One by One: Returning to the Constitution
The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution embodies much of what the founders envisioned for this country – a federal government strictly limited to only specific activities, with the rest being handled on state or local levels. Some may call this states’ rights, others refer to it as decentralization or federalism. Whatever you call it, [...]
States Rights Alive in California
Gay Marriage, Medical Marijuana, the Environment and more. For many years, presidents have been assuming more and more power for themselves and for the federal government, but California has been taking the lead recently in the battle for States Rights against this growth Federal power. Thomas Elias notes this trend in his recent Pasadena Star-News [...]
Forgotten, but Not Gone…Yet
On a daily basis, the federal government oversteps its authority – it’s domestic and foreign policies are almost entirely filled with activities that the founding fathers would’ve resisted to the death.But yet, we just sit and watch.
Federalist #14: Strictly Limited Government
It’s commonplace these days for the government and its courts to consider the 10th Amendment to be nothing more than a “relic” – basically, not having any effect, or limiting the power of the federal government in any way. These politicians and bureaucrats ignore the plain words of the 10th in an effort to grant [...]
Seventeen Things Only
When considering the 10th Amendment, it’s essential to understand its purpose. In reading it, one sees quite clearly that its effect is to limit the powers of the federal government to those specifically listed in the Constitution – and give the rest to “the States, respectively, or to the People.” But why is this a [...]
Limited or Unlimited Government?
Although the founders wrote the US Constitution to limit the powers of the federal government, politicians from both sides of the aisle take the position that their power is far beyond what was ever imagined. And now, John McCain’s new advisor, Michael Goldfarb, is making the claim that the executive branch has “near dictatorial powers”
Support the Enumerated Powers Act
This legislation, from Representative John Shadegg (R-AZ), would make Congress far more likely to follow the 9th and 10th Amendments:
Why we have a Tenth Amendment
Guest Commentary by Dan Reale You can ask anybody what the first amendment prevents infringement upon. They might know about one thing, freedom of speech, but incorrectly, tell you we are granted freedom of speech. Even then, most miss the other four inalienable rights the Constitution limits the federal government from violating. Most are equally [...]
Limits vs Empowers
by David Smith In response to “The Constitution and the Right to Privacy” The only point that I would add is that there exists a fundamental difference between the Federal Government, which these amendments limits, and the State Governments, which the 10th Amendment empowers. Actually, ‘empowers’ is not the right term because power not delegated [...]
The Constitution and the Right to Privacy
For a long, long time, we’ve heard people debate back and forth about whether or not there’s a “right to privacy” in the Constitution (and Bill of Rights). For an excellent lesson on this issue, see a classic article from Harry Browne:
No Sunlight on the Omnibus
by Rep Ron Paul One Christmas tradition Congress could do without is the broken process of passing the annual Omnibus Spending Bill, which we recently did right before the holiday recess. Every December Congress fights and argues over spending and never seems to be able to pass the necessary appropriations until the very last minute. [...]
Sheep to the Constitutional Slaughter
An ardent defender of a strictly limited government under the reigns of the 10th Amendment – Judge Andrew Napolitano has nearly outdone himself with his new book, “A Nation of Sheep” Napolitano frankly discusses how the federal government has circumvented the Constitution and is systematically dismantling the rights and freedoms that are the foundation of [...]
Support the Enumerated Powers Act
From DownsizeDC.org: It’s time for Congress to “cite chapter and verse.” When they pass new laws or spend taxpayer money they should be required to point to the specific language in the Constitution that empowers that action. The “Enumerated Powers Act” would require them to do precisely that. Help us bring this bill to a [...]
Gun Rights and States Rights
by Rep Ron Paul Speech before the US House of Representatives, April 9, 2003 Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a firm believer in the Second amendment and an opponent of all federal gun laws. In fact, I have introduced legislation, the Second Amendment Restoration Act (HR 153), which repeals misguided federal gun control laws [...]
Iran, Nukes, and Interventionism
The big news of the day has clearly been the US Intelligence report that’s come out detailing how Iran halted its nuclear weapons work in 2003. As reported by CNN: Iran halted work toward a nuclear weapon under international scrutiny in 2003 and is unlikely to be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a [...]
Not Yours to Give: Limited Federal Powers
Guest Commentary by David Smith The concept of the Constitution of the United States is not to award unlimited Powers to the Federal Government or to Congress. See also the ideas expressed in Col. Crockett’s speech from my blog, “Not Yours To Give” from a few days ago. The idea is that the States were [...]
The Longest and Most Costly War in American History
If you are concerned at all about liberty, the economy, the Constitution and the power of the Federal Government – you cannot ignore our longest and most costly war – the War on Drugs. It’s now 35 years after Dick Nixon started this “war” -Â and we now have over 1 million – yes, 1 [...]
Restoring the 10th Amendment and Federalism
Restoring the…what? That’s what many people seem to respond with when a discussion of the 10th Amendment, States Rights and Federalism comes up – however infrequent that may be. But it seems that this discussion might be getting a little more attention in the near future.
COWs vs the Constitution
Yes, you did read that correctly! Ok, so maybe you’re thinking I’m off my rocker; what in heaven’s name do cows have to do with the Constitution? Well, according to an interesting post by Liliana Segura at AlterNet this week, we learn that COWs is actually a device that Neil Bush is selling to school [...]
Petraeus Report: Symptoms vs Causes
Don’t be fooled by all the hype surrounding testimony from General David Petraeus. In my opinion, this is little more than drama – a political soap opera – distracting us all from the real issue. The interviews and discussions have involved some heated rhetoric about whether or not the “surge” is “working” in Iraq, but [...]
Understanding Limited Government
Kevin Gutzman’s new book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, might be the best available overview of the principles of limited government as espoused by the Tenth Amendment. After reading this book, you’ll see quite clearly that the original constitution has very little in common with how this government is run today (if you [...]
The Double Trouble of Taxation
by Rep Ron Paul Taxes were on the forefront of many Americans’ minds this week as they scrambled to meet the April 15th deadline to file their returns. Tax policy in this country hurts taxpayers twice – once when they pay taxes, and then when the government spends the money. Americans are sick and tired [...]
Apr 21, 2008 | Categories:Economy | Tags: 16th-amendment, april-15, Constitution, Economy, freedom, Government, Guest Commentary, Income Tax, income-taxes, irs, Limited Government, Ron Paul, tax-day, Taxation | Leave A Comment »