Again, a delicate response is in order. Who would have cause to harm us for exercising our rights secured under the state and federal Constitutions? To answer this question, let’s speculate who might be offended or interrupted by our activities. The proposed amendment will re-establish proper order between the people and government and between the states and the federal government. It will require all government activities be compliant with the state and federal Constitutions. It will promote the exercise of individual rights, due process of law, self-reliance, a balanced budget, a sound money system, non-interference in foreign affairs, the return of American industry, protection of our borders, and elimination a corporate favors. These consequences might offend people who do not want to be responsible for their own lives or people who profit off of the suffering and misery of others. The proposed amendment might offend people serving in government who want to exercise the powers of government for their own benefit. It might offend or interrupt any agenda designed to enslave the American people in perpetual indebtedness. It might interfere with the plans of those in high places to subdue America into a slave nation or to surrender our sovereignty to our creditors. It might even cause some nations to rethink any plans they have laid to conquer America and divide us up among the remaining powers of the world. Everyday, our soldiers risk being killed in the course of protecting our freedoms. But, they do it because they believe in the fundamental principles our Founding Fathers set forth to guide and protect us. We, as Citizens, have no less duty to protect our society than do our soldiers. When we stand united, secure in the knowledge that our causes are just and that by preserving our own freedom we in turn provide for security to the rest of the world, there can be no force or cause that would oppose us. We must live by the principle that our prosperity results in prosperity for all, that our freedom results in freedom for all, and that our survival results in the preservation of all. At no time ever before in the history of the world has any other nation been founded upon the principles of just government by, for and of the people with the ability to extend the fruits of its labors to so many. Who, indeed, would be offended or interrupted by the proposed amendment? Only those who are offended by the protection of equal rights, honest money, and control by the people over its own government would seek to cause harm to those who would exercise their natural rights and liberties. You can answer this question, yourself, for you know it. Our best protection is your participation. Together we will succeed and reap the benefits of our just cause.

The Ohio Constitution expressly preserves the power of the people over government at Article I, Section 2.  It further secures the exercise of that power to alter or reform government through the initiative petition process at Article II, Section 1a.  This power deserves a very thorough explanation and to do so will require a somewhat lengthy presentation, so it will be broken into several parts for clarity.  Please keep in mind that our agenda is not to overthrow the proper establishments of government, but to regain control and restore governmental alignment with the Constitution.

This is a great question, and it stabs at the heart of our dilemma of balancing the powers between state and federal government and adhesion to our Constitutions. What we have today is an American society that has become accustomed to and reliant upon government programs. The problem is that nearly all of these programs are outside the powers intended for government by the Constitutions. All government benefit programs must be “private”, in nature, in order to be constitutionally compliant. They DO NOT fall under the “General Welfare” clause of the federal Constitution. Rather, they fall under the “contracts” and “right to freedom of choice” clauses of the Constitutions. They are all voluntary, and people participate in them as a matter of contract or agreement. And, when acting in this capacity, the government is acting in a “private” capacity, just like any other private corporation (see Clearfield Doctrine). People never have to “sign up” for programs that are a matter of “public” right under the Constitution. So, if you put your signature on some application, this is your cue that you may be entering into a private agreement. As a matter of state sovereignty under the Constitution, the states hold the power over the federal government, not the other way around. There are, however, two ways the federal government can acquire authority over the states:

1. in matters delegated to the federal government by the states;
2. by private agreement or compact.

Sometimes, the federal government may want the states to do something that is outside the federal government’s authority to do directly. So, the federal government will offer some form of financial support to the state if the state will, in turn, implement such measures necessary to satisfy the federal mandate. A good example of this is the biometric information that states are now including on all new driver’s licenses. Other good examples include Social Security and Medicare. These are all programs that the states may refuse to participate in (read the current complaint in the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, filed by 13 states’ Attorneys General against the United States for the recent health care bill). They are also programs that people may refuse to participate in. Now, regarding Social Security and Medicare - we at PCCOH are NOT opposed to these programs as a matter of choice. However, we are adamantly opposed to mandating that one must participate in them, or that one must have a Social Security Number to own property, open a bank account, have a driver’s license, and all the other matters for which a Social Security Number was never intended. And, we are opposed to government operating in any private capacity. All such programs could be handled just fine in the private sector, just like car insurance, health insurance, telephone service, and on and on. When government operates in a private capacity, it often implies that such programs are mandatory, and it leads people to believe they must participate. Further, it encourages government to function on behalf of its own interests and financial gain as opposed to the peoples’ interest and benefit. In our opinion, such programs create a major conflict of interest between government’s duties to the people and its own self-interests. The fundamental purpose of all of these programs is to distribute the liability among all the participants so that the burdens of one are absorbed by all. Of course, this is the essence of socialism. But, if people want to freely associate in such programs, it should be a matter of inspanidual choice. We would encourage that people do it solely within the private sector, maybe with some governmental oversight to reduce fraud and abuse. Any time we allow government to control our private choices, it is dangerous to liberty. When you participate in Social Security, you are bound by its rules and regulations. To receive the benefit, you must pay the price, ALWAYS! Just as individuals should learn to be self-reliant and free of governmental encroachment, the states should also exercise similar principles. Where does the federal government get its moneys and property? There are several sources:

1. taxes (Direct and Excise);
2. tariffs, imposts and duties (Imports and Exports);
3. private program fees and services (like Social Security and Medicare);
4. investments in the private sector;
5. securities speculation (Government Bonds);
6. private loans (Federal Reserve, Foreign Entities);
7. prizes (booty, confiscations, seizures);
8. grants from the states (ceding of lands);
9. treaty settlements (lands and other);
10. conquest (ask a Hawaiian or the American Indians)

If the states refuse grant money and subsidies from the federal government, then that means it is acting positively to uphold the Constitutions and our Christian principles for a good, moral, ethical, self-reliant, strong, independent and sovereign society. That sounds good to me.

Our proposed amendment does not grant juries the authority to declare laws unconstitutional. What it does do is preserve the power of juries to suspend the law of the case to preserve justice. History has demonstrated that the power of juries to nullify the law provides the people the last authority for the enforcement of laws. Governments enact bad laws or misapply that law, effectively violating justice and causing harm to the people. The 1802 version of our Ohio Constitution expressly provided this important right of the jury, but it was removed in 1851 Constitution. Government works for the people, but over time, government has perverted the authority of the people to hold government accountable. It is our objective to restore the peoples’ authority to hold government accountable to the Constitution, and the ability of juries to judge the law and facts is an important part of this power. For more information, refer to the “Citizens Rule Book” .

No. The OHIO SOVEREIGNTY AMENDMENT is about the individual sovereignty of the people and state sovereignty. ACORN and MOVEON.ORG do not qualify as “the people”. The matter of sovereignty, in particular that related to the Recall process, is not an attribute belonging to corporate or bureaucratic entities. The Recall process belongs solely to the people as a means for controlling government by removing those deemed by the people to be abusive, negligent or otherwise incompetent to serve or satisfy the publics’ interests. If the people decide that they are dissatisfied with a public officeholder, for whatever reason, they should be allowed to remove (fire) that person and replace them with someone they deem more appropriate. The process, itself, requires the Citizens of the relevant district to vote by petition for the Recall, and if enough people deem the action appropriate, then they shall have the power to execute it. The purpose of this process is to provide the people better control over their government and ensure that those they elect into office fulfill their duties to the public with integrity.

Absolutely, and they are all positive. We believe that when the powers of government are restricted to their proper limits and duties, that society, as a whole and for the individual, can flourish and prosper. Opportunities will not be limited to the rich, and people will preserve their dignity and ability for self-reliance. Our system of government is not supposed to be one of socialism or communism or dictatorship or tyranny. It is one founded on equal opportunity, personal responsibility, self-governance, individual charity, compassion, truth and a strong work ethic. We believe in the right of the people to own and utilize their faculties for their own benefit and keep their property free of undue encumbrances, to be good neighbors, and cherish the rights and liberties of others. Some of the potential side effects we can visualize are as follows:

• Property – Private property shall ever be held inviolate, except as required for some controlling interest by society, for which the owner shall be properly compensated. This means that a person’s home, automobile, and other property required for sustaining life, and his fundamental rights and liberties, cannot be attached by government for the purposes of taxation at the risk of losing said property. A system of taxation for adequately paying for the reasonable functions of government should be devised that does not put a person’s private property in jeopardy or at risk of forfeiture.
• Right to Bear Arms – History has demonstrated that the right to bear arms is the right of every person to protect himself, his family, his community, his property, and his rights and liberties from all undue encumbrances. This includes encumbrances invoked by those acting in government. The peoples’ rights to protect their way of life, within the limits of natural law, are undeniable and should never be usurped or surrendered for any reason. This right is constitutionally protected, and the proposed amendment would enforce this point.
• Religion – The intent of the American people was never to keep religion out of government, nor government out of religion. The intent was to prohibit government from establishing any mandates upon religion except for the protection of the people’s rights and liberties and to keep any religious sect from controlling government. We believe the proposed amendment will help to bring back the true intent of the people in the Constitution to keep Godly principles within the moral fabric of government.
• Trial by Jury – In Ohio’s first State Constitution, the right of the jury to hear the facts and the law were preserved. This was an important power of the jury, as a last resort, to make its determinations in trial regarding the constitutionality of the law. Over time, this function of the jury has become hidden, and generally, the courts disallow “jury nullification”. The proposed amendment would reestablish this and other provisions to the people for ensuring all laws must be constitutionally compliant before enforced against the people.
• War – War should result only from the colliding of conflicting governmental interests. However, it has become apparent that wars are perpetrated, today, for private interests and corporate profits. We believe war is an atrocity, and it should be a means of last resort only when a hostile situation occurs that requires the people to defend their way of life under a proper moral and ethical standard. When the people live within such a standard, the need for war vanishes, and enduring peace can prevail.
• Due Process of Law – It seems that more and more, this has become a catch-phrase with little potency. Due process of law should be of utmost concern to the people of a free nation that functions by the rule of law as opposed to the rule of a few men. The rule of law is what protects us from arbitrary application of government sanctions and trespassers. It is the process by which we seek justice and remedy. The proposed amendment will enforce the principle of due process of law as a paramount function of government.
• Elections – As a respected member of society, we all share the duty, responsibility, and honor to elect (vote for) those who will represent our interests in government. To hijack the electoral process is nothing short of treason and undermines the very foundation of good government. The proposed amendment would provide the means to hold perpetrators accountable for high crimes for election fraud.
• Suspension of Laws – Our current Ohio Constitution allows only the legislature to suspend laws. As a result, there is no action the courts can take to suspend execution and enforcement of an unconstitutional law. We deem this a severe defect in the current constitution and are therefore incorporating language in the proposed amendment that would mandate the Supreme Court of Ohio to suspend and nullify all government activities associated with any law determined to be unconstitutional.
• Contracts – There is little in our current Ohio Constitution regarding the State’s power over contracts. Contracts are private, in nature, and constitute an agreement between individual parties for performance having a mutually beneficial result. However, some contracts can be abusive to a party to the contract, may not be fully disclosed, may be entered by operation of law (implied contract), or place undue burdens upon a party without his intent or knowledge. In fact, government works primarily on the principle of “implied contract” when it enacts laws that are not compliant with the Constitution. When notice is given and sufficient objection is not exercised by the people, it is presumed that the people accept the law without objection, i.e., and implied contract. This is unacceptable and results in the most severe of governmental abuse, and therefore, the proposed amendment would help alleviate this problem.
• Right to Vote
  – To vote in Ohio elections, voters must be registered as a “citizen of the United States”. However, the people are not completely aware of the deceptive meaning of this term. Ohio, as an independent sovereign State of the Union, has Citizens of its own. The United States is NOT A COUNTRY, in the strict legal meaning of the term. The United States is a corporate entity created by the States, and U.S. citizenship is voluntary and was created as a result of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. A citizen of the United States is no more than a “resident” in Ohio. We believe that Ohio government should be controlled by Ohio Citizens, not federal citizens. It is important to understand the difference, but this topic is beyond the scope of what can be answered, here. For more information, contact us. The proposed amendment will ensure that Ohio government is controlled exclusively by the people of Ohio and not those having a foreign or federal interest contrary to the fundamental principles and intent of our Constitutions.
• Citizenship vs. Nationality – Most people do not understand the distinction of these two terms. People are “Nationals” as a result of being born in a country or State. People become “Citizens” as a result of voluntary enrollment into the society of a country or State. Citizenship is analogous to the term “membership”. A citizen is a member of society. As a result of being a citizen/member, you are required to live by all the rules and laws of that society. However, what happens when the society becomes corrupt and no longer functions in a manner that conforms with your moral and ethical beliefs? Just as with joining a club, if the club behaves in a manner contrary to your belief system, you have the right to separate from the club by terminating your membership. The same is true of citizenship. Every person has the right of “self-determination”. However, his status as a National remains. This is an important concept beyond most people’s understanding, but a concept that should be legally recognized when government is operating within its Constitutional limits. Each State, as a separate independent sovereign government, constitutes a nation. This can be verified by doing a little research of our legal system and the Law of Nations. This provision would have effect for only a few who understand its significance, but it is extremely important in the proper function of government.
• Income Tax – Here is another issue of great confusion among the general populace. Without going into detail, let it be said that a proper system of fair taxation for the purposes of funding the operations of government cannot be denied. However, we believe that the current system is founded on misrepresentation and results in abusive practices by government on the people of America. The proposed amendment would ensure that proper execution of our laws be within the limits of our Constitutions, protecting the people from unfair taxation by government, and holding government accountable to all its delegated functions, including the power of taxation.
• Immigration – America has long been called the land of opportunity. And, people have flourished to America from all corners of the planet seeking a better way of life. Our laws provide for the proper entry of foreigners, and we have accepted them with open arms, so long as they abide by the same standards upon which we have founded our society. However, there have been great numbers of those who enter, illegally, and demand that American modify its standards to satisfy these foreigners. This, again, is unacceptable. We, as Americans, have fought long and hard to secure our way of life, and we are willing to share it, but we are not willing to convert it for the sake of foreign invasion. The proposed amendment will hold government accountable for upholding all laws, including those pertaining to immigration and naturalization. And, Ohio officials will have the duty to protect all Ohioans from abuses or neglect of the federal government to uphold said laws.
• Terrorism and Foreign Wars – Terrorism is the invention of those who wish to keep America under a perpetual state of emergency for execution of Executive Orders. Such condition is nothing more than an executive dictatorship. It is true that terrorism is real, but it has been so for thousands of years. It is not new. And, it is important that we protect American and our allies from the threat of war and terrorist activities when such activities directly threaten our security. But, our Constitutions do not grant any authority to go chasing all over the planet, invading other countries, and more, for purposes of chasing bad guys. We do have the authority to provide counseling and training, but not direct intervention. While we are off chasing all these bad guys, our country is being invaded by millions of people who are breaking our laws and draining our services. The proposed amendment, again, will more effectively hold government accountable to the issues that affect us here at home.
• Economy – In 1913, President Wilson allowed private foreign banks control over our monetary system, and within 20 years, the Federal Reserve System bankrupted the country, resulting in the implementation of a fiat money system based entirely on debt and derivatives. There is no way America can ever recover from such a burden. If government would have strictly adhered to our Constitutions, we would still have a sound monetary system and would not be in the position we currently find ourselves. Once again, government accountability is at issue. We need a complete house cleaning of all those in government who have lead us down this road of destruction. The proposed amendment would provide the means to do so.
• Abortion – We, more than most, believe in the individual right of choice, but we do not support the destruction of innocent children as a means for planned parenthood. Children should not suffer or be killed because adults were careless in their sexual behavior. The Constitution guarantees our right to life, for everyone, and it may only be taken by due process of law as a result of severe corrupt activity. What are the crimes of these aborted children? Saving a mother from a compromised pregnancy is one matter, but aborting a child for the sake of convenience or embarrassment is morally and ethically wrong. The proposed amendment would preserve the right to life as an essential element to the good moral character of a people.
• Healthcare – Healthcare is a vital element to the security of a family and nation. The rising costs of healthcare in America, as compared to the average family income, have resulted in many people being unable to afford adequate healthcare services. The problem is not necessarily the supply of healthcare, rather the extravagant costs for doctors’ services, testing, hospital stays, insurance, etc. A plan needs to be devised that brings the cost of healthcare more in alignment with peoples’ earnings. Also, the right to choose one’s own care services, medicines, preventative measures, etc. should be a decision between the people and their doctors, not government or insurance companies. The right to choose is a right guaranteed in our Constitutions, and it should be respected by government.
• Right to Petition Government for Grievances – Government works for the people and is subject to them. When the people have a formal complaint with government, the people have a right to adequate remedy. Most times, the issue is not with government, directly, but with those who abuse their governmental powers. The proposed amendment will help to better serve the people, and it will help people to better monitor government.
• Interpretations by the Supreme Court of Ohio – When the Supreme Court makes a determination regarding the Ohio Constitution, it relies on the language of the Constitution as compared to the federal Constitution, the intent of the architects of the Constitution, and the proper legal and moral foundation upon which this government was created. The proposed amendment clearly conveys the purpose and intent of our current generation to uphold the integrity and moral character of our government and its duties to protect the individual rights and liberties of the people. This language establishes a new foundation upon which all other law in Ohio will be compared for compliance and intent. Average people can read and accurately interpret for themselves what it says without the court’s interpretation.
• Media and Freedom of Speech – It is fair to say that the media in America has become so biased that it is used to steer and mislead public opinion and render falsehoods to protect certain corporate and government activities. Media has become a weapon and propaganda machine in the hands of a few men for their own purposes. The proposed amendment states that activities perpetrated contrary to the purposes and intent of the Constitution shall be considered high crimes against the people. Media, above nearly all other private institutions, has a moral obligation to the people it affects to promote truth, honesty, integrity, accuracy, and fairness in providing its services when it is presented as such. It is time for those in media to stand up and support the people of this nation and expose such matters that adversely portrays government’s role in our country’s problems and condition. Government activities to stage false public encounters through a controlled media destroys the peoples’ confidence in both, and such activity must be immediately terminated.
• The Courts – When properly used, the courts are the people’s remedy when corruption occurs in government. The courts must be free to exercise their just powers without fear or threat of coercion from government, corporations, bankers, or influential characters. Attempting to corrupt or adversely influence a judge or the court should be dealt with swiftly and forcefully to protect the integrity of the courts. Judges must uphold the rule of law and integrity of the Constitution, without bias or prejudice. Only then, can the people feel secure and justice prevails. The proposed amendment provides for severe sanctions be brought against those who would corruptly influence government contrary to the purposes and intent of the Constitution.
• The People, Generally – The Constitution guarantees that all people shall be treated equally, in law, and have remedies for injuries suffered as a result of trespass. These guarantees ensure equal opportunity, but not equal wealth. The people have at their disposal their own talents, skills, and dexterities God gave them, to use for their own prosperity, accordingly. Each of us is free to exercise our choices as we see fit, regulated by government only for purposes to ensure we don’t trespass on each other. The proposed amendment is in alignment with this intent.