The Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping and other violations of our civil liberties have made us less, not more, secure and robbed us of our American birthright. I support the repeal of all unconstitutional laws and a full restoration of the protections our forefathers bequeathed us in the Bill of Rights.

Over the last few years our constitutionally protected rights have come under unprecedented assault. From warrantless wiretapping, to holding those accused of crimes without charge or counsel, to cordoning off political expression in "free speech zones," our government has become ever more oppressive and ever less responsive. It's time for that to change.

As your representative in Congress, I will oppose any new legislation, and call for the repeal of all existing legislation, which:

• Violates your right to freedom of speech, press or religion.
  
• Violates your right to peaceably assemble or associate, or to petition your government for redress of grievances.
  
• Violates your right to keep and bear arms.
  
• Violates your right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
  
• Denies you the protections due to those accused of crimes.

"Civil liberties" is such a broad category that it's impossible to fit every related issue into one position paper. I'll be expanding on these topics in other campaign speeches and articles. For now, suffice it to say that I call for:

• The repeal of the USA Patriot Act.
  
• An immediate end to warrantless searches and wiretaps, and prosecution of those government officials involved in these illegal activities.
  
• An end to detention without charge, trial, counsel and restoration of the full panoply of constitutional protections for those accused of crimes, including presidentially-designated "unlawful combatants."
  
• Full restoration of the Second Amendment's protection of the right to keep and bear arms.
  
• Enforcement of the Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause, the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of religion and association, and the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection of the law to all Americans, especially where the issue of marriage is concerned.

The Constitution isn't just a good idea -- it's the law of the land. And it's time to stop letting our politicians get away with treating it like toilet paper.

The Republicans and Democrats in Congress have proven, over and over again, that they don't and won't respect your rights. Vote Libertarian and win a free country!