First Principles of the CLDU

 Principle #1 - Freedom of Political Speech and Press
The freedom of speech and press includes any contribution to political campaigns or to candidates for public office; and shall be construed to extend equally to any medium of communication however scarce.

 Principle #2 - The Rights Retained by the People
 All persons are equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights which they retain when forming any government, amongst which are the enjoying, defending and preserving of their life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting real and personal property, making binding contracts of their choosing, and pursuing their happiness and safety.

Principle #3 - Power of States to Check Federal Power
 Upon the identically worded resolutions of the legislatures of three quarters of the states, any law or regulation of the United States, identified with specificity, is thereby rescinded.

Principle #4 - Restrictions on Tax Powers of Congress
Work to limit and restrict the actions of the Federal government in levying new taxes or establishing mandates that will  force the states to levy taxes upon their constituents.

Principle #5 - Unfunded Mandates and Conditions on Spending
 Congress shall not impose upon a State, or political subdivision thereof, any obligation or duty to make expenditures unless such expenditures shall be fully reimbursed by the United States; nor shall Congress place any condition on the expenditure or receipt of appropriated funds requiring a State, or political subdivision thereof, to enact a law or regulation restricting the liberties of its citizens.

Principle #6 - Limits of Commerce Power
The power of Congress to make all laws which are necessary and proper to regulate commerce among the several states, or with foreign nations, shall not be construed to include the power to regulate or prohibit any activity that is confined within a single state regardless of its effects outside the state; but Congress shall have power to regulate harmful emissions between one state and another, and to define and provide for punishment of offenses constituting acts of war or violent insurrection against the United States.

Principle #7 - No Abuse of the Treaty Power
No treaty or other international agreement may enlarge the legislative power of Congress granted by this Constitution, nor govern except by legislation any activity that is confined within the United States.

Principle #8 - Neither Foreign Law nor American Judges May Alter the Meaning of Constitution
The words and phrases of this Constitution shall be interpreted according to their meaning at the time of their enactment, which meaning shall remain the same until changed pursuant to Article V; nor shall such meaning be altered by reference to the law of nations or the laws of other nations. 

A Message From the Founder:

Dear Friends,

The current progressive attacks on our conservative principles need an answer through a new organization that would work to challenge federal and state laws that do not reflect a constructionist view of our constitution.

As the Federal government continues to pass laws which establish unfunded mandates, restrict states' rights, require restrictions on our personal liberty and circumvent the intent of our founding documents and the Constitution, we need a conservative activist organization that will challenge the progressive agenda.  Our efforts will be to develop the Conservative Liberty Defense Union in becoming that vehicle for change.

With forty (40) percent of the nation declaring themselves conservatives, there is a clear need to begin to address the conservative view on issues of liberty and individual freedom.  To be sure, organizations like the ACLJ and ADF are key to religious liberty, however with government regulation becoming more intrusive, we need a national conservative legal organization to represent those broader interests. 

At the same time, this organization will drive towards greater transparency in government and will use all the tools at its disposal to seek information to expose actions that are antithetical to our national and personal liberty. 

We hope you will consider assisting us in this effort.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Skoda
Chairman