The Oath of Office should not be ignored
It is another sound good piece of legislation. H.R. 1388 has a creative title; The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. 321 representatives of the people voted approval for this legislation which, among many other things, strikes a blow to the rights of people to mount any protests against legislation. Listen closely, it outlaws the right to mount protests against proposed legislation.
This act is being presented as part of Pres. Obama's goal of establishing a national service program. In his speech delivered in Colorado Springs, CO he wanted "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the the military." As Rahm Emanuel further explained, "It's time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, all Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service."
The GIVE Act would extend funding, through 2014, for AmeriCorps as well many other organizations that would either be extended or created. Among these are the National Civilian Community Corps, Learn and Serve Programs, the Investment for Quality and Innovation program, Campuses of Service, Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, an Education Corps to address unmet educational needs, a Healthy Futures Corps to address unmet health needs, a Clean Energy Corps to address unmet environmental needs, a Veterans Corps to address the unmet needs of veterans and their families. Overall it is the goal to reach at least 250,000 serving in a volunteer basis. Overall, it sounds good to the ears yet 105 representatives voted in opposition to it.
Perhaps one of the key reasons there were so many votes against this supposedly good act was the little amendment buried down as the 12th Amendment to the act. Remember it is the little invasions to our liberties that open cracks for increased federal power and decreased freedom. "Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing." Those in support of this legislation will argue this amendment is limited in scope and is not meant to interfere with the rights of citizens to protest, petition, boycott, or strike in resistance to government proposed laws.
However, the people associated through service under the GIVE Act are considered volunteers, still free citizens, yet it will be unlawful for them to take part in any protests against any legislation. This is as close to a sedition act, a violation of 1st Amendment rights, as has been proposed in recent history. A basic right as a part of our natural, inalienable rights, is to resist government. Our founders not only knew it was a right but it was a responsibility. This legislation begins to break that down significantly.
What can you do? Research this legislation and the amendments to see if you feel as outraged as this examiner. Contact your representatives and chastise those who voted for it while sending a note of appreciation to those who stood against it. Keep an eye on your Senators and help defeat any attempt to carry the GIVE Act into law by contacting them and letting them know you oppose this violation of our natural right and responsibility as patriotic Americans.
Live every Sunday at 7pm EST
Comments
AWESOME ARTICLE!
Can you contact me? Would like to interview on radio-- within the next 30 minutes....I go live in less than 10
You can get me via email
(reese at reesewebs dot com
Thanks!
Sherri Reese
btw-- this is not a set-up
I just has a piece published in the MDJ-- in the OP/ED -- today-- you can look it up...know I am legit!
thx
Sherri
This is the way it already is with AmeriCorps volunteers. This is nothing new. Volunteers can take part in such activities on their own time, but not as representatives of AmeriCorps. It sounds more harsh than it really is.
Is this what freedom and liberty look like? Do Americans even understand what liberty means any more? This is an utter travesty. It is TREASON. It is blatantly UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Enjoy your new Stasi compulsory volunteer national security force my freedom loving American friends. Welcome to 1984.
"Volunteers can take part in such activities on their own time"
That would be one opinion however the Act itself says nothing of the sort; "A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities"
I am no Obama supporter, but the language here seems to be aimed at keeping our money from being used to influence legislation or affect unions. Were that to happen, we would all be screaming foul.
Gary,
Enjoyed your article.
I've searched through HR 1388, unsuccessfully. Would you be so kind as to point out the offensive language (re Bill of Rights, Amendment 1) to me.
Joe W.
Here's language indicating what an individual is not allowed to do while connected with any of the organizations developed through this act if it passes the senate. The last one is a real catch-all. I hope this helps.
Quoted from the bill sent to the Senate:
" PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES - A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
(1) Attempting to influcence legislation
(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.
(3) Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing
(4) Impairing existing contracts or services or collective bargaining agreements.
(5) Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office
(6) Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials.
(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.
(8) Providing a direct benefit to --
(A) a business organized for profit;
(B) a labor organization;
(C) a partisan political organization;
(D) a nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and
(E) an organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph (7) unless Corporation assistance is not used to support those religious activities.
(9) Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive.
(10) Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit."
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but the members of the military are under the same restrictions as above.
Denver,
So, this language puts GIVE Act volunteers under the same restrictions as active military volunteers? Are the military restrictions only while on duty, or wearing the uniform? Would the GIVE Act restrictions also only be while 'on duty' (ie serving in the capacity authorized by the act)? Or are the restrictions (military and Give Act) also applicable to private time?
I was going to ask:
govtrack(.)us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1388
"I'm trying to find the section of the bill that bans protesting as you say it does. I have no doubt you're telling the truth, but I want to be able to quote the exact section.
Can you give me a hand here, and point it out?"
I found it govtrack(.)us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1388&tab=amendments
"(12) H.Amdt. 49 by Rep. Miller [D-CA]
The amendments prohibits organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing.
Proposed: Mar 18, 2009. Accepted: Mar 18, 2009.
Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing."
This isn't the reason people voted against the GIVE Act. This amendment was passed by unanimous consent. If anyone had a problem with this section, you would think that at least one member would have spoken up.
People voted against the GIVE Act because they are fundamentally opposed to this kind of program. These are the same people who opposed Americorps during the Clinton Administration, who opposed the reauthorization of Americorps, and are now opposing the expansion of Americorps through the GIVE Act.
This is unconsitutional!
Even though it says "Salt Lake," it comes up through the S.F Examiner site. I was wrong about the vote--passage was not in doubt. If you see danger in this bill, please say so in the paper. Thanks.
1984's far more obvious equivalent would be the Patriot Act. Did you oppose that so fervently as well? Wade is absolutely right. Research prior to an uninformed rant is usually helpful.
I had no idea that the rest of the country was experiencing a shortage of volunteer opportunities! They're all around my community. But creating committees and spending money is part of why America is what is.
THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD. HES TAKING OUR KIDS & GONNA CONTROL US. OVER MY DEAD BODY!!! READ THE FACTS PEOPLE
Right on Gary. Nailed it again. NO MORE PRESIDENTS FROM KENYA!
youtube.com/watch?v=pWTs1YyhFRg
i agree
spade
i think that spade is going to be the next president because he has a horse and it is fast
i think this retard beside me needs 2 shut up.....poor kid get boi
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehahahahah hey boys this is spade and thats my horse.
i feel that our country is a great country because we got a great president and he takes care of our nation thats why my family supports that obama dude cause hes great and hes a great president and hopefully he dont get us killed by other nations and spades horse is goin to be there to run over people and kill them
i need help with thhe give act
cameron sizemore thinks hes going to be the next president well i dont think so because hes a girl and a wimp
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!