James Madison. Benjamin Franklin. Samuel Adams. Thomas Jefferson.
Be on the lookout for them and their shady cohorts. By today's standards, and according to a warning issued this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, they are "right-wing extremists." Quite likely armed and most dangerous in their independent thinking.
According to one account, Homeland Security's warning for the country's law enforcement officers this week included a note that a rise in right-wing extremism could include "groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority."
Is there any question that our Founding Fathers would be considered right-wing extremists today?
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is obviously one, too. The FBI might want to watch this guy.
After all, check out this alarming headline from KHOU-TV in Houston: "Gov. Perry supports 10th Amendment."
This guy is full of dangerous ideas.
Just consider what the 10th Amendment says: "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."
Surely our Founding Fathers didn't mean that, even as extreme as they were.
Then again, maybe they did. And maybe Gov. Perry's on to something.
"I believe that our federal government has become oppressive," the governor said this week. "I believe it's become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens and its interference with the affairs of our state."
He's right, of course. By no measure is the federal government following its dictates in the Constitution.
But his recognition of that, and his support of a Texas House resolution along those lines, is bound to be controversial.
Because he supports the Constitution and expects it to be followed. That's extreme today. Radical. Fringe.
Sadly, all those who support traditional American values today are pilloried in the "mainstream" media and are considered extremists. If so, then our Founding Fathers were extremists too.
We think that's pretty darned good company to keep.
In fact, notes author Ben Shapiro, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argued that states "were duty-bound to resist action by the federal government superseding its allotted authority under the Constitution."
It was recently brought to our attention by a careful reader of the Constitution that the preamble to the Constitution says the point of the federal government is, in part, to "provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare ..." Note the difference in wording. "Provide" means to do it. "Promote" means to encourage it; "promote" doesn't mean the government should "provide" anything.
We know they were blinded by right-wing extremism and all, but no one has ever accused the Founding Fathers of using language inartfully. We think they intended precisely what they wrote.
Yet, some two centuries later, that "general welfare" clause -- and the 10th Amendment sharply curtailing the power of the federal government in domestic affairs -- are the two most-abused portions of our Constitution.
And those who see that and stand up to say it are considered extreme.
Comments
"According to one account," is hardly definitive evidence in support of the rest of this article, ACES. However, I will add that if indeed, what you have published is "gospel," this is a legitimate cause that folks should really be protesting, and they should bring more meaningful "totems" of their dissent than insipid tea bags. GGpap
Please sign me for the "extremist" list. I'll happily live at Guantanamo Bay and bask in the temperate sea breezes while all my needs are taken care of. I'm a combat vet with expert marksman awards, a supporter of SCV, VFW and American Legion. Yup, can't risk having me out here! Can I take my family with me? I'm sure they would love the island paradise as well.
I have no doubt the original Boston Tea Party performed by about a hundred patriots was laughed at by the British and the Loyalist newspapers. Who would have thought that symbolic act would have such far reaching consequences and be remembered today. It is going to be interesting to find out the names of the Americans on the Dept. of Homeland Security's extremist list. There is a lawsuit demanding release of the names. Being a veteran, I'm probably already on there. Afterall, Janet Napolitano, the directory of the agency, uses Timothy McVeigh as an example to describe the danger vets pose.
Perry wants Texas to secede? (That's the implication.) Fine. See how the state does without federal monies and support. Let Texas protect its own border (and yes, I know that up till now, the feds have done a [filtered word] poor job--look no further than Dubya). Let them go it alone keeping drugs out of their "country"...give everyone an AK-47--why not? Watch as the place falls apart, watch as all the people with brains get the he** out, watch as their academic institutions falter. Big talk from small minds.
Also, this constant questioning--WWFD (what would the founders do)--fails to recognize he enormous changes in our world in the past 235 years. It's a start, as far as assessing current trends goes, but it cannot begin and end with that. The same people who seem to think the Constitution is a dead document, rather than living and breathing, are the ones who read the Bible literally. Nothing is static!
The way I see it, if Texas (thru its Constitution) secedes, there would be a flow into the state by disgrundled US citizens. Should Texas then decide that the FairTax is the only tax, the economy would boom! You would see those Texans who have suckled the Fed teet vacate to the 'north'. Texas the Promise Land?...could be!
By all means, jebko, take your spelling-impaired butt to Texas, along with the rest of your ilk, where you can do away with "government schools" and flourish! You know, the rest of us would LOVE to get rid of you grousing, whining folks--always touting your "productivity" as citizens while claiming those who disagree with you on social issues are entitlement hogs. Really, the rest of us don't need you nearly as much as you need us.
It sounds like S.C. 1861 when the feds were double and triple taxing the Southern states
The right wing extremists that founded this country and the right wing extremists that grew this country to it's greatness have produced socialists/Marxist extremists as children. Children that are afraid of responsibilities and want to steal from the rich to give to the poor. Children that are using democracy to destroy the republic for which it stands. When we're all feeding at the government trough, who's going to buy the food and put it into the trough? C. M. Kornbluth sure nailed this scenario with "Marching Morons".
please!!!! secede! leave! bye! good riddance!
What--no "myrmidons" in this post, PT? I'll spare you an edit of your error-riddled comment (though you never spare anyone else) and just react to the gist. First, the rich often BECAME rich because of stealing from the poor. Second, no one is putting food in our family's mouths except for my husband and me. Difficult as it may be for you to give up this idea that liberals aren't productive citizens, we work and pay taxes just as you do. We put our children through college. And we're NOT Marxists or Nazis or welfare recipients or treasonous idiots. We're not all godless baby-killers. But what's the use of arguing with you. You'll just respond with some smug repetition of your usual "arguments".
Make up your mind midwest, you're either godless Marxist baby-killers or you're not. You just got done chastising honorable and honest people for wanting to succeed without being forced to give half of their gains to the nonproductive and now you say you and your family have the same values. Which is it?
midwesterntransplant: The Gov. of Texas said Texas COULD secede. He said he did not think they SHOULD. Thought you might want those facts.
LOL..midwest is one of those "free thinking sheeple"
The good old south. Again with the state's rights. George Wallace standing in the doorway. Jeb: Do a little research. Texas already has no income tax.
It's the liberal democrats that introduced and have perpetuated the entitlement mentality in this country and they continue to expect the rest of us to support their social programs. A system that punishes the productive elements of its society and rewards the do-nothings can't help but fail. Fewer and fewer of us are taking care of more and more of us. Now , because we achievers see the breaking point and are vocal about it, we are demonized by being referred to as extremists. I just don't understand liberals...if I was being supported by someone, I'd encourage them and want them to flourish, not demoralize them and impede their ability to support me. I guess I just don't have a liberal mindset. Thank God!
hmmm... ben franklin for one held a lot of positions that run counter to the right wing nuts we have running around today. for one, he believed in science. two, he believed in civil liberties. "those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither." three he believed in diplomacy -- we would have lost the revolutionary war had he not succeeded in pulling france in on our side through years of diplomatic efforts there. patricia, do us all a favor and shut your mouth. idiot.
since texas is the only state that still has the legal right to secede if by some chance in heaven they do,see you later,we'll send you a postcard.good luck with the rest of the country.
Jeb: Yesterday I discovered some info which backed up what I already knew. The uFair Tax folks are at best bad researchers or at worse liars. Since they've continued with the same falsehoods for years, it's more than likely the latter. According to their website, they cite a 1996 study by Harvard economist Dr Dale Jorgenson as their "research" that under the unFair Tax, you get to keep 100% of your paycheck and that prices will fall an amount that would equal the increase in taxes. Dr Jorgenson did indeed do the study. One small problem, his research says that prices would be able to fall 20% by employers continuing to pay the current AFTER tax amount to employees and using the difference to lower prices. I always thought their numbers sounded fishy, now we know why. They are lying. "A more reasonable interpretation of my 1996 testimony is that workers would keep that after-tax pay; producers' prices would fall, but retail prices would be increased by the national retail sales tax. Any gains by workers and investors would be the result of increase economic efficiency." Dr Dale Jorgenson www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1470200/posts
It is not an accident that we have 4 and 5 generations on welfare and govt housing. Which party is to blame? That is a little blurry right now. Which party benefits? Democrats! I wish that all of these people could see that this is modern day slavery and they are being enslaved for their vote. It is disgusting. AND WE GET TO PAY FOR IT!!!
Joe, please allow me to respond in kind. Since we are all such intelligent, witty adults.....No, you shut your mouth, idiot! I know....you said it first.....but PT is rubber, and your glue.
TechLover, have you read the FairTax book?
"Right Wing Nut"...say it loud and wear it Proud!!!!!...thanks Mckee!!
The first one. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is the research THEY cite as how prices would fall and how you get to keep your whole paycheck.
So Mike ("Oh puleeeze") Ryan and his wingnut buddies think Obama's policies violate the 10th Amendment and are unconstitutional. Fine. But of course in America, what is and is not constitutional is not decided by newspaper editorialists, especially those as limited as Ryan. Such matters are determined, ultimately, by the Supreme Court. So you conservatives out there who are convinced Obama's policies are unconstitutional, go to court! You've got a court with 9 of 11 justices named by Republican presidents, a chief justice put there by GWB himself. If this court fails to strike down Obama's policies, no U.S. court ever will! Speakers at tea parties across the country urged righties not to stop with slogans, but take action. So do it! Take your arguments to the federal courts and see what happens. Bet I know:
even this SC court will tell you you're wrong. Bet this too: you conservatives really know this and don't have the guts to take the chance. You are little more than words, words, words. And finally, to Texas? Bye, and don't let the door slam behind you....
i4putt, blow it out your [filtered word].
shag: If you continue to believe Boortz and Linder, I'm a deposed Nigerian ruler who has millions of dollars that I can't get out of the country, if you'll just......
TechLover, I have not read the FairTax book yet. The only thing I believe is what we have now is NOT working. I was just asking if you had read it to see if you were spouting fact or opinion. I did not mean to put you on the defense.
eel.........please archive your post...chomp...chomp.....your liberal [filtered word] will be begging for some Right Wingnut to save it when the time comes......be prepared..baa baaa black sheep ......
shag: Sorry, when you call them on the inaccuracies of the plan, too many of the unFair Taxers act like you're attacking their religion, and I guess to some you are. That piece of fiction is their bible.
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