Times were different but Madison was dealing with exactly the same problem we have today and the "inevitable result of which would be, to transform the present republican system of the United States into an absolute, or, at best, a mixed monarchy". I would have used stronger wording if I had wrote it but his message is quite clear.
States such as Tennessee, Arizona, Oklahoma, and others have also figured this out and have a workable strategy. Challenge the federal government where they have overstepped their authority with new state legislation and as sure as sunrise the feds will actively reassert their mistaken position on each targeted encroachment. They then become their own worst enemy by publicly validating the Constitutional overreach and by providing indisputable documentation that can be circulated as proof to Constitutionally aware citizens. All states should follow the lead of OK, AZ, and TN and extend the fight to even the smallest federal infraction.
And why? – It would be difficult to impossible from a manpower and money perspective to radically transform the governments of 50 individual states. A single federal government would be simpler and would make a much easier target. This concept can only work if the single federal government has absolute rule over the 50 states, therefore you have the strong need for the federal government to make them subordinate. Give up state sovereignty and the rest, as they say, is history.
Can the feds afford to do this? – You bet, out of all the TARP and stimulus money the federal government is sitting on an unspent pile worth, as of today’s estimate, $660 Billion. Only about 10% of the stimulus has been spent and a significant part of the TARP money has been repaid but not returned to the taxpayers. It also looks today that our economy is on the rebound and will not need more stimulus or TARP. I believe we will see what is being touted as a “jobless recovery”. Many of the jobs lost were necessary fat trimmings. Employers needed a “crisis” to perform this with reduced risk of wrongful termination suits and they got it. Many other jobs have been lost to companies moving their production offshore and these jobs are permanently lost. And what about the flood of illegals? You decide.
How will the feds spend the money? - How many senators and representatives do we have in total? Take the $660 Billion number and divide it by the number of congressional seats to be filled in the 2010 midterm elections and you can see in very plain and simple terms what is absolutely going to happen. That’s a lot of money and money buys power. What we have in progress now in congress is going to get significantly stronger – take it to the bank. Like I said in the second paragraph above “Give up state sovereignty and the rest, as they say, is history.”
The Virginia Resolve of 1798: Revisited
In 1798, the State of Virginia adopted a resolution in response to Congress passing “The Alien and Sedition Acts”
Asserting that the Federal government had overstepped it’s bounds as enumerated in the Constitution, James Madison with the assistance of Thomas Jefferson, drafted the resolution with the intent of nullifying the congressional act. Kentucky also adopted a similar resolution penned by Jefferson that same year.
Below is the text of the resolution:
I have emboldened the second paragraph to emphasis it’s relevance to today.
This is pertinent to our current political climate when one takes into account the arguments surrounding the “Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act” and the reaction to it by the Federal Government.
The act pertains to firearms transactions which occur wholly within the state.The BATFE sent a letter to Federal Firearm License holders saying the act is null and void.
Another potential hostile engagement is brewing in Texas. Governor Perry has stated that if the National Healthcare legislation is passed, that Texas may not take part. The Star-Telegram quotes Perry:
About Lou Riccio
Lou Riccio is the State Chapter coordinator for the Georgia Tenth Amendment Center. He also facilitates meetings for Gwinnett County Conservatives For Reform. He is an Oath Keeper and a staunch supporter of the U.S. Constitution as originally written, the 2nd and 10th Amendments, Limited Government and the Free Market.Enjoyed This Post?
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limited government, Nullification, states sovereignty, Tennessee, tenth amendment, Texas, Virginia Resolve