PIML 96061408 / Forwarded to Patriot Information Mailing List: John Birch Society views on current legislation.] PIML ================================================================== Date: Wed, 12 Jun 1996 20:09:26 -0700 To: snetnews@alterzone.com Sender: snetnews-approval@alterzone.com -> SearchNet's snetnews Mailing List John Birch Society PO Box 8040 Appleton, WI 54913 Phone: 414-749-3780 June, 1996 Bulletin By Thomas R. Eddlem PENDING LEGISLATION WIN SOME, LOSE ONE. Most members undoubtedly know that the anti-terrorism bill was passed by the House and Senate and (on April 24th) signed into law by President Clinton. The noxious bill empowers the federal government to co-opt the criminal processes of the states on a discriminatory basis and also earmarks nearly $1 billion in new spending for federal law enforcement, foreign aid, and local police assistance programs. But the news is not all bad: Many of the more objectionable parts --such as suspension of the Posse Comitatus Act in certain terrorist cases, wiretapping provisions, and a lowered standard of proof for prosecuting those accused of gun crimes -- were removed from the bill before final passage. Moreover, while we were losing part of the battle on the anti-terrorism bill, we were winning some battles in the House. On March 22nd the House passed a version of the Assault Weapons Ban Repeal bill (H.R. 125) by a vote of 239 to 173. And on April 16th the House passed a version of James Traficant’s Burden of Proof legislation (H.R. 2337), which would shift the burden of proof in tax cases from the taxpayer to the IRS, by a unanimous vote of 425 to zero. Not only was the assault weapons ban repeal approved by the House, but dangerous provisions in the original version (H.R. 1488) that would have federalized nearly all gun crimes were removed from the bill --despite the fact that the National Rifle Association had already signed off on the original legislation. The final version provided enhanced prison sentences for only those forearms offenses that were already federal crimes, thanks entirely to the efforts of members of the two organizations that objected to the original version: The John Birch Society and Gun Owners of America. LETTER WRITING OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL TO WORK: The Careers Act, H.R. 1617, remains in a House-Senate conference committee as we go to press. The bill itself boasts a goal of merging federal education and labor policies into a streamlined, comprehensive, coherent, high-quality, cost-effective, market-based, and accountable work force development and literacy system. Never mind that the government has never done anything cost-effective, let alone market-based. The goal, of course, is not cost effectiveness but the creation of a corporate state in which the government controls both the educational system and the labor force and in which non-conformists will find it exceedingly difficult to get a job. ( A hint of the game plan was provided in a letter that surfaced last year from one of the nation’s top education experts to Hillary Clinton. See William F. Jasper’s Education article in the July 24, 1995 issue of The New American for more information.) Write to your representative and senators in opposition to this legislation. Urge instead that your congressmen vote to end federal involvement in both education and employment. ENUMERATED POWERS ACT: Write to your representative and senators in support of the Enumerated Powers Act sponsored by Representative John Shadegg in the House (H.R. 2270) and Senator Spencer Abraham in the Senate (S. 1039). This worthwhile measure would require that the following language appear in any legislation: This Act (or resolution is enacted pursuant to the power(s) granted to the Congress under Article(s)________________________ section(s)________________________ clause(s)_________________________ of the U.S. Constitution. Of course, this legislation would not end unconstitutional abuses, but it would force our lawmakers to provide justification That would put them on record and help make all future twisting of the Constitution more easily recognizable. (For more information about the Enumerated Powers Act, see John F. McManus’ Publisher’s Page in the January 8th issue of The New American.) CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Please support Representative J.D. Hayworth’s Congressional Responsibility Act (H.R. 2727). This legislation would chain the fourth branch of the federal government by requiring that regulations proposed by agencies of the executive branch be affirmatively enacted by Congress before they become effective, That is, the Congress would be forced to assert its responsibility as the sole branch of government authorized to legislate. (For more information about this exciting approach to end bureaucratic tyranny, see Robert W. Lee’s Nation article in the May 27th issue of The New American.) UNITED NATIONS: The vultures are circling over the UN! The roof started leaking on France in the General Assembly room in May, and Washington beltway direct-mail organizations have begun using Representative Joe Scarborough’s United Nations Withdrawal Act, H.R. 2535, as a fund-raising hook. With anti-UN sentiment growing within the American populace, there is a real possibility of cutting off funds for the UN after the elections. Now is the time to turn up the pressure! Write to your representative in support of the bill. SECOND AMENDMENT: Representative Steve Stockman’s Second Amendment Reaffirmation Act, H.R. 2470, deserves support. The bill would repeal the Brady bill, prohibit the computerization of any gun records, prohibit the regulation of lead ammunition on environmental grounds, severely restrict gun investigation by the ATF, and allow civil remedies for citizens wronged by gun prosecutions. -> Send "subscribe snetnews" to majordomo@alterzone.com -> Posted by: lamunyon@sprynet.com ================================================================== * Patriot Information Mailing List * http://constitution.org/piml/piml.htm * A service to help inform those who have an active interest in * returning our federal and state governments to limited, * constitutional government * Send messages for consideration and possible posting to * butterb@sagenet.net (Bill Utterback). * To subscribe or unsubscribe, send message with subject line * "subscribe patriot" or "unsubscribe patriot" * Forwarded messages sent on this mailing list are NOT verified. * See World's Smallest Political Quiz: www.self-gov.org/quiz.html * Libertarian is to LIBERTY as librarian is to library (DePena) * PIML grants permission to copy and repost this message * in its entirety with headers and trailers left intact.