Simone Lawson
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was formed as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. The ACP is a conservative party that upholds the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, opposes abortion, and supports tough immigration policies. The party also believes in reducing the size and scope of the federal government and replacing the income tax with a tariff-based revenue system. The ACP is a relatively small party, with ballot access in only a handful of states as of 2019.
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What You'll Learn
Anti-abortion and anti-euthanasia
The American Constitution Party, previously known as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party, is an ultra-conservative political party that promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the principles and intents of the United States Constitution. The party's platform is based on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and is influenced by the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible.
The party holds strong anti-abortion views, aligning with the consistent life ethic that opposes abortion as an act that ends human life. This stance is shared by various socially conservative organizations and religious groups, particularly the Catholic Church and Evangelical churches. The anti-abortion movement gained momentum following the 1973 Supreme Court decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which struck down most state laws restricting abortion. The movement has sought to reverse these decisions and promote legislative changes or constitutional amendments, such as the Human Life Amendment, to prohibit or severely restrict abortion.
The Constitution Party's opposition to abortion is deeply rooted in religious beliefs, with activists predominantly belonging to Christian denominations. The party's stance is also influenced by its interpretation of the Constitution, invoking the 14th Amendment to project consistency with the view that fertilized eggs or "unborn children" are full-fledged people deserving of constitutional rights. This perspective has led to efforts to restrict access to abortion and promote alternatives such as adoption and support for mothers.
In addition to its anti-abortion stance, the Constitution Party also opposes euthanasia, as articulated by American Catholic Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who argued that abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and unjust war are all wrong. The party's position on euthanasia aligns with its emphasis on the sanctity of life and its commitment to protecting life at all stages.
The party's anti-abortion and anti-euthanasia stances are integral aspects of its socially conservative platform, which also includes opposition to pornography, gambling, and certain federal drug laws. These positions reflect the party's commitment to upholding traditional values and interpreting the Constitution through an originalist lens.
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Opposition to federal income tax
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. The ACP 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 Constitution Party, originally called the US Taxpayers Party, was founded by conservative activist Howard Phillips after President George H. W. Bush violated his pledge of "read my lips: no new taxes". The Constitution Party's platform is focused on restoring the federal government to the Constitution's provisions.
The Constitution Party believes that the federal income tax is unconstitutional. In its 2012 platform, the party supported replacing the income tax with a tariff-based revenue system supplemented by excise taxes. The party maintains that the "imposition [...] of Federal income, payroll, and estate taxes [...] is an unconstitutional Federal assumption of direct taxing authority".
The party's platform also includes reducing the size of the federal government, both in terms of the number of people employed and in terms of its roles and responsibilities. This includes cutting bureaucratic regulation, reducing spending, and phasing out social security. The Constitution Party also supports the prohibition of fractional-reserve banking and a return to the gold standard, citing the Constitution's prohibition on states accepting or using anything other than a gold and silver-based currency.
The Constitution Party's stance on taxation aligns with its broader goal of limiting the federal government to its enumerated powers under the Constitution and preserving individual freedoms.
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Support for the right to bear arms
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that, as of September 2019, was a ballot-qualified party in Colorado. The ACP is a conservative party that upholds the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. The ACP's beliefs are founded on originalist interpretations of the Constitution and are shaped by principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Bible.
The ACP believes that the right to bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defence, defence of the family, and defence against tyranny. The party asserts that this right is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution and may not be infringed upon or denied. The ACP's support for the right to bear arms aligns with its broader stance on limited government and individual freedoms.
The ACP's position on gun rights is shared by the national Constitution Party, which the ACP generally affirms and adopts as its platform. The Constitution Party, originally known as the US Taxpayers' Party, was founded in 1992 as a conservative alternative to the Republican Party. The party promotes a religiously conservative interpretation of the United States Constitution and believes in restoring the federal government to its constitutional provisions.
The Constitution Party's platform includes support for reducing the role of the federal government, lowering taxes, and emphasising individual responsibility. The party also takes a conservative stance on social issues, opposing abortion, gay rights, and pornography. In terms of registered members, the Constitution Party ranks as the fifth-largest political party in the United States.
The ACP, as a state-level party, has its own set of core values and policies, which differentiate it from the national Constitution Party. Notably, the ACP opposes the use of eminent domain to take private property through government force, believing that civil governments must be strictly limited in their powers to intrude upon citizens' persons and property. This stance aligns with the ACP's support for the right to bear arms, as it reinforces the importance of safeguarding individual liberties and property rights.
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Belief in small government
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. The ACP is based on the national Constitution Party's platform, with some exceptions specified in its Essential Core Values and Preamble.
The ACP believes in limiting the powers of civil governments to intrude upon the persons and private property of individual citizens. It opposes the use of eminent domain to take private property from one private party to give to another. The ACP also upholds the right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
The ACP's belief in small government is evident in its opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and support for voter ID laws to prevent voter fraud. They believe that the private sector can provide most services more efficiently than the government. The party also supports employee ownership over union elites and sees economic growth as the best jobs program.
The ACP wants to reform and toughen the immigration system, only allowing legal immigrants through tightly controlled borders. They oppose federal college loans and instead favour private loans. The party also supports families as the cornerstone of culture, encouraging abstinence and adoption.
The ACP's belief in small government extends to its interpretation of the Constitution. They seek to restore the Federal Government to the Constitution's provisions and limit the federal government to its delegated, enumerated, and Constitutional functions. This includes reducing spending and replacing the income tax with a tariff-based revenue system supplemented by excise taxes.
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Opposition to gay rights
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that was ballot-qualified in Colorado as of September 2019. The ACP is based on the national Constitution Party's platform, with some exceptions specified in its Essential Core Values and Preamble. 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.
The Constitution Party, originally called the US Taxpayers Party, was founded in 1992 by conservative activist Howard Phillips as an ultra-conservative alternative to the Republican Party. The party is considered far-right and religiously conservative, promoting a Christian interpretation of the United States Constitution and the belief that the nation was founded on the Bible.
The Constitution Party's platform includes opposition to gay rights, abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide. They support the death penalty, voter ID laws, and the right to bear arms. They also advocate for limited government, lower taxes, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
The party opposes any legal recognition of homosexual unions and believes that the federal government should not fund or support any entity that advocates for abortion. This includes opposition to the funding and legalization of bio-research involving human embryonic or pre-embryonic cells.
The Constitution Party's stance on gay rights can be understood within the broader context of its socially conservative and religious values. The party's opposition to gay rights is likely influenced by its interpretation of the Bible and traditional family values. They believe that families are the cornerstone of culture and emphasize the importance of abstinence and adoption. This perspective aligns with their opposition to abortion and euthanasia, reflecting a consistent value for the sanctity of life.
The party's stance on gay rights has implications for legal recognition, marriage equality, and the broader acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. By denying legal recognition to same-sex unions, the party effectively seeks to prevent same-sex couples from enjoying the same legal rights and protections as heterosexual couples. This includes areas such as marriage, adoption, inheritance, and healthcare decision-making.
Furthermore, the Constitution Party's opposition to gay rights contributes to a broader social and cultural narrative that marginalizes and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ individuals. This stance can foster an environment where discrimination and inequality are normalized and where LGBTQ+ individuals may face rejection, isolation, and a denial of their fundamental rights.
In conclusion, the American Constitution Party's opposition to gay rights is rooted in its conservative interpretation of the Constitution, the Bible, and traditional family values. Their stance has significant implications for the legal rights and social acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, contributing to a narrative that undermines equality and inclusion.
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Frequently asked questions
The American Constitution Party (ACP) is a political party that affirms and adopts the platform of the national Constitution Party. 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.
The American Constitution Party believes in limiting the powers of the federal government and protecting the rights of citizens. They oppose abortion, euthanasia, and the legalization of suicide. The party also supports the right to bear arms, tough immigration laws, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
The American Constitution Party opposes pornography, believing it has negative impacts on society. They also oppose gambling and support traditional family values, including abstinence and adoption. The party is against gay marriage and abortion, and believes that the United States is a Christian nation founded on the Bible.
