Cynthia Davis: I''m still a birther loud and proud

In her latest newsletter, former Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, now an internet talk show host, is not backing down from her role as a plaintiff on the birther lawsuit filed by lawyer Orly Taitz. On the contrary, Mrs. Davis is proud of her role in the lawsuit and still believes that the United States is being governed illegally by President Barack Obama. Note that another one who apparently is still proud of his association with the birther lawsuit is Missouri Speaker of the House Tim Jones.

Our Nation is at the crossroads again. The question is whether we will live within our Constitution. When Barack Obama was offered as a candidate by the Democrat Party, very few knew the definition of a "Natural Born Citizen" and that is it a requirement for anyone running for President of the United States. There was more discussion about this after the election than before. That's when I got involved. I started studying the question and through the process learned that the problem is that most Americans have never learned enough about our country to know what the Constitution requires of us. 

A natural born citizen is a person who has a mother and father who are both American citizens. Both have to be American citizens. If one is not American citizen, the child can be an American citizen, but will never be "natural born". A citizen with parents who are citizens from two different countries is a "dual citizen".

The confusion is caused because most people think we are talking about whether Obama is an American citizen, not realizing that a natural born citizen is different. The concern over where Obama was born is irrelevant because his father was not a US Citizen. That is the end of the question. The fact that our generation is ignorant of the definition of natural born citizen is no excuse for the voters or the political parties to claim ignorance.

Obama was wrong by spending millions of dollars fighting disclosure. The Democrat Party was wrong to put forth a candidate who was disqualified. The Republican Party was wrong for not opposing the candidacy on legal grounds. The media were wrong by not reporting and educating their readers and viewers. The voters were wrong for not demanding a qualified candidate. This country proved that being disqualified to hold the office is not enough to cost an election.

This effort led me to the point where I became a plaintiff on a lawsuit and actually flew out to California to attend the trial. All states have the ability to alter the facts on a birth certificate. Those who are lulled into comfort about a birth certificate's being an accurate statement need to know this. A birth certificate is not a statement of facts. It is a statement of legally approved facts as authorized by the government. The government has the ability to change anything including who is your mother, your father, the number of parents and the people who attended the birth if a judge authorizes it. However, since all birth certificates Obama has produced so far prove that his father was not an American citizen, that settles the fact that he is not a natural born citizen.

The focus in the media revolved over whether Obama was born in Kenya or Hawaii. Because his dad was not a US citizen, it did not matter where he was born. Much time and attention was spent on the department of vital statistics in Hawaii and the forged document that emerged from the White House, but none of that had any relevance to the question of whether Obama was a natural born citizen or not because even the certificate stated that his father was not a citizen of the United States.

Before the Constitution, the closest reference we have to Natural Born Citizen is from the legal treatise, “The Law of Nations,” written by Emerich de Vattel in 1758. In book one, chapter 19, § 212, of the citizens and natives:
“The citizens are the members of the civil society; bound to this society by certain duties, and subject to its authority, they equally participate in its advantages. The natives, or natural-born citizens, are those born in the country, of parents who are citizens.

This means that Barack Obama, by birth, was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies because Kenya was governed by the U.K. His mother and father were married at the time of his birth and the U.K. Citizenship was a right guaranteed through his father. He may have had Kenyan citizenship status conferred on him when Kenya achieved its independence from Britain in 1963. Some claim he was a citizen of Indonesia when his Indonesian step-father adopted him. He also was most likely a foreign exchange student when he was in college in our country, but we will never know because he is not required to share this information and he has not volunteered it.

I didn't write the Constitution, but I can explain it. The Founding Fathers wanted to make sure the one elected to the highest elected office would have unshakable loyalty to this country. There is no litmus test for loyalty, so they put verifiable rules in place. The question is not about whether you agree with the Constitution. If you don't agree with it, there is a process whereby it can be amended. As long as this natural born citizen requirement is in place, it behooves us to live by it.

The reason Obama was put on the ballot is because states don't have laws requiring the Secretary of State to verify that the candidate is a natural born citizen. Many states have laws requiring the Secretary of State to check into whether they have paid their taxes, but nothing on whether they are citizens. When a candidate files, he signs a statement that he is qualified to run. This case has gone to many courts, but most judges have said it is a political issue, not a legal question. The voters had four years to think about it and then voted for the man again! Apparently it wasn't a political hurdle for the voters or Obama.

The voters are supposed to be the final check and the balancing force to keep our country heading in the right direction. Therefore, the "natural born citizen" requirement is meaningless if the voters want to elect somebody who has loyalty to a one world government, has loyalty to other countries, wants to increase socialism and doesn't understand economics. With credentials like that, is his citizenship the biggest problem?

Now onto Ted Cruz: He is a good senator and serves Texas well. If we had more congressmen like Ted Cruz, we would have fewer bad laws. However, Ted Cruz is qualified to be a US Senator, but disqualified to be a US President because his father was not a US Citizen when Ted was born. There is no qualification to be a natural born citizen for a senator, but there is for the president.

Let's not put all our hope in one man. Are there no other qualified candidates who would serve our country well in the White House? The voters can educate themselves and start sending better people to Washington in all offices. The question is not whether Obama is being unconstitutional, but why our Congress allows him to get away with it. Where are the checks and balances that hold us accountable?

Cynthia Davis, Constitution Party response to State of the Union

Hartzler: Obama refuses to let the American Spirit to be unleashed

In her latest newsletter, Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler expresses disappointment in President Obama's State of the Union address.

This was a busy week here in Washington. The President shared his vision for the nation over the next year in his State of the Union address, and the House was hard at work, fighting for you. The House passed the Farm Bill, giving farmers more certainty over the next five years. Additionally, the House passed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, H.R. 7, ending taxpayer-funded abortions once and for all.

This past Tuesday, the President laid out his vision for the next year in his State of the Union Address. His speech reflected a clear difference of perspective. He believes government is the solution to our problems; I believe government is too often the problem. While the President did touch on many issues of concern to many Americans, he refuses to allow the American spirit to be unleashed, preferring instead to call for government-imposed solutions that have failed in the past and will undoubtedly fail in the future.

NEA response to State of the Union: Educators support opportunity for all

Billy Long on State of the Union: We will not rubberstamp the Obama agenda

U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement on the president’s State of the Union address:

“The president and his administration like to say he has a pen and phone and is ready to act, but as a former constitutional law professor the president should understand there are three equal branches of government.

 If his proposals are worthwhile and will help the American people then he should be able to get Congress onboard. My colleagues and I will not rubberstamp an agenda that increases the reach of the government into our lives, increases spending and decreases liberty. 

We need a smaller, leaner government to help unleash the pent up economic growth that is vital to creating the jobs we need here at home.”

Hartzler on State of the Union: It's time for president to end class warfare rhetoric

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“President Obama’s speech reflects a clear difference of perspective. He believes government is the solution to our problems; I believe government is too often the problem. The President stated early in his speech that he believes the American people are united by the belief in opportunity for all – regardless of race or religion or party, young or old, rich or poor – and the notion that if you work hard and take responsibility, you get ahead. But if he really believes this, why doesn’t he get government out of the way to allow American individualism and ingenuity to flourish? While the President touched on many of the issues of concern to most Americans, he refuses to allow the American spirit to be unleashed, preferring instead to call for government-imposed solutions that have failed in the past and will undoubtedly fail in the future.

It was disappointing, as well, to hear the President use his platform to shore up his base rather than reaching out to all Americans and their needs. The President’s claim that he embraces an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy was empty, as he quickly shifted to stifling power plants with claims of climate change. The President has previously made clear his opposition to coal, a plentiful energy source that is depended on by much of Missouri for its energy needs. An ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy must welcome alternative energy sources like wind and solar, but it cannot restrict exploration of and use of efficient and plentiful sources of energy like coal and oil. An ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy must include moving government out of the way to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This will not only create thousands of jobs in our country, but will ensure a ready supply of energy from Canada – a friendly neighbor.

America needs action that involves getting government out of the way of job growth and unleashing the American spirit; not one of taking power away from the people. I remain focused on removing the uncertainty that is stifling job growth, growing the economy, and empowering the American people. It is imperative to get excess government out of the way of our economy, not further entangle it in our private lives. Our Founding Fathers intended that governing be a partnership between the branches of government, and it is my hope that the President will work with Congress to promote these common-sense ideas to help all Americans.

Constituents from Missouri’s Fourth District have shared stories about the negative impact of the Administration’s actions, and House Republicans are working on solutions to get government out of the way:


- A substitute teacher will have her hours cut due to the President’s health care law, lowering her take home pay and making it difficult to provide for her family. I support the American Health Care Reform Act, which replaces Obamacare with market-driven solutions that increase access and lower the cost of health care;

- Community banks are being buried under a flood of regulations due to the Dodd-Frank financial reforms. I introduced the Small Business Credit Availability Act, which would help roll back this harmful legislation by freeing up equity small banks use to provide their customers with loans and working capital.

- Rural electric cooperatives have been negatively impacted by the President’s war on coal, which will shut down Missouri power plants and drive up the electricity bills of citizens across Missouri and the country. I continue to fight against overregulation by the EPA, and ensure America has a true ‘all of the above’ energy policy to secure energy independence and lower energy costs.

I want to assure the citizens of Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District that I, along with my colleagues in the House, am committed to a year of positive action for the people. We will continue to work to get Washington out of the way, helping to lower healthcare costs, cutting government waste, eliminating job-stifling red tape, and helping Americans take home more of their paycheck each month.

It is time for the President to work with Congress to improve the lives of hard-working Americans and end the harmful rhetoric of class warfare.”

Live streaming coverage of State of the Union

Video- Blunt calls on Obama to work with Congress on bi-partisan legislation

Transcript: Roy Blunt delivers weekly Republican message

“Hi, I’m Senator Roy Blunt.
 
“In a few days, President Obama will deliver his sixth State of the Union address. According to recent reports, the President plans to use this speech as a kick off for his so-called ‘year of action.’ He intends to focus on income inequality leading up to the midterm elections this year.
 
“Well, the President’s right about at least one thing. Americans are hurting. Too many of the poorest Americans continue to suffer from stalled job creation, skyrocketing federal debt, burdensome regulations, and broken promises on health care reform.
 
“What President Obama fails to acknowledge is that Americans are hurting as a result of his own policies.
 
“More than 10 million people are still unemployed nationwide. Another 2.4 million people want to work, but have stopped looking for a job. And almost 8 million people have already been forced to take part-time jobs because they can’t find the full-time jobs they’d like to have.
 
“This administration’s agenda to create more government, more spending, more taxes, and more debt has created an inequality crisis of opportunity in our country. Those policies have been disproportionately hurtful to the poorest among us for the past five years.
 
“When he delivers his State of the Union address this week, the President has a lot of explaining to do.
 
“If all he has to offer is more of the same, or if he refuses to acknowledge that his own policies have failed to work – the President is simply doing what many failed leaders have done before him: trying to set one group of Americans against another group of Americans.
 
“We don’t need more class warfare, and we don’t need more interference from Washington. No government program can replace what a good job means for the future of a family.
 
“Republicans are ready to turn these policies around and launch a ‘year of action’ – starting with fixing our broken health care system.
 
“Every day, I hear from Missourians who are dealing with increased costs, lost coverage, finding a new doctor, part-time jobs thanks to the President's health care law.
 
“The administration has decided which parts of the law to follow and which parts to delay. The President himself was forced to take back his promise that people could keep their plan if they liked it.
 
“This isn’t the result of some website glitch. It’s a law that’s fundamentally flawed. And it’s hurting the very families who need affordable coverage and good-paying, full-time jobs the most.
 
“Let’s work together to replace a plan that won’t work with common-sense solutions. Solutions like buying insurance across state lines and fair tax treatment for every health care dollar.
 
“We can also help jump-start job creation for American workers by creating more economic certainty.
 
“No one wants to create a job or hire more people when they have needless uncertainties about what the future holds. That’s why we need to eliminate confusing and inefficient government regulations.
 
“I’ve joined Senator Angus King from Maine to introduce a bipartisan bill that does just that by streamlining, consolidating, and repealing costly and needless government regulations.
 
“We can also create economic opportunities for American workers by supporting increased domestic energy production. More American energy means more American jobs. The President’s own State Department acknowledged that the Keystone XL Pipeline – as just one example – would create tens of thousands of jobs at no cost to taxpayers.
 
“Now, this project’s been stalled for more than five years. It’s time for President Obama to approve truly shovel-ready projects like Keystone to encourage private sector job creation.
 
“More American energy means more American jobs; and not just the jobs to produce the energy, but also when you provide predictable utility bills and a dependable delivery system, you encourage more American manufacturing and more American technology jobs as well.
 
“Republicans in Congress are ready for a ‘year of action.’ Ready to enact a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda.
 
“The House has already passed a number of bills aimed at jump-starting the economy – bills that are stalled in the Senate that’s controlled by Democrats and Majority Leader Harry Reid.
 
“The President says he has a pen to sign executive orders and a phone to rally support. The Congress should insist that he find the Constitution and follow it.
 
“President Obama can join us to grow the nation’s economy and the nation’s jobs. Or he can continue pushing for more regulations, more taxes, higher utility bills, and health care turmoil – bad policies that hurt poor Americans the most.
 
“Mr. President, let’s use the ‘year of action’ to have a little less talk, and a lot more action.”

Ed Martin: Obamacare will be the downfall of a historic presidency

(From the Missouri Republican Party)

Missouri Republican Party Chairman Ed Martin issued the following statement following the announcement of Obamacare's enrollment numbers:

“The truth hurts; at least it hurts everyday Missourians and millions around the country. Another month of enrollment numbers brings another announcement from the Administration cloaking the colossal failure that is ObamaCare.

“No amount of repairs to a website, or new rules meant to shore up ObamaCare’s failed policy, will fix the problem the law created for countless Americans that lost theirs plans through no fault of their own.

“By the White House’s own admission, the young and healthy will have to shoulder the burden of ObamaCare. Today’s numbers show young Americans are avoiding the mandate at a significant rate. The White House continues to hide key data points by refusing to release the number of Americans that have actually paid for plans selected through the federal marketplace. What are they hiding?

“When America judges this administration, when it’s all said and done, this law will undoubtedly be the downfall of a historic presidency.”

2013 in Review: Message to President Obama: My students deserve better

(From Feb. 13, 2013) It certainly was depressing last night to discover that the only reason I am standing in front of a classroom of eighth grade students day after day, year after year, is so at some point they can be delivered job ready to some employer.

Whatever happened to the loftier goals of teaching young people the thinking skills needed to succeed in life, the ability to function not only as members of a faceless workforce, but also as key components in directing the civic and political discourse of this country?

In one short paragraph during last night's State of the Union Message, President Barack Obama spelled out today's definition of high school education.

Obamas: Your children need Common Core, our children don't

Those who have read the Turner Report over the last several months know that I have three major reasons for opposing Common Core Standards:

1. The increasing number of standardized tests that will go along with the implementation of Common Core

2. The U. S. Department of Education is bribing state governments to go along with Common Core, and other reforms that include basing teacher evaluation on standardized test scores and privatizing education

3. Teachers played almost no part in creating Common Core Standards. Instead, the people at the table included representatives of technology companies, test companies, textbook companies, and once again, those whose entire idea of education centers around privatization and charter schools.

If you have read this blog long enough, you also know that I have written several times that the education policy of the Obama Administration is just as bad as that of George W. Bush's administration.

I don't know what kind of schools President Bush's daughters would have attended had they been of school age when he was in the White House, but President Obama has made certain that his daughters are in a school that has not implemented Common Core Standards and will not be implementing them.

Why does President Obama believe Common Core is right for everyone else's children, but not for his?