Members of The Conservative Forum are encouraged to get involved and make a difference in the community. Some of our current action groups include:
American Constitution Discussion Group meeting
The Conservative Forum sponsors discussion group meetings separate from our regular monthly meetings for interested members. Attendance is free but those attending are encouraged to make a purchase from the Pizza Parlor. The meetings occur on the fourth Monday of each month except December. Conservative Forum members and friends are encouraged to contact the group leader by email (hrstrong@hotmail.com) to be placed on our mailing list, even if they cannot attend the meetings. Email participants will be able to contribute to our active projects. We’re not just talking about the Constitution, we’re taking action.
Issue: American Constitution
Time: 7:00 PM
Date: Twentieth Meeting, Monday, February 27, 2012
Place: Round Table Pizza, 4400 Stevens Creek (West of Kiely)
Subject for this meeting: What is Freedom and What is it Worth?
We are currently engaged in a study in which we identify and articulate Constitutional principles and connect them directly to benefits and challenges. In January, we addressed Constitutional principles initially intended to limit the power of the federal government: (1) separation of powers, (2) enumeration of powers, and (3) the requirement of supermajority votes. In February we will discuss an additional Constitutional principle that applies at least some of the federal limitations at all levels of government. This principle is expressed in Article IV (also to a small extent in Article I, Section 9) and further elaborated in the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 1. A phrase often used to identify this principle is “the Privileges and Immunities of Citizens….” Article IV, Section 4 is particularly interesting.
We know from past experience that there are at least two points of view on what is Constitutional: the correct legal point of view that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter on what is Constitutional; and the common sense point of view that determines constitutionality by means of an understanding of the underlying principles as articulated when various parts of the constitution were approved. Both points of view are important. We stress the latter in our discussions.
To prepare for out next meeting, please come prepared to discuss the meaning of freedom in the context of this Constitutional principle protecting the privileges and immunities of Citizens. Are we losing this kind of freedom? Why should we care?
We’ll also continue our discussion on how to converse with people who are not politically conservative. We have been talking about ways of injecting conservative ideas into a conversation without creating a dissonance that stops communication. This is not about winning arguments – it’s about gently giving our friends things to think about.
Discussion Group Leader: Ray Strong hrstrong@hotmail.com
Next meetings:
- Monday, March 26, 2012
- Monday, April 23, 2012