In the year of our Lord, 2020

ISBN 978-0-578-23787-9

This book is copyright protected simply so no one may monopolize its content. David places no restrictions upon the lawful use of any text or ideas presented herein. Anyone may copy, distribute, translate, or even profit from publishing this book, in whole or in part. The value of this book is to be realized from the actions taken by readers to promote justice. David hopes this guide will advance goodwill, peace, and improve safety in our land. Any comments, suggestions, or donations may be sent to:

David of Ohio

P. O. Box 422

Coshocton, Ohio 43812

www.davidofohio.com

CONTENTS

Introduction

Involuntary Debts

Interest and Usury

Rent

Licensure and Monopoly

Commercial Liberty

Liberty of Association

Free Speech in Courts

Monetary Damages

Commercial Liability

Search Warrants

Witness Responsibility

No Anonymous Witnesses

No Immunity

Limited Incarceration

Compensation for Victims

Unjust Imprisonment

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Only those nations that honor Almighty God by doing justice and loving mercy will experience liberty.

Anyone easily can see that our society today faces serious problems. As a result of “lock down” and “shelter in place” edicts by politicians, tens of millions of Americans have been forced out of work. Thousands of small commercial and service businesses have been categorized as “non-essential” by government officials and forced to close. Many of them will never re-open. Businesses that are trying to keep their doors open remain weighed down by taxes related to involuntary debt, by complex regulations, supply chain interruptions, commercial rents, and other costly economic hurdles they must overcome to survive and thrive. Involuntary public debts have already reached unpayable levels, but government borrowing continues to expand while politicians attempt to appease the demands of an increasingly desperate public. The value of currency is further debased by these irresponsible fiscal actions while much wealth is squandered, apparently with no thought for tomorrow or consideration for future generations.

Unemployment and business failure have led to bankruptcy for many, and this heavy toll continues to rise. Obviously, working people cannot make payments on mortgages, rent, student loans, nor even eat if they are not allowed to enter a workplace and sell their labor. Unemployment benefits can be extended only so long. Are people simply to forget about their liberty and resign themselves to be perpetual wards of government benefactors? Who will decide who is to receive never-ending handouts from an authoritarian state? How will an authoritarian state produce anything of value to hand out? Since the government can only distribute what has been already produced by enterprisers and those who labor productively, from where will future needed goods and services arise? Will the people be reduced to slavery and forced to produce food and consumer goods on land and in factories controlled by government agents? On a practical level, how can people ensure their liberty within a highly regulated and government-planned economic system within which they must earn a living?

Many politicians demonstrate open hostility toward free, independently minded people who wish only to mind their own business, serve God, and freely govern themselves. Much that has gone wrong in our society could be easily remedied if only the people experienced liberty to exercise their gifts to provide goods and skilled services that satisfy themselves and the needs of their neighbors. Conservative pundits have complained for years that the government is too big. They say there are too many regulations, too much taxation, and way, way too much debt. They constantly complain, but never actually define what is too much! And now with the current economic crisis, these problems have only become worse. Is there a way out? Many things will need to change, but there are some very simple and very practical first steps that can get the needed changes started. Ohioans have it within their power to amend the State of Ohio Constitution. Constitutional amendments can be approved by voter referendum that will undo bureaucratic regulations, remove improper taxes, relieve debt, and ensure liberty for each citizen.

Ohio citizens are generally unaware of the precise language of their Ohio Constitution. This small book is about changing the Ohio Constitution to ensure justice is done; to promote peace and liberty in our land. Before we begin to consider new amendments to the Ohio Constitution, it is important to review what truths motivated the people to establish the government of the State of Ohio.

THE OHIO CONSTITUTION

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our general welfare, do establish this Constitution.

Article I

§1. All men are, by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety.

§2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same, whenever they may deem it necessary; and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted, that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the General Assembly.

The Preamble and Article I clearly demonstrate that the citizens of Ohio were moved to establish the Ohio State government in order to protect their freedom, to secure its blessings, and to promote general welfare. They unambiguously declared their faith in Almighty God, who alone is the source of their liberty. The Preamble reveals the common belief held by Ohio’s citizens and their reasons to invent the Ohio State government as a combined, corporate expression of their individual liberties. So, we clearly see the people used a constitutional framework to delegate a fraction of their own political power to be used for certain specified conditions and to be bound under strict submission to firm limitations.

It is always the case that the chief end of any good government is to protect the liberty of the people who created the government in the first place. Acting upon their firm belief that liberty is the will of Almighty God, our forefathers created the government of the State of Ohio as their institutional creature. They designed their constitution so it would be accepted by and allied with the sixteen other States already in constitutional union. In so doing, Ohio citizens gave clear and unambiguous notice to the other United States that they reserved for themselves the power whenever they may deem it necessary to alter, reform, or abolish the very state government they created. Since these clear conditions for the citizens to retain power did not in any way conflict with the States united or the Federal Constitution, Ohio entered into the Federal union and was granted the status of statehood.

In Article I §1, the citizens of Ohio expanded upon their faith in Almighty God with the phrase “certain inalienable rights.” This phrase refers to God-given liberties that reside individually and collectively with the people prior to the establishment of any government. Therefore, all human governments are subordinate to what God has decreed concerning how we must love Him and our neighbors. People will experience liberty to the extent they are faithful to God, and such people can never lawfully be alienated from their liberty.

Ohio citizens presupposed the fact that Almighty God transcends all human political power. Although God has shown much patience toward those who rebel against Him, no power on earth can long resist Almighty God as He works out all things according to His will. Our Lord’s prayer should be offered with understanding and conviction wherein we sincerely confess God’s will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Article I, § 2 makes it clear that all political power remains inherent in the people. God has delegated to the people of Ohio the awesome responsibility to direct all political power. Animated by the obedience of faith in Almighty God and with the knowledge that good government protects liberty, the citizens of Ohio prescribed, created, and established the Ohio Constitution and the resultant government administration within Ohio.

It should be noted that the United States government and the several United States have fully accepted all the elements of Ohio’s Constitution, notably, those found in Ohio’s Article I. It is significant that Ohio’s Article I cannot in any way conflict with the United States Constitution. Therefore, no Federal challenge to the people’s inalienable duty to protect their own liberty and to establish their own republican form of State government can have legitimate standing in Federal courts. God has already granted, and all related parties have confirmed, the citizens’s inalienable powers to amend, reform, or abolish the government of Ohio as they alone deem necessary. This language of the Ohio Constitution has been understood and accepted by the United States Federal Government along with the several States since Ohio’s adoption into statehood on March 1, 1803.

Ohio citizens should always be ready to exercise their inalienable duty under Almighty God to amend their own state constitution pursuant to the protection and defense of their liberties. Again, there can be no legitimate Federal question regarding the matter. One must also remember that with the adoption of the United States Constitution, it is the States who are the creators of the Federal government. In addition, the States clearly have granted this Federal creature only specific and limited powers approved and written in the United States Constitution and its Amendments. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” (United States Constitution, Amendment 10)

There are many political factions active in the Ohio body politic. We hear the voices of many political philosophies as their followers attempt to impose upon the people of Ohio the ideologies of Conservatives, Progressives, Libertarians, Utopians, Communists, Socialists, Capitalists, Humanists, etc. All of these political philosophies begin and end with human reason and will of man, but none of them begin by acknowledging Almighty God as the creator and founder of all political authority. Without exception, these political philosophies rely solely upon human reason as the prime mover, but such utopians cannot justly alter the republican form of government that is constitutionally required by all the United States. While these factions pursue their disparate utopian visions, they all attempt to use the force of law to seize political power and advance their brand of political philosophy against the liberty of the people.

Before taking office, every Ohio official is required to swear or affirm before Almighty God to uphold and defend the Ohio Constitution. The Preamble and Article I plainly require that all political factions must bow before the will of Almighty God. Office-holders can only remain faithful to their constitutional oath if they support only those laws and rules which protect and advance the people’s inalienable liberty rather than the agenda of mere political factions and special interests. If office-holders were faithful to the oaths they affirmed, they could bring about much justice and liberty, even amid the corruption of political factions. County commissioners and sheriffs have it within their power to refuse to administer or enforce any laws or orders that create injustice or are dangerous to the liberty of the citizens. Judges have it within their power to release nonviolent prisoners and require compensation to victims. Juries can refuse to convict those who have been charged with violations of unjust laws. The Governor can veto unjust legislation or refuse to lend executive support or engage in enforcement actions. Instead of the defense of liberty, we see divisive factions at work in legislative agendas, and even the Ohio Constitution has become corrupted in the minds of many citizens by interpretations of its language that are not consistent with its Preamble and Article I. Since so many present office-holders are unwilling to stand and work for justice and liberty, some important constitutional amendments are now necessary in order to more clearly codify how the State of Ohio will protect the liberty of its citizens.

Which people are likely to agree that constitutional amendments are needed? And who are likely to agree with the provisions of the amendments that are proposed here? These people will be known according to the two main characteristics of righteousness vs. wickedness. Since everyone must choose whether they will seek righteousness or wickedness, it is helpful to consider two broad categories of social characteristics. No one is perfectly righteous or completely wicked, but everyone should rely upon God to assist them to know and to do His will. God is gracious and forgiving toward all those who turn from their sins and follow Him. All people should seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. All people should be humble and confess there are times when they are more or less righteous and more or less wicked. This self-examination is the process of repentance and sanctification, without which the experience of liberty is impossible. If we desire to be free, we must choose to follow Christ’s commandments because they will instruct us how to be righteous. In spite of our worst moments in the past, today we must choose to turn from our wicked ways, rely upon God’s forgiveness, and confess our desire to choose righteousness in the future.

The following tables can help us identify and contrast the characteristics of those who seek righteousness and those who follow after wickedness.

So, dear reader, will you be found among the righteous or the wicked? Will God say to you, “Welcome, I have prepared a place for you in my Kingdom” or will He say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

In order to do justice in Ohio, righteous men and women must resist the anti-God forces who choose wickedness. God has already given those who honor Him all the power necessary to overcome the ways of wickedness and establish the ways of righteousness, justice, neighborly love, and peace. Please seriously consider your support of the proposed Ohio constitutional amendments found below.

The reasons in favor of constitutional amendments rest upon several important truths:

• God created all people after His image and likeness.

• Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is God incarnate, He overcame sin by obedience, defeated death, ascended into Heaven, and there He has been given all authority in Heaven and upon the Earth. He always was, is now, and always will be Almighty God.

• God has commissioned His followers to teach the nations to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded.

• God has granted inalienable authority and responsibility to the citizens of Ohio so they might do justice and promote liberty. Thus, it is in the citizen’s power to establish, alter, reform or abolish the government as they deem necessary.

• God’s commandments will establish liberty as Ohio demonstrates the obedience of faith in Him.

• Ohio citizens have inalienable liberty to serve Almighty God alone; they must serve the uncreated God first, and only then can they truly serve created mankind.

• The proclamation and preservation of liberty is good news for Ohio, all states, and nations of the world. If God shall set you free, you shall be free indeed!

In the discussions to follow, the reader will find these important themes repeated frequently. Consistent with our Lord’s commands, the task of all legitimate government is to do justice. Doing justice and promoting liberty is the right administration of the law of God. These amendments to the Constitution of the State of Ohio are offered to bring Ohio law more into conformity with the standard of God’s righteousness. Sixteen proposed amendments are recited below, along with commentary to further explain each one. Let the reader take careful notice.

AMENDMENT I

INVOLUNTARY DEBTS

Except in cases involving restitution for proven damages, involuntary public debts arising from any source within or without the boundaries of Ohio shall not be levied against property or income, or forcibly collected from any person residing in the State of Ohio.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Debt slavery is an ancient and continuing practice which has gone by many names over many years. During many ages, demands and threats of violence have been utilized to bring vulnerable populations under the yoke of various forms of slavery. Most ancient is the practice of chattel slavery. This practice involved individual slaves who were perpetually owned by individual masters. Such slaves owed a perpetual debt of obedience to their masters. Since their debt could never be satisfied, slaves and their children were regarded as the property of another. This form of slavery has never officially existed under Ohio law.

In Ohio and other states, the concept of slavery has evolved and taken different names. Instead of ‘chattel slavery’ we now practice a seemingly softer kind of collective slavery, called “socialism.” This is the political teaching that all persons and property must be regulated and in principle controlled by state administrators, inspectors, and enforcers. Since socialism provides no firm limitations of state control over persons and property, a progression of legislation, regulation, and taxation will continue to advance until eventually the people and their property become effectively controlled and owned by the State. Instead of slavery meaning personal ownership of individual slaves, slavery under socialism evolves into the collective State ownership of the taxpayers and their possessions. Under this scheme, the little people will slave away for their elite political leaders and administrators who effectively operate as masters over the class of wealth producers who are functionally identified collectively as “taxpayers.”

After Ohio became a state in 1803, and as a result of the 1912 Ohio constitutional convention, the voters constitutionally approved the legislative authority to enact an income tax. An income tax was eventually adopted in 1971. It took 168 years from the formation of the State of Ohio before a direct tax on income was adopted by legislative action. The people of Ohio survived quite well until 1971 with no direct income tax. Today, several states, many with large populations, have no income tax assessed directly against individuals.

Direct taxation of income is but one of a variety of debt-slavery practices. Others include liens on land, liens on dwellings, and tax on property, all of which mandate the direct extortion of wealth produced from the lives of private individuals. Socialism, with its direct taxation and multitude of legalistic regulations, makes it so hard for private enterprisers to survive that some begin to find it more advantageous to become wards of the State and receive subsidies of one kind or another. Once this dependency reaches a critical level, political leaders will attempt to silence the voice of liberty. Then an elite class of social parasites will tap the life blood and wealth of a nation that has forgotten Almighty God.

Because so many people have forgotten the commandments of God, they covet the wealth produced by their neighbors. By many unrighteous schemes, covetous voters with their senators and representatives impose liens upon real property to confiscate a portion of the wealth produced by their neighbor’s labor. What kind of people put such schemes into motion? Why do they employ violence and extortion to assert their own will upon the earth? These are among those who lack love for God and have neglected to love persons who are made in God’s image and likeness.

All liberty flows from doing the will of Christ the Lord. If Christ shall set you free, you shall be free indeed. Christ, the Lord of Nations, commands all people to lend, expecting nothing in return. Further, when individual debtors cannot repay, they might be forgiven; that is, if the lenders hope to rely upon the forgiveness of God. Followers of Lord Christ must seek first His Kingdom, do justice, love mercy and prayerfully advance His will upon the earth.

If the people of Ohio have faith in Almighty God and follow the ways of Christ, abundant liberty will always be evident in society. Since liberty is the fruit of social obedience to Christ the Lord, it remains fully within the authority and power of the citizens of Ohio to liberate all those who are oppressed. This is an inalienable responsibility. It is always unjust for any one person or a majority of voters to compel neighbors into involuntary debt. Citizens of the State of Ohio have it within their power to amend their Constitution to prohibit all forms of involuntary public debt.

AMENDMENT II

INTEREST AND USURY

The Executive and Judicial branches of government of the State of Ohio shall not enforce upon residents or commercial enterprises within the State of Ohio usury or interest payments that are incident to loans. At the formal request of any borrower, all interest paid after the adoption of this amendment must be refunded or applied against the loaned principal.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Many years ago, Ezra and Nehemiah, after reading and contemplating the law of God, determined that even one percent interest was in fact usury and therefore oppressive, unlawful, and unjust. Anyone can read this story in the book of Nehemiah, chapter five. This history shows how when the people were ignorant of God’s law, they followed their own passions to covet and steal from their neighbors by usury.

The people of Nehemiah’s time had been corrupted. They learned the practice of usury during their long captivity in Babylon. Having come from Babylon where the law of God had been perverted by evil practices, they were ignorant of how the practice of usury caused strife and oppression within society. Not until they considered what God decreed about usury was the knowledge of justice revealed to them.

Even Nehemiah had become entangled in the practice of usury. The remedy justice required was for every usurer to give back the usury they had collected—even the one percent they had taken from their neighbors. As a condition for continued life in society, the people swore an oath before God to forever leave off this evil practice. Only after giving back all the usury taken was justice done and peace could return to society.

One might ask: Why were they required to return to their debtors the usury they already received? This was because all usury is a kind of theft. Therefore, the usury taken never rightfully belonged to the usurer. Justice demands that all stolen money and goods must be returned to the lawful owner. Justice also requires that loans should be repaid because the loan principal remains the property of the lender. To borrow and not repay defrauds the lender of his property. Justice demands a reckoning that makes everyone whole so society can live in peace and liberty.

Ohio has always regulated usury and considered it to be universally unlawful and oppressive. But what actually is usury? A popular idea is that only beyond a certain threshold rate is interest considered oppressive and therefore usury. But this definition of usury is unprincipled, without a clear standard. As we have seen in the case of Nehemiah, the standard of what is usury must be derived from the law of God. But the popular view poses no clear standard at all.

If it is assumed that usury is illegitimate only when it constitutes interest taken above a certain rate, then what is this interest rate that clearly separates lawful interest from unlawful usury, or theft from honest gain? Who determines such a threshold rate? What standard of law should be followed to ensure the imposition of justice? No arbitrary decree can create a solid, righteous foundation for lending and borrowing. Righteousness can be known only according to God’s law that forever remains the true standard of justice. Righteous people have always agreed that the practice of usury should be forcefully rooted out by the application of God’s justice. To do justice, our nation must first know what usury is, and secondly, citizens and their government must ensure society remains free of this unjust practice.

The citizens of Ohio have it within their power to remove the scourge of usury by amending their Constitution.

AMENDMENT III

RENT

Upon the date of the adoption of this amendment, at the formal request of any tenant to their landlord, all future rent payments for dwellings or commercial property beyond direct expenses and depreciation must be refunded or with the agreement of the parties, applied against the purchase of the rented property at market price.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Rent and loan agreements involving fixed property or commodities are effectively the same as renting money. The Bible condemns as usury “…interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest” (Deuteronomy 23:19). In every case of lending, to expect something in return beyond repayment of the principal is usury. Similar to other unjust excuses that are used to justify usury, rent on land, buildings, and other assets has long been overlooked by political and church leaders. Because of this injustice, people in many nations are reduced to perpetual serfs and land-slaves. Although land and property rent has gone by many names, it has contributed to centuries of serfdom, class struggle, oppression, revolutions, and murder.

Today, individuals who do not own a home must live with others, rent property, or live on the street. High rental rates throughout the country produce a contagion of misery among those who have no home or place of business of their own. Landlords look upon poor people as a wonderful profit opportunity. Small and even large businesses are also paying crushing rent on commercial property, the cost of which adds to the price of goods and services for everyone. Because small businesses are saddled with involuntary debt-taxes, untold numbers of costly regulations, usury, and rent, they find it difficult and perhaps impossible to accumulate enough capital to purchase their own commercial property.

Contrary to the accepted status quo, Jesus instructs us to love our neighbors, and to lend freely, expecting nothing in return (Luke 6:35). This command is not optional or subject to human repeal. It applies to all property of any kind whatsoever that can be loaned or rented. Jesus sets forth the practice of righteous lending to facilitate love between those who live by His law of liberty.

It is not hard to see how loving our neighbors would change the present practice involving rental property. Consider a homeless man who wants to protect his family from the elements, so he requests a property owner to lend him an unused house or apartment. If the owner loves his neighbor, he will take the homeless poor into one of his empty houses—or he may even take him into his own home! In no instance would love for a poor neighbor instruct the owner to consider the circumstances of a homeless family as a monetary profit opportunity.

What landlord would not freely take his own homeless mother into his unused house? Usurious landlords may love their mothers, but they do not love their homeless neighbors. Rather than having love for his neighbor, a landlord seeks to become enriched by his homeless neighbor’s misfortune. He rubs his hands and imagines gain. He hopes that increasing numbers of poor people will pay him rents so he can acquire even more properties and be seen as someone who is ‘helping’ more of the poor. As it is with usurers, by such rationalizations a landlord imagines he will be seen as a benefactor to the poor. But when justice is done in the land, usurious rental contracts on property shall become unenforceable at law. Since this condition will lower the market price for real estate, housing, and commercial property will become much more affordable for everyone.

By any measure, usury by rent increases the cost of housing and reduces the number of homes on the market. Someone is always paying for idle and parasitic usurers. As usury is diminished, since more real estate will be on the market, the price of all properties will be reduced by some significant amount. When justice is done, more of the homeless poor will be able to afford homes. Since those who purchase homes would not owe usury on home loans, their purchase decisions will also be free from these substantial extra costs. As usurers submit to justice, no longer will people be required to pay usurious banks the price of two or three houses in order to buy only one house.

Before landlords can pursue a productive and righteous life, they must reform, exercise godly stewardship, and lovingly lend or trade goods and/or services with their neighbors. Instead of bleeding the poor, they must learn to serve the needs of others by increasing the wealth of everyone they touch. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” (Ephesians 4:28) As with everyone, usurious landlords must also learn the way of love. Jesus said that no one ought to seek to be a lord over others: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25–26) Land-lords should also receive this important instruction.

Everyone, from buyer to seller and borrower to lender, will benefit when people practice justice and abstain from the sin of usury. But regarding rent, how do we get from here to there? Justice would be done if all who owe rental or lease payments had the option to either convert their contracts into purchase agreements or receive a refund of what they paid in excess of depreciation and expenses. The total sum of past payments, less depreciation, upkeep, taxes, and utilities should be applied to purchase contracts at fair market prices, or the net profits should be refunded to the tenant. Doing justice is necessary for the long-term spiritual and material benefit of both tenants and landlords.

The above describes a simple remedy in those cases of housing rental and rental of consumer goods. But there may be some commercial contracts that at first glance appear to be a kind of usurious rent but are actually permitted by God’s law. For example, one may lend the use of an orchard for a price determined by some fraction of the value of the expected production over time. The law of God provides the following:

“And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another. According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor, and according to the number of years of crops he shall sell to you. According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops. Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 25:14–17)

Thus, by the sale of expected future goods, the owner may lawfully be compensated for some or all of the net profits he would have made if he had tended the orchard himself. In this example, it is not actually the land that is rented, but rather it is the projected future produce of the productive orchard that is sold. God’s law provides that land with productive assets in place may be sold for a finite period of time, so after the term of the contract is complete, control of the land and the assets revert to the owner. On the surface, this arrangement may seem like renting land, but it is not. The law does not state the land is rented, but rather crops from producing assets are sold for a period of time. When productive assets appear to be loaned for a price, it actually is the net fractional value of future production that is sold. This business arrangement could be lawfully applied to any asset, living or mechanical in nature, that is expected to produce goods while given a continued degree of care and maintenance.

Contrary to this, a callous usurer will work hard to justify his usury by devising a usurious rental contract that seems similar in appearance to a righteous purchase contract. Obviously, with a little imagination one can construct hypothetical scenarios where the line between usury and a lawful business arrangement is difficult to discern. Imagination is a good thing when people invent new ways to promote justice, mercy, and love. When they yield to the sin of covetousness, their imagination becomes darkened and logic becomes twisted. Usurers advance never-ending legalistic arguments in an attempt to confound righteous judgment.

Many important things are complex and difficult to understand. Because of misunderstandings, inexperience, or lack of facts, it is not always easy to judge the truth of a complex matter. The parties in a dispute have inherent conflicts of interest and cannot impartially judge matters that directly affect them. Therefore, godly judges will always be needed to resolve difficult disputes. In any case, all judgment in this world is only a shadow of the judgment to come. Thus, temporal judgments are always somewhat tentative and less than perfect. In all our earthly dealings, we should strive to be faithful to God’s law and trust in Christ’s final judgment when all history will be finally rolled up and perfect justice is rendered.

Citizens of Ohio have the power to amend their Constitution so that no one will be oppressed by rental charges. However, some people may still desire to enter questionable rental agreements and usurious arrangements. If no party objects to such an arrangement, then no cause of action should be initiated by a third party or government. Justice does not require a state-sponsored “usury vice squad” to be out looking for usurers and creating disputes where none are evident. This does not mean consenting adults are immune from dangers regarding how the practice of usury may affect their souls or lead to undesirable circumstances. It only means that absent a complaint by the borrower or lender, there is no legal issue to resolve in an earthly court.

If one party chooses to repent of a usurious contract, the other party cannot lawfully force the repentant party to continue harming himself in a way that is indefensible and a violation of Christ’s commands. For example, when a person is struck in anger, every godly person understands they may, and perhaps even should, turn the other cheek. The sting caused by the slap is simply not important when compared to the value of love and mercy in a relationship. Love covers a multitude of sins, but another slap does not cover any sin. If one chooses to overlook or forgive a slap in the face, there is no dispute to resolve. There would be no case of assault unless the assailant kept on slapping after being asked to stop. Once the slaps continue over expressed objections, and if a legal cause of action can be sustained, a crime will become evident. In the same way, so long as consenting people agree to lend and borrow at usury, there is no legal cause of action that would stop the parties from harming one another. Thus, a cause of action becomes ripe for litigation only when one party objects to the terms of a questionable contract and the other refuses to sustain the objection and continues to enforce a usurious payment.

In summary, lending any unproductive asset and expecting more back than the principal plus direct maintenance and depreciation costs over time is a violation of God’s law. But future production from assets like trees, machines, or even animals may be sold by the owner, provided that the price set is some fraction of the projected profits. Nevertheless, in response to proven claims involving usurious rents, justice requires usurers to settle all accounts. After legitimate expenses and depreciation are deducted from the total sum of prior payments, all excess payments should be refunded outright or credited toward the purchase of the property at issue. In such a case, the lender is not harmed because he receives back his property or its monetary equivalent. The borrower also is not harmed because he receives back any usury paid. By doing justice, the property owner and the tenant will avoid material loss. Therefore, property owners and the needy poor can avoid any injustice, be reconciled, and live in peace with one another.

The citizens of Ohio have it within their power to amend their constitution to enforce the just use of property while eliminating this unjust form of usury.

AMENDMENT IV

LICENSURE AND MONOPOLY

No civil government privilege, fee, or license shall be required of any person as a condition for: the practice of a profession for hire; the execution of commercial transactions; the offering of any service; or the use of personal property for commercial purposes.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

It is a common practice of governments today to monopolize important professions and control businesses by forcefully requiring some form of licensure as a condition for doing business. If merchants do not obey every order, rule, or regulation, they may be stripped of their “business license,” thus effectively rendering their business ‘illegitimate.’ If they continue to operate a commercial enterprise without a license, they may be subject to threats, violent enforcement actions and, if they do not comply, the eventual loss of their liberty and property. This oppressive practice is an affront to Almighty God, who uniquely creates, gifts and directs all persons to serve Him in the exercise of their gifts so they might maximize their opportunities for service to others.

Many people have come to believe a person who is gifted and called to serve God must first obtain some form of licensure from a state monopoly before they may engage in commercial activities. In an attempt to monopolize professions, Ohio has enacted innumerable laws that are meant to regulate as many professions and businesses as they can. These regulations pretend to make it unlawful for unlicensed persons to give legal advice for hire, engage in healing arts, teach children and adults, engineer buildings and structures, cut hair or fingernails, prepare food, sell fuel, make steam, install air conditioning, plumb water, install electricity, build homes, etc. Government bureaucrats who devise such schemes often have few artful and marketable skills. Nevertheless, they are armed with a keen interest to expand the control of government monopolies as fast and far as humanly possible. While advancing like a cancer, overseeing officials are never satisfied with their level of control, but continue to take new regulatory positions and expand penalties in order to compel further compliance.

Educational institutions also seek to advance state monopolies over many important professions. In order to maintain their status of economic gate keepers, educators lobby legislators and governors to increase the demands of certification and regulation involving important professions. State and even privately owned and funded educational institutions are anxious to reinforce student participation in licensure schemes. But instead of improving the quality of instruction given to students, tuition fees are increasingly applied to administrators and bureaucrats who are favored with high wages and benefits including attractive health care and retirement plans. These institutions have now solidified their position as gate keepers of large portions of the economy. Tuition-moneylenders demand to be paid, but the weight of these debts goes on to inhibit economic opportunities available to undergraduates, graduates, and the taxpaying public. This oppressive scheme could not continue without a vast program of professional licensure and expansive regulatory control over individuals and the economy at large.

Licensure schemes are corrosive to the fabric of goodwill throughout society. Licensed professionals vigorously defend these schemes and the resultant privileges they have obtained as a result of their financial tie to the system. Although unlicensed professionals may love God and serve their neighbors without committing any fraudulent criminal acts, these free people are viewed as a threat to licensed professionals who wish to secure their status as protected members of professional guilds and monopolies. Licensed professionals rarely, if ever, encourage free competition for the best service at the best price. They look down their noses at the God-given abilities and gifts of the unlicensed masses and are willing to employ police powers to limit the liberty they owe to their neighbors.

Monopolistic professionals loudly claim that no doctor or lawyer could render capable, quality service unless a system of government enforced licensure is firmly in place. One wonders, where do bad lawyers and doctors come from if they are not part of the present licensure scheme? Although many doctors do provide excellent services and see many patients recover, others prescribe harmful drugs that enrich drug companies, and end up doing more harm instead of simply providing care and healing patients. Many innocent persons die every day because of medical mistakes involving the administration of drugs in hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies where all practitioners are licensed professionals. Other unborn individuals, who are among the most vulnerable and innocent, are killed by the millions at the hands of licensed physicians before they are able take their first breath.

In similar fashion, many lawyers deliver excellent services to clients, but others create schemes of extortion by filing frivolous lawsuits only to gain advantage over their neighbor’s property. Many licensed lawyers employ precedents, administrative procedures, and utilize emotional manipulation to get what they want from judges, juries, and the public instead of being solely concerned with truthful testimony, proven material damages, and justice.

Ironically, and with straight faces, many licensed professionals argue that without government licensure, quality services could not be available to the public. But everyone knows this is simply not the case. Doctors and lawyers are largely selected by referral, noting where they received their education, their references from satisfied customers, fee structure, and the reputation of institutions and partnerships where they practice their profession.

Voluntary third-party audited quality systems are common to manufacturers and those who deliver commercial services. Quality-verifying institutions such as Underwriters Laboratories certify the quality and safety of manufactured goods. For more than a generation, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) has performed safety audits for nutritional products, foods, and municipal water supplies affecting public safety. ISO quality standards are employed by quality inspectors of innumerable manufactured products like appliances, tools, electrical and plumbing supplies, chemicals, as well as quality standards for foods, health products, cosmetics, personal care products, etc. Organizations like Consumer Reports routinely issue studies of the quality and value of consumer products. None of these great quality organizations are compulsory or mandated by law. Their good work rests upon no monopolies, but exists only on a voluntary basis to serve, protect, and provide quality information to the public.

Licensed prosecutors and judges sentence untold numbers of poor, defenseless, unlicensed persons, put them into cages and plunder what little property they have. Once prisoners are ‘free’ after having ‘served’ their sentences in cages, convicts are further disenfranchised from society. For example, many employers have policies against employing felons. Licensed lawyers and judges have only succeeded to produce a society overflowing with injustice, not one set firmly upon a foundation of justice and reconciliation where people love their neighbors, are at peace with one another, and where the liberty of citizens is always protected.

People do not create themselves, the circumstances into which they are born, or even determine their own personality and gifts. God gives people the power to make wealth, equips, and calls them to serve others. All people are individually responsible to be stewards of the gifts, talents, and wealth God entrusts to them. Righteous people ask the following question: With all God has entrusted to me, how have I loved God and my neighbors? God alone will judge the works of all individuals for how they have made loving use of their lives and material blessings. This is life’s core question that must be answered with personal faith, honor, courage, dignity, and good works.

God has established laws against fraud, proven torts, and negligence that are fully adequate to ensure justice and peace within society. Government licensure must not be used as an exclusive gateway to the economy or to prohibit the free exercise of any gift or calling by God that involves the life and liberty of His people. Ohio citizens have it within their power to amend their Constitution so liberty in every profession and good works may be assured.

AMENDMENT V

COMMERCIAL LIBERTY

All persons shall be afforded the liberty to trade in goods and services, to accept exchanges of money or other property of their own choosing, and no requirement to keep books and records of transactions shall be imposed except when sales taxes are collected by a merchant at the final point of sale.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Beyond a stewardship responsibility to remit sales taxes to Ohio from a point of sale, there can be no further duty for individuals to keep records of their commercial or private transactions. If free people elect to keep their own records of transactions, profits, investments, or other activities of their own choosing, they must be protected and secure in their own papers and possessions. But people and enterprises that collect sales taxes for the State of Ohio are fiduciaries for state funds and must keep records and be subject to financial audits.

Unlike direct taxes on income or property, all sales taxes are voluntary for the purchaser. No person can justly be required to purchase any taxed good or service. Sales taxes should reflect compensation to Ohio for the services it provides in the support of commerce. Sales tax on gasoline, oil, tires, and motor vehicles may be used to support the construction and maintenance of highways. Goods shipped by water may be taxed to support the maintenance of waterways. Sales taxes on airline tickets, fuel, and aircraft may be collected to support and maintain airports in Ohio. Because these and other services directly facilitate commercial activity in Ohio, such sales taxes are generally just. Nevertheless, all sales taxes must be justified by services rendered and should not extend to the support of government programs that are not involved with the direct facilitation of commercial activity.

Taxes may be just when they are applied to goods and commercial activity, but they are not just when laid directly upon and forcefully collected from free individuals. What justification can there be to use direct taxation to forcibly steal a portion of people’s lives, wealth, or property? None. Free people exist in liberty and are not tax-slaves. People must render to government the things that are the government’s and to God the things that are God’s. Since people are God’s stewards of what He has entrusted to them, they owe no duty to government in order to live, exercise their gifts, produce wealth, and retain their own lands or property. People must be free to choose the conditions of their own transactions involving their own property. The disposition of their property is subject to their stewardship
responsibility to Almighty God—not to Ohio. Individual free people owe no duty to their Ohio government, but their Ohio government does owe a duty to protect their property and liberty. All office-holders swear an oath toward that end.

Citizens of Ohio have it within their power to amend their Constitution to assure their freedom from the oppression of direct taxes with its requirement to maintain books and records of all transactions.

AMENDMENT VI

LIBERTY OF ASSOCIATION

At their sole discretion, all persons shall have liberty to associate or disassociate with any person in all private, public or commercial matters, unless a voluntary contract has been freely executed that binds specific performance of the parties.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Today, governments compel businesses to serve others indiscriminately, as if all property, labor, service, and exchanges should be subject to authoritarian rule. Businessmen who wish to serve persons of their own choosing are unjustly persecuted and compelled to offer employment, pay benefits, sell goods, and offer services to people who, for whatever reason, they do not wish to serve. Today, those who resist such authoritarian control are subject to ‘discrimination’ lawsuits and ‘damage’ claims. By this scheme, much money is extorted by guild lawyers who specialize in ‘enforcement actions’ involving discrimination claims by so-called “victims.”

Such authoritarian control must stop. Justice grants no authority for civil government to compel a free person to indiscriminately serve others. People cannot justly be compelled to provide services to people they do not know or wish to know, nor can they justly be compelled to sell their property or merchandise to anyone who may happen to desire it. It is a form of slavery for civil government to compel people against their wishes to work or engage in commercial activity. Free people are not the children of the state—they are children of Almighty God. Individuals must not be stripped of the liberty they have to make choices about what they wish to do with their own lives and property and for whom.

All people are commanded by God to love their neighbors as themselves. Love for a neighbor can be communicated only by free actions done by un-coerced persons. How else can love for others be communicated? Legalistic laws cannot justly be used to compel love and acts of service. Often, some people may hold to a theory or observation that the actions of someone else are ‘unloving.’ If a group of people think the practice of a particular business is unloving, then what remedy is in order? Shall the business be compelled by threat of force to adopt someone else’s idea of what it means to love your neighbor? But why return evil for evil? Why should actions that are perceived as unloving lead to violent actions by uninvolved third-party government agents? There is no just authority for compulsion in such a case.

The Lord of Heaven and Earth will judge all people for their works, and even their every word. Let those who sense that love is found to be lacking in others offer correction by way of example. Let us judge not, but instead demonstrate love for our neighbors—especially for those who have not yet learned the power of love! Absent being loved, how could anyone ever learn to love others? This seems to be a reason why Jesus teaches everyone to “turn the other cheek” and “love your enemies.” The love of others is inseparably linked to the maintenance of liberty. The Lord teaches us all that no one should lord it over others, but rather everyone must seek to love and serve their neighbors.

In summary, it is contrary to justice and liberty to bring compulsion and force into relationships among free people who are not guilty of criminal acts. People must have liberty before God to love and serve others in all dealings, private or commercial, and according to their own free choices. People must not be compelled to serve the government or anyone, but they should serve God and love their neighbors. The citizens of Ohio must require their government to respect the people’s liberty of association in all circumstances, both public and private. No individual or special interest group can justly usurp God’s position as our final judge over love, or lack of it, that people freely display toward others. In due time, God will judge the quality of every individual’s works, then His judgment will become known to everyone.

The citizens of Ohio should pass this amendment because it will support justice, liberty, and peace in society.

AMENDMENT VII

FREE SPEECH IN COURTS

During court proceedings, no defendant or their freely appointed representative may be denied an opportunity to speak freely and openly to a judge and jury regarding the application of laws, regulations, or facts involving any case whereby they are accused of civil damages or crimes.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Nowhere is the exercise of free speech more important than in open, public courts. Judges and juries must hear the whole truth before weighty matters and disputes can be decided. Those persons accused of any injustice, and/or their freely chosen representative, must be afforded the opportunity for unfettered speech before judge and jury to assert the injustice of any law or regulation, enter evidence, call witnesses, and argue for the innocence of a defendant. Of course, all speech must be orderly, considerate, and free of slander. It is one thing to prosecute perjury and forcibly challenge abusive, interruptive, or raucous speech in open court, but it is quite another thing to use administrative procedure as a pretext to silence defendants and to keep a jury from hearing reasons to oppose certain unjust laws.

Today, free speech in open court is inhibited by many common, but unjust practices. Professional lawyer guilds monopolize testimony and generally manipulate the operation of courts. Many cases hinge upon plea-bargains or other “deals” instead of free and open presentation of the facts before judge and a jury of the defendant’s peers. Today, a judge may impose “gag orders” to silence a defendant’s free speech. Instead, it is commonly thought by judges that they have a responsibility to manipulate what testimony or evidence is allowed in a particular case. If testimony or evidence should be rejected for cause or found to be irrevelant to the preceedings, the reasons for such a rejection must be debated openly before all concerned.

Some judges hold to a theory that gag orders must be issued to protect jury members from falsehoods and manipulation. This view presupposes that jurors are too stupid and/or undiscerning to sort out the truth for themselves. But if that is true, why do we even have judgment by a jury of our peers? To follow such an inane practice of censorship in our courts is wrong and it cannot promote justice.

No one can justly be found guilty of a crime or a tort unless he has had every opportunity to present facts, dispute the testimony of witnesses, and question the laws and regulations at issue in the instant case. This is a simple demand that justice makes to all courts regardless of circumstances or the social status of individuals.

Ohio courts can be reformed by the straightforward measure of adopting this Ohio constitutional amendment.

AMENDMENT VIII

MONETARY DAMAGES

No monetary damages shall be assessed against any person unless such damages are materially quantified and proven by evidence presented and recorded in public court proceedings.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

To do justice, all alleged damages suffered by a known victim must be material in nature and proven by evidence and testimony in open court. When there is a finding of liability, justice requires compensation for victims. An offender cannot justly be required to make specific monetary payments if a damage cannot be quantified.

There is no objective means to calculate a just monetary award for a non-material damage. Thus, it is outside of the authority of any earthly court to require remedies for non-material damages. No material thing can be required to compensate a victim for damage that cannot be proven objectively and is not of a material nature. There are no universal and just material remedies for insults or mental anguish.

In cases where monetary compensation cannot be quantified, a victim must rely upon God to work all things together for the good of those who trust in Him. In the case of all non-material damages, real or imagined, God requires forgiveness and faith in Him. To forgive others for non-material damages is to lay up treasures in Heaven. “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’” (Matthew 18:21–22). Christ will amend all wrongs and fully reward those who are forgiving of others and who patiently wait upon God’s final reckoning and the administration of perfect justice.

It is Almighty God who judges the heart. He reserves to Himself alone adjudication of matters involving indeterminate harm. When courts require payment of money for non-material damages, they exceed the authority God has delegated to earthly governments. Judges should instruct litigants that courts only have authority to compel restitution after damages of a material nature have been proven.

When non-material damages occur, peace may be achieved by voluntary actions taken by the parties. An offender may ask for forgiveness. In order to establish trust and goodwill, he also may freely offer a voluntary, appropriate gift consistent with the perceived degree of an offense. A victim of non-material damage should forgive such an offense and turn the other cheek. However, it must be understood that actions between such parties always must be voluntary because without liberty, love and peace cannot take root in society. We should all remember the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” And further Jesus teaches, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The passage of this constitutional amendment will further the cause of justice and will not create harm to society. It will promote peace on earth and goodwill toward all people.

AMENDMENT IX

COMMERCIAL LIABILITY

No person, company or other collective organization conducting business within the State of Ohio, including shareholders of corporations or commercial partners, shall be permitted immunity from liability to compensate victims for proven material damages to persons or their property. When liability has been assessed against a commercial enterprise that is unable to pay the judgment, material damages shall be divided and paid by shareholders proportionate to their interest in the company or organization.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Under current government-granted privileges of limited liability, when a proven material damage has been inflicted upon innocent parties, an owner or shareholder’s personal assets may be shielded from use to compensate victims. Grants of immunity from lawsuits or judgments related to material damages are unjust. This bad practice effectively stops the work of justice before it even starts. Limited liability schemes pretend to confer license upon enterprisers, but God requires accountability and justice. No civil government has received authority from God to set aside just material compensation to victims.

Shareholders invest in commercial enterprises with the hope of obtaining profits, but if a limited liability corporation cannot meet its financial obligations, the costs of business failure, torts, or other damages may be unjustly borne by victims. The commonwealth at large suffers loss whenever a bankruptcy occurs, but the injustice of limited liability allows owners of a bankrupt enterprise to retain personal material assets rather than using them to pay claims to victims. Shareholders in such an enterprise should not be permitted to hide behind a “corporate veil,” which hides their assets away and out of the reach of victims who have experienced damages and are pursuing a just result.

Because some level of risk is inherent in all business dealings, an enterprising shareholder may stand to lose part or all of his investment. These losses should be understood in light of a shareholder’s voluntary decision to risk his own capital in the hope of future profits. But what about the losses suffered by faithful vendors who deliver goods or services but cannot collect payment from a failed limited liability enterprise? In any case, selling goods or services is not as risky when payment is guaranteed by a company and its shareholders. Shareholders will take a keen interest in the operation of their enterprise if they are potentially responsible for their share of any unpaid damages. Vendors who provide value to customers have sown in the market and deserve to reap payment for the goods or services they have already delivered. But the legal fiction of limited liability may discharge obligations owed by companies and shareholders while leaving their suppliers and creditors with unpaid bills.

Innocent victims may suffer loss even though the defaulting enterprisers might otherwise be able to pay obligations with personal or other corporate assets over which they have ownership and control. If innocent parties have been damaged by an enterprise, the shareholders should be responsible to make them whole, even to the point of exhausting the limits of their own assets. In this circumstance, justice is served if bankrupt enterprisers make payment from their own store of property or their labor over time, until they have fully compensated their victims. Otherwise, the failed enterprisers may be released from their debts by time or, at the sole discretion of their victim, by forgiveness. Because mercy triumphs over judgment, voluntary forgiveness always encourages goodwill among people. When mercy is freely extended by victims, justice is not diminished and rewards in Heaven are laid up for the righteous.

It should be well understood that the total costs of limited liability schemes involving corporate bankruptcy are passed along into the stream of commerce. To one degree or another, unpaid damages not only cause direct harm to innocent parties, but also indirectly to the commonwealth at large. Someone always pays the cost of damage and financial failure, but under present limited liability schemes those who are partly or wholly responsible for such a failure may transfer such costs away from themselves and onto innocent parties.

It is impossible to calculate the total cost of all the social ills created by a social atmosphere of commercial irresponsibility. Irresponsible practices expand beyond strictly commercial matters to infect many areas of society. Once society becomes conditioned by legalized irresponsibility, this wickedness goes on to infect the operation of courts, employment relations, marriages, personal relationships, and generally debases social goodwill throughout the land. Limited liability schemes inflame a litigious society where real and suspected swindles abound. Similar to the spread of a cancer, legalized injustice metathesizes and ever more injustice grows throughout the body politic.

Limited liability practices have also infected the laws of many nations and its tares are sown throughout the world. On a global scale, limited liability schemes provide license for multinational corporations to evade stewardship responsibilities, plunder natural resources, and damage whole nations with impunity. This fosters a commercial climate of gain without a responsibility to serve and love one’s neighbor. The chief goal of this unjust practice devolves into hoarding mammon instead of exercising good stewardship in the service of God and man.

The nearly universal practice of establishing limited liability corporate charters is a manifestation of a lack of faith in God. People who lack faith in God seek to manipulate the future to bless themselves by unethically transferring their business risk to other parties. They tend to see the acquisition of wealth as a zero-sum game. Because they do not trust in the expansive blessings that God multiplies for the faithful, they feel compelled to look out only for themselves at the expense of their neighbor.

Some people argue that limited liability status is needed to shield businesses and shareholders from unjust litigation and damage awards. They believe that without the asset protection provided by limited liability status, they would be vulnerable to the whims of the judicial system. Given today’s litigious climate, judges and even juries are notorious for demanding excessive damage awards that go beyond proven material damages. Courts often impose excessive fines and penalties as a way to punish limited liability corporations, but this practice only points to another injustice in popular judicial practice. Justice only provides monetary compensation for proven material damages (see Amendment 8). Excessive, unjust damage awards must not be used in an attempt to favor plaintiffs and to balance out injustice done by limited liability corporations. It is a good end to require corporations and owners to be responsible for their actions, but the pursuit of this worthy goal cannot justify excessive fines in order to create an atmosphere of compliance and fear. Two wrongs do not make anything righteous. Government must not pervert justice in an attempt to make an inherently unjust scheme seem “more fair” to the public.

In summary, Ohio citizens must acknowledge the injustice of personal and corporate irresponsibility that flows from schemes derived from limited liability licensure. Responsible economic practices always lead to improved stewardship over environmental resources, goodwill, and will generally make the world a better place in which to live. A world run primarily by just and responsible people will always be more prosperous, beautiful, and peaceful than the litigious, unjust chaos that has resulted from limited liability schemes.

Ohio citizens can and should amend Ohio’s Constitution so all commercial activity will be conducted in a way that is just.

AMENDMENT X

SEARCH WARRANTS

Without evidence of an immediate and probable threat to life, limb, or property, or incident to the investigation of a crime, no government official, police, or agent may forcibly enter and seize property from any dwelling, vehicle, or place of business of any person without first peaceably presenting a warrant to the occupant and upon objection, allowing an immediate opportunity for such a warrant to be contested by the occupant before the issuing court where a public record is taken of all court proceedings.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Except in cases of immediate threats to the life and limb, the very idea that government agents may forcefully enter a dwelling or place of business is contrary to justice and liberty. If probable cause exists and is supported by witness testimony of a crime, and if evidence related to the crime might reasonably be obtained, a specific search warrant may be issued by a court. If a court is not aware of an alleged crime, there would be no basis for a search warrant. Search warrants must not be used as fishing expeditions to discover unknown crimes.

When executing a search warrant, a sheriff or police officer should provide a court-ordered written notice involving the exact places to be searched and any articles, papers, property or electronic files to be copied or seized as possible evidence of a crime. If any property is to be seized, property owners must be afforded an immediate opportunity in open court to face accusers, understand why the seizure is necessary, and be allowed to contest the underlying reasons. Such a person must be afforded the opportunity to speak freely to challenge such a warrant in open court. The unjust practice of police seizure of property before an owner is afforded access to a court of law is just plain robbery.

It has become common police tactics to break down doors, throw flash grenades into homes, storm in at night with weapons drawn, and unleash attack dogs. They may argue that they cannot “do their job” if time is taken to peacefully communicate with property owners about the reasons and contents of a search warrant. But this only begs the question: What really is their job? Ohio citizens must not have to fear that police will break into their homes, seize their vehicles, or steal articles or cash without due process. This wicked practice is a direct assault upon the liberty of citizens. It is contrary to God’s righteousness and cannot be justified.

The purpose of civil government is to administer justice and defend the liberty of all persons, not to terrorize the populace by violent acts designed to promote fear and enrich the police and other government institutions. There is no just reason why any person who wishes to contest a search warrant cannot be immediately brought before the warrant-issuing court for a hearing about why an invasion or seizure of their property is warranted. Consideration should be afforded to a property owner if it is suspected the property owner has committed a crime or who is believed to possess evidence related to a crime.

Judges and police who are styled as “peace officers” should always love their neighbors as themselves—including the very people under investigation. All government agents should treat others as they wish to be treated. After a fair hearing has been conducted and the deliberations recorded, a judge may instruct police to immediately and forcibly conduct a court ordered search and possible seizure of property over the objection of the owner. This amendment will assure that police actions are carried out in a way that protects liberty and supports their responsibility to do justice.

AMENDMENT XI

WITNESS RESPONSIBILITY

No person shall be found guilty of a crime or tort except by a trial of the relevant facts that are attested by at least two witnesses, and all witnesses must face the strict liability for perjury involving the same sanctions they falsely sought to subject the life of their innocent neighbor.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty. A finding of guilt cannot be assured without the testimony of witnesses who can verify information disclosed to a court of proper jurisdiction. For want of evidence or witnesses, persons who have actually committed particular crimes may escape earthly justice, but they will not escape our Lord’s final judgment.

Because doing earthly justice involves inherent limitations, faith in Almighty God is necessary. We can have confidence that God will ultimately defend all victims and render perfect justice or mercy as He alone decides. Then all people who have trusted in God and have kept His commandments will see that He works all things together for good. Every court proceeding, judge, and all jurors, must be faithful to do their duty to render earthly justice within their prescribed limitations. No judge or jury should seek to usurp God’s authority as the final Judge of all people and their works.

There are a number of ways court proceedings can fail to render justice. One miscarriage of justice is “guilt-by-association.” A defendant must not be convicted merely through being labeled racist, Nazi, terrorist, sexist, heretic, illegal alien, right-winger, left-winger, etc. Name-calling does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing. Another miscarriage of justice is to focus on theories of “criminal intent” to divine the state of mind of a defendant. The exact thoughts or motivations of a defendant cannot reliably be known by litigants and therefore cannot constitute evidence of a crime. Only Almighty God knows and can reliably judge the thoughts and intentions of a person’s mind and heart.

In order for justice to be done in court proceedings, evidence must be supplied by witnesses who can attest to facts related to specific criminal acts. Witnesses who love their neighbors cannot be silent when they witness criminal acts that oppress their neighbors. Silence in the face of crimes or covering up criminal acts draws a witness into the crime and creates a social seedbed where injustice can germinate and grow. No one who loves their neighbor will neglect to tell the truth when they witness acts of oppression and injustice.

To do justice, a witness must testify truthfully to the best of his ability. Justice is always good for both victims and criminals. However, it must be acknowledged that even the best witnesses who offer sincere testimony may be honestly mistaken about particular facts of a matter. Witnesses must not speculate, add to, or conceal what they know. This is why God has decreed that at least two witnesses must confirm evidence leading to a conclusion of guilt. It is almost impossible for two honest witnesses of goodwill to be equally mistaken regarding the details about their testimony.

To commit perjury and bear false witness against a neighbor is a serious injustice. It is a crime to knowingly give false testimony, sworn or otherwise. Bearing of false witness must not be allowed. Perjurers must be held to strict liability so when their falsehood is brought to light, they must receive upon themselves the same sanctions they sought to falsely bring upon their neighbor. Beyond this, any false testimony or gossip will certainly not go unnoticed by Almighty God who reviews every word uttered and ensures the innocent will eventually be avenged by perfect justice.

Courts, judges, and jurors must resolve to apply the standard of God’s justice to every court proceeding. The only just basis for a verdict of guilty is the faithful testimony of two or more witness. The citizens of Ohio should amend the Ohio Constitution so that this just standard prevails in Ohio courts.

AMENDMENT XII

NO ANONYMOUS WITNESSES

No anonymous or secret testimony shall be accepted in any court proceeding as evidence or probable cause of a crime. Every accused person must be promptly afforded an opportunity to examine any accusing witness in open court where a complete public record is kept of the proceedings and testimony. If the testimony of any witness is found to be false, the false witness shall be subject to the same sanction they sought to bring upon their neighbor.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

Over the course of many years much injustice has been advanced through several secret ploys. There have been secret court proceedings, search warrants obtained upon false pretenses, gossip that is presumed to be evidence of wrongdoing, the framing of innocent persons, and witness manipulation by prosecutors who make secret ‘deals’ to secure the testimony of corrupted witnesses. Anonymous accusations against a neighbor must not be actionable or allowed to stand. Secret negotiations between judges or prosecutors and witnesses must not be permitted because it invariably leads to corruption. Accused persons always must be afforded the opportunity to examine witnesses who remain free of outward corruption and who face strict responsibility for their testimony.

If all witnesses are disclosed, subject to examination, and held responsible for their every word, then no systematic tyranny can take root and much injustice will be avoided in the land.

The adoption of this amendment will create no injustice, but it will further the cause of justice and peace.

AMENDMENT XIII

NO IMMUNITY

During a court proceeding, while under oath or otherwise, no immunity may be granted to any person who gives false testimony against any accused person or for concealing exculpatory evidence from related court proceedings. This prohibition of immunity from liability applies to all individuals, including judges, prosecutors, police, and other government officials.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

All those who speak in open court must tell the truth, regardless whether they are technically under oath or not. Because all defendants are innocent until a judgment is pronounced by judge or jury, no person, especially those who serve with the public’s trust, should accuse a defendant of wrongdoing by hearsay or even their own private interpretation of what they theorize the evidence shows. Prosecutors must vigorously pursue facts, solicit testimony, catalogue evidence, disclose all relevant facts in open court proceedings, but they should not pronounce a defendant’s guilt to judge or jury while the defendant is still awaiting a possible finding of guilt or innocence. It is not the place of a prosecutor to judge others and make pronouncements of guilt as if there was no judge or jury who can weigh the evidence for themselves. Such conduct may lead a judge or jury to frame conclusions based upon persuasive words or partial evidence rather than a careful evaluation of all the facts. Even if prosecutors are not testifying under oath, they must be restrained from offering personal opinions and conclusions in open court about the guilt of a defendant.

All parties to litigation must not be prejudicial against defendants. Because defendants must always be given the benefit of the doubt, they must be viewed as innocent until judge or jury pronounces a finding of guilt. Prosecutors must love their neighbors and treat them as they would wish to be treated—even if their neighbor is a defendant before them. Prosecutors have no immunity from God’s commandment to love their neighbors.

It is a serious crime to bring an innocent neighbor into jeopardy by a presumption of guilt, misrepresentation of testimony or evidence, or the concealment of exculpatory evidence.

The passage of this amendment will help to bring Ohio’s courts into compliance with just procedures that will improve the administration of justice in Ohio.

AMENDMENT XIV

LIMITED INCARCERATION

No person shall be compelled into a jail or prison unless it is demonstrated by sworn testimony and evidence that the accused person is a probable threat to persons, property, or they present a flight risk while awaiting trial or criminal sentencing.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

No one should be jailed unless they are known to be dangerous to others or if they present a likely flight risk while they await the results of a speedy trial. Not only is jailing criminals costly to society, it can never amend the injustice caused by crimes. The goal of justice is reconciliation between criminals and victims, resulting in social peace. Contrary to popular belief, justice does not equal a theoretical “proper degree of punishment.”

Punishment in prison cannot substitute for justice because it inhibits reconciliation between criminals and victims. Justice is the redemptive will of God as applied to crimes. God’s law does not provide for incarceration as a punishment for crime, rather it requires full material compensation to victims of crimes. It is fundamentally unjust to incarcerate criminals in lieu of the just material compensation that is owed to victims.

Prisoners who are held in custody under proper circumstances should be allowed to meet frequently with family, friends, and Gospel ministers who can encourage them in the way of faith and life. Prisoners must be allowed human contact with those who love them. Great care must be taken to ensure the demands of justice are respected before any accused person is subjected to custody in a cage. Authoritarian governments cannot advance oppression without the power to make people ‘disappear’ into cages and hide them away from communication with family and friends—or even put them away into the silence of a grave.

This amendment will not inhibit justice, injure a prisoner, or create harm to society, but it will resist authoritarian initiatives while respecting the dignity of all persons, even those who are accused of a crime. Ohio will improve its administration of justice if the citizens adopt this amendment.

AMENDMENT XV

COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS

All persons who are convicted of crimes or torts must fully materially compensate their victims unless those victims freely elect to extend forgiveness.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

If those who have been convicted of crimes are ordered by a court to pay restitution for proven material damages, payment must be made unless the victim freely chooses to extend forgiveness. If criminals do not have the wherewithal to fully compensate their victims, or cannot raise sufficient resources from family or friends, they must labor to work off their debt to their victim. This may involve court-ordered pay withholding or the forced sale of their labor in a form of indentureship for a set period of time. After victims have been fully materially compensated, the demands of justice will be satisfied. Former criminals will have learned the value of service toward others, and they will also experience a measure of personal redemption.

In the present social circumstance, most convicts face a lifetime of disenfranchisement. Former prisoners become largely unemployable and many become perpetual wards of the state. The two wrongs of crime and punishment do not make one righteous outcome. This must change. There must be a path forward to social reconciliation so any wrong that was done can be healed. Family, friends, and employers should work together to heal the breach caused by crime by extending mercy and love toward former criminals. If the thief on the cross could be ushered that very day into paradise, we can certainly figure out how to bring a criminal back into our imperfect society! In this, we must do justice and love mercy. After victims are compensated, criminals should be repatriated to society with the full privileges and benefits of any other free person. Victims may not necessarily forget the original offense, but nevertheless there is no longer any reason to interfere with the liberty of a former criminal who has made full material restitution. Once a victim has received full material restitution for criminal damage, the social relationship has been sanctified to this degree, resulting in the opportunity for all who are involved to experience peace and liberty.

Living victims are always free to forgive their oppressors, but forgiveness must be freely offered and cannot be demanded or required. Obviously, a dead victim cannot forgive anyone in this life. Therefore, the commanded sanction of death for murder and other capital crimes must always be imposed upon a lawfully convicted criminal. No uninvolved third party, executive official, or even a judge may justly forgive a lawfully convicted criminal or overlook the demands of justice. Since justice must always be done, it is arrogant and sinful to tamper with God’s sanctions for crimes. Above all other persons, judges must be the most obedient to justly sanction crimes under the authority and watchful eye of Almighty God. God reserves the strictest judgment for those who judge others. Judges must not expand material compensation to victims beyond what justice requires, extend forgiveness to criminals, or ignore God’s sanctions.

Only actual victims are able to justly forgive their oppressors. When forgiveness is freely given by a victim, mercy triumphs over judgment. Mercy works like a super short-cut to effect the redemption that is found in doing justice. Mercy triumphs and goes beyond mere material compensation so affection and love between the parties can be immediately experienced. In the end of all things, there will be no more justice because only victorious mercy will remain. In demonstrating our love for mercy, we must personally keep the command of our Lord to love our enemies. It is always blessed to forgive others even as God the Father forgives all who trust in and follow Jesus Christ.

If a convicted criminal has contempt for a lawful ruling against him, and further, if he is unwilling to pay recompense a victim, compulsion to ensure compliance with the judgment may be required. Contempt for justice cannot be tolerated. If the supervising court determines that failure of the criminal to pay restitution is a willful rejection of the demand of justice, the criminal should be sold into indentureship for the time necessary to fully compensate the victim so justice can be done. The doing of justice not optional, it is compulsory. Ministers of justice do not bear the sword in vain. To the extent possible, justice must be done on earth, but criminals who steadfastly refuse to do justice must be referred to the court of Heaven. A convicted criminal who willfully refuses to do justice, has contempt for the judgment of the courts, is lazy or insubordinate, after much patience and many warnings, must be dispatched to the higher court of Heaven for resolution of the matters involving the criminal’s rebellion. Given the choice, very few if any criminals would choose to neglect their responsibility to do justice.

How criminal offenses and the compensation of victims is handled must be reformed. The adoption of this amendment will do much to assure that God’s justice is honored in Ohio courts.

AMENDMENT XVI

UNJUST IMPRISONMENT

Criminals who have been imprisoned for non-violent offenses shall be released and Ohio shall pay restitution for any proven material harm done to such prisoners during the term of their confinement. As a matter of justice, the State of Ohio, Ohio county governments, and or operators of privately owned jails or prisons shall have no sovereign or other immunity from such claims.

This amendment shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Ohio Constitution, any executive emergency declaration, regulation, or law enacted by local, county, city governments, the Ohio Legislature or signed into law by the Governor of the State of Ohio.

The common practice to sentence a free person to live in a cage for violating made up ‘laws’—even though no damage has been done to anyone—is inherently unjust and is a chief tool common to authoritarian regimes. When nations are ruled over by authoritarian governments, imprisonment is not done to protect the public; it is quite the opposite. Imprisonment is done to protect a regime that is in power and acts contrary to justice. Every authoritarian regime creates innumerable legalistic ‘laws’ and regulations to extend their power over the free people. When individuals are found to be disobedient to edicts, they are compelled into cages and punished.

Tyrants hope the punishment of confinement will ‘educate’ captive souls about who is really in charge of their lives, thereby compelling unqualified submission to the authoritarian State. Contrary to this wickedness, Ohio government must strive to defend the liberty of the free people. Free people who have harmed no one owe no duty to the State of Ohio, rather it is the employees who serve in Ohio government who owe a solemn duty to the free people. In any case, Ohio government’s chief duty is always to protect the liberty of free citizens.

Confinement in jails and prisons must not be used as a means to punish people. There is no justification for keeping a person in jail or prison without evidence they are an immediate threat to life, limb, or property, or they present a flight risk while awaiting a speedy trial. However, it is a common practice today to charge and convict non-violent persons of crimes ‘against’ the State of Ohio. Innumerable laws have been enacted and offenses prosecuted, even when no victim has been identified. “Violators” can be convicted and named a “criminal” and afterwards sentenced to spend a period of their life in a caged environment, isolated from family, friends, and employment opportunities. This process is unjust and without excuse.

During a period of confinement, if non-violent prisoners through no fault of their own suffer harm at the hands of their captors, they should be compensated for any proven material harm. Some of the damage done by unjust imprisonment involves the loss of opportunity to make wealth over time. All damages must be considered in any finding that restitution is required for time spent in captivity. Justice must be applied to reconcile damages done by individual acts or acts done in concert with any corporation, institution, or other collective organization. This includes the State, Counties of Ohio, and any privately owned and/or operated prisons.

The adoption of this amendment to the Ohio Constitution will reform the operation of jails and prisons to ensure God’s justice is honored.

SUMMARY

The hope of liberty remains before us all. It has always been within the power of citizens to end the oppression of involuntary debts and the specter of a future that is centrally managed by politicians and regulators who are committed to authoritarian rule. Our Ohio Constitution clearly states that the founders of this government always believed in and clearly asserted their inalienable power whenever they deem necessary to alter, reform, or abolish their Ohio government if it becomes dangerous to their liberty.

No constitutional amendment that is duly passed by Ohio citizens can be considered unconstitutional by any court. Courts are not autonomous or independent from the citizens at large, rather they derive all their powers from the citizens who created government powers in the first place. Courts can derive no power or authority that is inherent in themselves, their office or institutions, but they only possess whatever power the citizens have granted by their creation of the Ohio Constitution. In fact, every aspect of Ohio government has been created by, for, and remains under subjection to the free citizens at large.

Governments on almost every level have now become dangerous to the liberty that is inalienable to the citizens. Socialists contend that big social problems mandate big government solutions. In order to ensure big problems are perceived as overwhelming, authoritarians do not let a crisis go to waste as they advance their social agenda. If for some reason a social crisis unfolds, authoritarian socialists will extend the crisis as far as possible to produce increasing social instability that leads to increased levels of authoritarianism control.

Many nations have tried some kind of authoritarian rule. Some have descended into communist and fascist regimes that employ mass fear, political edicts, and force to grind common people down into a weakened state of submission, poverty, desperation, and death. Such regimes are responsible for the deaths of tens of millions during the last century.

Authoritarian socialists, central planners and those who accept their ways are doomed to fail. In all things, the citizens of Ohio must acknowledge and serve Almighty God first and love their neighbors as themselves. As the citizens of Ohio exercise their inalienable liberty, they will impose true justice throughout Ohio.Authoritarian control over the people must be overturned and removed. People must be defended and allowed to keep what they earn. They must be free of the burdens of usury and rents. There must be no licensure, regulations, and centralized control over the ‘little people’ who work hard every day and mind their own business. Politicians, central planners, and regulators must turn from predatory relationships that are based on fear, enforcement schemes, and putting people into cages. Instead, they must learn how to love and serve their free neighbors by doing justice and loving mercy. God has decreed there can be no law that prohibits liberty, love, and service. Our Lord has instructed us all, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Office-holders already have the power to do justice, but so often they instead pursue a dark, authoritarian agenda. The citizens of Ohio already have the power to steer Ohio back onto a course of liberty and justice by approving the constitutional amendments listed in this book.

Doing justice is not just talk. Justice requires good works, not merely words. It requires the forceable protection of those who are oppressed; it must overcome all objections and bring all things to a just conclusion. When the Ohio government was created, the citizens were explicit and careful to ensure they retained final authority to guard their liberty. For this reason, they have maintained arms, not merely for hunting game, but to protect themselves and others who may be oppressed by military-styled police or standing armies sent by usurpers to rob them of their liberty to serve God and their neighbors. Should the occasion arise, locally elected sheriffs, whose duty it is to protect and serve the citizens, may be useful to deputize many citizens and to organize a well-regulated militia on a county by county basis for the active defense of the citizen’s liberty under God. This power of participation in a well regulated militia remains, after many appeals to present administrations, the final backstop against tyranny.

“The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.” (Ohio Constitution Article I, § 4).

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” (United States Constitution Amendment II)

In our Ohio State and Federal constitutions, the citizen’s responsibility, authority, and power to maintain their liberty is clearly enshrined with clear notice given to all states and governments for more than 200 years! The free citizens, although patient and longsuffering to a point, have always been careful to reserve for themselves alone this weighty responsibility and duty to employ force of arms against unjust, authoritarian tyrants.

As long as the authoritarians who oppress their neighbors sense they have the upper hand, they will rarely respond to reasonable speech, redress of grievances, and pleas about the need for justice. Tyrants do not respond well to words alone. Criminals who oppress individuals and society must be compelled to understand that doing justice is not optional. In order to maintain social peace and safety in the land, justice must be required and, without exception, forcibly defended against all injustice.

The past is past. Past opportunities will never return to us. Future opportunities are not yet ripe, and even with our best projections the future may never be realized as we anticipate. Since we live in the now, today is always a time for action, transformation, and even salvation. These constitutional amendments will advance the cause of liberty and justice in Ohio. There is nothing in these amendments that will diminish our love for Almighty God and for our neighbors who are made in God’s image and likeness. The maintenance of liberty always involves personal responsibility and action because liberty is, without exception, the best estate for all citizens, the great and the small alike.

What is your response, dear reader? Will you vainly give into and follow an authoritarian agenda of oppression, collective fear, and the increased destruction of our God-given liberties? Or will you be courageous and follow Almighty God in word and deed to take the path of liberty, justice, and honor? Will you love God and your neighbor as yourself? I am hopeful you will choose wisely for God, for yourself, your country, and for the sake of posterity.

THE TIME IS NOW!