Malcolm Rivera
The American Constitution Party, also known as the Constitution Party, is a political party in the United States. The party was established as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party in 1992 and was officially recognized by the Federal Election Commission in 1996. The party's platform is focused on restoring the Federal Government to the Constitution's provisions and upholding the right to bear arms. As of January 2025, the party was a ballot-qualified party in Colorado, with 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | Howard Phillips founded the party after George H. W. Bush broke his "no new taxes" pledge. |
| Recognition | As of January 2025, the American Constitution Party is a ballot-qualified party in Colorado. |
| Platform | The party's platform is focused on restoring the Federal Government to the Constitution's provisions. |
| Religious Liberties | The American Constitution Party upholds the religious liberties of the people and the states. |
| Abortion | The party opposes abortion and the legalization of bio-research involving human embryonic or pre-embryonic cells. |
| Euthanasia | The party opposes all government legalization of euthanasia, infanticide, and suicide. |
| Education | The party seeks to end compulsory public school attendance and promote homeschooling, private schools, or religious schools. |
| Foreign Policy | The party believes the United States should strive to live in peace with all nations, without interfering in their internal affairs. |
| Gun Rights | The party upholds the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. |
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What You'll Learn
The American Constitution Party's stance on gun rights
The American Constitution Party is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. The party's stance on gun rights aligns with the right to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment has been a subject of debate, with supporters of firearm availability emphasizing the right to self-defense and the need for a well-regulated militia, while opponents argue that unrestricted gun rights hinder the government's ability to prevent crime and protect its citizens.
The American Constitution Party's position on gun rights likely reflects a strong support for the Second Amendment and the belief in the right to self-defense. They may also advocate for limited government intervention in gun ownership and oppose stringent gun control measures. This stance resonates with a significant portion of Americans who value their Second Amendment rights and view gun ownership as a form of protection.
Additionally, the party's ideology may be influenced by the "originalist argument" presented by the Supreme Court, which asserts that the Second Amendment was intended to empower citizens to form a non-politicized militia capable of overthrowing a tyrannical government. This argument, although unlikely in the modern context, is defended by organizations like the National Rifle Association and supported by Republican figures, including former President Trump.
In contrast, there is a notable divide between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of gun rights. Studies have shown that Democratic partisans are more inclined to support gun restrictions, while Republicans are more likely to favor loosening gun laws. This divergence in perspectives contributes to the political divisiveness surrounding gun policy proposals.
While the American Constitution Party's specific stance on gun rights may vary based on regional and ideological factors, their overall position aligns with a strong interpretation of the Second Amendment and a belief in limited government interference in gun ownership. Their views on gun rights attract individuals who prioritize their Second Amendment freedoms and see gun ownership as a fundamental aspect of their liberty and security.
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The party's anti-abortion stance
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. The party has never elected one of its candidates to office.
The ACP takes a strong anti-abortion stance. According to the party, the pre-born child is a human being created in God's image, and its life begins at fertilization. The party believes that the first duty of the law is to prevent the shedding of innocent blood and that civil governments have a duty to secure and safeguard the lives of the pre-born. The ACP opposes any federal funding or support for abortion and believes that abortion should not be legalised through a majority vote of any legislative body. In addition, the ACP is against the funding and legalisation of bio-research involving human embryonic or pre-embryonic cells, as well as euthanasia, infanticide, and suicide.
The party's platform includes repealing the 17th Amendment, which allows voters to pick US senators, and instead, giving this power to state legislatures. This is seen as a way to protect the integrity of military organisations and undermine women's rights to make their own reproductive choices.
The ACP also seeks to revoke the legalization of same-sex marriages or civil unions and calls for an end to any domestic federal aid not provided for in the US Constitution, believing it to be immoral and illegal. The party also wants to terminate multiple federal departments and end compulsory public school attendance, promoting homeschooling, private schools, or religious schools instead.
The ACP's anti-abortion stance has caused disagreements within the party, leading to the Constitution Party of Oregon disaffiliating with the national Constitution Party in 2006. Despite this, the Oregon branch gave its presidential nomination to Baldwin during the 2008 election.
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The American Constitution Party in Colorado
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party in the United States. As of September 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in Colorado. The ACP is affiliated with the national-level Constitution Party, which has developed a party platform. The ACP's mission is to uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and The Constitution of Colorado. They believe in limiting the federal government to its delegated, enumerated, and Constitutional functions, as well as limiting the powers of state governments.
The ACP advocates for the right to bear arms and opposes government intrusion on private property and the use of eminent domain. They also have strong pro-life beliefs, opposing abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, and suicide. In addition, they call for the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Election Commission. The ACP seeks to repeal a number of laws, including those related to abortion and discriminatory election practices.
The ACP gained major party status in Colorado after the 2010 gubernatorial election, in which former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo ran as the ACP candidate and received around 36% of the vote. This elevated the party to "major" status under state law, as any party that earns 10% or more of the votes cast for governor is considered a "major party". However, Tancredo quickly rejoined the Republican Party after the election, and the ACP struggled to maintain its major party status, effectively relinquishing it by the 2014 gubernatorial election by not fielding a candidate.
Despite this setback, the ACP fielded more candidates in the 2010 and 2012 election cycles than in the previous decade. In the 2022 elections, they ran for US House seats in Districts 2, 4, and 5, as well as statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and the Board of Education in District 8. As of June 2024, the Constitution Party has 28 members elected to city council seats and other municipal offices across the United States, ranking fifth among national parties in terms of registered members.
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The party's history and formation
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that exists predominantly in Colorado, where it is considered a "minor party". As of September 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in Colorado.
The ACP is affiliated with the national-level Constitution Party, which was formed by Howard Phillips in response to George H.W. Bush's breaking of the "no new taxes" pledge during his presidency. Phillips formed the party through the U.S. Taxpayers Alliance, an organization he founded, which had affiliates in 25 states. The Constitution Party has FEC-recognized national party status and ranks fifth among national parties in the United States in terms of registered members.
The ACP has fielded candidates in various elections, including gubernatorial, US House, statewide, and local races. In 2010, former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo ran as the ACP's candidate for Colorado governor, winning around 36% of the vote. Despite its efforts, the ACP has never elected one of its candidates to office.
The ACP's platform includes repealing the 17th Amendment, allowing state legislatures to pick US senators, and ending compulsory public school attendance, promoting homeschooling, private schools, or religious schools instead. They also advocate for the right to bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, and oppose any infringement or denial of this right. Additionally, they seek to terminate several federal departments and agencies, including the Departments of Energy and Education, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service.
The ACP holds strong stances on social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage. They believe in the sanctity of life, considering the pre-born child as a human being created in God's image, and oppose any government funding or support for abortion. They also seek to revoke the legalization of gay marriage and civil unions.
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The American Constitution Party's religious stance
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. It affirms and adopts the platform of the national Constitution Party, which was founded in 1992 as an ultra-conservative alternative to the Republican Party. The ACP's mission is to secure liberty for Americans and their posterity by electing candidates who will uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of Colorado.
The ACP holds that the federal government should be limited to its enumerated Constitutional functions, and that civil governments must be strictly limited in their powers to intrude upon the persons and private property of individual citizens. It opposes the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and supports the right to bear arms, as well as voter ID laws. In terms of registered members, the party ranks fifth among national parties in the United States.
The Constitution Party, which the ACP is based on, promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the principles and intents of the United States Constitution. The party platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and is shaped by principles that it believes were set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible. The party was founded by Howard Phillips, a conservative activist, after President George H. W. Bush violated his pledge not to raise taxes.
In 2000, a schism occurred within the party, with those who advocated for an explicitly religious party leaving to form the Christian Liberty Party, then known as the American Heritage Party. Despite this, the Constitution Party still holds some religious views. For example, it believes that the right to bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defence, family defence, and defence against tyranny, which are conferred on individuals and communities by their Creator to safeguard life, liberty, and property. The party also believes that the United States is a Christian nation founded on the Bible and that jurisprudence should be restored to its "Biblical foundations". It has been described by critics as a theocratic party.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the American Constitution Party is a political party in the United States. It is also referred to as the Constitution Party.
The American Constitution Party is a conservative party focused on upholding the right to bear arms, opposing abortion, and preserving religious liberties. They also advocate for limited government intervention, both domestically and internationally.
The American Constitution Party was formed by Howard Phillips, who believed that the Democratic and Republican parties were not adhering to the Constitution. In 2000, the party experienced a schism, with some members leaving to form the Christian Liberty Party. The party has fielded candidates in various elections, including gubernatorial and congressional races.
The American Constitution Party has been recognized as a ballot-qualified party in certain states, such as Colorado. However, it is considered a minor party and has not had much electoral success. As of June 2024, the party had 28 members elected to city council and other municipal offices across the United States.
