"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."
The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
If there's a constitutional amendment more abused and neglected than the 10th Amendment, we'd like to hear about it.
But rest assured, the anger is building.
Oklahoma and Tennessee have joined a growing list of states that are, in effect, rebelling against the United States government.
In those states, as well as others, state lawmakers have passed resolutions declaring that the federal government has overstepped its constitutional authority and trod upon the sovereignty of states.
There are specific federal powers assigned to the three branches of government, and they are quite plainly enumerated in the Constitution.
They do not include bailing out businesses, firing CEOs, telling college football how to crown a champion, investigating steroids in baseball, taking tax money from one state and giving it to another and on and on and on.
A lot of us have simply had it up to our teeth with a power-crazed, unconstitutional and omnipotent federal government that seems to get more intrusive and full of itself by the day.
The Oklahoma resolution attempts merely to nudge Washington leaders to "get back into their proper constitutional role." Gee, you mean the one contemplated at some length and specificity in the Constitution, and then amplified in the 10th Amendment?
Montana is taking a unique tack -- declaring that, for guns made and used exclusively in the state, federal gun laws don't apply since it doesn't involve interstate commerce.
It's an interesting theory, and one sure to be tested in the courts. But it's really about a much larger issue than guns: It's about the kind of state sovereignty spelled out in the Constitution and the 10th Amendment.
"The federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states," says Tennessee's resolution. "In 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government."
The resolution, passed unanimously by the Tennessee Senate, says "many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States." That means unconstitutional; illegal; nonbinding.
We don't know where this states' rights movement is going, or how far. But we think it needs to happen. Like an unruly dog running free in the park, the federal government is out of control.
As its owner, the people need to put it back on its leash.
Comments
For some reason folks don't seem to realize that Hussien IS Muslim, and is dedicated to the destruction of this nation of infidels. Do y'all not see that the U.S. IS on the verge of civil war? Our first civil war was over STATES RIGHTS (no matter what anyone says) and Hussien has brought us to the brink of another conflict over states rights.
Any statesman who brings up Constitutional issues concerning Obama's socialist policies suffers the attack dogs that the administration unleashes on NBC. They will ruin, in the crudest way, anyone who speaks against him. The Night of Crystal looms, but it won't be racial, only against capitalists.
huh.. i think i remember Georgia passing a proclamation in he 90's reaffirming its sovereignty.
These states don't even know JACK about the Tenth Amendment. These resolutions are akin to secession. If New York state or Connecticut tried to pass such a resolution in 2001, 2005, or 2013 (if Obama loses or doesn't run for re-election in 2012) -- this editorial staff would say that they are committing an act against America. The ACES are full of hypocrisy at its worst!
Republicans said the same thing about FDR. They are even trying to rewrite history and claim that FDR's policies actually prolonged the Great Depression instead of helping end it. The Augusta Chronicle editorial staff (ACES) along with the rest of these unpatriotic, refuse-to-pledge-allegiance-to-the-UNITED-States-of-America, red state Republican yahoo "legislators" have become unhinged from reality. There is room to criticize the Obama administration's policies. I am highly critical and incensed by the continuing wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan that kill and kill and kill increasing numbers of civilians in our name. There is room to criticize Obama's economic policies as well, but secession from the union is not an option. The Civil War settled that issue almost 150 years ago both in blood and in the law.
How about willistontownsc explains the Tenth Amendment to us all. This should be funny.
Cain claims to be "highly incensed by the continuing wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan", yet he will NEVER criticize Obama for it......only Bush. At least he never has. The hypocrisy continues. Why not accuse Obama and Biden of being war criminals for continuing the war?
Don't worry Cain.....no one is being killed in YOUR name. They are being killed in the name of protecting FREEDOM, something you have no idea how to do.
Have ANY of you even read the constitution?????????????
Obama apologized to Europe for America's arrogance. How about talking about America's self-sacrifice instead since so many Americans shed blood over there to save the continent from itself not once, but at least twice in the 20th century. Maybe that is what Europe needs to be reminded of. This country has earned the right to voice our opinion on what other countries should do. Every time they screw up we are there to save them. Obama needs to quit being apologetic and start showing pride in what this country has done for others.
I did not read anything about secession. The only state that has talked about secession is Vermont. Look it up.
If you didn't see anything prohibiting secessing, then the tenth amendment which states "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." would give that right to the states.
"whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends (inalienable rights of life, liberty & pursuit of happiness), it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government" - Declaration Of Independence
The hate America crowd can now be honest. Sour grapes over their loss of power. Good riddance. As if everyone in their state agrees with them. Maybe we could give them Montana or North Dakota.
The Change America to Socialism Crowd can now be honest. How does quoting the founding fathers, and trying to bring America back to what they intended considered "hating America?"
The only way Marxism or socialism works is under a dictatorship, and then it fails more slowly. The Obama administration is working toward removing the 10th amendment "for the sake of helping the people". The 2nd amendment also needs to go and the 1st needs to be severely limited with the "fairness doctrine". It's a little early for the most shortsighted to see, but history is repeating itself.
Things haven't changed much. Back during the war for independence there were those that were loyal to the King and those that wanted freedom.
I knew it!!!!! There it is...right on cue....criticize the big O and you are a racist!
The federal government, have not been on a leash for the past eight years? Are you just seeing that? Where were you then?
Ignore justus4! Don't comment anymore.
with j4 it is ALWAYS about race. But it is time to take back our country from socialism and federal tyranny. It is past time.
I, too, have questioned why Cain does not criticize Obama, as he did Bush, for the continuation and and broadening of the military actions in the Middle East. If I got an answer, I missed it. I think it "messes" with Cain's credibility and exposes his pure political motivation rather than the humanitarian high ground he has professed to take. But then, what can other can you expect from someone who has incessantly condemned the US for water boarding torture and never once mentioned the egregious acts of "others?"
Some people only believe in America when their party is in power. Keep-up the right-wing crying, as it will coninue to keep you out of power. The more you speak, the more foolish you sound. But then again, the AC is desparate to sell papers, and it's alarmist propoganda seems to be their only effort at creativity. Supporting secession does expose the hate for America of the right-wing. Maybe it's time you moved-on to a country such as Iran so you can dance in the streets and burn American flags, chanting your traitorous slogans.
Again.....shivas...how does quoting the founding fathers make one sound foolish?
shivas, you are not that stupid, are you? I'm reading your post and trying to figure out who is supposed to move to Iran, the right-winged crybabies or the folks at the Augusta Chronicle. Who supports secession? Why would anyone on the right of center want to be in Iran? What a stupid statement!
I am critical of Obama for escalating the war in Afghanistan & for killing innocent Afghans & Pakistanis in bombing runs & missile strikes. I also criticize Nancy Pelosi & the entire Democratic Establishment if they knew about "harsh interrogation" (i.e. torture) as the CIA claims & did not protest but kept silent. They should not have approved war funds if they knew torture was being carried out by the CIA or by other arms of the U.S. gov't. Dan Froomkin of The Washington Post echos my sentiments about Afghan civilians in his piece yesterday (07 May) titled "Any Remorse, Mr. President?" Registration is required to view this article but it is free:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/white-house-watch/afghanistan/any-remor...
I am highly critical of Obama for continuing & escalating the U.S. air war in Afghanistan. Regrets, apologizes & compensation are not enough. These tactics CREATE enemies. THEY MUST STOP! A gut-wrenching picture of an injured child can be viewed here along with an article about the airstrike that killed as many as 147 Afghans:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/afghans-riot-over-airstrike...
the same people bellyaching about quoting the constitution or our founding fathers also probably swore up and down they'd move to france if Bush won a second term. not that bush has been a great steward of state's rights. Actually Bush's actions will probably end up causing the revolution down the road. Reps and dems 2 sides of the same coin. Federalists.
Pragmatists realize by restoring the power to govern to the states, we would solve the Federal debt instantly. Citizens should be able to live in a state which reflects their beliefs, not forced to comply with the wishes of a mythical "majority". "I will be a unifier" was the claim of candidate Obama. He has utterly failed. In the absence of a true altruistic unifier, we shall continue down the path of division and destruction. Claiming America "hates the right wing" exposes the hatred Shivas harbors for those unlike her. Until our children learn to stop hating, there will be no change we can believe in. It is time for a common man to lead us. It is time for a citizen legislature to replace the Kings and Queens of Congress. It is time for a Federal Government of proper scope and size. IT IS TIME.
War has no place in 2009 or the future. Everyday people cannot wrap their minds around the horiffic images being shown daily on the news. If TV was invented prior to WWII, America would not have won. News organizations are no longer the "watchdogs of truth" but have become "players" in the quest to further an ideology. Keep in mind that all those "news channels" are FOR PROFIT organizations and their responsibility to their stockholders overrides any responsibility to the general viewership.
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