of freedom and all we hold dear.

The gospel of Jesus Christ can prosper only in an atmosphere of freedom. As members of his Church, we have a major responsibility to do all in our power to see that freedom is preserved and safeguarded. I pray that God will bless you to see communism for what it really is: the greatest system of human slavery that the world has ever known. May you not be deceived into believing that the communists have moderated their goal toward world domination. I say to you that so-called detente is a fraud. Time will prove it to be such.

There is no excuse for any BYU instructor to grant a forum to an avowed communist for the purpose of teaching communism on this campus. It may be done on other campuses in the United States, but it will not be done here.

Socialism--a Philosophy Incompatible with Man's Liberty

Another notable counterfeit system to the Lord's plan is collectivized socialism. Socialism derives its philosophy from the founders of communism, Marx and Engels. Communism in practice is socialism. Its purpose is world socialism, which the communists seek to achieve by revolution, and which the socialists seek to achieve by evolution. Both communism and socialism have the same effect upon the individual--a loss of personal liberty. As was said so well by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., "The two are as two peas in a pod in their ultimate effect upon our liberties."

Why is socialism incompatible with man's liberty? Socialism cannot work except through an all-powerful state. The state has to be supreme in everything. When individuals begin to exert their God-given rights, the state has to suppress that freedom. So belief in God must be suppressed, and with that gone freedom of conscience and religion must also go. Those are the first of our liberties mentioned in the Bill of Rights.

There are some among us who would confuse the united order with socialism. That is a serious misunderstanding. It is significant to me that the Prophet Joseph Smith, after attending lectures on socialism in his day, made this official entry in the Church history: "I said I did not believe the doctrine" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:33).

Socialism Disguised under Welfare State Measures

As citizens of this noble land, we have marched a long way down the soul-destroying road of socialism. If you question that statement, consider the recent testimonial from the Nobel prize-winning economist, Milton Friedman. He indicated that government spending in the United States at all levels amounts to over forty percent of today's total national income. If we continue to follow the trend in which we are heading today, two things will inevitably result: first, a loss of our personal freedom, and second, financial bankruptcy. This is the price we pay when we turn away from God and the principles which he has taught and turn to government to do everything for us. It is the formula by which nations become enslaved.

This nation was established by the God of heaven as a citadel of liberty. A constitution guaranteeing those liberties was designed under the superintending influence of heaven. I have recounted here before what took place in the St. George Temple when the Founding Fathers of this nation visited President Wilford Woodruff, who was then a member of the Twelve and not president of the Church. The republic which was established was the most nearly perfect system which could have been devised to lead men toward celestial principles. We may liken our system to the law of Moses which leads men to the higher law of Christ.

Today, two hundred years later, we must sadly observe that we have significantly departed from the principles established by the founders of our country. James Madison opposed the proposal to put Congress in the role of promoting the general welfare according to its whims in these words:

If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every state, county and parish and pay them out of their public treasure; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision of the poor. . . . Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for [and it was an issue then], it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited Government established by the people of America. [quoted in Donald L. Newquist, Prophets, Principles, and National Survival, p. 342]

That statement, given as a warning, has proved prophetic. Today Congress is doing what Madison warned about. Many are now advocating that which has become a general practice since the early 1930s: a redistribution of wealth through the federal tax system. That, by definition, is socialism!

Americans have always been committed to taking care of the poor, aged, and unemployed. We have done this on the basis of Judaic-Christian beliefs and humanitarian principles. It has been fundamental to our way of life that charity must be voluntary if it is to be charity. Compulsory benevolence is not charity. Today's socialists--who call themselves egalitarians--are using the federal government to redistribute wealth in our society, not as a matter of voluntary charity, but as a so-called matter of right. One HEW official said recently, "In this country, welfare is no longer charity, it is a right. More and more Americans feel that their government owes them something" (U.S. News and World Report, April 21, 1975, p. 49). President Grover Cleveland said--and we believe as a people--that though the people support the government the government should not support the people.

The chief weapon used by the federal government to achieve this "equality" is the system of transfer payments. This means that the federal governments collects from one income group and transfer payments to another by the tax system. These payments are made in the form of social security benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, and food stamps, to name a few. Today the cost of such programs has been going in the hole at the rate of 12 billion dollars a year; and, with increased benefits and greater numbers of recipients, even though the tax base has been increased we will have larger deficits in the future.

Today the party now in power is advocating and has support, apparently in both major parties, for a comprehensive national health insurance program--a euphemism for socialized medicine. Our major danger is that we are currently (and have been for forty years) transferring responsibility from the individual, local, and state governments to the federal government--precisely the same course that led to the economic collapse in Great Britain and New York City. We cannot long pursue the present trend without its bringing us to national insolvency.

Edmund Burke, the great British political philosopher, warned of the threat of economic equality. He said,

A perfect equality will indeed be produced--that is to say, equal wretchedness, equal beggary, and on the part of the petitioners, a woeful, helpless, and desperate disappointment. Such is the event of all compulsory equalizations. They pull down what is above; they never raise what is below; and they depress high and low together beneath the level of what was originally the lowest.

Are we part of the problem or part of the solution?

Recently a letter came to my office, accompanied by an article from your Daily Universe, on the matter of BYU students taking food stamps. The query of the letter was: "What is the attitude of the Church on taking food stamps?" The Church's view on this is well known. We stand for independence, thrift, and abolition of the dole. This was emphasized in the Saturday morning welfare meeting of general conference. "The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership" (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1936, p. 3).

When you accept food stamps, you accept an unearned handout that other working people are paying for. You do not earn food stamps or welfare payments. Every individual who accepts an unearned government gratuity is just as morally culpable as the individual who takes a handout from taxpayers' money to pay his heat, electricity, or rent. There is no difference in principle between them. You did not come to this University to become a welfare recipient. You came here to be a light to the world, a light to society--to save society and to help to save this nation, the Lord's base of operations in these latter days, to ameliorate man's social conditions. You are not here to be a parasite or freeloader. The price you pay for "something for nothing" may be more than you can afford. Do not rationalize your acceptance of government gratuities by saying, "I am a contributing taxpayer too." By doing this you contribute to the problem which is leading this nation to financial insolvency.

Society may rationalize immorality, but God cannot condone it. Society sponsors Sabbathbreaking, but the Church counsels otherwise. Society profanes the name of Deity, but Latter-day Saints cannot countenance it. Because society condones a dole, which demoralizes man and weakens his God-given initiative and character, can we?

I know what it is, as many of your faculty members do, to work my way through school, taking classes only during winter quarters. If you don't have the finances to complete your education, drop out a semester and go to work and save. You'll be a better man or woman for so doing. You will have preserved your self-respect and initiative. Wisdom comes with experience and struggle, not just with going through a university matriculation. I hope you will not be deceived by current philosophies which will rob you of your godly dignity, self-respect, and initiative, those attributes that make a celestial inheritance possible. It is in that interest, and that only, that I have spoken so plainly to you.

My Hope for You, the Youth of Zion

In opening my remarks to you, beloved youth of the Church, I attempted to share with you a vision of your eternal possibilities. In closing my remarks, I share with you my hope for you:

I hope that you learn through your struggles the joy of achievement.

I hope that you recognize in the gospel of Jesus Christ a solution to our problems, temporal and spiritual.

I hope that you marry well, live together in love, rear a family in righteousness, and have joy and rejoicing in your posterity.

I hope that you follow the example and counsel of him whom the Lord has appointed as prophet, seer, and revelator.

I hope that you learn the joy of work, the ability to postpone wants, and the economic independence not to be a slave to any man.

I hope that you keep yourselves clean morally and spiritually, that your confidence will wax strong in the presence of God, as the scriptures say, and the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion (see D&C 121:45–46).

I hope that you will be united in philosophy, purpose, and action to the laws of the celestial kingdom.

I pray God's choicest blessings on you, my beloved brethren and sisters. May I say to you that there isn't anything in this world that's right that the leadership of this Church wouldn't do for the youth of the Church; and so I hope and pray that you realize the hope of those who love you and serve you and the possibilities of your potential as sons and daughters of God. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Thus the Battle for Economic Freedom from Government Tyranny Begins

From my own legislator, Brad Daw, I received a copy of this letter, Representative Mike Noel (Kanab) sent to all members of the House of Representatives in Salt Lake City in response to monstrous actions of Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar and Barack Obama, the puppet president of the liberal left, oh yeah, and the United States. Salazar, under direction from Barack Obama, canceled the oil and gas leases in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. Leases which would have been a monumental boon to the American economy, and specifically to these three states. Please read on:

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Dear Colleagues,

I just received the attached notice of cancellation of 77 oil and gas leases in Utah. These leases have already been awarded and bonus monies have been paid to the state of Utah. Indications are that the state will lose as much as $8.5 million dollars to the state in just the bonus bids not the millions that we will lose by not going into production. Take out the jobs, the local and state taxes and you can see the magnitude of this decision. More revenue losses to Utah state programs, more job losses at a time when we can hardly afford it. Please join with me in trying to convince Governor Huntsman that the state's policy of trying to appease and work with the environmental community rather than take a strong position on these federal land issues these past four years has now come home to seriously impact all of our constituents. I applaud the governor in his decision to have the state intervene in the SUWA/Wilderness Society lawsuit to cancel the leases which at this point is mute. Besides the cancellation of these leases, there are indications that Secretary Salazar is also considering canceling all of the resource management plans that have been approved in Utah. Seven years of work and millions of dollars of taxpayer’s monies down the drain. If the RMPs are canceled, we will be back in a situation that development of our natural resources will be put on permanent hold until the plans are reviewed and most likely changed for the worse. I am calling on the legislature and the governor’s office to begin at once with an all out legal defense of these leases and RMPs and a public relations campaign that lays out the fact that Utah is now the first casualty of the radical environmental agenda that we can expect to see implemented via this administration over the next 4 years.

This means an expansion of the SUWA/Wilderness Society lawsuit to include the secretary of interior. The action by the secretary is a breech of faith with federal government and existing law in the federal land policy management act of 1976, the mineral leasing act and the doctrine of state sovereignty. Please help me in this effort. School trust lands will also be negatively impacted from this egregious decision. With large one party majorities in both houses of congress, our only recourse is the judicial branch of government that may rein in this administration in the early goings. Not doing anything will certainly send the message that we don’t care about our children and grandchildren's future.

Representative Mike Noel
Kanab, UT

Cancellation of Lease Sale Contrary to Administration's Energy Goals
Interior Decision Detrimental to Economic Development, Energy Security,
Climate Change Solutions

(DENVER)- The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS) today expressed grave concern over Secretary Salazar's decision to reject 77 bids from the BLM's Utah lease sale that occurred on December 19, 2008, saying that the action runs contrary to President Obama's energy goals and will have a chilling effect on Utah's economy.

"The BLM's initial decision to lease federal lands for the responsible development of clean, affordable, domestic natural gas was a step in the right direction in helping to meet the President's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security," said Kathleen Sgamma, IPAMS Director of Government Affairs. "Ninety seven percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is produced right here in North America, and since it emits just over half the CO2 of coal, we will need even more natural gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Despite the rhetoric, there was nothing "last minute" or "rushed" about the lease sale in question. In fact, the sale was the result of a seven-year comprehensive, open and public land management planning process in which everyone - environmental groups, the National Park Service, EPA, other federal and state agencies, and the general public - had ample opportunity to comment. No new acreage was opened to energy leasing that was not available before, and no lands have fewer restrictions on them than before.

"We wonder why the Administration is implementing polices that will limit economic development in the West, decrease energy security and make addressing climate change even more difficult. Natural gas producers in Utah and the Intermountain West produce 27% of America's natural gas on less than 1% of public lands," noted Sgamma. "These lands, where vast amounts of domestic, clean energy are found, are crucial to meeting the President's energy goals of increasing energy security and tackling climate change."

"It's hard to imagine why this Administration would come out with policies that limit economic development in Utah. A lease sale is an economic stimulus to the state and federal government. The State of Utah and federal government are losing millions of dollars from the lease sale. At a time when the Utah legislature has contemplated cutting back a day from the school year to address a 15% budget shortfall, the state is losing income from its share of the lease sale, not to mention royalty and other tax revenue from forfeited production. With this decision, our government is denying access to American energy that belongs to all Americans, and making it even more difficult to increase energy security and tackle climate change," concluded Sgamma.

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So you may be asking: "What am I to do?"

It's actually very simple. If you live in Utah, or have interests in Utah, then you MUST call Governor Huntsman (801-538-1000), your local senator (state not federal) and your representative and demand a lawsuit be filed against Secretary Ken Salazar and Barack Obama as stated above. Those leases must be honored. Progress must be moved forward and it is criminal that Salazar and Obama should strip Utah, Colorado and Wyoming of this massive investment into the western economy, even the American economy. The State of Utah must file a lawsuit now and wrest that power from the federal government and return it to the State of Utah.

If you do not know who your representative or senator is, click the appropriate link below to find out who they are:

Find your Representative
Find your Senator: Locate your county, and your senator will be provided.

Please copy and paste the text of this post on to every single citizen of Utah you know, we must all take action and take action now. It is time to draw that line in the sand and tell the federal government to “butt out”. It is my recommendation, that those in the states of Colorado and Wyoming follow the same course of action. Begin with your local representative and then spread the word far and wide. In fact, it might not be a bad idea for the 3 governors, with the full weight of their state legislatures, file individual state lawsuits and then one colossal lawsuit name the immediate and long term damages to our economies.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Brad Daw's Take on the Stimulus Package


Brad Daw, the representative for District 60 in Utah agreed to write a response to the situation America is now facing. So thank you Brad, for doing this for me:

Today we are witnessing the biggest robbery in the history of the human race. And, we are watching it occur in the bright light of day. All you have to do is pick up a current newspaper, tune in to the national news, or if you want to watch it in real time tune in to C-SPAN. The robbers are rationalizing their intended theft by giving nice names like "bailout" and "stimulus" but don't be fooled, this is a robbery.

The real tragedy of this robbery is that the victims being stolen from aren't able to defend themselves. By saddling ourselves with nearly a trillion dollars of new debt we are ensuring that our kids and grandkids will be paying for our excess for decades to come.

In addition to robbing future generations we are robbing ourselves of the freedom to conduct business in a free and open marketplace.

Many will say that we need this bailout to jump start the credit industry or we need this stimulus package to kick start the economy. The fact is that it was government interference that caused the problem in the first place. And continued government interference will only deepen the problem and lengthen the amount of time needed to correct it.

We are quickly moving from a free market economy to a centrally planned one. Instead of an economy driven by simple supply and demand we are moving to an economy where government will determine who succeeds and who fails. There will be little or no regard to efficiency and even need. The only factor that will be talked about is growth and stimulus. Innovation, competition, entrepreneurism, and all other positive hallmarks of a free market will become things of the past.

Fasten your seatbelts folks. It’s going to be a rough ride.

Brad Daw