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by Michael Boldin
EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael made the following rant at the close of Episode 13 of TRX: Tenther Radio, which airs live online every Wednesday at 5pm Pacific Time at http://radio.tenthamendmentcenter.com. Find the show on iTunes at this link. Michael will be a featured speaker at Nullify Now! in Jacksonville. Get tickets here, or by calling 888-71-TICKETS.
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The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and every year that date passes by with hardly a sound. Sure, now that it’s considered a day of “federal observance†you’ll find government schools around the country including it in their lesson plans. But these discussions generally focus on “Constitution Trivia†instead of what’s really important. While it may be good to educate our young on how many years a Senator serves, or how Supreme Court justices are appointed, it’s not enough. Seriously lacking in the public discourse is the actual purpose of the Constitution – its underlying principles.
The founding generation spent their lives toiling under a tyranny – a government without limits. But, when the Constitution was written, it was done to codify in law that the powers of government would be limited to those which had been delegated to it. The entire system was created under the principle of popular sovereignty – that ‘We the People of the Several States’ created the government, and all powers not delegated to it, were retained.
But that’s not something you’re likely to hear from politicians in Washington DC, political pundits, schools, or just about anywhere else. It’s generally not in their interest, either. If politicians and their backers were promoting such crazy ideas as “originalism†and “limited government†they’d never be able to convince you that they have the power to tell you what kind of health care plan you’ll be getting, how big your toilet can be, what kind of plants you’re allowed to grow, where you’re allowed to exercise your “right†to free speech, whom you can buy and sell from, and even when you must send your children to die for them.
MORE OF THE SAME
Throughout history, even kings and queens have often failed to survive such acts of hubris; but, in “free†America, the major parties that produce all the presidents continue to receive approval through tens of millions of votes. And where has that gotten people?
Well, let’s take a look at some major issues.
If you were opposed to war in the Bush administration, you’ve still got the same wars and threats of wars under Obama.
If you were opposed to national health care under Clinton, you got a massive expansion of government health care under George Bush, which laid the groundwork for an even bigger expansion under Obama.
If you didn’t like the federal government passing the Patriot Act without even reading it, you’re still getting the same failure to read today.
On the other hand, if you liked the Bush bailouts, you’ve gotta love the ones that Obama has given you!
No matter what side of the political aisle you sit on, the federal government is not your friend. It’s not a friend to the Constitution, and it’s certainly no friend to your liberty. For years and years…and years, people have yelled “vote the bums out!†“Call Congress now!†“March on DC!†But, in the long run, little to none of this actually works.
If you oppose this national health care plan, they’ll give you that one.
If you oppose one war, you’ll get another one. If you oppose today’s bailout, they’ll find a different one tomorrow.
In Studio at Tenther Radio
A DIFFERENT STRATEGY
Decade in and decade out, the government keeps growing, and your liberty keeps shrinking. And it doesn’t matter if the person in charge is named Obama, or Bush, or Reagan, or Clinton.
The bottom line? Looking to the federal government – whether it’s though elections, or protests, or lawsuits, or rallies – is a failed strategy. Going to the federal government to fix problems created by the federal government doesn’t work!
Here at the Tenth Amendment Center we’re working towards something different, and we’re thankful to everyone who’s made this organization a reality. Together, we can make a difference.
The following quotes are from Franklin Pierce’s book entitled: “Federal Usurpations.” Originally published in 1908, Pierce addressed the usurpations of power being perpetrated by the federal government during his day. In the final chapter, “How to Restore the Democratic Republic,” Pierce wrote:
“The sore spot is right here; do the people really wish good government? Is there sufficient public virtue among our citizens to demand and appreciate good government? If the legislature passes a bad law you can repeal it, if the constitution is defective you can amend it, but if ‘the people themselves are lacking in public spirit there is no remedy.’”
“There is no such thing as an individual securing his rights unless he is willing to insist upon them at all times; and there is no such thing as a people securing their rights unless they are ready to fight for them at all times.”
“Until [the] spirit of indignation is stirred to action all over the land and the people are ready to fight for the vindication of their rights, there is little hope of effective reforms. We need the spirit of old Peter Muhlenburg, who, in the Revolutionary days, to the astonishment of his congregation, flung aside his surplice, disclosing a Continental uniform, and explained: ‘There is a time for all things―a time to preach and a time to pray; but there is also a time to fight, and that time has come!’”
Constitution Day will continue to be a meaningless day until the spirit of indignation that has been stripped from the hearts and minds of the average American is revived.
Great stuff as usual Michael. As mentioned, we'll link to this in our newsletter that goes out tomorrow morning!
Thanks, Joshua, and likewise!
This federal government is flushing our freedom away.
We must demand that our sovereign States plug this Federal drain before it is to late.
From The Patriot Post, 9-15-11
The Oath Accountability Civil Action
By Mark Alexander · Thursday, September 15, 2011
A Legal Action Supporting Restoration of Constitutional Integrity
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. … Done … the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven." –George Washington and the Signers
On the eve of Constitution Day, and the 15th anniversary1 of The Patriot Post, we are preparing to launch a legal battle2 in support of our mission to reinstate Rule of Law3 as enshrined in our Constitution. This legal action, unlike others before it, regards Breach of Oath — breach of the contract established by our Constitution between the elected and appointed members of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government, and We the People. It seeks remedy for the lack of any proscription against, and penalty for such breach. http://patriotpost.us/alexander/2011/09/15/the-oa… http://breachofoath.com/
It is beyond me how there are those that are so blind as not to see what they are doing to America!! It took SO much to get us to the greatest nation in the world, but not nearly as long as most! Why dis that happen; because of the combination of peoples who had faith in God first, determination, skills to forge on in this wild country and plain old hard work and the fighting spirit!! That is deep down in every Patriot and we must use it all now, to take back America; first for God and then for Country and We, the People!!It makes no sense to have such a wonderful country and then just let it go to decay out of ambilalence and waste, or laziness and indifference!!!! That just cannot be!! Too many have come over the time of America with other ideas and they, like all immigrants; have to assimilate, stand for the laws, founding documents and be allegiant to OUR flag, OUR customs and when they see tyranny; nip it and take a stand!!God Bless America Again Please!!!
Article 1. Section 9.3} No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall
be passed.
The 14th Amendment fails these basic tests of Constitutionality. That amendment is a bill of attainder
and it was passed ex post facto. Article 1. Section 9.3 is probably the reason that the Antebellum South so confidently seceded. Seceded or not, the North was and still is bound by that limitation of power. The North had no power over slavery in 1861, and it still had no legal power over slavery in 1865. The history of the 14th amendment has been well documented, and it truly is a testimony to the power of murder by the Government.
Article 3. Section 3.2} The Congress shall have power to declare the
punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work
corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person
attained.
Article 1.Section 9.3} declared
that Congress may not pass Bills of Attainder or ex post facto laws. Now
we see an exception or a mistake. The Constitution contradicts itself here.
Attainders of treason are permitted with some very serious restrictions
on them to protect the descendants of the traitors. That is us. The most dangerous problem is the 14th Amendment.
The value of the slaves and Southern war bonds concern us here. That value is the forfeiture that is Constitutionally bound to be returned to the Southern people , as we shall not suffer Corruption of Blood or lose our property EXCEPT
during the lifetimes of the Confederate Politicians and Soldiers. They
are now all dead. Also, the theory known as the Incorporation Doctrine
is defunct. The application of the 14th Amendment to the States and the people is illegal. The traitors are dead!
The application of the Incorporation Doctrine is Corruption
of Blood and is Unconstitutional. We, the Southerners living now, are
not and have never been Traitors to the United States. We are thereby
under the jurisdiction of the original Constitution . Corruption
of Blood is being allowed to function as the Supreme Law of the Land
rather than the Constitution of the United States. This cannot continue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_post_facto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bills_of_attainder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_of_blood#…
http://www.pacinlaw.org/pdf/14th_R2.pdf
http://www.civil-liberties.com/cases/14con.ht
Further, in black and white, Amendments are NOT Unconditional. They are a delegated power to the Federal Government, and are vested as a privilege. Notice the Articles of Confederation had no such delegation. It has been abused time and again by the Federal Government .
Constitution should be printed on toilet paper and distriuted to every senator and congressman to let them know what they did to it.
So, what's the solution? Your going to 'make a difference'? HOW?
Look around a bit….or are you too lazy and just want to be spoon fed?