By: Dr. Douglas F. Levesque, Founder of The Levesque Institute
The Continental Congress 2009 has convened in Chicagoland, Illinois. It is meeting to articulate grievances regarding the U.S. government’s abuse of power and disregard for Constitutional law. It will then determine what to do if the government decides to ignore the grievances. A public petition will be circulated to raise awareness and garner support. It is an historic occasion – no doubt. It’s effectiveness is yet to be seen. It’s legitimacy is the subject of this treatise.
Three delegates from each state have been elected to represent Americans in these delegations. The diversity is great. White, black, hispanic, and immigrant-citizens are here. Blue collar, white collar, college degrees, and self educated experts are here. Men, women, young, and old are here. Most are patriots, many are veterans, some are skeptics, and not a few seem anti-establishment, but all are come together as Americans. Some are God fearing, some are atheistic, but all are tolerant of the many prayers, hymns, chapels, and religious historical stories alluded to here. The level of Constitutional knowledge and legal understanding is as rich as any meeting in America. The hope for peaceful progress is seen in the smiling eyes and heard in the lively discussions at every break time or meal table. The determination to see this Continental Congress is high in most delegations. On the surface it is very real, and very serious. At the core it is noble, and for the Constitutional purist. But is it legitimate?
What makes anything legitimate? Does legitimate mean legal? This congress is legal. Does legitimate mean mature or meaningful? This congress is both of those things. Does legitimate mean popular or marketable? This congress has the potential to be explosive at the grass roots level and in the pop media. Does legitimate mean “as powerful” or more potent than the current government? That remains to be seen. Our forefathers certainly did not seem legitimate under any of these definitions, but today nobody questions their legitimacy. It is their universal acceptance and even their universal esteem that actually maximizes this Continental Congress 2009. Constitutionally, nothing could be more legitimate.
Biblically speaking, only an adherence to the sound national advice and wisdom within the sacred pages of Scripture will move the hand of heaven towards a lasting and effective legitimacy. Let us pray for both our current authorities and our Continental Congress 2009 delegates to reach for the examples set by our first representatives.
“But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bear rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.” -Nehemiah 5:15
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“Constitutionally, nothing could be more legitimate.”
Well, there is nothing in our constitution about convening a continental congress. The continental congress was legitimate under the articles of confederation, but once the constitution was approved it was dissolved. It has no place in our constitution.
The Continental Congress 2009 is a private orginization. It is an exercise in make believe to think that they have any authority to make any changes in our government. If they think so much of the constitution then perhaps these people should use the methods of redress provided for in the constitution to attempt to change our government. Such as bringing court cases against practices they deem to be unconstitutional (although good luck getting standing) and lobbying congress for other changes (get in line).
My opinion is that we no longer have a government which is constrained by the constitution. And good luck getting anything done about it.
foytik, the We the People Foundation indeed formally served seven Petitions for Redress to the United States Government in November of 2002. The government has refused to respond. They believe that the Continental Congress is the next logical step.
It is FACT that the government in power today is NOT constrained by the Constitution. Check out the videos on CarolinaLiberty.com or search YouTube for “NCAR – John Ainsworth” (watch all 9 videos!) for a detailed analysis of the history which has brought us to this point.
We must first understand our history in order to come up with a viable solution.