Talk of revolution
Some people have been discussing that a revolution is going to come. It looks like it might be underway. But don't be running for your firearm. You won't need it this time. In a previous post I wrote about New Hampshire's resolution chastising the US Federal Government for overstepping its powers.
It is not the only state to pass such a resolution; Missouri, Oklahoma, Washington, and Arizona have all also passed similar resolutions.
From the Arizona resolution:
Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"; and
Whereas, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and
Whereas, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and
Whereas, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
Whereas, many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and
Whereas, Article IV, section 4, United States Constitution, says in part, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government", and the Ninth Amendment states that "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"; and
Whereas, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
Whereas, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, that:
1. That the State of Arizona hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.
2. That this Resolution serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.
3. That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.
4. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state's legislature and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
Emphasis mine.
This is change. But it DIDN'T come FROM President Obama - it came BECAUSE of Obama. This dressing down of the Federal Government by the states is surely not the change that Obama was speaking of. Former president George W Bush was what pushed people to the edge. He mishandled many things fairly egregiously, but even his missteps were not enough. It took the newly elected Democrats and their crazed spending bills to push the states over the edge.
Given that the State Legislatures are understanding of what is at stake, it baffles me that the populace is still unaware, blind, or even welcoming of what has been happening.
ASIDE:
My cube neighbor pointed out that there are actually four branches of government. The fourth branch is rarely if ever discussed. There is the Executive, the Legislative, the Judicial, and The People. When was the last time you have heard any of the first three offices discuss The People in anything other than a condescending manner?
Revolution. If your state legislature hasn't written a similar resolution then you need to kick them into gear. If they have, then you need to thank them.
We can do it! Yes we can! Change we need! Hope for a better America!
... and you don't need Obama to do it for you.
It is not the only state to pass such a resolution; Missouri, Oklahoma, Washington, and Arizona have all also passed similar resolutions.
From the Arizona resolution:
Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"; and
Whereas, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and
Whereas, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and
Whereas, today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
Whereas, many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and
Whereas, Article IV, section 4, United States Constitution, says in part, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government", and the Ninth Amendment states that "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"; and
Whereas, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
Whereas, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, that:
1. That the State of Arizona hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.
2. That this Resolution serves as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.
3. That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.
4. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state's legislature and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
Emphasis mine.
This is change. But it DIDN'T come FROM President Obama - it came BECAUSE of Obama. This dressing down of the Federal Government by the states is surely not the change that Obama was speaking of. Former president George W Bush was what pushed people to the edge. He mishandled many things fairly egregiously, but even his missteps were not enough. It took the newly elected Democrats and their crazed spending bills to push the states over the edge.
Given that the State Legislatures are understanding of what is at stake, it baffles me that the populace is still unaware, blind, or even welcoming of what has been happening.
ASIDE:
My cube neighbor pointed out that there are actually four branches of government. The fourth branch is rarely if ever discussed. There is the Executive, the Legislative, the Judicial, and The People. When was the last time you have heard any of the first three offices discuss The People in anything other than a condescending manner?
Revolution. If your state legislature hasn't written a similar resolution then you need to kick them into gear. If they have, then you need to thank them.
We can do it! Yes we can! Change we need! Hope for a better America!
... and you don't need Obama to do it for you.