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ten·ther \ten-ther\ noun
1. A person who supports the Constitution: every issue, every time, no exceptions and no excuses.
2. Those who actively utilize the principles of decentralization to advance the cause of liberty.
see also: Tenther Movement
Ron Paul is out. Gary Johnson and Jill Stein are not going to win. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney represent the classic “lesser of two evils” situation. Rocky Anderson and Virgil Goode are barely a blip on the radar.
Look, I’ve heard all the arguments in this presidential election. A vote for anyone but Romney is a vote for Obama. A win for Mitt means the right will go back to sleep like they were under Bush. The lesser of two evils is still evil. And more.
Like every other presidential election, people everywhere are shouting from the rooftops, “this is the most important vote of your lifetime!” But, all these arguments are missing the point entirely.
The 2012 Presidential election is not a make-or-break election. America, as the Founders envisioned, has already been broken for a long, long time.
BROKEN
That’s no understatement, either. Pick a clause of the Constitution, and it has likely been violated to the point of nonexistence. Read through the Bill of Rights and you’ll see how few of those essential liberties are truly in place today.
We live under a federal dictatorship of sorts. Sure, you get to choose your oppressors every few years, but those people still claim the power to do plenty. They tell you what kind of light bulbs you can own and how big your toilet can be. They will arrest you for growing a plant in your backyard and fine you for not purchasing an insurance product. They relentlessly spy on you, monitor phone calls and read emails.
They drop bombs wherever they want around the world – Constitutional requirements for Congressional declarations of war are now considered an anachronism. If they don’t like your opposition to what they do, they’ll use a drone to watch your every move, then kidnap you and keep you in a secret military prison. They call that one “indefinite detention.”
Free speech “zones,” business and environmental regulations that should be the purview of the states or the people, corporate bailouts and endless excuses for their lies, rules and failures. It’s never-ending. And, all the while, they keep debasing the currency in the hopes that their house of cards continues to stand.
Ole King George would have salivated at this kind of power. But, today, some people seem to think that a simple vote every few years is all they need to do to advance the cause of the Constitution and your liberty.
They’re wrong.
TOP FIVE
So what’s a good Tenther to do on November 6, 2012?
Like my friend Steve Palmer wrote in a recent article, the #1 most important thing is not what happens on November 6th. What really matters is:
“what we do on 364 other days of the year. If we go back to sleep because we’re happy that the winner is wearing a red jersey or a blue one, we’re doomed to be exploited. If we stay vigilant and ensure that the use of force by government is limited to its Constitutionally legitimate role, then society will bring the blessings of prosperity to all of us.”
No, I’m not trying to talk you out of voting for one of the presidential candidates, or even into voting for a different one. Over 90% of potential voters are already dead set on who they’re going to vote for – or against, most likely.
My goal here is to encourage you to do more. Since you’re already set on who you’ll be voting against, spending time reading, watching, or complaining about any of the candidates is nothing more than a daily soap opera. You can certainly spend your time far more wisely – and help us all in support of the Constitution.
So here’s my list of the top-5 things a good Tenther can do this election season.
5. Vote for Good State and Local Candidates
It seems like everyone forgets about the little guys. But these are the people that can change the world. Like the Constitutional structure that the founders gave us, a revolution in thought and action isn’t a top-down proposal. It’s bottom up.
So check out your state and local campaigns and vote for people that support the Constitution and your liberty. There are some great ones out there, surprisingly enough. Here are a few examples:
Aaron Libby is running for re-election in the Maine state house. He’ll be introducing one of the strongest Obamacare nullification bills in the country.
John Logan Jones is also in Maine – and a strong challenger too. He was well-positioned to run for Congress, but recognized the absolute need for state governments to take “an activist role in reasserting powers” stolen by the feds.
My friend Anthony Rice is running for city council in Rancho Cucamonga, California. And Mark Hopp is running for county commissioner in Alamance County, North Carolina. These are the kind of guys who will have absolutely no qualms pushing legislation to nullify NDAA (like 16 communities around the country have already done) and just about anything else on a local level.
David Simpson is running for reelection to the Texas state house. He’s been leading the charge to nullify unconstitutional searches and seizures by the TSA.
Bernie DeCastro is running for sheriff in Marion County, Florida – and Ray Seidel is running for sheriff in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Both of these guys have been endorsed by Sheriff Richard Mack and if they win, could establish some of the freest counties in the country.
Matt Shea is running for reelection to the Washington state house. He’s a relentless supporter of the Constitution and has worked on legislation to nullify NDAA and Obamacare, in support of sound money and more.
4. Educate.
Read. Learn. Share. As more people learn about constitutional principles, the more good people will take action locally, where real change can be affected.
Nullification: The Rightful Remedy is a power-packed DVD that can introduce people to these issues in under 90 minutes.
Our Last Hope: Rediscovering the Lost Path to Liberty is the essential guide to the Tenther movement. It’s the owner’s manual.
Liberty Classroom has a fantastic free resource, State Nullification: What is it?
3. Lobby Your State and Local Representatives
Hammer away at your local politicians. They usually get ignored, so when they start getting just a few calls to support a particular issue, they’ll start paying attention. Call the ones you know are your opposition too. Sometimes politicians are so slimey that they have absolutely zero principles (ok, sometimes is too modest). It’s those people who’ll change with the wind, and if you press them, you can make things happen.
The Tenth Amendment Center has model legislation ready for introduction in your area. NDAA, Obamacare, Drones, Constitutional Tender, the TSA and more.
2. Vote to Nullify!
There are ballot initiatives in play around the country. You can vote to ban federal or state insurance mandates in Montana. You can drive a truck through the unconstitutional drug war in Colorado, Oregon and Washington State. You can stand up for health care freedom in Florida and Alabama, and more.
So check those referendums and vote YES on anything that defies Washington DC. Every crack in the armor will make us stronger.
1. Organize.
The most important thing you can do right now is organize. This really encompasses all the previous four, and will make every future effort even stronger. Educate people in your community. Build strong support networks for local candidates and referendum campaigns. Get teams of people together to lobby those already in office. And build strong campaigns and coalitions to nullify unconstitutional federal acts.
You can use the Tenth Amendment Center’s Nullify Obamacare Organizer’s toolkit (pdf) to help you along. It’s a free 17 page document filled with ideas and methods that work. And no, you don’t have to focus only on the ACA, you can use these time-tested strategies on whatever issue is most important to you. You might even want to head up your own nullification campaign.
Become a member and support the TAC!
TRUTH
Bottom line? The time to act is now. Not next year, or next fall. Not next month or next week. Today, not tomorrow. Right now.
If all you’re doing is voting, you’re not doing enough. Please start doing more. There. I said it.
While I know that statement will likely irritate some people, I firmly believe it to be the truth. And on truth, Thomas Jefferson couldn’t have been more right:
“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”
Awesome article.
@SethDelconte Thanks, Seth. much appreciated!
The lesser of the two evils, Mitt Romney, favors states in handling their own education and healthcare concerns. Romney has promised to do all he can to stop “Obamacare”. Don’t expect the incumbent president to end this unconstitutional monstrosity . Not to mention Romney will also be in a position to select the next U.S. Supreme Court justices.
@West Texan That may be what he’s saying. I don’t believe so. He’s not talking about ending the Department of Education or Medicare, or others. So he’ll continue with massive unconstitutional monstrosities…albeit with promises to allow states more latitude in decision-making.
For you, that might be valuable enough to support him in the election. I don’t fault you for it.
But, that’s the point of this article. If you want strong constitutionalism, your energy is best focused almost entirely on the state and local elections, actions, campaigns, and the like. When enough people do that, these presidential elections would be rendered just ceremonial.
@Michael Boldin @West Texan Michael, I agree with you. However, my tactics may be a bit different. While there is no guarantee Mitt will do what he has promised to do, if he even moves a little bit in the right direction, then that is a move in the right direction. Or, simply stopping the movement in the wrong direction would be a huge improvement over continuing headlong into centrism and socialism. As the article pointed out, none of the “third-party” candidates have any shot at all of winning. It’s down to Mitt or Obama. I’ll take a small move in the right direction over a massive move in the wrong direction any day.
@Alamo Buck But the point of the article remains – it’s not about who you vote for president. I said that specifically in the article…not trying to change you mind on that. I’m trying to encourage you to do more – locally. Are you looking for people to support in local and state elections. AND – are you personally organizing to nullify unconstitutional federal acts? Pushing a button isn’t enough.
@Michael Boldin @West Texan Your thoughtful response is much appreciated. To counter leftist and conspiracists claims, I’ve always said “we’re not electing a Pope but a president”. Just the same, I’d like to mention Romney’s personal faith in answer to your doubtful view about his trustworthiness. If he’s the Mormon he portrays himself to be, then I can honestly tell you the guy doesn’t lie nor mislead. That said, he is obviously a business strategist. Decisions must be made that will be unpopular to some people and/or groups. But promoting the general welfare is about keeping an organization alive and prosperous. When he says states can better handle their own domestic issues, you’re hearing his underlying philosophy on government, which fits the 10th amendment’s decentralized provision. For this reason, I’m willing to give him the chance to help guide our country back toward the founders’ paradigm of federalism.
@West Texan thanks for the reply. Again, my main concern is that people are putting all their faith into a presidential election. Or senate, or house. Or anything on a federal level. Until you take action locally – beyond simply a vote every few years, the constitution will not be strictly followed.
Howdy Michael,
I believe you missed one. ????Tim Baldwin in Montana: tim4hd4.com
Keep pounding Michael, it is totally local participation. People should really look up and investigate politic, public and republic because they all mean a public participation locally. Further more people should really understanding independence in its full concept and learn how to live such a concept while participating. It is a concept that has to be continually created, monitored, reviewed, evaluated and choices determined.
Not only are we in a dictatorial state of sorts but we are in a corrupt state that bares results so loud it is rippling through every event we see including this election. Locally is our only chance and participation is a priority if we are being honest with ourselves for no result is possible without the actions of its cause.
Thomas Jefferson is really not a founder, he is an example of what you do in this life. You dig in with both feet, use your experiences, evaluate what is presently around you and make good sound choices. Instead of reading and praising him maybe we should learn to live his example of living because we would achieve far more.
Good Article Michael, I do the same with people. I don’t tell anyone how to vote. I just point out the flaws in these candidates, and I take a lot of incoming for that. This election cycle has been one of the nastiest I’ve ever seen. There are people losing friends and family members over this election. For me personally, I’ve given up on my federal legislators. I’ve decided to do what you are prescribing here, get involved locally and at the state level. These are the folks that can put a stop to all of this madness and keep fedzilla in check IF they want to.
I am of the opinion that it’s about time we start re-thinking this whole American union thing. It’s gotten way to big and completely out of scale. Under article 1, section 2, we’re supposed to have 1 representative for every 30 thousand people. Of course that was written when there were only 13 colonies and about 3 million in population. Now we have 50 colonies and over 310 million in population, If you were to do the math on that, we’d have to have over 10000 representatives in the house of representin. First of all, you’d never be able to fit that many people in there. And second, even if you could, nothing would ever get accomplished which may not be a bad thing now that I think about it.
I’ve read the writings of some of our founders and I remember reading somewhere that Jefferson had envisioned confederations of no more than 3 to 5 thousand people. For anyone who thinks that’s silly, ask yourself this question. Are your elected officials more responsive to you hundreds or even thousands of miles away? Or, would they be more accountable if they lived perhaps in your own neighborhood like say a county or city commissioner? It’s all about size and scale folks, we’re completely out of scale.
As far as voting for the lesser of 2 evils thing, here’s some food for thought. I’ve heard all of the arguments because I’m voting for Gary Johnson. The most popular being, oh if we can just get this monster slowed down a little until the next cycle. Then we can get a constitutionalist in there, we’ve been trying this exercise in futility for at least the last 30 years. As much as most folks loved Reagan, even he couldn’t get it done, we’re still 16 trillion in debt.
I’ve asked all of my detractors this, why should I continue to go and hold my nose and vote for the lesser of 2 evils? Why is it that I have to join in this herd mentality and pull the lever for someone like Romney? Why is it somehow my fault that if Romney loses it’s because of people like me didn’t take one for this corrupt team? Why am I supposed to just leave my conscious and my principles at my precinct door and join with you? Why is it that we, people who do vote our conscious and principles for freedom and liberty always have to join you? How about for a change, all of you come and join with us. Because this silly argument that a vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Obama is ridiculous. What if everyone who was going to vote Romney voted for Johnson? So that argument can go both directions IMHO!
@Patrick Henry It’s entirely your call to do with your vote as you please. I fully support that right. Do I think voting for Gary Johnson is a smart choice? Not at all. I’d more than welcome a return to our founders’ paradigm of federalism during this election cycle. But the empirical evidence shows that’s just not how the real world works. Like Mike wrote, you need to start small. Allow me to add how this applies to the national election as well. Gary would be nice, but Mitt has a realistic chance of defeating Barry. A vote for Romney and Ryan is not compromising one’s conservative principles. It’s taking small practicable steps to achieve many of the same goals promoted by the Tenth Amendment Center. It’s only lacking in the instant gratification desired by some folks.
@West Texan I understand what you’re trying to say, but with all due respect. We’ve been trying this same exercise in futility for at least 30 years and we’re still 16 trillion in debt. I’m sick of voting for the lesser of 2 evils or the slightly less crappy of the 2 socialists running. I understand that Johnson can’t win, but what if he gets 15% of the vote? Romney will lose yes, but I think that might get the GOP’s attention. After the shenanigans they pulled at the convention, that did it for me. Until the GOP starts listening to people like myself in the liberty movement, I’m done with them.
Anybody that thinks just electing a bunch of republicans this cycle and everything will magically get fixed is deluding themselves. We have an illegal usurper in the white house right now. Where’s the GOP on this? Maobama has committed untold impeachable offenses. Where’s the GOP on those? They won’t touch it and I’ll tell you why. It’s because they’re in on it too, this is never going to change unless we break this 2 party monopoly that we have. It’s the same 2 sides of the same bad coin. If you’re happy with the status quo, then by all means vote for Romney. What I’d actually like to see is Obama win and the GOP retake the senate and keep the house. Then we’ll see what the GOP is made of, even right now they could put a stop to all of this nonsense if they wanted to. All bills for raising revenue start in the house. They could defund every bit of it if they were serious about a return to fiscal sanity. But they’re not because like I said, they’re in on it too!
@Patrick Henry@West Texan
Patrick stick with what you know to be true, so many give up honesty and integrity to fit in or to THINK it will do any good. The truth is the process is so corrupt thats why we only have these two choices so stand apart from the NORMAL THINK! Be independent in your choices, use what you know is true and be a part of your own community.
For the record Thomas Jefferson was a good example of what WE should be doing and he learned this by experiences he received and observations of the activities around him. Today everyone is too educated to understand experiences and observation skills and who are the sources of this dumbing down? Who runs education?
When do we separate ourselves from the NORMAL THINK that so many are intent in being a part of? Stupidity can be defined as following along and never questioning the truth.
@WilliamSchooler Thanks William, that’s exactly what I plan on doing. I’m sick to death of people telling me that a vote for anyone but Romney is a vote for Obama. I can easily flip that around to suit me, a vote for anyone but Johnson is a vote for Obama. See how easy that is, we had the modern day equivalent of Jefferson running for the GOP nomination and we blew it. So now Amerika, get ready to reap what you’ve sown. I remember in 2008 coming out of the poll after pulling the lever for Mccain. I felt like I needed to go home and take a bath, never again I said to myself. I’m just not doing it anymore.Maybe after this whole thing collapses we can start all over again and get it right this time, MAYBE!!!
@Patrick Henry @WilliamSchooler I remind you of these two quotes. The first one is especially cogent right now.”It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men”. Samuel Adams”Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else”. Frederic Bastiat
@LeighSkinner Thanks Leigh, I needed that.
“The claims of these organizers of humanity raise another question which I have often asked them and which, so far as I know, they have never answered: If the natural tendencies of mankind are so bad that it is not safe to permit people to be free, how is it that the tendencies of these organizers are always good? Do not the legislators and their appointed agents also belong to the human race? Or do they believe that they themselves are made of a finer clay than the rest of mankind?”
@Patrick Henry Yes, the elite think they are better than the rest of us. But their being in charge isn’t mainly about running things right, its about power and money.That is why liberty is the best system discovered. Its a jungle out there, and one takes their life in their hands just walking out the front door. We can’t say how long each of us will be on this earth, and that’s why freedom is so important. We could be safer with Big Brother watching over us, but what kind of life is that? Its having true grit and facing the world ourselves that is exhilarating, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the protection possible.
@LeighSkinner I think Ben Franklin said it best. ” Those who would give up their liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety”
@Patrick Henry @WilliamSchooler I’m not countering your argument for a revolution. Yep, that’s exactly what it’ll will take short of a libertarian miracle to achieve your pious objectives. I don’t deal in fantasies, but rather in facts. Call it a compromise if you wish, but there’s something to be said for gaining yardage with the ball rather than yelling from the sidelines. The teams are on the field. Either jump in and help move freedom closer to the winning goal post, or be an armchair quarterback crying in your beer.
@Patrick Henry @WilliamSchooler
@Patrick Henry @WilliamSchooler I’m not countering your argument for a revolution. Yep, that’s exactly what it’ll take short of a libertarian miracle to achieve your pious objectives. I don’t deal in fantasies, but rather in facts. Call it a compromise if you wish, but there’s something to be said for gaining yardage with the ball rather than yelling from the sidelines. The teams are on the field. Either jump in and help move freedom closer to the winning goal post, or be an armchair quarterback crying in your beer.
@West Texan @WilliamSchooler I’m not crying about anything. I’m ready for what’s coming, I could care less who wins this election. I don’t even contact my federal representatives anymore, I’m working at the state and local level now. You obviously haven’t read any of my arguments for not voting for either of these 2 corrupt monopolies or you wouldn’t be making such foolish statements. You say you like to deal in facts right? Well here’s one that you obviously overlooked in my assessment. We’ve been voting for the lesser of 2 evils for at least the last 30 years. We’re STILL 16 trillion in debt, haven’t you gotten the memo? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. So you just keep voting for the lesser of 2 evils and I promise I won’t come back and say I told you so when it all goes down the crapper.
@Patrick Henry Appreciate the reply. We share a common goal but have different paths on how best to get there. I sincerely hope your efforts prove successful. I’d certainly be grateful to see that happen.
Here in California Obama will win the 55 winner-take-all electoral votes, and a Republican vote for president is a wasted vote. So here is the chance for liberty minded voters to present a united liberty front and write-in Ron Paul’s name (he’s an official write-in candidate, Andrew Naplitano as vp), or vote for Gary Johnson who is on the ballot. Together, the votes for these two candidates will scare the CA GOP by making a fairly significant statement. We only get such a chance every 4 years, so get out there and vote!
@LeighSkinner California always led the country in popular culture. After last night, I have to say they’ve now done the same with Earl Warren’s legacy of urban mob rule.
@West Texan @LeighSkinner
Very nice observation West Texans. It is indeed interesting how so much seems to come from California.
Perhaps the next Republican president will be an Actor, its only logical among a population of lawless fools. that an actor might be able to convince them he both cares about them and promote the concept of fairness.
The Real trick is finding one that can do that while promoting Constitutionalism, individualism, and thus liberty. One way or the other from reading the results of the last election it is clear we require something with the carrasma of an actor..
how does my wife sign out so I can comment
I deny the authority of the state. I do so by not voting, not obeying, and not keeping silent when I see the totalitarian belief system working. Elections are one example of an attempt to justify compulsion. I deny they create an obligation to obey. No public duty to obey can exist by the action of some. No contract exists which binds all in violation of rights. Universal obedience is compelled by force, nothing more. The world wide political system is immoral. It is not sustainable. It will lead to extinction. The counter friction is individual defiance and self dependence. Peace and prosperity are constantly destroyed by government. Education will result in the rejection of the myth of protection by institutional violence. Government has no place in a civil society. All organization must be voluntary to be effective and moral. Faith in force must be countered by confidence in reason.
Don,
If you don’t vote, then you have no right to complain, and you become part of the problem. Yes, there is much wrong with the whole world, but anarchy isn’t the answer. There is a vast difference between a huge government that tries to be all things to all people and a small government to keep basic order from those who would create mayhem. Who would do that in your paradise, the courts? Please! Each judge has his/her own prejudices and opinions, as do the members of the jury, and a huge amount of time would be spent on each incident that would clog the courts for hundreds of years to come. In our present system a cop will often stop the first incident a perpetrator commits so hopefully they wouldn’t commit more. Without this, some vigilante eventually stops them after more incidences, and he gets sued by the victim’s family. Who would you find guilty in this example, the victim, the cop, the vigilante? So instead of one incident from one perpetrator, we end up with 3 or 4 or more. How is that simplifying the system? Society evolved as it has because one can’t just shoot someone based on their perceived assumption that they’ve done something bad. We have government involved to sort it all out. Just because corp money and unions and a whole host of other things have corrupted society is no reason to throw out 2,000 years of our evolving into civilized citizens. And just what have you done in the public arena to aliviate this mess? Or are you an armchair quarterback giving out advice?
@LeighSkinner You’re comment is on target. Without basic codified rules to live by, nothing productive will ever be accomplished. Not to mention the constant threat from malicious actors. Anarchy is like a house of brick minus the mortar. Too much mud is just as compromising as not enough. Like mortar, government must be properly portioned to fill the need. Our country’s original federalism deemed “good government” as being limited with domestic powers reserved to the states.
@LeighSkinner Your comment is on target. Without basic codified rules to live by, nothing productive will ever be accomplished. Not to mention the constant malicious threats. Anarchy is like a house of brick absent its mortar. Too much mud is just as compromising as not enough. For this reason, government must be properly portioned to fill the need. Our country’s original federalism deemed “good government” as being limited with domestic powers reserved to the states.