When President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in 1863, he concluded his infamous speech with the words "and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Since that historic day nearly 144 years ago, this statement has become the definition of democracy in America. Unfortunately, once elected officials get into office they often become addicted to power, and the definition of democracy that Lincoln brilliantly preached at Gettysburg, suddenly no longer applies.

Fighting for of the ideals of the 16th President of the United States as well as our founding fathers is writer, activist and radio comentator Paul Jacob. The father of three is founder and president of Citizens in Charge, a group committed to expanding and protecting citizens' initiative and referendum rights. Mr. Jacob has also been a leading advocate for Term Limits and citizen control of government for over twenty years. This past week he was indicted in federal court by Oklahoma Attorney General, Drew Edmondson (D), for exercising his constitutional right to be involved in the democratic process or as Edmondson’s office calls it, conspiracy to defraud the state. Jacob may go to prison for circulating a voter initiative petition that would permit Oklahoma residents to vote on a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).

The state of Oklahoma has a statute requiring petition circulators to be residents, which is currently being challenged in the federal courts. The only rationale for such a law is so politicians can restrict and control the petition process and forbid similar-minded people from coming together to participate in the initiative process. In other words, keep the people out. Legal precedent exists in Meyer v. Grant and in ACLF v. Buckley, which should lead to this unjust law being ruled unconstitutional. Until then it stands as the law of the land in Oklahoma.

Regardless of the ineptitude of the statute, Mr. Jacob and the organizations he was advising had abided by the law as advised by the Oklahoma Secretary of State. According to their office as well as the state board of election, people could move to Oklahoma, immediately declare residency, and thus qualify to begin circulating a petition. "Regardless of how the courts ultimately rule on the constitutionality of the residency requirement, everyone I worked with on the TABOR petition sought to follow the statute as written," Jacob wrote in a statement.

His prosecution as well as two others in the same indictment has sparked outrage by limited government supporters nationwide. Oklahoma state senator Randy Brogdon (R) condemned the actions off the Attorney General. "Oklahomans should be outraged by the recent political attack by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Paul Jacob, Susan Johnson, and Rick Carpenter," said Brogdon. "These individuals sought nothing more than to participate in their government through the initiative process protected by Oklahoma’s Constitution".

The question that must be asked and answered is why would an Attorney General go after a family man that at very worst was given bad information from two state agencies on the definition of the law? What is to be gained by prosecuting Paul Jacob?

From the standpoint of power addicted career politicians such as Edmondson as well as politically influential groups such as labor unions and utility companies, quieting Mr. Jacob and destroying his reputation is the ultimate prize.

Activists who fight to give citizens more control of their government are the worst nightmare for a career politician and those who pull their political strings. From 1992 to 1999 Jacob ran U.S. Term Limits. He had great success placing limits on congressional delegations in nearly two dozen states. Columnist Robert Novak once referred to him as "the most hated man in Washington." Today, 16 state legislatures, 36 governors and thousands of local officials, have term limits. Mr. Jacob’s leadership and activism has rendered great success for the cause of limited government. Taking away a politicians power and giving it to the people is comparable to taking away a drug addicts dope. They will destroy you to satisfy their habit. He is taking away the politicians and their pushers drug of choice…power.

The Oklahoma AG undoubtedly wants to quell Mr. Jacob and send a message to activists who believe in government of , by and for the people. Edmondson is taking advantage of the media coverage in Oklahoma, striking fear in the hearts and minds of those who cross his path. After Jacob and fellow indictees plead "not guilty," the show began. "Policemen came up and handcuffed the three of us together and led us through a barrage of TV cameras and photographers and reporters," said Jacob. "Halfway through processing they had our legs shackled. It’s a fairly dehumanizing process."

This disgraceful miscarriage of justice and prosecutorial abuse is not uncharacteristic of Edmonson. He has developed a reputation for ignoring corruption within his own political party. Edmondson refused to investigate former state senator Gene Stipe, who has been a long-time buddy and campaign contributor to the Oklahoma AG. This triggered a federal investigation, which led to Stipe’s conviction on perjury, conspiracy and federal election violations. As for prosecuting Republicans and citizens who fight for limited government, Edmondson is relentless in his pursuit.

The prosecution of Mr. Jacob and the other members of the Oklahoma Three is politics at it’s worst. Obviously the ramifications of a guilty verdict is devastating for these political activists and their families. They deserve our prayers and support. What cannot be ignored are the consequences that can result from this type of political injustice. "The very process by which citizens can check their government—the right to voter initiative and referendum—is under attack in these prosecutions." Jacob wrote. "When the powerful in government are threatened by citizens demanding reform, they have time and again sought to clamp down on the petition process."

Agree or disagree with Mr. Jacob’s politics the action taken against him could easily occur against any political activist regardless of political philosophy or Party affiliation. Far-left groups are displaying their ignorance by celebrating his indictment; they too can easily become the next targets of a politically motivated prosecutor or corrupt legislative body.

The fact is that power corrupts, which is why Mr. Jacob fights for term limits and the founding fathers believed in a citizen legislature. However our forefathers aren’t around to be prosecuted by politicians who fear the people controlling their government. Mr. Jacob has become a leading voice and activist of their ideals, so he gets to wear the handcuffs, legs shackles and fear that his wife, three children and grandchild will be visiting him in prison.