The Role of a Constitution

It has come to my attention that some may not know the role of a constitution and why it is important. And, that's not our fault...but we live in a culture that has detached itself from the American Constitution. So, how can we expect to understand the importance of such a document?

Here's an article that can help you understand the role of a constitution much better than I ever could: http://www.fff.org/freedom/0801a.asp

Now, as he said: "a constitution has a dual purpose: to call into existence a government but, at the same time, to limit the powers of that government." Therefore, without a constitution we could say that a people do not have a government. Or, we could say that, that people do not have any way to limit the powers of government.

We have seen the excesses of our Virgin Islands Government, right? It would be great to have a way to hold the government accountable, right? So, would you not agree that we need a means by which to hold it accountable and limit its power?

Right now, we have no way to hold the Virgin Islands Government accountable. A constitution will give us the tools to ensure that we can control the Government and thus the direction of the Virgin Islands. Do you like the way things are going in the Virgin Islands?

If not...


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Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

Do Virgin Islanders Deserve a Constitution?

Ok...I was frustrated before, and those frustrations keep mounting.

I just read an article in the St. Thomas Source about the Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention and their deliberations over public education. You can read the article.

In this article, the Source describes a plenary session of delegates to discuss constitutional provisions to construct the Board of Education in the Virgin Islands. What?! Yes, they are drafting text to outline what the Board of Education should look like - in a constitutional document.

When I presented to the Delegates to Convention, I told them that many of the issues they are fighting over should not - and do not need to - be addressed in a constitution.

One of the delegates - Douglas Brady sets the tone for what has always been my argument with the delegates:

What you just read seems to me like a regulation from the Department of Labor. Which is exactly where a lot of this language should be. This is not constitutional stuff. We should be laying out the framework of the government and then the government in place puts in the fine details. (emphasis mine)

I couldn't agree more. A Constitution is the framework for laws and regulations...it is neither law nor regulation.

The Delegates to the US Constitutional Convention were not government officials. The Framers of the US Constitution were not (originally) legislators; they were Revolutionaries. The delegates to the various State Conventions were also revolutionaries. There were no governments at the times these conventions were being held. Even under Reconstruction, the governments that existed were viewed as Rebel Governments and thus invalid. So, those delegates were also Revolutionaries. These delegates weren't there to craft legislation. They were crafting revolution! They left the legislation to the Government they were founding.

The Delegates to the Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention have yet to realize that they are, in fact, Revolutionaries. Our delegates are caught treating the Constitution as a piece of legislation - worrying about issues that should be dealt with in a legislative body. They are to be founding a new Government - not reforming an old one. Yet, they are at the whim of the VI Legislature that is fundamentally opposed to the success of a Convention. The Legislature may say they are for a VI Constitution, however most of them are surely against it as order and accountability that come from structure (a Constitution) will - possibly - mean less graft and corruption.

One official in Governor de Jongh's cabinet actually told me that he prefers the Virgin Islands to adopt the Revised Organic Act of 1954 as our fundamental document! Yes, one of the people entrusted to lead Virgin Islanders advocates that the Virgin Islands be governed by a document written by Congress - and people with no vested interest in the Virgin Islands. With the Organic Act, it will take an act of Congress to change anything - on the ground - in the Virgin Islands...and we know how quickly that will happen.

Do Virgin Islanders deserve a Constitution? Did Britain write the US Constitution? Did the Federal Government write the Constitution of Delaware, Virginia, Florida, Georgia or any of the fifty states? So, why should the Federal Government write our founding document? As a matter of fact, can we even say that the Virgin Islands have truly been established until we craft our own document?

How can Delegate to Convention expect the Government of the Virgin Islands to support the creation of a document that will curtail their power? I'm not so sure that will happen. Could that be the reason we are now in our Fifth Constitutional Convention? Could that be why this convention is struggling? Just a thought...

Freedom and Liberty are things we must fight for, and they are things that the Government will not give to the people. Freedom comes when people seize the moment and take control of their own destiny. Are you willing to do the work to the freedom of Virgin Islanders?

What do you think about a Constitution for the Virgin Islands? Do we need one? Should we simply adopt the Organic Act, written by Congress? Do you think a Constitution will be of benefit to the Virgin Islands?

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

RNC Convention Recap

Alright, the Convention is over. It was a great experience for numerous reasons. And, I need to be sure I report what you don't hear.

I saw the posting of Meagan Poinski - who was embedded with the Delegation. She did a good job procuring comments from the Delegation. And, I think Virgin Islanders would have also benefited from reading more about how the efforts of the Delegation applied to the Virgin Islands...or not.

There were some of us who were so busy flag-waving and screaming that we didn't make any headway for the Virgin Islands. For some of us, it was simply the benefit of hobnobbing for hobnobbing's sake.

Yet, there were some of us who were there fighting tooth and nail for the Virgin Islands, and have been rubbing elbows with power brokers with the sole purpose of cashing in political capital for the benefit of Virgin Islanders.

In the end, what we as Virgin Islander must understand is that we're getting screwed from both sides. To date, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have granted us a vote in Congress. To date, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have enacted a policy agenda to address the myriad problems faced by the Virgin Islands.

We must understand that the situation in the Virgin Islands - our political status - demands that we have Virgin Islanders on both sides. But, those Virgin Islanders must be committed to the prosperity of the Virgin Islands and Virgin Islanders (and that's whether they are Democrat or Republican).

It's time to get serious about this, y'all...our people have waited for Liberty for too long!

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

Give Us Our Space - Respect Our Place

Tonight from the RNC, I experienced a metaphor of the quintessential Virgin Islands experience. And, all I can say to the powers that be is:

As we stood in the designated spot for the US Virgin Islands on the Convention Floor, our aream became inundated by the press. Our location was directly in front of the "VIP Section," and the press was hoping to garner great shots of Sarah Palin's family.

So much press crowded around the small area for the Virgin Islands, that we were being pushed out of our space. In addition, the area was so crowded that no one could move in either direction. Security came by to clear the confusion. However instead of moving the press, they decided we needed to make room.

We ended up sharing space designated for the Virgin Islands. Soon, our space was overrun...the press had taken control. There was nothing our small delegation could do about it. There was nothing that anyone else would do to assist our predicament.

Here's the metaphor:

We are a small colony - I mean territory - of the United States. And, just as we were disrespected on the Floor of the RNC, we are disrespected in this Country. Yet - even more strangely - we continue to wait for those who disrespect us to act in our favor!

Well, let me tell you: we will not have the pleasure of their respect until we take it.

It behooves us as Virgin Islanders to "join or die."

We must join together and stand up for our beloved homeland. Because of our apathy, our land is ripe with corruption. Due to that corruption, we are subject to greater and greater encroachments upon our liberty. Because of these offenses, we are forced to seek an existence in a community other than our own.

ENOUGH!

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Campaign for Liberty and the VI Constitution

Today, I was at the "Rally for the Republic" hosted by Campaign for Liberty.

One of the key ideas hammered upon was that the Constitution was written in order to restrain the Government from infringing upon the rights of the people. Further, it is the restraint of Government that ensures the liberty of the people. And, it's liberty (freedom) that promotes prosperity. Without respect for the Constitution, the rights of the people are ignored and the people become subject to government tyranny and corruption. And, until the people stand up for the Constitution, they will not be able to end the corruption and reclaim the land for the people.

Hmmmm......

I cannot help but think: In the Virgin Islands, we don't even have a constitution! By that standard, we Virgin Islanders have no liberty. We are subject to government tyranny and corruption with no recourse to end the plunder. The Government runs rampant, stealing money here and cutting deals there, while "We the People" - we the Virgin Islanders - are left defenseless.

Maybe that's why we don't have a Constitution? Too many people would be held accountable. Maybe that's why "they" don't want a VI Constitution? It will end their plunder. Maybe that's why we hear nothing about/from/pertaining to the current (delayed/beleaguered) Constitutional Convention? They don't want to become accountable to you.

If we had a constitution, we'd have a framework by which to retake our beloved islands. At this point, a constitution might not even need to be drafted by the "Powers that Be." They are the problem. And, the reason a constitution is not forthcoming as that there are powers trying to find ways to craft a document that will enable them to continue raping our home and our people.

Key dates are upon us people...check this out.

Keep watch, and remain vigilant.

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

The Virgin Islands in the RNC 2008 Platform

The platform section is called, "Working with Americans in the Territories." I present it to you on this blog for your analysis and feedback. Your questions and comments may help me address my comments and questions appropriately, while here at the Convention.

Working with Americans in the Territories

We appreciate the extraordinary sacrifices the men and women of the territories are making to protect our freedom through their service in the U.S. Armed Forces. We welcome greater participation in all aspects of the political process by Americans residing in Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Marians, and Puerto Rico. We affirm their right to seek the full extension of the Constitution, with all the political rights and responsibilities it entails.

We recognize the valuable contributions made by the people of the United States Virgin Islands to the common welfare of the nation, including national defense, and their contributions to the federal treasury in the form of federal excise taxes paid on products produced in the territory.

We support the Native American Samoans' efforts to protect their right to self-government and to preserve their culture and land-tenure system, which fosters self-reliance and strong extended-family values. We support increased local self-government for the United States citizens of the Virgin Islands, and closer cooperation between the local and federal governments to promote private sector-led development and self-sufficiency. We recognize that Guam is a strategically vital U.S. territory, an American fortress in the western Pacific. We affirm our support for the patriotic U.S. citizens of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to achieve greater self-government, an improved federal territorial relationship, new economic development strategies, a strong health care system that meets their needs, and continued political self-determination. We support a review to determine the appropriate eligibility of territories as well as states for Supplemental Security Income and other federal programs.

We support the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state after they freely so determine. We recognize that Congress has the final authority to define the constitutionally valid options for Puerto Rico to achieve a permanent non-territorial status with government by consent and full enfranchisement. As long as Puerto Rico is not a state, however, the will of its people regarding their political status should be ascertained by means of a general right of referendum or specific referenda sponsored by the U.S. government.

What does this all mean? Of course, I placed emphasis on those areas noted in bold-type.

1. We affirm their right to seek the full extension of the Constitution, with all the political rights and responsibilities it entails.
   
   To me this means that they support our right to fight for full Constitutional Rights. Yet, there is no definition to what that support will entail. To me, this is not necessarily bad. While they did not clearly state how they will support and what efforts they will support, they also did not clearly state how they will not support and what efforts they will not support.
   
   
2. We support increased local self-government for the United States citizens of the Virgin Islands.
   
   Here, I'm a bit perplexed. I guess increased local self-government could be a constitutional document. Yet again, there are no details to what will be supported and/or what will be opposed.
   
   
3. The last two highlighted points address Guam, the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico. However, the applications speak volume to the distance we have yet to travel. Their respective situations are addressed with a bit more specifics.

In sum, I feel that these points provide us with an entry-point by which to hold Republicans accountable. What further questions does this plank in the platform spark within you? Does anyone have a copy of the DNC Platform and its plank towards the Virgin Islands/the territories? If so, can you upload it here - or give me the link?

I know most in the VI are Democrats, but do you think it's useful for us as Virgin Islanders to begin working both Parties to see who will be the first to meet our specific - VI - needs?

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

Fighting for the VI

At the RNC Convention today in Minnesota, I was interviewed by KCRW 89.9fm (Santa Monica, CA) Producer, Christian Bordal. Tell me what you think!





Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!