Montana Fires a Warning Shot Over States’ Rights
In a bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month, the state is asserting that guns manufactured in Montana and sold in Montana to people who intend to keep their weapons in Montana are exempt from federal gun registration, background check and dealer-licensing rules because no state lines are crossed.
Parting Company
As with any compact, one party does not have a monopoly over its interpretation, nor can one party change it without the consent of the other. Additionally, no one has a moral obligation to obey unconstitutional laws. That’s not to say there is not a compelling case for obedience of unconstitutional laws. That compelling case is the brute force of the federal government to coerce obedience, possibly going as far as using its military might to lay waste to a disobedient state and its peoples.
Nullification Revisited
“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.” – James Madison
Principle of states’ rights is neither new nor ‘radical’
As a country governed by a written Constitution, the right to keep government in check is vested in “we the people.†That means that we, the people of this country, cannot be forced to accept an oppressive and intrusive federal government. Under Senate Resolution 632, the Georgia Senate expressed bipartisan support for the principles of Jeffersonian democracy.
The Forgotten Amendment
One amendment has been totally ignored by our political leaders. The forgotten amendment is the tenth amendment which enumerates the rights of states and the people.
The Ninth Amendment: The Tenth’s Partner
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.†It works with the Tenth to reinforce limits on the federal government.
The Constitution: A Radical Cause?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is at it again. Recently, an editorial by Jay Bookman, Georgia Senate endorses radical idea, was published in response to the state senate passing SR 632. Bookman’s commentary is full of slander, not only of the resolution, but of our senate itself. In short, he equates this resolution to nearly firing on Fort Sumter!
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Oklahoma HJR1003 Vetoed
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has vetoed House Joint Resolution 1003. In a statement released today, Henry said that “there is no need to spend valuable legislative time on a resolution expressing support for any particular amendment or constitutional rightâ€
Randy Barnett and the Destruction of Federalism
While calls to reduce federal power are good, Barnett’s method has a greater chance of destroying federalism further than doing anything to achieve it
Texas Sovereignty Resolution Passes Committee
House Concurrent Resolution 50, introduced by Texas State Representative Brandon Creighton passed out of committee today. The vote was 10-2 with 3 not voting. The resolution passed without amendment and is awaiting further action.
Sovereignty Resolutions and Long-Term Effect
Rick Perry may be more serious than most: He was willing to turn down part of the Congressional stimulus plan. If he is really serious, he’ll oppose any state budget that includes spending for other constitutionally-suspect programs.
Can Congress Write Any Law it Wants?
The whole purpose of the Constitution is, was, and has been to define the government, to impose restraints on the government, and to guarantee personal freedoms.
Alaska Sovereignty Resolution on way to Governor
In Alaska, House Joint Resolution 27 is “Awaiting Transmittal to the Governor” as the State Senate passed it on April 19th with a vote of 19-0 (1 absent). The resolution previously passed the State House with a vote of 37-0 (3 absent) – and the revised version passed on the 19th with a vote of 40-0.
Why a Tenth Amendment?
Most of the states demanded a constitutional amendment explicitly limiting the federal government to those enumerated in the Constitution. That amendment became the Tenth.
On the Air in California
This past Thursday, the Tenth Amendment Center’s Michael Boldin was interviewed by Rob Johnson on The Patriot 840AM in Modesto, California. Mr Johnson is a strong supporter of limited government and adherence to the constitution.
How to Stop the Federal Government
If American citizens are to resist the rush to Obammunism they must first give up on the fantasy that the Republican Party is anything but another cabal of crooks, conmen and clowns, just like the Democratic Party. The only realistic route to freedom, including a restoration of genuine free enterprise, is through the devolution of power away from Washington, D.C. via peaceful secession and nullification, the original American ideals.
Talking Constitution in Seattle
Professor Rob Natelson of the University of Montana School of Law is an expert on the framing and adoption of the United States Constitution. He was recently interviewed by Dori Monson on NewsTalk 97.3 FM in Seattle – it’s definitely worth the listen.
Nullification Reconsidered
South Carolina’s bold nullification of the tariff in 1832, against nearly the entire American establishment, is always stated by the historians to be a failure. But it accomplished its purpose…
State Sovereignty and the Left
I know few liberals who support the War on Drugs, marriage “protection” amendments, or the Patriot Act. In fact, if you talk to the most vocal Leftists about drug criminalization, gay marriage, or the loss of civil liberties, their anti-government rhetoric can sound downright reactionary. “Government has within it a tendency to abuse its powers,” Calhoun said. Today, much of the American Left agrees with him.
States Rights Are Rapidly Eroding
The Founding Fathers understood that a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work, especially in a country the size of America, and it certainly doesn’t work for Texas. Our economic strength, compared to the federal budget mess and other states’ troubles, is evidence that Texans know what’s best for Texas.
Kevin Gutzman to appear on CNN
Kevin Gutzman: noted Constitutional Scholar, University Professor and the best-selling author of “The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution” will be appearing on the Lou Dobbs show on CNN on Wednesday 04-15-09 – the estimated time is 7:30PM Eastern.
States’ Rights Hypocrites Emerge
One of the stupidest attacks on advocates of the Tenth Amendment that I’ve recently seen was written by Brian Hicks and published in The (Charleston) Post and Courier
