Topic: Constitutional Issues
Welcome Texas to the Sovereignty Movement Many have watched as South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, New Hampshire, Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona, Montana, Missouri, and more introduced legislation claiming sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. Now the Republic of Texas can be counted among this proud class of nations who have representatives willing to take such bold action in today's world and 10 more are getting ready!by Gary Wood
(conservative libertarian)
Friday, February 20, 2009
"HCR 50: Affirming that the State of Texas 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 U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed." If this is beginning to sound familiar remember as well that it is a good sound to hear!
There is little doubt citizens of this great country are growing more alarmed by the growth of our Federal Government. Keep an eye on two things over the coming year. First, watch for other states to introduce this similar type of legislation, while some begin to pass it into state law. Those pending introduction include Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Second, pay very close attention to states refusing any federal bailout money. Right now there are several considering turning down the money. According to a story by Melinda Deslatte of the Associated Press, "...the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho have all questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy." These governors are not willing to simply say no, not just yet, but at least they're pausing. If you live in one of these states step up to the phone and call all your representatives today!
If any state proposes legislation proclaiming sovereignty while accepting federal bailout money you can count them in the lost states column. Just as the chains of the federal government accompany any type of welfare or assistance there will be chains attached to state and city money. We are seeing a unique time when the adulteration of our Constitutional grand experiment is finally reaching the final blow for freedom. It has been an adulteration through slow changes brought about by court decisions, amendments, and organizational changes which have led to bad traditions we were raised to accept as the way we are to be.
Our current times are very reminiscent of colonial life in the 1750s and 1760s. Colonists began to feel more oppressed and less appreciated by their government. Continually they would submit petitions for redress of grievances to their king and the response was silence combined with more oppression. Those desiring to be heard did not intend to revolt or declare independence. After years of being ignored, however, revolution occurred.
Then, as now, it became very common to read about and discuss political and economic situations. This is what led to an age of enlightenment. The more people gained in knowledge, shared in debate, and dared to question traditions the more they understood government was dangerous yet it was possible to form a more perfect union. We now are entering a repetitive moment in history where enlightenment once again is taking hold. Will we too revolt? We may not need to as the independent states are beginning to step forward. Support these efforts and all efforts of peaceful resistance, it is our duty as patriotic Americans.
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.
The views expressed in this
article are those of Gary Wood only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Gary Wood is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
I'm not sure what 'on record' means regarding my support. You could contact Bill Walker and ask him if there is a record. You could read the following article; http://www.nolanchart.com/article4468.html
You could check the support we've given foavc.org at our social community, HearMyThunder.org or the guest appearances and shout outs we give on our radio show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/March-of-Liberty
From all of the above you can then let me know if all of this constitutes me being 'on record' or not. You see, I support an Article V and would love to see states pressing that issue despite the fears of some but I simply don't know what record you're referring to.
I emailed all my Georgia reps last week regarding the Sovereignty movement. This morning I was happy to receive an email from one of the sponsors of the bills saying that the bill was drafted addressing my concerns last week! Its great to see the states beginning to assert their rights and question the size and power of our federal government which has undeservadly grown to mammoth porportions over the last decade. I am glad to see the lessons of Jefferson are finally being felt. Thanks for the updates and continue the great work!.
Posted By: Benjamin W. Mankowski, Sr.
Date: 2009-02-23 11:46:56
I'm very interested in the state sovereignty movement, and have been ever since I heard about it earlier this month. I even wrote to my own state legislators about it, even though my state (NJ) is HIGHLY unlikely to exercise any sovereignty. Trenton is an extension of DC, plain and simple.
Given the numbers of energy-producing states on the list, I may move if you decide to secede.
It is about time. What else is can we do. We,as law abidding people living in texas and land owners will not have anything left even after 1 term. His non-american policys will have affect on all,and the could end the last free country in the world.
Just to fill in with some extra info. This latest movement is a resurgence of previous sovereignty efforts. Look up the 1995 Sovereignty Act in Oklahoma. Note that it was not just a toothless resolution, as are all the recent measures passed by the states. It was legislation that, among other things, required all Oklahomans' federal taxes be paid into a state-run escrow account, which would be paid to the federal government on their behalf. However, if the fed govt took action against OK by witholding contracted funds for mandated programs, then OK would withold the same amount from the escrow payouts, to fund the shortfall.
This passed the OK House UNANIMOUSLY, but was never brought out for a vote in the Senate, and died there.
We need all of these state resolutions to turn into BINDING LEGISLATION, and it would be great if the legislatures coordinated their votes to occur on the same day, and governors' signings to be all on one day, to show unity of purpose among the sovereign states.
If you want to see what some real teeth might look like in some of these bills, see Arizona's resolution, which spells out conditions under which they would consider the union dissolved, and how they would re-unite with other like-minded states (under our same constitution) to form a new federal government.
I erred by omission. The AZ resolution to which I referred to was actually from several years ago, and appears to have never passed the full legislature. The dissolution and recreation of the federal government was described as being done in accordance with 34 other states. Although not stated as such, this is most likely a reference to the 2/3 majority required in Congress to call a Constiututional Convention. The mechanism described is not entirely in sync with the Article V provisions for amending or replacing the US Constitution, but it appears that the author(s) (Johnson, et al) were trying to tiptoe just inside the line. Thus, they would dissolve the union, rather than secede from it.
Carl, I agree and a step further. The 17th is a core reason yet the states must also lead a fight to repeal the 16th which took taxes from the people direct instead of through their states. They also must fight for changes in the 14th, abandon mimiced tax structure and copy-cat legislative organizations if they are to ever succeed in standing independent of the feds again. The 10th resolutions are merely symbolic yet a start.
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