Comments on: Sovereignty Resolutions and Long-Term Effect

By: Federalism Resurgent « Let A Thousand Nations Bloom

Federalism Resurgent « Let A Thousand Nations Bloom — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:21:25 +0000

[...] these resolutions are only of symbolic value (and had no effect when similar resolutions were passed in the 90’s), they do indicate a cultural trend. Â And Randy Barnett, a constitutional law professor, has [...]

By: Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:57:47 +0000

I see. That does make more sense. Thanks for clearing that up!

By: Michael Boldin

Michael Boldin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:27:46 +0000

Matthew – great question, and it’s something I asked Professor Natelson myself.

It was the people, not the states, who created the federal government. They created it to be their agent for certain enumerated purposes only.

The people also employ state governments to carry out other purposes….although there can be some overlap.

In short, the federal government is an agent of the people, not the states.

By: Trouble

Trouble — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:46:04 +0000

The author has a blatant misunderstanding and that is adding to confusion. I think his statement abuot narrowing down the defined powers misses the point that Article 1, section 8 already did that. Unfortunatly, we have a couple of amendments (like the 16th) that try to add powers not originally intended by the Founders.

Admittedly Article 1 Section 8 leaves leeway on the execution of the delegated powers in its last paragraph. Perhaps that’s where the author meant we needed to narrow the definition of the delegated powers.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:39 +0000

Could someone explain this a little further?

“…including even the gross historical error that ‘the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states.’”

I was under the impression that’s exactly what the US was all about.