A trend we can all live with is the one where state legislatures are introducing joint legislation that claims their 10th Amendment rights are valid and enforceable. Arizona is another, who will be next?
With so many concerns bombarding citizens everyday in 2009 this is news that should be seen as a bright spot. Keep in mind Gary Alder's "15 Key Principles of the Founding Fathers" with a special eye on number 14. "The9th and 10th Amendments are the keystones to preservingFreedom." The 9th Amendment is a keystone in conjunction with the 10th Amendment. As a reminder, here is the 9th; "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Here is the 10th; "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." (Emphasis added).
Read the text of the legislation introduced in 4 states, with 3 coming already this year:
Oklahoma leads the charge in 2008; A Joint Resolution Claiming Sovereignty
New Hampshire's Concurrent Resolution; A RESOLUTION affirming States' rights based on Jeffersonian principles.
Washington State's Join Memorial; Hereby claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment
Arizona's Concurrent Resolution; Claiming sovereignty under the 10th Amendment
There are 31 co-sponsors of Arizona's resolution. Each of the states use the 10th Amendment as their claim and it is critical we the people understand our sovereign roles in this process. Both amendments emphasize the people at the end. This was no accident as Hamilton reminds us in Federalist No. 16 the people are "...the natural guardians of the Constitution."
Citizens of each of the 4 states should be aware of the legislation introduced and should be urging each of their Legislative Branches to pass these proposals. Each of us living in states where no legislation has been introduced should be immediately contacting our state representatives and urging them to lead the charge by introducing similar legislation in all states. Some states will while others are prone to accepting their role as mere minions to the federal government.
However, liberty and freedom always rise from oppression and there can be no doubt the role of the federal government has grown to a level capable of oppressing states and people. Ultimately it is our responsibility to care for our liberty. We the people are the guardian who must care for our sovereignty if we are to restore proper Constitutional order while preserving the promise of the Declaration of Independence for our children. A guardian cares for the children.
Remember our history, not our modern traditions that are moving us toward representative democracy. Here is some recommended reading to help begin the stirring of our memory. Study these with friends and family as if you were studying the scriptures of your religion or the stats of your favorite sports team.
Thomas Jefferson's Account of the Declaration
Independence a Solemn Day by Richard Henry Lee
U.S. Constitution and Amendments
1828 Webster's Dictionary (learn the language of the founders)
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The most important thing we can all restore is conversation regarding politics.
2008 by Gary Wood
Columnist, radio show host, and co-founder of Hear My Thunder.
March of Liberty Radio Show Sunday's at 7pm EST
1828 Webster's Dictionary (learn the language of the founders)
©2009 Gary Wood, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Last modified: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: William North
Date: 2009-02-05 13:22:32
Enjoyed your article and am facinated by these various states' claims of sovereignty. If there was ever a time to file these declarations its now. Has there been any official or unofficial responses from Washington?
Posted By: rtbohan
Date: 2009-02-05 14:37:12
Interesting article, along with its predecessors on the other states where a resolution of this sort has been introduced. The problem is that, so far, some state legislators have taken action, but the state legislatures have not. You are right to stress the importance of citizen support and involvement to see that the legislatures do act.
Posted By: Gary
Date: 2009-02-05 22:00:24
William, I've not seen anything out of Washington DC but I'm not connected in. Before too much is made of it a state will have to pass it I imagine, as rtbohan mentions. Thanks to the efforts of Nick Gausling there is a resource of easy to use state level representative email listings you can use to cut & paste to urge your reps to join the effort. I just sent one to every state rep in UT telling them about it and urging someone among them to take action and bring pride to UT. Click the edited link below to get the email addresses for your state. Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted By: creator
Date: 2009-02-08 15:35:28
Rock On, Gary! :)
And thanks for the link to legislative emails... :)
Posted By: Randy
Date: 2009-02-19 11:13:53
I just emailed all my state rep's in Georgia. Thanks for the link and good luck to the movement.