Benton GOP Resources

Sequence: From Bondage to Liberty and Back to Bondage

2009-10-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Via email:
In 1776, Representatives of the original thirteen colonies assembled and wrote the Declaration of Independence. With this document, our founding fathers proclaimed to the world that America was a democratic republic:

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Ironically, that same year Alexander Fraser Tytler, a European historian published The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic. In his publication, Tytler reported that from his research he had determined the following:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over a loss of fiscal responsibility, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world's great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence:

From bondage to spiritual faith,
From spiritual faith to great courage,
From courage to liberty,
From liberty to abundance,
From abundance to selfishness,
From selfishness to complacency,
From complacency to apathy,
From apathy to dependency,
From dependency back again to bondage."

Related:
The Truth About Tytler
From Apathy to Dependence to Bondage [See TODAY and GOING FORWARD]

Going Forward: "The immediate hope for America is for Americans to once again declare their independence of the elite despot ruling class. To accomplish this, YOU must make it crystal clear to all your elected representatives and officials, i.e. President, US Senators and Representatives, Governor, State Senators and Representatives, etc. that you hold them accountable for any/all socialistic legislation and actions that facilitate America's slide toward dependency and bondage. It is imperative that YOU make them believe that the consequence for ignoring your mandate is their removal from office at the first opportunity."Of Interest: When this 'Sequence' email started circulating in 2000, conservative blog sites took interest in the context and most surmised that we were in the "From complacency to apathy" phase, while liberal bloggers took issue with the authorship (which is questionable) but completely ignored the context and made no attempt to determine where the United States fits in the sequence. Election demographics were also added to the email, which were questionable as well. (See Snopes.com)

Resources

2009-10-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Page in progress...

County

Benton County Republican Party Platform

World's Smallest Political Quiz - Benton County Fair 2009

Top Ten Duties of a Precinct Committeeperson (PCP)

Resolution in Support of Federal Reserve Transparency

State

Constitution of Oregon

The Oregon Constitution was framed by a convention of 60 delegates chosen by the people. The convention met on the third Monday in August 1857 and adjourned on September 18 of the same year. On November 9, 1857, the Constitution was approved by the vote of the people of Oregon Territory. The Act of Congress admitting Oregon into the Union was approved February 14, 1859, and on that date the Constitution went into effect.

National

Declaration of Independence

Constitution of the United States

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

(Amendments 11-27)

The Founding Fathers on Redistribution

Sequence: From Bondage to Liberty and Back to Bondage

Oregon's National Legislators

Oregon's U.S. Senators

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D)

Oregon's U.S. Congress Members (Benton County is located in the 4th and 5th districts)

Rep. David Wu (D)

Rep. Greg Walden (R)

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D)

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D), Oregon, 4th - DC (202) 225-6416, Eugene (541) 465-6732

Rep. Kurt Schrader (D), Oregon, 5th - DC (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100

The Founding Fathers On Redistribution

2009-08-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

“To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.” — Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, April 6, 1816

“A wise and frugal government… shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.” — Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801

“Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.” — Thomas Jefferson

“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If ‘Thou shalt not covet’ and ‘Thou shalt not steal’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free.” — John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787

“With respect to the two words ‘general welfare,’ I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.” — James Madison in a letter to James Robertson

In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 for relief of French refugees who fled from insurrection in San Domingo to Baltimore and Philadelphia, James Madison stood on the floor of the House to object saying:

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” — James Madison, 4 Annals of Congress 179, 1794

“[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” — James Madison

“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” — Benjamin Franklin

Source: Sweetness & Light: The Founding Fathers On Redistribution
(Hat tip: Wallowa County GOP)

Benton County Republican Platform

2009-06-17T04:05:00.000-07:00

Preamble
As Republicans, we believe in people, see goodness in one another, and seek to protect the Constitutional rights of every citizen of our country.

We hold that the Constitution of the United States is just as applicable today in guarding those rights as it was when it was written. We believe that if citizens are provided with freedom to grow economically, to own their own homes, to become educated, and to worship freely and openly, there is no limit to what they can achieve!

We, as Americans and Republicans, dedicate ourselves to loving and protecting our families and our country, preserving our Constitution and respecting God, our Flag and each other.

Accommodation of ethnic, cultural, religious, political and societal diversity is important to a healthy society; however, we recognize the necessity of maintaining unity as a society and as a nation. We reject teachings that divide and encourage the breakdown of our nation.

We are Republicans because we believe. . .

Our nation’s strength lies with the individual. Each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility for self-determination must be honored

All Americans have the right under the Constitution to economic freedom, life, liberty, and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

Individual initiative and free enterprise have brought this nation opportunity and prosperity. Hard work and the ingenuity of our citizens, not the government, is America’s economic engine.

Government should be fiscally responsible, limited and non-intrusive. The best government governs least.

The proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations.

The most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong, while developing new, innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

We must preserve our national strength and pride, while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights around the world.

Therefore, as Benton County Republicans, we hold that ...

Responsible citizenship and personally responsible social and moral behaviors fortify a strong society. Good character is fundamental to being a reasonable, rational, respectful and responsible citizen.

Equal access to economic opportunity must be provided to all persons, so that the United States may continue to be a land of prosperity. Religion is a matter of personal conscience. The State should neither interfere with each person’s free exercise of religion nor favor any particular religion.

The family is the best institution for teaching values to the rising generation.

Education of our citizens regarding the sanctity of life is imperative so that each person can make responsible choices.

English must be the official language of the United States of America.

Benton County and the State of Oregon public officials must cooperate with the federal government in enforcing existing laws that regulate the right to vote and the privilege to drive and to receive public services. All who are not entitled to such rights must not receive them. Oregon’s Secretary of State should begin immediately to clean up voter registration rolls.

Publicly-funded, efficiently-administered education is a fundamental state obligation. We also welcome privately financed education as a competitive alternative to public education.

The equitable use of natural resources should be encouraged, thereby balancing the needs of people and the environment. We also recognize the value of renewable resources and the need for sound science in environmental policy.

The right of Americans to keep and bear arms is central to the Constitution of the United States. The Second Amendment provides a vital means for law-abiding Americans to protect themselves.

The Republican Party is not a single-issue group, although individual Republicans may be strongly committed to a particular point of view on important issues. We welcome new Republicans and encourage them to get involved, to elect common-sense Republicans to positions of leadership in Oregon and across our Nation. The Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive, successful principles of government.

Local Planks in Benton County Republicans’ Platform

A diversified economy is a strong economy. If business is allowed to expand – with reasonable input from government -- revenue will be generated for education and other elements associated with prosperity. Further tax increases will only serve to reduce our prosperity.

Benton County Republicans encourage attracting new businesses and the retention and growth of existing businesses, goals shared by the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition and the Economic Vitality Partnership.

Republicans realize that affordable housing is an important goal that will not be achieved as long as there is a shortage of buildable residential land in our communities. We call for policies that will make more buildable land available so that more families may live and work in Benton County.

We call for government to allow for growth and diversification of our local economy, thus making more family-wage jobs available. We view with alarm Benton County’s trend toward becoming a retirement community. Shrinking schools are a visible symptom of a great increase in the percentage of childless couples in Benton County over the past 25 years. We believe that children are our hope for tomorrow.

We encourage intelligent use of Oregon’s bountiful natural resources to create revenue that will offset disappearing federal supplements to our schools. Relying on government to do what we can do for ourselves fosters a dependent, stagnant society.

We ask our county commissioners and city councils to focus on local, not national, issues.

We condemn government’s use of eminent domain to take private property for the purpose of increasing tax revenues.

We recognize that communication and parental teaching of responsibility and self-control are keys to preventing drug abuse. We give wholehearted support to communities, education and public safety to fight and control the methamphetamine scourge that has placed Oregon as Number 1 in the nation per capita in meth use.

We support and encourage an informed citizenry to create a truly representative government and offer our website, http://bentongop.blogspot.com, as an alternative source for news of the community, the state and the nation.

Republicans are encouraged to support additional family-friendly measures, according to the dictates of their conscience. The Republican Party has a big umbrella!

(2007 Interim)

BOOK: Back to Basics for the Republican Party

2009-08-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Michael Zak is the author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, the acclaimed history of the GOP from the civil rights perspective. From the first page of the book: "As you know, Democrats control most of the media, but they also write most of the history books, thereby controlling what even Republican activists think they know about our Party's glorious heritage."

Mr. Zak claims that Republicans squander political capital each time an anniversary of an important civil rights achievement goes by uncelebrated. Why is this? It is because the Republican Party has been the vanguard for the advancement of civil rights in Grand Old Partisan Blog to learn more about the Republican Party, the people, and the events that have shaped it. America yet, over time, Republican's have let the Democrats define their party. Isn't it time that we rediscover our past so we, not they, can confidently and proudly define ourselves as we get back to basics?

Back to Basics for the Republican Party is available through the Benton County Republican Women for $20. Pick up your copy at Republican Headquarters, 1760 SW 3rd St. in Corvallis or through your favorite bookseller. Read more about Mr. Zak's book at Republican Basics.com. Mr. Zak can be contacted at grand_old_partisan@hotmail.com.

Photo of Mr. Zak by Paul Rentz, Corvallis, Oregon

BOOK: Set Up & Sold Out

2009-08-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

According to author, Holly Swanson, there is a tremendous amount of good that can result from the universal awareness of environmental issues and Americans should take continuous positive steps toward environmental excellence but she cautions, that Americans not allow themselves to be set up to be sold out by a radically oppressive, ideologically and politically motivated assortment of groups she refers to as “Greens”. She writes,

"The Greens are advancing their political plans disguised as progressive solutions to environmental protection. Greens plan to use fear of environmental doom to pass laws that will: control individual opportunities and actions; control business and; end private property rights."

"The Green plan calls for a complete social transformation that will erase our culture. The issue is, do we need to change everything about America to protect the environment for future generations?" Ms. Swanson reminds her readers of Aristotle's words: "All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind are convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." She then describes how radical green politics has become entrenched in America's school curiculum.

Do Green goals defy the U.S. Constitution? The author recommends these websites for further study: Earth Charter USA (read the Earth Charter), Green Party USA (see Platform) and Communist Party USA.

Set Up & Sold Out is available through the Benton County Republican Women for $20. Pick up your copy at Republican Headquarters, 1760 SW 3rd St. in Corvallis or through your favorite bookseller.

Proposed Resolution in Support of Federal Reserve Transparency:

2009-09-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Central Committee of the Benton County, Oregon Republican Party Resolution of SUPPORT for HR 1207 - The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 and S 604 - The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009   

Whereas, we, as PCPs of the Benton County Oregon Republican Party applaud transparency and accountability in government and reject government secrecy involving monetary policy that impacts the entire economy; and 

Whereas, serious discussions of proposals to oversee and audit the Federal Reserve are long overdue; and 

Whereas, the Federal Reserve can enter into agreements with foreign governments and foreign central banks and the United States Congress is prohibited from overseeing these agreements; and 

Whereas, we, as PCPs of Benton County Oregon Republican Party, believe agreements made by the Federal Reserve with foreign powers and foreign banking institutions should be subject to Congressional oversight; and 

Whereas, Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, gives only the United States Congress the authority to coin Money and regulate the value thereof; and 

Whereas, auditing the Federal Reserve will allow Congress to assert its constitutional authority over monetary policy and help to protect the value of the United States dollar; and 

Whereas, 1st District Representative David Wu, 2nd District Representative Greg Walden, and 4th District Representative Peter DeFazio have signed on as a co-sponsors to HR 1207, as of June 8, 2009 among 282 co-sponsors.

Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Central Committee of the Benton County Oregon Republican Party, commend Representatives Wu, Walden, and DeFazio for their defense of the United States Constitution, and STRONGLY URGE 3rd District Representative Blumenauer, 5th District Representative Schrader, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, and all the representatives and senators of the 111th United States Congress to support the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 and The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009.     

Bill of Rights

2009-08-14T01:26:00.000-07:00

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

The Bill of Rights: A Transcription
The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments 11-27
Bill of Rights

Note: The capitalization and punctuation in this version is from the enrolled original of the Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the Bill of Rights, which is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.

Top Ten Duties of a Precinct Committeeperson (PCP)

2009-08-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

PCPs serve for two years as a Republican Party representative in their own neighborhood. State laws specifies in ORS 248.015 (6) The term of office of a precinct committeeperson is from the 24th day after the date of the primary election until the 24th day after the date of the next following primary election. There are two PCP positions (one man & one woman) for every 500 voters registered in your precinct.
PCPs support all Republican candidates after the Primary Election. You are the eyes, ears and legs for candidates in your precinct. You play a critical role in selecting and electing Republican candidates for a wide range of positions; from the local school board to US Congress. You will be asked to volunteer on various campaigns in your area.
PCPs are the "grassroots base" of the Republican party. You are the liaison to the county party organization. This is a year-round commitment, which entails certain responsibilities; the most important is to keep in touch with your Republican neighbors. Recruit and train volunteers whenever possible. Maintain an updated database of the Republican voters in your precinct with phone numbers and emails when possible.
PCPs canvass their precinct going door-to-door passing out literature for candidates and the party, as well as talking to voters. Walking lists can be obtained from your county party or the local county elections department.
PCPs register voters. This can be done at events or just handing out voter registration cards in your neighborhood.
PCPs identify voters. Lots of voters consider themselves Republicans but are not registered with the party. Phone calls and personal contacts are good ways to identify which issues are hot buttons for them and whether they are likely to vote Republican. This information can be put in a database and used later for special mailings and other projects.
PCPs help Get-Out-The-Vote. Without votes even the best Republican candidate can't win. Making sure voters turn in their ballots by Election Day is the most crucial job you have as a PCP. GOTV (Get-Out-The-Vote) drives include phone banks and doorbelling. These efforts are especially urgent in the final days before the ballots are due.
PCPs participate in fundraising activities. They are often asked to volunteer at events sponsored by the local or state parties. Money is the mother's milk of politics.
PCPs attend meetings of the County Republican Central Committee. You need to attend the county party's reorganization meeting (usually held in November of even-numbered years) to elect party leadership. Other county meetings are also held throughout the year to formulate policy and develop strategies.
PCPs need to be flexible. There is no magic formula for success. Use your best judgment to inform voters and get them to cast a favorable ballot for Republicans.

WSPQ

2009-08-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

World's Smallest Political Quiz - Benton County Fair 2009 - BCRCC
by
John H. Detweiler

The Benton County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) gave the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" to all who would take it at the Benton County (Oregon) 2009 Fair. The fair was held between July 28th and August 1st. The questions asked and some information about the quiz can be found on a flyer from the Advocates for Self-Government (pdf). More information about the quiz can be found at the web site mentioned in the flyer. This quiz is not a product of the Republicans; and, as the BCRCC reads the supporting information, the quiz is non-partisan. The goal of the quiz is to determine where one stands politically.

The BCRCC makes no claims that the set of people taking the quiz was a random sample of Benton County voters.

The sample was self selected; it consisted of people who stopped by the BCRCC booth and took the quiz. Forty Democrats, eleven Libertarians, 157 Republicans, and thirty-one people from other political parties, or who were not aligned with any party, took the quiz. The large number of Republicans relative to the other parties was not a surprise since the booth was a Republican booth. Hopefully the sample is not too biased to be somewhat representative of the voters. The image to the right shows where all quiz takers are politically. The red dots are Republicans, the blue dots are Democrats, the green dots are Libertarians, and the yellow dots are all other parties and the non-aligned. As can be seen, the quiz results are shown in a two-dimensional field, the dimensions being personal issues and economic issues. The field is divided into Libertarian, Left, Centrist, Right, and Statist areas. The placement of the dots show where the quiz taker is located on those dimensions.

Not surprisingly, the Democrats tend to be on the Left and the Libertarians in the Libertarian area. The other/non-aligned tend to be in the Centrist and Libertarian areas. And, the Republicans tend to be in the Libertarian and Right areas. A few quiz takers seem to have political philosophies very different from their parties and may wish to rethink their political affiliations.

The chart to the left shows where each group -- Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and other/NA -- stands as a group. The plot shows the means of personal and economic issue scores and the 95% confidence ellipse[1] of the means for each group. The software package would not rotate the chart so that it would have the same orientation as the two-dimensional quiz field above.

The mean location for the Libertarians is in the Libertarian area but the confidence ellipse is quite large reflecting the small sample. The location of the other/non-aligned mean is not unexpected. However, the mean other/non-aligned location may well be in the libertarian area. I suspect that the location of these two sets of means reflects the Libertarian streak that runs throughout Oregon.

The mean location for the Republicans is in the Libertarian area, not the Right area. The confidence ellipse is relatively small reflecting the large sample. There is a reasonable probability that the mean location is in the Centrist area but it is probably not in the Right area which tells us that the Benton County Republicans are probably a libertarian-centrist group, not a right wing group. The mean location of the Republicans is very close to that of the Libertarians.

The mean location for the Democrats is on the Left, but not on the far left. However, there is a significant probability that the mean location is in the Centrist area and a small probability that the mean location is in the Libertarian area.

Conclusions

Assuming that this sample is at least somewhat representative, the Benton County voter is probably more libertarian than statist. Moreover, the voter is probably not on the far left, or the far right. However, the Democrats are clearly to the left of everybody else. Another way of describing the data may be to say that Republicans, Libertarians, and Others/NA seem to share many values, while the Democrats are alone in left field. Generally speaking, Democrats outnumber Republicans and the non-aligned outnumber Democrats. It seems reasonable that candidates who are positioned at the intersection of Republicans, Libertarians, and Other/NA -- economic dimension of about 70 and personal dimension of about 60 -- could easily win in Benton County. Such a candidate might even win in Corvallis.

Note:

The 95% confidence ellipses are actually a bit greater than 95% because the means are bounded by 0 and 100. I could have estimated that area but did not because it would not really shed more light on the situation.

Resources

2009-06-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Page in progress...

County

Benton County Republican Party Platform

State

National

United States Constitution

Other

The Constitution of the United States

2009-06-16T03:59:00.000-07:00

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

Article I

Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of Honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time: and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article II

Section 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Section 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III

Section 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;–to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;–to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;–to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;–to Controversies between two or more States;–between a State and Citizens of another State;–between Citizens of different States;–between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article IV

Section 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records, and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article V

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article VI

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwith-standing.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article VII

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth

In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

George Washington–President and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Connecticut: William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman

New York: Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey: William Livingston, David Brearly, William Paterson, Jonathan Dayton

Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris

Delaware: George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom

Maryland: James McHenry, Daniel of Saint Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll

Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, Jr.

North Carolina: William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson

South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler

Georgia: William Few, Abraham Baldwin