Mainstream Support for Tenth Amendment Growing

(Los Angeles, CA. September 26, 2011) – Many political pundits portray those who advocate adherence to the Tenth Amendment as radicals and extremists. But two recent public opinion snapshots indicate that the principles of federalism, state sovereignty and limited federal power enjoy widespread mainstream support.

Prior to the Sept. 22 Fox News Republican presidential debate, viewers had the opportunity to submit and vote on video questions.The submitted question receiving the most votes related to the Tenth Amendment.

There’s growing concern among Americans about the size and scope of the federal government and it’s infringement upon state and individual rights. If you’re elected president, how do you plan to restore the 10th Amendment, hold the federal government only to those enumerated powers in the Constitution, and allow states to govern themselves.

“We get groped every time we go to the airport. The federal government insists it has the power to demand we purchase health insurance on its terms. Federal agents raid businesses for the heinous crime of selling unpasteurized whole milk. Every time you turn around, the feds are involving themselves in yet another aspect of our lives.” Tenth Amendment Center communications director Mike Maharrey said.

“Americans understand this wasn’t how the country was meant to operate. They believe in constitutional restraint. And more and more they are realizing that the Tenth Amendment is the key to reigning in an out of control federal government.”

A Rasmussen poll released in August reveals that 54 percent of likely U.S. voters believe that states should have the right to opt out of federal programs they don’t agree with. In other words, more than half of Americans now embrace the Constitutional concept of state sovereignty.

And only a small minority opposes it. Just 31 percent of those polled disagreed and said states should not enjoy the ability to opt out of these required federal programs.

“Think about that for a moment, because it is significant,” Maharrey said. “Less than one-third of the country opposes our basic principle: that each state can and should remain free to pursue a unique approach to handling various political issues.”

The TAC communications director said the mainstreaming of what opponents derisively call “Tentherism” shouldn’t surprise anybody.

“Americans have always distrusted concentrated power. We fought a war to free ourselves from it,” Maharrey said. “Don’t believe it? Do a simple experiment. Go out and ask 10 random people if they trust corporate monopolies to look out for the public’s best interest. I would be shocked if even one person expressed faith in a monopolistic business. Why should we trust a monopoly on political power any further?”

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The Tenth Amendment Center exists to promote and advance a return to a proper balance of power between federal and State governments envisioned by our founders, prescribed by the Constitution and explicitly declared in the Tenth Amendment. A national think tank based in Los Angeles, the Tenth Amendment Center works to preserve and protect the principle of strictly limited government through information, education, and activism.