The following is a news release posted on the campaign website www.Eagar2012.com. During the course of the 2012 campaign, please go to the campaign website for updated information

Eagar Announces Plans to Run for U.S. Congress

Eagar targets 2nd congressional district seat held by Democrat incumbent Jim Matheson

SALT LAKE CITY—August 16, 2011—City of Holladay resident and business owner Cherilyn Eagar today announced that she will seek Utah’s Second Congressional District seat currently held by Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT).

Eagar joins like-minded women nationwide who are increasingly concerned by the current job and debt crisis. She brings her own uncompromising political integrity, bold leadership, and a trusted record of commonsense results to the national congressional stage in the fight to stop out-of-control Washington, D.C. Eagar is committed to putting the United States back on track toward growth and prosperity.

A core focus, Eagar will fight to restore the American Dream. “Our Democratic incumbent is a prime example of the problem throughout Congress. The American Conservative Union gives Matheson a dismal 38 percent rating for the billions he has contributed to our national debt.”

Eagar adds, “His record shows that he has abandoned principles of limited government and fiscal accountability. His recent vote to support President Barack Obama’s latest proposal to raise the debt limit is just one example. His support of ObamaCare is another.”

Among Eagar’s concerns which led to her decision was a recent report showing that Utah had lost 15,000 blue collar jobs. Eagar cites Matheson’s record showing support for high taxes and burdensome regulations which she says are crippling free enterprise and sending jobs overseas. “Our incumbent, his party and the President he supports all stand for big government, big spending, big debt, and big labor unions hurting their own members,” said Eagar. “He’s out of touch with Utah’s values.”

Eagar continues: “My message of putting America first resonates with a growing and broad base of support from Republicans and Tea Party members, Independents and Democrats alike who are fed up with the federal spending spree. We are well-positioned to take this seat back. I look forward to continuing to serve the community where I live and where for many years our family has worked and helped grow Holladay’s real estate.”

Eagar entered the U.S. Senate race in 2010, and by so doing became the first Republican woman to have run for that office. Eagar’s grassroots campaign received stronger than expected support from Salt Lake County GOP delegates. Earlier this year, the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News editorial boards named Eagar “Wasatch Woman of the Year” Community Honoree. She was recognized for her lifelong service to community, family, and non-profit organizations as a citizen lobbyist at the state, national, and international levels.

Eagar also plans to focus on a top, national priority: Defund and repeal ObamaCare. “Balancing the budget is a priority. As long as ObamaCare goes forward, we will never balance the budget or achieve quality medical care,” she said.

Backing Eagar is the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons PAC, the doctor’s advocacy group that successfully defeated HillaryCare and the only doctor’s association that filed a lawsuit against the legislation.

Others who have announced their support of Eagar’s run for Congress include: Phyllis Schlafly’s National Eagle Forum PAC; the U.S. Immigration Reform PAC; Congressman Tom Tancredo’s Team America PAC; and several Utah State legislators including Representatives Fred Cox, Todd Kiser, Curt Oda, and Senator Aaron Osmond.

ABOUT CHERILYN EAGAR
With a lifetime of conservative political experience, Cherilyn Eagar has prepared well for political election or appointment. Her qualifications are demonstrated through consistent strong work ethics and her support of principled values. Eagar has served her community in charitable, family advocacy and conservative political activist roles. She has a comprehensive understanding of the daunting fiscal and social issues facing America today. In 2010, Eagar ran for the U.S. Senate seat in Utah and was recognized for presenting the “most inspirational speech of the day” at the Utah Republican Convention. Eagar continues to be involved in many issues, providing strategic leadership, research and solutions in connection with pending legislation at the state, national, and international levels. For more information about Cherilyn Eagar, go to www.eagar2012.com or Facebook and Twitter.

An award in each of four categories will be given – motherhood, perseverence, community and business, as well as an overall award.   I have been nominated in the Community category.

Lunch is only $25.  Simply go to this link and make your reservation today!  We’d love to see you, renew our friendship, and share a great lunch together!

Register here for yourself as well as your TEENAGERS! 

Saturday, January 15, 2011
Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

• Featuring American Historian David Barton*
• Nazi Germany Witness Kitty Werthmann*
• Members of Utah’s Congressional Delegation & Utah State Legislature

*As seen on The Glenn Beck Show

Also, don’t forget to sign up for my blog posts today!

Utah Eagle Forum Convention
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Do not let a day go by without registering here for yourself
as well as your TEENAGERS! 

• Featuring American Historian David Barton*
• Nazi Germany Witness Kitty Werthmann*
• Members of Utah’s Congressional Delegation & Utah State Legislature

*As seen on The Glenn Beck Show

We’d like to recap some highlights of 2010 from behind the scenes with the Eagar family, poking a little bit of fun, remembering the serious, and always grateful for the lessons you have taught us.  Thank you all for being part of our most incredible year.  Please forgive if we did not find a photo of you to include.  You are in our hearts and memories.

Click on Eagar Christmas Collage 2010, and at the end of this Christmas Collage, be sure to click on the two links to watch two of our favorite Christmas music videos. 

Faithfully,

Cherilyn Eagar

“Utah’s Legacy: Preserving the Future” is a statement of principle regarding illegal immigration.  If you agree with these principles, please sign up today on the email sign-up tab above.   Your generous contribution is welcome by clicking on the American Leadership Fund tab above.   

Utah’s Legacy:  Preserving the Future 

A Principled Imperative 

Founding Father, author of The Declaration of Independence, and former United States President Thomas Jefferson said,

“Are there no inconveniences to be thrown into the scale against the advantage expected by a multiplication of numbers by the importation of foreigners? … Suppose 20 millions of republican Americans thrown all of a sudden into France, what would be the condition of that kingdom? … If it would be more turbulent, less happy, less strong, we may believe that the addition of half a million of foreigners to our present numbers would produce a similar effect here.”  

Alexander Hamilton maintained the safety of the republic depends,

“…essentially on the energy of a common national sentiment, on a uniformity of principles and habits, on the exemption of the citizens from foreign bias and prejudice, and on that love of country which will almost invariably be found to be closely connected with birth, education and family.”   

In 1794, George Washington wisely stated,

“…the policy or advantage of [immigration] taking place in a body (I mean the settling of them in a body) may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the language, habits, and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them. Whereas by an intermixture with our people, they, or their descendants, get assimilated to our customs, measures, and laws: in a word, soon become one people.” 

WE SUPPORT AND DEFEND the U.S. Constitution and its original intent as our basis for resolve. 

WE UPHOLD Article VI, that requires both the federal government and the states to work together to uphold the law.  When that fails, Article I, Section 10, Clause 3, also gives states the right to defend their borders against “eminent danger.” 

WE AFFIRM the original intent of Amendment 14 to apply to the children of slaves who had been freed under Amendment 13, and not to the children of illegal immigrants, as there was no formal immigration law at the time.  Under Amendment 10, powers not enumerated to the federal government are given to the states.  Setting the qualifications of citizenship, not regulating immigration, was one of those limited, federally-enumerated powers.   

The Rule of Law 

As early as the First Century B.C., Roman Philosopher Cicero claimed,

“We are in bondage to the law so that we might be free.”

In the 1800s, French Economist Frederic Bastiat weighed in on the importance of the rule of law,

“See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them and gives it to the other persons to whom it doesn’t belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish that law without delay … this is the principle of justice, peace, order, stability, harmony and logic.”

In the 1980s, former United States President Ronald Reagan explained to the nation and international communities,

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.”

 WE OBEY, HONOR AND SUSTAIN the law of the land.  

WE SUPPORT local law enforcement officers and their duty to protect the safety of our families, neighborhoods and businesses from all crimes including those committed by illegal immigrants.  

WE DEFEND our communities against: 

• Amnesty for rampant job-related, illegal immigrant-driven, felony identity theft
• Amnesty for employers who have and continue to employ illegal aliens falsely using the Social Security numbers of Utah children
• Amnesty for felony document and Social Security fraud
• Amnesty for perjury on I-9 forms
• Amnesty for illegal aliens involved in organized crime drug rings, human trafficking and terrorism
• Amnesty for individuals who have illegally and negatively impacted the futures of more than 50,000 Utah children to date
• Amnesty for people who have lied to United States Consular Officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs officials at our ports of entry in order to fraudulently obtain visas and then illegally overstay those visas
• Amnesty for organizations, including state offices and officials, that aid and abet illegal aliens in direct violation of federal law, creating magnets and sanctuaries
• Amnesty for employers who pass the social costs associated with illegal immigration on to Utah taxpayers to increase their profit margins

Family & Compassion 

WE AFFIRM the natural family as the essential anchor of a free nation. Parents who obey the law also strengthen their families and their children’s opportunities. 

WE BELIEVE in exercising compassion without forfeiting justice. Compassion for legal residents and citizens should not be compromised for the sake of those committing the crimes.   A nation owes its allegiance first to its citizens and should avoid affirmative action policies.

WE SUPPORT  common-sense measures which remove the incentive for continued illegal immigration, a policy which gives those who desire legal status and citizenship the ability to offer restitution under the law for crimes committed, a policy which enforces proper notification and a reasonable time frame to return to their countries of origin and which clearly defines the process to qualify to return to the United States legally.  

A Constitutionally-Sound Economy  

Father of the U.S. Constitution James Madison said,

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on the objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” 

Thomas Jefferson summarized the original intent of every American Founder with this sentiment,

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” 

WE DECLARE the Constitution of the United States the Supreme Law of the Land and claim its sovereignty over international laws, agreements and policies that undermine the U.S. economy.  

WE DEFEND our right to the pursuit of happiness and a strong and prosperous economy, which requires a growing population.   

WE SUPPORT a free-enterprise system within our borders that allows U.S. businesses and workers to prosper instead of forcing competition with foreign nations deliberately undercutting our standard of living, wages, private sector jobs and our dollar.  

A Future of Freedom 

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher explained,

“There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It’s our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour.  People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations.”

With these principles in mind, WE FORMALLY DECLARE this imperative and our support for Utah State Representative Stephen Sandstrom’s Immigration Enforcement Act and WE CALL upon every Utah State legislator to vote for its adoption during 2011 Utah Legislative Session.

(c) 2010 American Leadership Fund, 999 Murray-Holladay Road, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117

In 2009, Utah State Representative Mike Morley sponsored a bill to protect children from violent and pornographic video games. It passed overwhelmingly, but Governor Huntsman vetoed it. Recently, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff sided with the ACLU and joined nine other states to challenge the constitutionality of California’s law prohibiting the sale of violent and pornographic video games to children, asserting it violates First Amendment “free speech.” But this is not about speech. It’s about images.  Using the AG’s rationale, one might also logically argue that it is free speech to allow minors to purchase cigarettes or drugs.  After all, isn’t freedom of expression a type of speech?  Because of this irrational thinking that donimates law schools and legal decision-making, Utah is now sadly one of only 10 states on record favoring the sale of harmful materials to minors as the case proceeds to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Founders’ original intent correctly asserted that the people must promote “public virtue” if a nation is to remain free and safe. Under the “Miller Test,” the States’ constitutional 10th Amendment protection to establish an obscenity “community standard” separate from a national standard was recognized.  Notwithstanding, the States are not bound to stare decisis – or precedent/case law, which is the legal slippery slope that has typically departed incrementally from original intent and perverted the meaning of the Supreme Law of our land.

Have our elected officials, attorneys and judges become so lost in deconstructionist thought that they have also lost all common sense and reason? Over the past 30 years more than 3,000 peer-reviewed scientific studies have been conducted, each conclusively documenting the negative effects of violence on screen and in video games. These studies show that aggression increases and, in at least one study, can linger long after the game has been turned off. So conclusive is the evidence that the Pentagon uses much less violent video games to market to and desensitize new recruits so they will find it easier to kill. (See On Killing by Colonel David Grossman). Prosecutors also testify to the strong correlation between playing violent video games and committing violent crimes.

Parents can preview a sampling of these grotesquely violent games on YouTube.  Demonstrating such images has not been the practice of those who have opposed pornography/violence in media for many years.  However, because some continue to take a naive stance that parents ought to be the decision-makers, not government, without really knowing what this violence is and why the sale to children must be prohibited, two samples are included here. (WARNING:  This material is not suitable for children and may not be suitable for you either.)

“Violent Video Games Blood and Gore”

“Most Violent Video Games Executions:  Manhunt”

If you are among those who did not have an intensely nauseated feeling or a repulsed emotional reaction to viewing this violence, then most likely you have already been desensitized by the violence you have been viewing in your media choices over time.  Alexander Pope, a contemporary poet to the Founding of America,  once penned these immortal words:

Essay on Man (ep. II, l. 217) (1733)

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Some things never change.  And so goes the decline of all civilizations. 

No doubt parents must assume primary responsibility for managing their children’s media exposure. The Entertainment Software Association and other “gamer” advocates cite research showing the value of video games. If parents believe it is beneficial for their children to learn eye-hand coordination by controlling the joy sticks that teach them how to viciously vivisect and decapitate prostitutes with chain saws or how to sodomize their victims with broom sticks; if they believe it’s good sport to allow their children to terrorize victims by pushing them toward large rotating saws, controlling the torture time and agonizing reactions before being sliced in half; and if they believe their children will sleep better at night by controlling large drills that bore holes through heads or meat hooks that rip through abdomens while delighting in the victims’ horrified reactions to their guts spilling out, I would question parental judgment, but that is their prerogative.

Responsible citizens support the Founding Fathers’ Constitutional original intent and understand that good laws must be built upon “Natural Law.” They understand the importance of protecting and nurturing the rising generation. Therefore, parents should have the support of laws that prohibit the sale of violent/pornographic video games to children under 18.

Ironically, during his campaign for U.S. Senate, AG Shurtleff waved both the Constitution, and a foremost summary of the Founders’ original intent The 5,000 Year Leap, pledging allegiance to those principles. Just five years ago, he received an award from the Lighted Candle Society for his excellent work protecting children from Internet pornography. He commended the group’s work in establishing the “cause and effect” of viewing images and behavior. Now, he says he has studied violent video games research and claims there is no evidence of “cause and effect.” Some cite declining crime rates accompanying the rise in violent video games, conveniently omitting obvious factors such as the influence of more sophisticated technology and better law enforcement. Why the contradiction? Campaign finance records show that the Entertainment Software Association contributed $3,000 to his campaign. One might reasonably conclude a definite cause and effect between Mr. Shurtleff, ESA and his current position on images children watch.

Utah Representative Mike Morley correctly stated, “Children do not have a constitutional right to play pornographic and violent video games.” This is not a matter of “free speech” but rather an ethical and moral societal decision. We encourage Morley and his colleagues at the Utah State Legislature to protect our children and support their parents in the next legislative session. We also urge Utah’s attorney general to withdraw his amicus brief.  He is misrepresenting the People.  And the children.

This is an unedited version of a guest editorial I wrote on this topic that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on May 30, 2010.  The details of how constitutional original intent has been perverted with regard to our election process is a topic for another time.   

May I simply say that Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison (the primary author) and the host of signers of the Constitution all clearly identified the form of government they created.  It was not a democracy.  It was a republic.  Most Americans have no clue what the difference is because they have not been taught it in school.   Neither was I.  That must change.

Regrettably, the republican election process the Founders established was distorted with the formation of an ”Electoral College”  which was taken over by political parties/factions.  It was then nearly totally abandoned with the addition of Primary elections, creating a representative democracy and leaving the original intent of the constitution – a republican form of government –  ”hanging by a thread” – not to mention the addition of the 17th Amendment, referenced within this editorial. 

Now the Electoral College is under attack by those who would like to repeal it and replace it altogether with  a pure democracy achieved by the direct vote of the people –  a “national popular vote”  – and the abuse of initiative and referendum to over-rule elected representative officials’ decisions at will.  Such was the unanimous vote of the Utah PTA in May 2008, another evidence that Americans simply have not been taught correct constitutional principles.

If the American people want to bury the republic once and for all, they can do so by taking these steps to repeal the caucus system and replace it with a Primary system, followed by a national popular vote.  Then Utah will join all the other Primary states in their rush toward pure democracy, which inevitably becomes an oligarchy, or rule by the rich and elite.  Our founders understood that oligarchies always meet their own demise in tyranny and have violent and bloody deaths. 

Am I alone in noticing that our elected officials are already engaged in oligarchical governance patterns?  To quote John Adams’ lyrics from the show 1776, “Is anybody there?  Does anybody care?  Does anybody see what I see?” I’ve been “singing this song” for three decades now.  I know of only a few who are truly aware of how that miracle of September 17, 1787 has been undermined by well-meaning citizens who do not understand the unintended consequences of their advocacy.  — Cherilyn Eagar

Utah’s Caucus-Convention Exemplifies Constitutional Wisdom

Utah’s “caucus-convention” election system is under attack. Some say it is a closed, controlled and unfair system, only allowing a select few to participate by requiring party registration and attracting the extremes of both parties. 

Conversely, many constitutional experts would agree that this is the best and most constitutionally-correct system of all today. The Utah caucus-convention approach is inherently grassroots, defined by the citizens who show up and not by those who choose to stay home. 

With each neighborhood divided into precincts, a “caucus” meeting is publicly announced and held for each precinct. Any citizen may attend, and delegates are elected. The only requirement is that citizens must register with the party caucus they attend; they can even cross party lines to influence their neighborhood caucus.

After delegates are elected by majority vote, they attend and vote at the county or state convention to which they were elected. A delegate’s duty is to study the candidates and issues, to report to their neighborhood precinct with recommendations and then to cast their vote(s) accordingly at the convention. The candidate who achieves 60 percent of the vote at the convention then becomes the party’s nominee for mid-term or general election. If no candidate emerges with a super-majority, a run-off (Utah’s version of a “Primary”) is held between the party’s top two contenders. 

This system much more closely mirrors the representative, vertical balance of power the Framers intended for the States in comparison to a popular vote – direct democracy.  However, it departs from original intent for the Senate, meant to be selected by a representative body (the state legislature) and the House was to be elected by popular vote.  Representation is the trademark of a republican form of government, and one which the Framers felt would best guard against tyranny. In The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia, No. 1685, p. 193, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The Constitution was meant to be republican, and we believe it to be republican according to every candid interpretation.” 

The average U.S. citizen typically lacks time to study the issues and candidates as thoroughly as a precinct-elected delegate, who subsequently is entrusted to produce more informed choices.

The Framers would not have approved of the current incumbent career politicians who get automatic annual pay raises, perks and multi-million dollar pension plans. It is easier and less expensive for citizens and candidates to unseat an incumbent via the precinct caucus-convention approach.  It’s a healthy concept, but not popular among career politicians who have become accustomed to drinking from the trough of Washington’s special interests.

In Primary election states, choices are made through a more “direct democracy” approach — a concept the Framers despised because of its tyrannical track record.  Candidates are required to spend millions to get their messages out to the voters. This typically restricts the election to millionaires and/or to incumbents who have massive campaign war chests funded by special interests, usually from out of state.  It also limits the voters’ candidate exposure to superficial 30-second media sound bites.  That system encourages an oligarchy.

The Framers believed in elections by the majority.  But take a look at California’s upcoming Primary:  With 12 U.S. Senate candidates on the California Primary ballot, will the majority even elect the nominee?

For Federal office, Utah has two Republican U.S. Senate candidates and two Democratic Congressional candidates in the Primary run-off election. They have been more carefully selected through this wise election process. It is now up to Republicans and Democrats to decide who will be Utah’s next Congressional nominees in the November mid-term election. 

Citizens in a free republic must be vigilent and actively engaged or they will lose the republic, as the U.S. has nearly done.  But it can be restored and that is our responsibility to make it happen in the upcoming elections.  Now is the time to get involved in these important decisions. I encourage you to listen to the candidates individually, check out their websites, talk to supporters and opponents and then cast a thoughtful vote on Election Day. 

Cherilyn Eagar is a former U.S. Senate candidate (R-UT) 2010 and the Vice President of WebsTarget, a Salt Lake City-based real estate Internet marketing company.  She is a Republican state delegate who also serves on the Utah Federation of Republican Women Board, is the National Chair of Constitutional Studies for Eagle Forum, the Utah Coordinator for the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and has consulted, managed and volunteered on political campaigns in five states since 1964.