Article 2 Section 22

Article II Section 22

"And thou shalt take no gift^[1]: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." Exodus 23:8

If we just look at Article II, Section 22 of the Oregon Constitution which covers "Political Campaign Contribution Limitations"^[2] , we can see plainly that a "candidate may use or direct only contributions which originate from individuals who at the time of their donation were residents of the electoral district of the public office sought by the candidate".

Comments
Even the Bible warned the people as to what they need to put in a constitution when creating offices of government like a president, prime minister, or any executive office or ruler and said that they "shall read therein [those rules] all the days of his(or her) life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:" Oregon legislature has not done that. "Thou knowest the commandments... Do not bear false witness, Defraud not..." Mark 10:19
See list of Constitutional Articles. We recommend you read the book Contracts, Covenants, and Constitutions to fully understand the Constitution and its effects.
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Now that Measure 107 theoretically passed in 2020 there is little hope for less than corruption in Oregon.
Almost any mention of the Oregon Constitution today is hypocritical if not naive. The people of Oregon have egregiously allowed Article 2, Section 22 of the Constitution to be flaunted and violated with impunity by 75% of those elected to office in the state.
The apathy and ignorance of the people who have consistently lacked both the will and the wisdom have allowed this pervasive criminal corruption and abuse of the law and their own constitution.
Their inexcusable acquiescence to such pervasive corruption makes the term "Citizen of Oregon" a bit of a pathetic an anathema. On the future they should expect nothing but greater and greater abuse from the unbridled power they have released by their failure to act when they had the chance.
The people have rebelled against righteousness and each other with their covetous practices and waived their right to rebel. The people need to Repent and seek the righteousness only common in free governments.

If we then go to Vote Smart's website, they provide factual, unbiased information on candidates and politicians to ALL Americans. The election records show that Kate Brown^[3] received $20,297,458.95 in donations and only $12,703,984.53 of that was from within the state. By law, she is only allowed to recieve 10% which would be $2,029,745.90. It is clear she accepted $7,593,429.42 from outside the state. That would mean that Kate is in violation of Article II, Section 22 of the Oregon Constitution which, according to paragraph (2) of that section, means she must “forfeit the office” of the governor and “shall not hold a subsequent elected public office for a period equal to twice the tenure of the office.” Also, according to paragraph (4), she is guilty of a “felony” and should be charged and arrested for a "felony".

So, if Kate is not the lawful governor of Oregon because of her violation of Article 2 Section 22, then the OSP should not be doing what she says. They could be arresting her for trespass and impersonating the Governor of Oregon instead of vacating the office she now holds hostage.

"A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." Proverbs 6:19

See and do for yourself

"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." Proverbs 12:17

Why didn't the outspoken Republican Sen. Herman Baertschiger Jr.^[4] tell the people of the Governor's violation of the Article 2 Section 22 which should instantly remove her as a threat to Oregon's economy?

As we examined the data at the Vote Smart website we can see that many other legislators and elected officials are also in violation of the very Constitution they have sworn to uphold.

Article II, Section 22 of the Oregon Constitution was the will of the people of Oregon and is the law for everyone seeking office in Oregon, especially for those elected officials who are sworn to uphold its terms. If society will not require honest adherence to the laws it establishes it will be ruled by the dishonest and lawless elements of society.

We have added a picture of a partial spreadsheet that shows how rampant this corruption is. Only a return to honesty can protect people from abuse of power. You can check candidates for your self at at the Vote Smart website. American government was designed to be a government of, for and by the people. You cannot just leave the government to politicians and bureaucrats. There are things that only you can do if you want honest government. Go to the section on What you can do, find others who are willing to act on behalf of others, the next generation, for what is right and do what is needed top restore honest government to your state.

Still Law

Despite previous attempts to undermine its viability in District court in 1995^[5] , the Oregon Supreme Court in 1997^[6] , and the United States Court of Appeals in 1998^[7] it remains the legal terms by which they may hold office.^[8]

The data tells us that Republican Sen. Herman Baertschiger Jr. received a total of $155,416.91 in contributions. According to the data, he can only accept and use a total of $15,541.69 from outside of District 2. But data shows In-State funding at $112,573.75 and the Out-Of-State funding at $42,750.00. Moreover his "Top Contributors" are sometimes statewide special interest groups. But anyone seeking election may only receive 10% of their donations from outside their district.

Herman is probably a great guy and certainly a courageous one in his fight for what he thinks as right for Oregonians. But everyone running for elected office needs to come clean ^[9] and abide by the law if they want to be lawmakers.

"You must abide by the law if you want to be a just lawmaker."

Both sides of the aisle need to be held to the same standard of upholding the Constitution that has given them power even if it means they must vacate their office for a Season. Even Moses knew that. ^[10]

Not only the governor but also many holding elected office in the State of Oregon need to step down together from those offices to set a good faith example and give their support to law enforcement in Oregon and to the courts to do the right thing and remove those who do not willingly step-down.

That will take courage and sacrifice. They have individually pledged to uphold the Constitution and they now need to mutually pledge to each other their "Sacred Honor"^[11] to uphold the whole Constitution that created the office of power they sought. It would be a shot for freedom and righteousness heard round the world.

Once the elected officers of the State come clean and do the right thing, it would mean that many of the appointed officials who were chosen by candidates that legally do not have a right to the office they occupy are also holding their offices and taking their pay under false pretenses.

"And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these [are things] that I hate, saith the LORD." Zechariah 8:17

Acquiescence

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” ― Leonardo da Vinci

Some citizens who have also discovered this blatant and pervasive violation of the law have been advised to "wait" to take action.

Wait for what?

Every day an elected official refuses to vacate any office they do not have a right to is an "unclassified felony" and compounds their violation. If those who are responsible for the enforcement of the law and the constitution of Oregon fail to uphold its provisions, they also become subject to a charge of failure of their duty.

But instead of speaking up and protesting with the voice of the people remains silent. If the people still treat her as governor when she is clearly not the lawful governor they become complicit and even guilty of fraud.

“If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.” ― Albert Einstein

State officials are not enforcing their own rules and it is becoming increasingly clear that the citizens of Oregon need to make a "timely" specific objection or they will have "acquiesced" to this lawlessness.

"Acquiescence. In law, acquiescence occurs when a person knowingly stands by without raising any objection to the infringement of his or her rights, while someone else unknowingly and without malice aforethought acts in a manner inconsistent with their rights."^[12]

If citizens wait or delay in objecting, their silence is then assumed to be acquiescence, which will result in "the person whose rights are infringed" losing the ability to make a legal claim against the infringer or may be unable to obtain an injunction against continued infringement. The doctrine of acquiescence infers a form of "permission" that results from silence or passiveness over an extended period of time. Silence in the face of a transgression may result in a loss of a right to make a claim for loss or damage, on the principle of consent inferred from accepting or permitting the wrongful acts without protest or claim.^[13]

I would not presume to give any legal advice to the citizens and residents of Oregon and none is implied. But I ponder the wisdom of a recall. Once the people know an office is invalidly occupied by an unwarranted usurpation^[14], any attempt to recall might suggest an "estoppel by acquiescence"^[15] since there is no reason to recall someone who has no right to the office.

There is no need to give an eviction notice to a burglar nor sue for a divorce from a rapist.

We are only interested in the moral character of the people to abide by their word and keep the other commandments. Of course, it is our desire that their desire is to repent and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What made America great was not its presidents and governors. Whatever greatness we may claim sprang from the people who had a sense of justice and mercy. It was their unswerving willingness to drop what they were doing in a minute to do what was right for their neighbor and their neighbor's children and not just for themselves. It is your choice either to work for the rule of law^[16] or to be ruled by the lawless.

“Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad people; but we also will have to repent for the appalling silence of good people.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

If you want your rights back, you need to take your responsibility back and attend to the "weightier matters".^[17]

You will need to gather together and work together for the sake of righteousness with courage and perseverance. You will need a consistent and unwavering team of dedicated men and women. You will need to support them and protect them. And you will need an honest lawyer or two.

Loophole

“good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws”― Plato

Placing some restrictions on politicians when running for office has been accepted in Oregon and most states. It has been considered "necessary and proper" in the past, but in 1975 most of those limitations were removed in Oregon and the amount of donations politicians received began to climb rapidly. The People of Oregon saw what appeared to be bribery of, or at least undue influence upon, politicians because those restrictions were taken off of campaign donations in Oregon.

This is why the people passed Measure 6^[18] into law. Article II, Section 22 was the will of the people. It did not restrict the people from supporting a particular candidate or their freedom of speech. It simply made it improper for people not directly represented by an office of government to directly line the pockets of candidates who were running for office by more than 10% of the total donations to the candidate. This had been a very lucrative way in which some candidates could dominate campaign spending or even walk away with large sums of money in their campaign accounts or therefore their pocket. Many politicians and PAC groups were not happy with those restrictions imposed by the people and began to seek ways to get around them.

Challenging Constitutionality

The first attempt to challenge Article II, Section 22 of the Oregon Constitution was in District Court in 1995.^[5]

This challenge was contrived over a matter of a $100 contribution^[19] in order to create the appearance of a loophole in the law that might allow politician to disregard the written Constitution they are sworn to uphold and thumb their noses at what the "people" believed to be and voted into law because they believed it was "proper".

Phil Keisling, in his capacity as Secretary of the State of Oregon, did not properly present the case in District Court for Article II, Section 22. "This lawsuit involves a federal constitutional challenge to Ballot Measures 6 and 9 which amended the Oregon Constitution." This case with-Motions for Summary Judgment on the constitutionality of Measure 6^[18] aloud for the creation of bad case law. It simply granted "Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment" and denied "Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment" and then dismissed the case.

Summary judgment is a judgment entered by a court for one party and against another party without a full trial. "Motion for Summary Judgment is a request made by the defendant in a civil action. Through this motion, a defendant asserts that the plaintiff has raised no genuine issue to be tried and asks the judge to rule in favor of the defendant without going to trial."

Because the court was looking at only $100 being contributed^[20] the contributors could seek summary judgment citing Buckley v. Valeo.

This is exactly what the District Court did. Admitting that the contributors were not the "object" of Measure 6 it was clear that preventing them from contributing a $100 was seen as a possible injury of right.^[21]

The "Secretary of State" argued before the Supreme Court of Oregon that "campaign contributions merely are gifts which in themselves are devoid of political expression and, as such, constitute conduct that permissibly may be regulated."

But, of course, this argument was predestined to fail and we can see why only $100 was at issue in footnote 9 in the Supreme court case of 1997.^[22] Restricting large contributions of a thousand dollars or more do "not violate the First Amendment."

Common sense tells you that no one spends tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees so they can give a $100 to a candidate who has already run for office. The reason for the $100 donation, the claim of personal injury, and the request for "Summary Judgment" was to create the appearance that Measure 6 was overruled by the court. Nothing can be farther from the truth. The "object" of Measure 6, and therefore the "object" of Article 2 Section 22, is the large contributions that purchase influence, sway campaigns, and corrupt the high office of the land so that elected officials cater to special interest over the interest of the people.

Supreme Court addresses Constitutionality

Later, the Oregon Supreme Court addressed the matter in 1997.^[6] This case involved challenges, under various provisions of the Oregon Constitution, to portions of Oregon Laws 1995, chapter 1. The conclusion of this case was only that "Sections 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of Measure 9 are declared void." But even the court complained that arguments lacked a genuine attempt to resolve issues that should have been brought before the court.^[23] The court also made it clear that it was only addressing "facial challenges asserted by the parties." If the parties failed to make proper challenges the court was likely not to address it and stated that they limited their exercise of jurisdiction conferred section 23(1) of Measure 9.

There were restrictions in Oregon before 1975 and the court admitted that many other cases have allowed restrictions on contributions without the violation of the First Amendment. The original case was dealing with the desire to donate 100 dollars as a part of the individual's freedom of expression. It was made clear that "restricting campaign contributions to as little as $1,000 per contributor did not violate the First Amendment".^[24] Article II, section 22 does not restrict free speech or expression. It is about the thousands and millions of dollars buying influence over politicians in the form of legal bribes.

United States Court of Appeals examined

And finally, the United States Court of Appeals examined in 1998 the decision which was only a "Summary Judgment" of the District Court.^[7]

In the matter of Article II, Section 22, the Supreme Court of Oregon made it clear that, due to the "present posture of the federal district court decision, we do not find it necessary to resolve that issue in this case."^[25]

None of these cases actually overturned Article II, Section 22 which remains the legal terms by which politicians may seek and hold office. The court did recognize that "the principle that elections ultimately are for the people, not the candidates" and that "the people" may "take the legislative power into their own hands to make policy decisions. Candidates and measures exist to seek the approval or permission of the voters, not the other way around... even if there were no Article I, section 8.^[26]

The People share power to "enact laws to support the privilege of free suffrage, prescribing the manner of regulating, and conducting elections" and, therefore, "make such laws."^[27]

The people of Oregon who passed Measure 6 into law defining what was "proper" for politicians when running for office have never had their day in court because no one has raised a genuine issue. Whether this was the result of neglect, incompetence, or conspiracy is irrelevant. The fact remains Article II, Section 22 is still the law of the land in Oregon.

Oregonians will have the chance to vote against themselves in 2020. Will they have the vision to see the mischief of those who are greedy for gain or will they, through apathy and ignorance, fall prey to their own vanity and deny the "whole truth"?

"He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live." Proverbs 15:27

Fake Reform

"In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes."^[1] Psalms 26:10

Is Article 2 Section 22 still in place?

Is Article 2 Section 22 the law of the people for candidates seeking office in Oregon?

The people had every right to restrict contributions that go beyond the free speech protected in the First Amendment. Buckley v. Valeo may have allowed for a summary judgment to provide for a single doner giving only a 100 dollars.^[21] But the "object" of Article 2 Section 22 is to prevent, or at least curtail, an undue pattern of influence and legal bribery from with-outside voting districts and the state itself that may "injure" the right to representation. This pattern appears to be rampant in modern campaign practices that is not "proper".

Article 2 Section 22 was meant to govern the very problem that Rob Davis was supposedly warning Oregonians about in his series Polluted by Money.

If Rob was really concerned about politicians being influenced by Big Money, wouldn't he be telling Oregonians that almost all their elected officials are not in compliance with Article 2 Section 22?

Shouldn't the press be reporting to the people that the politicians are taking large sums of money, not only from outside their districts but from outside the State, and putting it in their personal campaign accounts even after the Oregon voters said that was not "proper" and voted to make it against the law?

Shouldn't the Oregonian be reporting to the people that the Vannatta v. Keisling court cases have been rare exceptions which never addressed or limited the "object" of Article 2 Section 22 even though they have been used as an excuse to allow candidates to take in millions of dollars from non-voters outside of their districts and even outside of Oregon itself?

Senate Joint Resolution 18

Senate Joint Resolution 18 [SJR18] is touted in the news by By Rob Davis of The Oregonian/OregonLive as "Legislature sends ballot measure to voters setting stage for campaign donation limits"^[28] and represented as a good thing for Oregonians.

"Voters in Oregon, one of America’s biggest political money states, will decide next November whether the state constitution should allow limits on campaign donations."^[29]

Is this Senate Joint Resolution 18 which listed as Measure 107 about "limits" or is it about removing all "limits"?

Senate Joint Resolution 18 appears as Measure 107 on the ballot and does the opposite of what it appears to say it will do. It is meant to repeal Article 2 Section 22 and prevent the people from ever trying to curtail the flow the special interests who have being buying influence in the state. It will allow as much out of state money possible to pour into the campaigns of candidates and therefore into their pockets and will buy the loyalty of your legislators, Mayors, and public officials. It will end the very protection from outside money and special interests Article 2 Section 22 was trying to reduce.

The dishonest people in office who are sworn to uphold the Constitution are trying to nullify Article 2 Section 22 with this resolution. To long have your elected officials disregarded and ignored their oath of office. They have disguised with carefully word subterfuge this false reform which opens the door if not the floodgates to even more corruption. Some of those same people trying to declare that Article 2 Section 22 was a violation of the First Amendment because it restricted the contributions of the people to candidates^[21] through distraction and misrepresentation try to terminate the power of the people over the sources of corruption and influence.

Kate Brown had pushed for an amendment on campaign finance before the 2019 session and is supposedly "excited to see meaningful campaign finance reform finally pass this legislative session" according to Nikki Fisher and Rob Davis. ^[30] But what it means is that she and hundred of politicians can take millions and millions and millions of dollars from special interest groups outside of Oregon and the people will no longer have a recourse to stop them.

Understanding HJR 18

How meaningful is the "reform" found in SJR 18^[31] and what does it really do?

The Senate and House Joint Resolution 18 will do a number of things. Some of its contents are already law such as (2)(d) because Oregon elections are already limited by what is "permitted under the Constitution of the United States."

What is hidden in the legalese of this Resolution 18 which will be sent to the unsuspecting voters of Oregon in 2020?

What are politicians really pushing on the people of Oregon and can we hope for Rob Davis and the Oregonian and the Media to reveal the Whole Truth?

Supposedly, the Legislature wanted to adopt specific dollar limits before making limits legal.^[32]

Time to act without delay

As we have seen in the section "Loophole" the Oregon Constitution Article 2 Section 22 has never been overturned. But if the voting Oregonians are deceived through subterfuge^[33] then there is little hope. If they are slothful there is none.

People procrastinate. They delay enforcing Article 2 Section 22 thinking that thing will be better, or make excuses because they like this guy or that politician. If a Politician have sworn to uphold the Constitution of Oregon and they don't they are corrupt. Justice delayed is justice denied. If good men do noting evil will prevail.

This measure is a backdoor attempt through political "chicanery" to undo the purpose of Article 2 Section 22 put in place by the People. It does this by amending Article II of the Constitution of the State of Oregon Section 8 with section (2)(a) which begins "Limit contributions" but is an attempt to take all the limitation put on candidates by Article 2 Section 22 to prevent bribery and undue influence on the elected because it ends up saying "does not prevent candidates and political committees from gathering the resources necessary".^[31]

This measure will be sold as reform by an impotent or dishonest press which serves the purposes of big money and corrupt politicians. It will open the flood gates to big money corruption under the guise of love for the people and the environment.

It was sent to the voters without warning by a legislature that is incompetent, ignorant, or just plain corrupt and greedy for gain. Congress and the Senate could have forced this issue but so many of them are also in violation they give reign to evil and corruption. Whoever voted for this Resolution is part of the problem and an enemy of the will of the people.^[34]

Oregonians, Americans, and the honest people of the world need to wake up and "speak to power". They need to be willing to see the truth—the whole truth—and provide for it. Senate Joint Resolution 18 is mischief that will allow an improper influence over Oregonian lawmakers and "injure" the representation of Oregon voters. If passed by the people, it will allow open and legal "bribes" to be collected by the right hand of those who seek offices of power. It is reform meant to open the flood gates of contributions flowing into the campaign accounts of candidates. No wonder Kate Brown "pushed" for this and is so "excited".^[30]

"And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes,^[1] and perverted judgment." 1 Samuel 8:3

What can be done

Truth and justice use to be the American way. Any thing less and you will have tyranny far greater than you can now imagine.

“everybody feels the evil, but no one has courage or energy enough to seek the cure” ^[35]

All the Democrat and Republican in violation of Article 2 Section 22 and those Oregonians that give them a free pass to violate their oaths are guilty of all the crimes and injuries suffered by the people. The apathy and complacency of the people who do not want to see their favorite candidate remove because of their violation are as guilty as those who commit the crimes against their neighbor under the pretenses of authority.

If you want honest government you have to honestly pursue it.

The socialism of the last hundred years has weakened the people so that do not understand they must gather together to do what needs doing.^[36] They need to take action.

OSHA's power to intimidate businesses depends on Kate's executive orders to be lawful. If she has violated Article 2 Section 22 of the Oregon Constitution, and she has, she has no authority to issue orders because she "forfeited" the office of governor and is an "unclassified felon". OSHA has no authority to cite you or anyone for violating an executive order signed by someone who is not the executive or in lawful possession of the office of governor.

Anyone damaged by her executive orders can sue for damages on grounds of her “crime of criminal impersonation of a public servant”. Taking the money and receiving pay under false pretenses is bad but occupying the office is also a criminal violation of ORS 162.^[37]

First Gather and form a group with a purpose.

If you get a good team and a lawyer or two who will make formal complaints and pursue this in court, where it needs to go, your actions will shake the foundations of corrupt government around the world.

There will be resistance but also support.

“Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.”
“everybody feels the evil, but no one has courage or energy enough to seek the cure” ^[35]

You cannot be ignorant and free.

You need to learn everything you can and build that team and you need to do it quickly.