Shabbat Shalom 23 Tishrei 5768

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Free Paul Jacob
Political motivated prosecution in Oklahoma

"Government of the people, by the people and for the people," are the words spoken by President Abraham Lincoln as he concluded the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Since that historic day nearly 144 years ago, Lincoln's words are often described as the very definition of democracy in America. Too often the men and woman elected to public office become obsessed with their own power, forgetting what those immortal words truly mean. The very idea of the people trying to preserve the concept of a citizen legislature is a career politicians greatest fear.

This past Tuesday, writer, father and activist Paul Jacob, was indicted by the Attorney General of Oklahoma, Drew Edmondson (D), for exercising his constitutional right to be involved in the democratic process. Jacob may go to prison for circulating a voter initiative petition that would permit Oklahoma residents to vote on a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).

The state of Oklahoma has a statute requiring petition circulators to be residents, which is currently being challenged in the federal courts. The only rationale for such a law is so politicians can restrict and control the petition process. Legal precedent exists in Meyer v. Grant and in ACLF v. Buckley, which should lead to this unjust law being ruled unconstitutional.

Regardless of the ineptitude of the statute, Jacob and the organizations he was advising had abide by the law as advised by the Oklahoma Secretary of State. “Regardless of how the courts ultimately rule on the constitutionality of the residency requirement, everyone I worked with on the TABOR petition sought to follow the statute as written,” Jacob wrote in a statement.

Jacob as well as all activists who fight to give citizens more control of their government is a politician’s worst nightmare. From 1992 to 1999 Jacob ran U.S. Term Limits. He had great success placing limits on congressional delegations in 23 states. Columnist Robert Novak once referred to him as "the most hated man in Washington."

Attorney General Edmondson comes from a powerful Oklahoma political family that does not want to see their power and control diminish. He has developed a reputation for overlooking corruption that exists within his own Democratic Party, resulting in a federal investigation now being conducted. However Edmondson also has reputation for going after Republicans and other political opponents without mercy, often ignoring common sense and decency.

Paulies Point will keep you updated on Jacob's situation, meanwhile visit the website, freepauljacob.com and show this defender of freedom your support. Be aware that the ramifications of this case are far reaching. Precedent may be set that will affect how citizens can check their government, as well as allow the right to voter initiative and referendum.

Vorshavsky: A Chicago Story
A Paulies Point book recommendation

Paulies Point readers are very familiar with Abraham Miller, emeritus professor of political science and my Uncle. I have been recommending his political writings long before your brilliant blogger began posting. I am very excited that Abe has now ventured into the world of fiction with his latest book Vorshavsky: A Chicago Story.

Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s, during the beginning of Chicago's architectural revival and dynamic economic growth, Howard Vorshavsky's personal story embodies the dynamism and political conflicts of the city at that time. Vorshavsky is a brilliant and iconoclastic Chicago attorney who possesses a passing acquaintanceship with legal ethics and an insatiable desire for stunning women.

The novel is a fusion of his personal and professional knowledge transformed into fiction. Many of his stories of the Chicago political machine were inspired by his acquaintanceship with University of Illinois, Chicago Professor Milton Rakove. For a number of years, Porfessor Rakove was the official historian of the Cook County Democratic Party.

"Corruption," systemic and personal, is the thread of Miller's narrative. Although the primary vehicle for Professor Miller's story is Vorshavsky, the lawyer, Miller juxtaposes Vorshavsky's world with the academic world of Vorshavsky's longtime friend Miles Freeman. Professor Freeman's world is equally punctuated by its own forms of corruption, and the world of urban machine politics and that of the rural bucolic campus turn out to be all too similar.

For those interested in Chicago politics and the changing value system of the 1960s, this is a book for you. Pick up a copy on Amazon.com.

Paulie