Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 12:52:37 -0700 From: jeff@aa.net (Jeff Harris) Subject: WA GOP Candidate Ellen Craswell linked to extremist Rushdoony Please Distribute The following information links GOP candidate for Governor in Washington State, Ellen Craswell and the statewide Political Action Committee she founded, IMPAC, with religious political extremist, Rousas John Rushdoony. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Washington Republicans nominated for governor Ellen Craswell, a religious political extremists who says she would govern the state according to her literal understanding of the laws of God - which perhaps includes the death penalty for homosexuality and abortion. Craswell founded a Christian Reconstructionist political action committee named IMPAC, which seeks to put Bible-believing Christians into office. IMPAC's Advisory Board includes Rousas John Rushdoony, the father of the Biblical Reconstructionist movement in the United States, who advocates suspending the Constitution and replacing it with his version of Biblical law. Here are sources for these assertions: The most easily accessed document linking Craswell, IMPAC and Rushdoony's reconstructionist movement is a brochure from IMPAC itself. They make no effort to hide the connection; any one can write IMPAC for a copy. IMPAC's brochure describes its purpose, lists its officers, solicits memberships and requests donations. Send requests to: IMPAC P.O. Box 3688 Lacy, WA 98503 The phone number on the brochure is: 206-459-9429 ( The area code is probably out of date. ) The brochure is printed on a tri-fold 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. In the far right panel, printed vertically is the title "IMPAC, A Political Action Committee", above what looks like a wood block illustration of Washington State's Capitol on the cover. Below it is the biblical quote, "'When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.' Proverbs 29:2" The following list of IMPAC' officers and trustees s appears in center face of the tri-fold. Executive Board Pastor Thomas Minnic, Chairman Seattle Ellen Craswell Poulsbo <<<< Roy Delia Renton Ker Steely Raymond Director Rita Dohrman Olympia Advisory Board Dr. R.J. Rushdoony Vallecilo, CA <<<< Tim & Beverly LaHaye Washington, D.C. Rep. Steve Fuhrman Kettle Falls Rep. Val Stevens Arlington Pastor Tom Starr Spokane Elaine Bryant Seattle Michael Undseth Lake Stevens Pastor Tom Nethingham Belling Pastor John Paisley Pasco Pastor Steve Mason Connell Tom Messner Manassas, VA Shelly Dietzman, treasurer Olympia At the bottom of the panel is the statement: "Paid for by IMPAC P.O. Box 3688 Lacy, WA 98503" Inside the brochure on the left panel is an article with the headline, "Grieved and Frustrated" which scapegoats gay men, lesbians and abortions. It claims that unnamed religious liberties are under attack and bemoans the asserton that Christians have had so little impact. The brochure then asks, "Why? . . . have we had so little impact?" "The answer is simple - The righteous are not in authority" "Proverbs 29:2 says 'When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.' It does not promise that the people will rejoice when the righteous are politically active." "Gods laws are not sufficient. We MUST have GODLY LEADERS." "IMPAC is a political action committee designed to put Bible-believing Christians in leadership in our state. Genuine long term reform will only come when Bible-believing people are making, interpreting and enforcing our laws." IMPAC is your opportunity to see this happen!" On the next panel is a description of the program, "When you join IMPAC's Ten Dollar Club you will be contacted up to four times a year and asked to contribute at least $10 (more at your option) to a Bible-believing Christian candidate." "Your check is made payable directly to the candidate." In a 1996 news letter from IMPAC, Rita Drohman of IMPAC claims that $10 Club members contributed $7000 to each of at least four candidates. The article also claims that it takes $50 thousand to run a campaign for the legislature. More information is available about Ellen Craswell's role in founding IMPAC from her newsletters. Other Republicans in Washington State have ties to IMPAC. IMPAC's winter 1994 Newsletter documents U.S. Rep. Randy Tate and U.S. Rep. Linda Smith receiving checks from IMPAC endorsement program; members send checks directly to candidates endorsed by IMPAC. There were other candidates for the state legislature: Sen. Gary Strannigan, Rep. Lois McMahan and Rep. Grant Peleski. Other Republicans in Washington State's House of Representatives, Val Stevens and Steve Fuhrman are listed on IMPAC's advisory board along with R.J. Rushdoony. MORE ON RUSHDOONY: For more details of R.J.Rushdoony's plans to transform the United States into a theocracy. Here, once again, is the web site for the Rushdoony's Chalcedon: http://www.mother.com/~dlh/chalcedon/Welcome.html Rushdoony's 1973 book _The Institutes of Biblical Law_ articulated Reconstructionists' vision of a theocracy in which Old Testament law would be reinstated in modern society. Old Testament law classified a wide range of sins as punishable by death; these included not only murder and rape but also adultery, incest, homosexuality, witchcraft, incorrigible delinquency by youth, and even blasphemy. There are several in depth political analysis of Rusgdoony's available. The Anti-Defmation League included infromation about him in their book _The Religious Right_. The Institute for First Amendment Studies has also done substancial reseach on Rushdoony's influence, and other Reconstructionist groups like COR. URLs: http://apocalypse.berkshire.net/~ifas/fw/9501/chalcedon.html http://apocalypse.berkshire.net/~ifas/fw/index.html Paul Tiebedeau's[SP?] web site analysis of Biblical Reconsructionism http://www.serve.com/thibodep/cr/cr.htm Sara Diamond's article on reconstructionism for Z Magazine is at URL: http://www.lbbs.org/zmag/articles/diamond1.htm