By
Timothy N. Baldwin, JD.
June 17, 2012
NewsWithViews.com
There are some ignorant, biased, or malicious people in Montana who have an investment in preventing me from becoming elected for House District 4, Montana State Representative. Their tactics include castigating me as a “TEA party” radical, Bible-fanatic, and the like. These claims are a distortion of reality in every way and reveal how prejudiced and ideologically-subjective they are.
Their allegations follow:
“TEA Party Republican Tim Baldwin has authored a book to explain his belief that Christian people need not submit to secular laws. Baldwin is a self-styled bible fanatic and lawyer that specializing in using the bible to find loopholes that allow True Believers to break the law. You need simply believe that the government is evil to do so.
“If you believe that parking meters are a tyrannical conspiracy theory to prevent Christian people from getting a good parking space–you need not feed them. If you believe parking tickets are the faceless hand of government’s way of depriving the Godly of funds they were surely going to donate to orphanages–you need not pay. If you believe stem cell research is murder–you need not obey the government that prohibits murdering the scientists behind it.”
First, they claim I am a “self-styled biblical fanatic”. I have never claimed and would never claim such a thing; nor is it true. I am a student and expositor of a variety of philosophical works, the Bible included. (Doesn’t the University of Montana teach religion and deems it worthy of educational pursuit?)
This desire for universal education is necessary for any objective person to have a diverse and broad spectrum of knowledge, especially political knowledge. Grandfather of the modern progressive movement, John Stuart Mill, agrees with me on this point.
Second, they claim I am a “TEA Party” radical. I have never made such a claim. In fact, more than a year ago when I ran for the non-political office of FVCC trustee, I expressed in a news TV interview that I have never claimed such a thing and revealed myself as an independent-minded, objective individual who bases his decisions not on party-classifications but on principles of sound judgment and the proper role of government.
Anyone who continues to label me as a “TEA party” radical distorts the facts and demonstrates personal prejudices. They attempt to undermine my earned and proven credentials and scholarship by calling me elementary names that would appeal only to those who are less concerned about reality and more concerned about their personal agenda.
Third, they claim I advocate that “Christians” not submit to secular laws and find “loopholes” to disobey our laws. This is utterly ridiculous. I have never claimed and would never claim such an absurdity. I am an attorney licensed in Montana (and formerly Florida) and make a living by enforcing and defending people’s rights and privileges under secular laws (i.e. Constitution, statutes, etc.). I stand before judges and juries and attempt to persuade them how these laws must be followed.
Apparently, these people would ignore my legal work (mostly pro bono) in the area of, say, the right of Montanans under our law to use marijuana for their personal benefit—an area many Christians claim is against Biblical-law (i.e. “be not drunk”). These people ignore my openly denouncing people like former Flathead County Commissioner candidate Doug Adams for categorizing people like me as “stupid” for advocating this political position.
I advocate that all secular laws be based in natural and constitutional law using the sound reasoning, experience, and nature of man. The creation of our state and federal Constitutions and laws reflect the same objectivity. The United States Supreme Court and Montana Supreme Court use the same standard I advocate. To attack my view here is to attack the philosophy used to hold the fabric of our societies together.
Fourth, with reference to my book, Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission, these people absolutely distort my thesis, which is focused and simple: the Bible does not teach or command that people submit to government unconditionally, absolutely, and without reference to government’s purpose. Were it not for this argument and its wide acceptance in America during the 1600 and 1700s, the United States would never have been created. (See below, re: Declaration of Independence.)
They claim I advocate that an individual disobey any and all laws he may subjectively and unilaterally determine are evil. These people ignore—through ignorance or intention—my numerous dissertations contrasting the power of the people to alter their government from a foundational and societal perspective (i.e. Constitution) and the lack of power an individual has to subjectively execute his own will against the laws properly executed by that Society. In fact, they offer no analysis at all; only 15 second, commercial-style attacks.
My thesis advances the exact principles expressed in America’s Declaration of Independence—which America celebrates every year on July 4 in honor of those principles and their political and legal effect; that is, the birth of our independent States and the union of the United States.
To deny the principles of the Declaration of Independence not only denies the basis of our political and social existence but also violates the creation of Montana’s Constitution.
Montana’s Enabling Act (the political document which gave life to Montana as a State in our federal union), which is incorporated into Montana’s constitution and laws, requires the principles of the Declaration of Independence be followed:
“The constitutions [of Montana] shall be republican in form…and not be repugnant to the Constitution of the United States and the principles of the Declaration of Independence.” (Section 4)
In case one does not know the principles of the Declaration of Independence, here is an excerpt:
“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…[W]hen a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
For those educated in the study of Western philosophy and its history, the Declaration of Independence derives directly from the thesis I expound in my book, Romans 13: The True Meaning of Submission. Those who claim otherwise distort the truth, either through ignorance or intention. They also advocate ideas that contradict Montana’s Enabling Act.
If they so contradict Montana’s foundation, there is no other Montana law they would not snub to pursue a subjective and ideological agenda. Who is the radical?
Conclusion
This is why I am running for Montana State Legislator in House District 4: Montana sincerely needs legislators who understand Law from a legal, historical, philosophical, and visionary perspective. I am that candidate and will bring a much-needed objective and knowledgeable perspective to benefit Montana’s general welfare.
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We must reject personal ideologies as the basis of our political decisions. We should likewise reject the recommendation, description, and advice of those who are clearly biased or ignorant in matters of politics.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss my views and understandings with anyone and everyone who is interested in actually knowing the truth. My numbers are in the book and on my website.
� 2012 Timothy N. Baldwin, JD - All Rights Reserved
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Timothy Baldwin is an attorney licensed to practice law in Montana (and Florida) and focuses on constitutional issues. Baldwin graduated from the University of West Florida in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English and Political Science. In 2004, Baldwin graduated from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, AL with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. From there, Baldwin became an Assistant State Attorney in Florida. For 2 1/2 years, Baldwin prosecuted criminal actions and tried nearly 60 jury trials. In 2006, Baldwin started his private law practice and has maintained it since.
Baldwin is a published author, public speaker and student of political philosophy. Baldwin is the author of Freedom For A Change, Romans 13-The True Meaning of Submission, and Political Discussions for People of States–all of which are available for purchase through libertydefenseleague.com. Baldwin has also authored hundreds of political science articles relative to liberty in the United States of America. Baldwin has been the guest of scores of radio shows and public events and continues to exposit principles which the people in America will need to determine its direction for the future.
Web site: libertydefenseleague.com
E-Mail: tim@libertydefenseleague.com
