Four Joint Resolutions for the United States Congress
John C. Rankin
(February 26, 2015)
It is my conviction that bad laws cannot be changed unless the mindset of the citizenry first changes. This requires persuasion through informed choice; the only alternative is a descent into chaos and the consequential warfare that reconciles itself under the aegis of an ascendant dictatorship. History is thus littered.
Years ago I penned seven non-binding resolutions on matters of importance and controversy — suitable for the federal or state governments — in order to catalyze the necessary persuasive process. They are listed below, bills 1-7.
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But first, and in subsequent extrusion, and for present priorities in 2015-2016 national politics, I have crafted four joint resolutions for the United States Congress:
- A Joint Resolution of the United States Congress: Religious and Political Liberty
We affirm that the unalienable rights of religious and political liberty – belonging to all people equally under the rule of law – are founded in the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus. We invite followers of Muhammad, disciples of all other religions, along with secularists and atheists, to articulate their sources for these same liberties.
- A Joint Resolution of the United State Congress: Human Abortion and the Nature of Informed Choice
We recognize that the U.S. Constitution defines three principal arenas of unalienable human rights – life, liberty and property. The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision left the beginning of human life undefined. In order to catalyze honest public debate, members of the U.S. Congress are asked to give answer to a simple multiple-choice question:
In biological terms, when does and individual human life begin? (A) Conception [ ]. (B) Viability [ ]. (C) Birth [ ]. (D) Write-in [ ]: specify a different biological term __________.
- A Joint Resolution of the United States Congress: Human Abortion and Male Irresponsibility
We recognize that the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision does not address the roles of fathers or male responsibility. As well, we recognize that in the overwhelming number of abortion decisions, the man has left the relationship and/or refuses responsibility in some capacity. In order to catalyze honest public debate, members of the U.S. Congress are asked to give answer to a simple multiple-choice question:
To what extent is human abortion driven by male irresponsibility? (A) Very much [ ]. (B) Somewhat [ ]. (C) Very little [ ].
- A Joint Resolution of the United States Congress: Marriage and the Social Order
We affirm that the Creator defines human sexuality in the context of the marriage of one man and one woman in mutual fidelity. Here, the equality and complementary of male and female serves diversity in service to unity, uniquely providing the necessary social adhesive of trust, which is then modeled for our children.
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The following seven questions for statewide and federal ballots as designed as non-binding referenda – and they open up many other questions essential to a healthy social and economic order. The lobbying process will put the biblically faithful church in the driver’s seat of defining the terms.
In our grass roots lobbying process, we will ask each legislator:
- Do you believe citizens should be able to vote on these questions in a statewide referendum?
- If so, will you co-sponsor and work for these bills to be vote don by the legislature?
- If not, why not?
In such a process, we can build honest relationships and effectively start a persuasion process, apart from which, laws cannot be changed. We are truly committed to the consent of the governed.
These bills need to be introduced by a legislator, and co-sponsors sought. Then volunteers in all political districts will be recruited to lobby their own state and/or federal representatives.
- To join with us, email teii@teii.org or call 860.408.1599. And John Rankin can teach seminars in churches and elsewhere on the substance of such a strategy.
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Here is the language we will lobby the given legislature to pass:
Bill for Question #1:
We recognize that the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution define three principal arenas of unalienable human rights – life, liberty and property (and hence, the power to pursue happiness).
We also recognize that there is no historical source for these rights apart from the Creator in Genesis 1-2, and apart from this acknowledgement in law and custom, these rights are endangered.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
Do unalienable rights come from the Creator?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Bill for Question #2:
Human Abortion and a Process of Informed Choice
We recognize that the U.S. Constitution defines three principal arenas of unalienable human rights, and with a specific order – life, liberty and property.
The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision left the beginning of individual biological human life undefined. We believe this matter should be addressed. If there is no consensus on the biological beginning of individual human life, let it be shown, and the status quo of Roe v. Wade will hold and be strengthened. If, however, a clear consensus emerges, let it be instructive.
A simple non-binding multiple-choice question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
In biological terms, when does an individual human life begin?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
A. Conception [ ]
B. Viability [ ]
C. Birth [ ]
D. Write-in [ ]: specify a different biological term ________________
Bill for Question #3:
Human Abortion and Male Irresponsibility
We recognize that the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision does not address the role of fathers or male responsibility. As well, we recognize that in the overwhelming number of abortion decisions, the man has left the relationship and refuses accountability.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
To what extent is human abortion driven by male irresponsibility?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
A. Very much [ ]
B. Somewhat [ ]
C. Very Little [ ]
Bill for Question #4:
Homosexuality and Genetics
In United States Law, there are four criteria for people groups who are granted specific consideration in the protection of their civil rights: 1) they have suffered historical prejudice; 2) they possess “an immutable and/or highly visible trait”; 3) they are powerless in the political process; and 4) their distinctives do not prohibit meaningful contributions to the social order.
The unalienable rights of life, liberty and property belong to all people equally, regardless of gender identification. However, in order for same-sex marriage to qualify as a civil right, homosexuality needs to qualify for all four criteria.
In the three original and determinative legal rulings in favor of same-sex marriage – Goodridge (Massachusetts), Re: Marriage Cases (California) and Kerrigan (Connecticut), not once was an attempt made to argue that homosexuality is an immutable and/or highly visible trait.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
Is homosexually a genetically fixed trait?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Bill for Question #5:
We recognize that all persons are created equal before the Creator and the law, and as such, justice is best served when people are treated as people, and not as subcategories of a politically defined group.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
Do quotas heal race and class divisions?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Bill for Question #6:
We recognize that people abuse drugs, alcohol and other substances due to a wide range of reasons, and especially, to alleviate stress on the soul and body. We also recognize that these stresses are best remedied through intact families where the father is present and loving.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
Can drug laws replace an absent father?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Bill for Question #6:
We recognize that the United States and her greatest possibilities for justice are rooted in the Declaration of Independence and its appeal to unalienable rights as given by the Creator.
A simple non-binding question is thus ordered for the [ ] ballot:
Should public schools honor the Declaration of Independence?
Mark a cross X next to the answer you prefer. Only vote for one.
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
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