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An elective despotism was not the government we fought for
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia (1784)

As I write this, it’s midnight, Eastern time – election night. Like you, I don’t know who won. But what I do know is this – no matter what happens with the counting, at the end of the day, we’re still facing the largest government in the history of the world.

I don’t say that lightly. 

When it comes to spending, for example, the so-called “federal” government in Washington D.C. spends nearly double what China does. And it spends almost 8-times more per capita than China’s “socialist state under the people’s democratic dictatorship.”

This is nothing like the government James Madison told us would have powers that are “few and defined.” Not even close.

Richard Henry Lee, in a letter to Samuel Adams on Oct. 5, 1787, might have the best view of what we’re facing today:

“I suppose my dear Sir, that the good people of the U. States in their late generous contest, contended for free government in the fullest, clearest, and strongest sense. That they had no idea of being brought under despotic rule under the notion of “Strong government,” or in form of elective despotism: Chains being still Chains, whether made of gold or iron.

When I started the Tenth Amendment Center back in 2006 (and for at least the next 2 years) establishment Republicans and pundits on the right attacked the TAC for opposing unconstitutional acts from the Bush administration.

“Move to Cuba” is a phrase we often heard when opposing the PATRIOT Act. Our opposition to the Iraq war got us hit with “You’re with the terrorists.” And working in the states to nullify the REAL ID act or federal prohibition, branded us “libtards.”

Of course, the attacks continued when Obama took office, and while the names we were called changed to “racist” or “neoconfederate” – the message was the same: oppose centralized power, and the people who hold that power will see you as the greatest threat to their control.

But, to us, the Constitution matters no matter who’s in power in Washington D.C. – and no matter how much they attack our work.

As Thomas Jefferson put it in his argument against the Constitutionality of a National Bank:

“To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.”

The essential question, of course, is WHAT’S NEXT?

Jefferson again gave us the answer in his draft of the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, pointing out that “vote the bums out” is a good strategy “in cases of an abuse of the delegated powers.”

But…

“Where powers are assumed which have not been delegated, a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy

James Madison told us that states are “duty-bound to interpose.”  

Duty. Not just a good idea.

And we’ll continue that duty no matter which team is in power, or what person occupies the White House.

As Samuel Adams put it, “All might be free if they valued freedom – and defended it as they ought.” 

Defending freedom doesn’t mean waiting for the largest government in history to give us permission to live free. It means “we the people” need to learn how to exercise our rights whether the government wants us to – or not.

In the last few years, we’ve gotten more nullification bills introduced – and PASSED – than at any time in history. 

But we’ve got a LOT of work yet to do.

We absolutely cannot be complacent, and we need your help now more than ever. I hope you’ll stand with us in this effort by starting a new membership to support our work. As little as 2 bucks a month means a great deal to us.

With your help, we’ll not only get the job done right now, but we’ll go much further for the Constitution and liberty in the years to come.

JOIN TAC, Support the Constitution and Liberty!
https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/

Concordia res parvae crescunt
(small things grow great by concord)

Michael Boldin

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