OPINION: Many Tea Party demands were part of Confederate Constitution

Frank Gillispie

OPINION: Many Tea Party demands were part of Confederate Constitution

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Sunday, April 25. 2010

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Monday, April 26, is Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia and much of the Old South. There will be numerous events in the area sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and numerous other pro south organizations. The day is recognized by the State of Georgia as an official holiday with state offices closed.

Confederate Memorial Day is the only day of the year that the original Confederate Constitution can be seen. It is owned by the Hargarett Rare Books library at the University of Georgia and spends the rest of the year rolled in a lead tube and stored away in a heavy vault. Exposure to light and cosmic radiation would gradually continue to fade the ink.

Therefore, it is put on display only the one day each year along with a selection of other period artifacts and documents from the University’s collection. It is open to the public and I encourage any of you who have an opportunity to go see this rare historic document.

General Howell Cobb of Athens was one of the principle authors of the Confederate Constitution. Because the Confederate States considered themselves to be the true descendents of the United States Revolution, they clamed for themselves the Declaration of Independence and the basic principles in the U.S. Constitution. Starting with the original document, they made several key changes that enhanced the personal freedoms and states rights that they believed were the goals of the founding fathers.

Some examples of these changes are: One six-year term for President. Their idea was that once elected, the president would be free of political pressures since he would not be seeking re-election. It is the opinion of many historians that General Robert E. Lee would have been the second president had the Confederacy survived.

The president was granted a line item veto, meaning that he could veto parts of a bill, while allowing other parts to become law. This is a power the current presidents do not have.

Because excise taxes were a major factor in the revolt of the Southern states, the Confederate Constitution only allowed such taxes for harbor improvements. Any spending on internal improvements had to have a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.

Many other changes put limits on government power in favor of the rights of the individual. I find it fascinating that so many of the demands being made by the current Tea Party movement were written into the Confederate constitution 150 years ago.

Then, after you view the constitution, you are invited to attend the April meeting of the Madison County camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans where we plan to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the document, and compare it to the current U.S. Constitution. The meeting will be Monday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the community room of First Madison Bank in Colbert. Everyone is welcome.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frank@frankgillispie.com. His website can be accessed at http://www.frankgillispie.com/gillispieonline.

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#1 Anonymous on 04/26/10 at 09:48 AM [Reply]

You're right. Confederates were white supremacist racists, and judging from tea party protests and signs, the tea baggers are white supremacist racists also.

#1.1 pl on 04/28/10 at 09:41 AM [Reply]

What an ignorant statement-- obviously from an ignorant person.

#1.2 Anonymous on 04/28/10 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

What an ignorant statement!

#2 MC taxpayor on 04/27/10 at 03:27 PM [Reply]

On History American Revolution seems blacks included in tea party that night as well as at Lexington and Bunker Hill engagements. Your tone well incorrect in my view but your welcome to your view.

Many many many and more many people of color present in many Tea Party events. They are seeking a level playing field and view is government taxation and programs taking away one's rights and "fruits of labor " noting more than "Government Slavery to all".

Have a good day.

#3 Patriot on 05/12/10 at 09:33 AM [Reply]

Does anyone but me see whats going on here ?
We are taxed to death and for what. Just to be left out in the cold and denied the services that we pay for by recieving less pay so our employer can pay UI ,SS.etc etc .Not to mention whats taken from our own fruits of labor. Sales tax , Property tax and the list goes on and on !!
Here Is the real kicker ,How much are we sending to Mexico ,Africa, Pakistan the IMF etc etc . All our jobs are being sent out of country to avoid our system of taxes and regulation ( meaning their ,the Governments and special Interest System ) Our borders are being over run by god knows who and taking jobs from us or ploting worse.Just to send the Money back home where ever they are from .
But if one American Born citizen even thinks about breaking the law its off to jail for us no exception . Do we really feel represented by this government ?
The Constitution is very important for the people and just in the way of this government . The supreme law of the land it was designed to restrict the government to specific duties and to resrtict their power! No other power was given without a Constitutionial Ammendment and that has to be voted on by the people to be ratified.
Our Declaration Of Independence is just as important because it spells out why we seperated from British rule to start with and what is our right and not only our right but our duty to throw off or abolish the government when it becomes detrimental to the ends in which it was designed to meet !! Are we there yet .
Although I dont advocate violence as a first measure , I wouldnt remove it from the table as an option .If our founders had done so we would have never been given the chance to have freedom in the first place.
The main reason for the Second Amendment !!!!
If we dont stand up united now we may never have the chance again ! Be sure Its not just Dems or the GOP its both parties that have had control of the government since the Mid 1800's . So who is to blame now ? I guess we are for putting party before country . We the people in order to form a more perfect union formed this Government and so shall we the people abolish it an reinstitute one that shall better serve us all equally as Americans . You see we are Americans not Americants. Stand tall and strong cause we as a Uinited people shall endure and overcome !!
Government like fire can be a very useful tool if watched and controlled diligently. Let it go unwatched and uncontrolled and it will burn and consume everything.
Dont be afraid to stand up and speak out you arent alone we are all in this together !!

#3.1 Anonymous on 05/12/10 at 08:05 PM [Reply]

No. Unless you are making over $200,000 - $300,000 a year, you are not only not "taxed to death" you are very little taxes and you are paying even less taxes than you were paying under Bush OR Reagan!

#3.1.1 Patriot on 05/17/10 at 01:06 PM [Reply]

Hey anonymous I want to first to apologize for such poor spelling and penmanship in my last correspondence as it was rather hurried .

Perhaps that might be why you did not seem to get the point of my writing. I said nothing about who was paying to much in taxes .
Obviously you seem to think I did . Perhaps you are showing the signs of what happens when you become party loyal rather than loyal to
country . I'm not quite sure but I do believe you are quoting something you have heard somewhere else .

If you would look back in history that has been the progressive movement for quite some time. If you look at taxes on a whole add all that you actually pay , Not just income taxes. I believe you might be in agreement with me rather than denial . And I said and I quote ( We are taxed to death) Try making 30 to 45 thousand a year and having some where between 60 to 70 % of it going to some form of taxes and though those who are in the tax bracket you mentioned pay a slightly higher income tax ,the rest is the same % for all .
So by your post I think you actually agree with me at least to some degree .That is if you pay taxes . LOL

Seriously though take into consideration inflation and the devalued dollar and I think all below the Aristocratic level are being taxed and regulated into the poor house. You have to constantly look back to see where we are and I personally don't think we are better of then we were just 20 or 30 years ago. Our Light bill is higher than most house payments were back then . You used to buy a pound of coffle for a certain price .although that price hasn't gone up you don't get a full pound anymore and there are lots of other products that are also that way . Oh and I didn't say I liked Bush either LOL. Look how much fuel has gone up just in a few years .So you see my point .
Just a Little side note for Bill , I try every chance to buy American and lots of the times I will not buy at all if its not produced in America . So I don't deserve the pacifier award just yet .LOL But On a final note I will say this at least you people did read it and have a thought over it . TY for that
I know it's a start .

#3.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 01:21 AM [Reply]

I made $67,000 last year, and I did not pay anywhere near "60% - 70%" in taxes. Not even 25%.

Maybe you should put as much time and effort into tax preparation as you do into your crazy ranting. Or hire a new accountant. Just because a few people are too dumb or ignorant to understand how to properly prepare their taxes and therefore apparently pay way too much is not a reason to overthrow the govt. I honestly don't know how you could do your taxes and pay 70% income tax. You would have to either be a complete moron or just be awfully generous and overpay. But, hey, look at it like this. If you are paying 70%, just look at it as being extra "patriotic." The rest of us greatly appreciate your "patriotism." Keep up the good work! Maybe next year you can pay 80%. Thank you for your service.

#3.1.1.1.1 patriot on 05/18/10 at 11:27 AM [Reply]

Well Anonymous as expexted of some one like you to resort to 1st grade name calling. Here is one for you ( YOU Cant Fix Stupid ) You must not be able to read or something because you keep syaing that I wrote something I did not. All you wish to refer to is Income Tax . I guess the Entire concept of the tax structure is to large for your pea brain to understand. You must not pay any property tax ,sales tax. Drivers Liscense fees , Fishing or hunting liscense fees , tag fees etc etc all the taxes on your power bill ,phone bill ,cable bill, tax one tax 2 ,universal tax on some of these items so do as I did and keep an accurate accout for 12 months and then come back and tell me that lie again . You must be a really good tax cheat if you can avoid all the taxes you are really paying .Perhaps you are just in denial of the truth.Every fee paid to the Government is a Tax pea brain ! What world are you living in !

#3.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/19/10 at 08:19 PM [Reply]

Um, my property taxes were just over $4,000. Sorry, still nowhere near 70%.

Again, learn how to do your taxes, or do basic math, or hire even a reasonably competent accountant.

Or, continue displaying your "patriotism" and keep paying that 70%. Again, the rest of us thank you for your service and overpayment! Your "patriotism" truly enhances the freedom for the rest of us!

#3.1.1.1.1.1.1 Patriot on 05/21/10 at 08:10 PM [Reply]

Would you waste your time talking to a fence post? No, no more than you can fix Stupid.Some people can learn to read and I guess some cant!!
Just like trying to talk to a fence post you wouldnt cast pearl amoung swine !! Simple first ggrade Instructions said add all your taxes for a year and then say that. Man how the year flew by !!

#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/24/10 at 04:36 PM [Reply]

Even after adding up all taxes: sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, gasoline taxes, I am still NO WHERE NEAR paying 70%, or even 40% of my income in taxes! Spend as much time learning basic math as you do ranting, and you won't be paying so much in taxes. Or again, by all means keep up that "patriotism" and pay, pay, pay...the rest of us are laughing at..., er, I mean, saluting you!

#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Patriot on 06/05/10 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

And You Still Cant Fix Stupid ! LOL

#3.1.1.1.2 patriot on 05/18/10 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

#3.1.2 Po Johns Journal on 05/17/10 at 01:26 PM [Reply]

Hey Anonymous you are deed wrong bout people paying less taxes now than under Bush or Reagan . What about them folks that Like the
T backy .
I heered them things went way up under this ministration.
What bout them alcoholic beverages I heered that stuff a wnet way up to. I recon there be lots a things that have if you look hard enough. I know them things was taxes about some health thing . I know if dum ole me can see that I asure smart feller like you with that much muney you ought to be a figurin that out yourself. Well thats bout it thought ya might like ta know.

#3.2 Bill on 05/13/10 at 05:15 AM [Reply]

About American jobs going overseas, why don't you take some action and boycott the corporations that are sending the jobs overseas? Or is it just easier to b%^&h and moan?

#4 MC taxpayor on 05/18/10 at 08:55 AM [Reply]

Spending taxes : just look at our own county. road work / bridge issue's. Over time issues. Zoning issues of non enforcement yet paying those people very very well. Younger generation striving for lowest common denominator work ethics as why work harder when you see your leaders behaving the way they do. Bet many presently on BOC will not be there next election. Shame we can vote on people running other departments such as animal control etc.

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OPINION: Many Tea Party demands were part of Confederate Constitution

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OPINION: Many Tea Party demands were part of Confederate Constitution

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