Family Security Matters » Publications » Exclusive: Want to Know What YOU Can Do to Preserve the Constitution?

Family Security Matters » Publications » Exclusive: Want to Know What YOU Can Do to Preserve the Constitution?

"[T]he Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and that wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution. But this doctrine is not deducible from any circumstance peculiar to the plan of convention, but from the general theory of a limited Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81, 1788



Every once in a while, American citizens inspire us in how committed, courageous and determined they are to preserve life in America as we have always known it and not allow it to be changed into something unrecognizable to our ourselves, our founders and our beloved Constitution. Patricia Rodgers is one such lady. Meet Pat as she addresses her mayor and city council in Burleson, Texas…a hometown probably very much like YOURS!

City of Burleson Council Meeting Monday June 15, 2009

Mr. Mayor, City Council, Ladies and Gentlemen, My name is Patricia Rodgers and I am a resident of Burleson, TX. I am here today with my fellow 912 project members and concerned citizens.




First I would like to take just a minute to tell you who I am. I am a regular American citizen. I am the proud wife of a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran who honorably fought for his country. I am the proud Mother of a United States Marine who is a Veteran of Desert Storm. I am a small business owner who is struggling to survive like so many others are today.

I am a member of the 912 project and a supporter of the Burleson Tea Party. I am not a radical right wing extremist, I am not a racist, I am not any of the things you hear the mainstream media call us. We are Mothers, Grandmothers, Fathers, Grandfathers, Sons, Daughters, brothers and sisters who love our country. We are patriots who believe in the United States Constitution.

All you hear about on the news is that we are against taxes or that we are anti-government. That is not true! We believe in our government, our family members have fought and many have died for our government and our country. What we don’t believe in is huge government that is spending us into debt that will not be paid back for generations. We don’t want a socialist country. We want a government that abides by the Constitution. We believe in States Rights and the power of the people. We believe that Washington should not be making all these decisions without the voice of the people being heard.

I understand that you are considering an ordinance that would require permits for large gatherings held at venues that are not designed for such events. I understand from your email to me that you feel that such gatherings necessarily create public safety and other logistical concerns. I understand that your goal is simply to protect public safety and to insure that all citizens have an equal and necessary access to city facilities and services. I understand that the ordinance would be content neutral and would apply to any group, regardless of the subject or purpose of their gathering equally. You have told me Mr. Mayor that you have no interest in keeping people from having the tea parties. I thank you for that.

Let me explain why we are here and hopefully you will listen and take something away from this meeting that will give you pause before you consider that ordinance.

You have been handed a copy of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. Page 33 says…

The 1st Amendment: -------------------------------

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press: or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I see our Constitution as a beautiful ice sculpture. Each time a new law takes effect that is against Constitutional Law, no matter how small or how well intentioned it is, it’s like taking an ice pick and chipping away at that sculpture. You chip away enough it becomes unrecognizable and over time the whole thing shatters and you have nothing. Your ordinance would be a chip in the structure of our Constitution and I respectfully ask that you not do it.

In closing, let us remember that the Declaration of Independence states:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Any government official who does not heed the concerns of the American people will pay the price at his next election.

Thank you Mr. Mayor and thank you City Council members for giving me this opportunity to speak before you today.