National Chairman's Letter

Our U.S. Constitution

August 2001

Dear Members and Friends of the Independent American Party,

Our IAP National Mission declares our "allegiance to the Constitution for the United States of America." And the third principle of our IAP National Principles states:

We believe that the Constitution for the United States was prepared and adopted by men under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact created by the people of the states of this nation, which all officers of government are duty-bound to obey; that the separation of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches must remain well defined.

When the "Grand Convention" was called in 1787, fifty-five of 74 delegates -- choice men raised up by God -- met in Philadelphia. With a stifling hot summer, and doors and windows locked for security reasons, they sweltered as they deliberated in Independence Hall. The delegates were deeply divided on issues of representation of small states, strength of a national government, slavery, and so forth. Their chances of success were slim.

But they relied upon their own experience at writing state constitutions, their knowledge of governments past, and upon divine inspiration. They forged new principles of government. And they invented a Separation of Powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches -- which was inspired by the scripture in Isaiah (33:22): "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us."

They added principles of: Limited Powers for each branch of government. Federalism -- a balance of power between state and national governments. A system of checks and balances between all entities of government. An armed citizenry -- as an ultimate check against tyranny. And Sovereignty of the People, or Consent of the Governed.

By the hand of God, they forged the miracle document -- the Constitution for the United States of America! And the new nation became a Republic -- rather than a democracy.

Everett P. Wilson later wrote: "The American system was devised by the ablest group of men who ever appeared at the same time in the same country throughout the history of the world."

Edmund Morgan, writing about our Founders in general, said: "In no other period of history would it be possible to find in politics five men of such intellectual stature as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson; and there were others only slightly less distinguished. Only for the brief span of a single lifetime would America's statesmen and her brightest thinkers be the same men."

But let us be warned!

John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Former Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson said, "For the past two centuries, those who do not prize freedom have chipped away at every major clause of the Constitution until today we face a crisis of great dimensions."

Today, many consider our Constitution to be outmoded, written for horse-and-buggy days, and a hindrance to international affairs and our global relationship.

There is erosion of the original articles: Congress legislates in matters reserved to the states -- such as business, health and education. The President usurps the powers of Congress through executive orders; and by engaging in war without congressional consent. The Judiciary bypasses Congress by legislating via judicial decrees; and tramples the Bill of Rights in matters of religion, and life of the unborn. The Constitution and US sovereignty are threatened by international organizations and treaties such as the United Nations, NATO, WTO, NAFTA and GATT.

There is erosion of the Bill of Rights: The 1st Amendment is trampled with bans on school prayer, Bible study, posting of the Ten Commandments, and protests at abortion clinics. Our 2nd Amendment rights are being threatened by efforts at gun control. Our 4th Amendment protections against search and seizure are abused by the IRS, BATF, and other government agencies. Our 5th Amendment rights to life, liberty and property have been shredded by legalized abortion, the FBI, excessive taxation and forfeiture of property. Our 10th, or States Rights Amendment, is ignored by a federal government that far exceeds its enumerated powers.

There is erosion in other parts of the Constitution: The supposed ratification of the 16th, or Income Tax Amendment, gave the federal government unrestricted access to the wealth of American citizens. Ratification of the 17th Amendment, for the popular election of senators, destroyed one of our checks and balances. And now there is a move to destroy yet another check and balance by abolishing the electoral college. They are shredding our Constitution to where it will soon hang by a thread.

And there are efforts for a Constitutional Convention, or Con-Con, to rewrite the Constitution -- by less than inspired men, who are far less the caliber of our founding fathers. The agenda of the New World Order includes the destruction of US sovereignty and the US Constitution, and the establishment of a world government. The scriptures say: "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn." (Proverbs 29:2)

Lets hearken to duty!

As a political party, we are committed to saving our God-given Constitution by all means within our power -- by promoting respect for, strengthening, and restoring government adherence to it. As individuals, it is our duty to (1) learn the principles of the Constitution; (2) have faith in its divine purpose; (3) abide by its moral precepts; (4) support and defend it; (5) and pray for it.

Yours for Freedom!

Bruce Bangerter
IAP National Chairman