Conservatives Launch Effort to Rollback Presidential Abuse of Power

Conservative Leaders and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul pledge to restore

checks and balances

    WASHINGTON, March 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Liberty Coalition,
 a transpartisan public policy group dedicated to preserving the Bill of
 Rights, personal autonomy and individual privacy, applauds yesterday's
 launch of the American Freedom Agenda (AFA). A cooperative effort of deeply
 respected conservative leaders Bruce Fein, Bob Barr, David Keene and
 Richard Viguery, AFA's mission is to enact legislation that restores "the
 Constitution's checks and balances" and makes the subject "a staple of
 political campaigns and of foremost concern to Members of Congress and to
 voters and educators."
     At an event at the National Press Club, AFA unveiled a ten point agenda
 to roll back an accumulation of presidential and executive power that they
 argue has come at the expense of the legislative and judiciary branches of
 government. While Presidents have consistently overstepped their
 constitutional authority since the beginning of the 20th century, AFA
 asserts that abuse of executive power has exploded since 9/11. In the
 coming days, AFA will release draft legislation to:
     -- End the use of military commissions to prosecute crimes.
     -- Prohibit the use of secret evidence or evidence obtained by torture.
     -- Prohibit the detention of American citizens as enemy combatants without
        proof.
     -- Restore habeas corpus for alleged alien combatants.
     -- End National Security Agency warrentless wiretapping.
     -- Empower Congress to challenge presidential signing statements.
     -- Bar executive use of the state secret privilege to deny justice.
     -- Prohibit the President from collaborating with foreign governments to
        kidnap, detain of torture persons abroad.
     -- Amend the Espionage Act to permit journalists to report on classified
        national security matters without threat of persecution.
     -- Prohibit of the labeling of groups or individuals in the U.S. as global
        terrorists based on secret evidence.
     "The Founding Fathers constructed a system of Constitutional checks and
 balances to guard against abusive government power. Those safeguards have
 been dangerously compromised, and without bold action, liberty is in grave
 danger," said Liberty Coalition National Director Michael Ostrolenk. "I
 commend the American Freedom Agenda for their efforts and urge Congress to
 pursue their agenda."
     AFA will also offer a Presidential Pledge to all 2008 hopefuls. By
 signing the pledge, candidates commit themselves to implement the ten point
 plan if elected. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) attended the kick-off event
 and became the first candidate to sign the American Freedom Agenda Pledge.
     "By signing the American Freedom Agenda Pledge, Ron Paul has once again
 demonstrated his exceptional commitment to freedom and the Constitution,"
 continued Ostrolenk. "All presidential candidates who care about liberty
 should sign the AFA Pledge."
     Information in this document should not be taken as an endorsement by
 any partner organization unless explicitly stated as such.
     To arrange an interview with Mr. Ostrolenk, please contact Jesse Benton
 at 202-246-6363. For more information on The Liberty Coalition, please
 visit http://www.libertycoalition.net.
 
 

SOURCE Liberty Coalition