Yup, that’s right – they come from the left too. Ashby Jones reports on the Tenther movement from the liberal perspective at the Wall Street Journal:
We’ve written a bit in recent months about the so-called “Tenther” movement. It’s a push by many, mostly on the right side of the political spectrum, to invoke the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution to justify shooting down of new federal legislation in the age of President Obama.
But a lawsuit playing out up in Massachusetts has reminded us that Tenth Amendment arguments can come from those wearing other political stripes, as well.
Last week, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley moved for summary judgment in a lawsuit, filed last July, brought by the Bay State against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
In its lawsuit, Massachusetts has argued that DOMA’s definition of marriage violates the 10th Amendment as well as the Constitution’s Spending Clause by forcing “the Commonwealth to engage in invidious discrimination against its own citizens in order to receive and retain federal funds in connection with two joint federal-state programs.”
Sooner or later these opposing sides are going to realize that it’s best to get the federal government out of just about everything that it currently does. The founders created a system where the most difficult, the most divisive issues would be kept where they belong – close to home.
Michael Boldin [send him email] is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Follow him on twitter - @michaelboldin, on LinkedIn, and on Facebook.
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The question, though, is whether on those types on the left will realize that they are in fact "Tenthers" (assuming that at least some of them have more self-respect and honor than to only invoke the Tenth when it is convenient for them to do so), whether they can be convinced to admit so openly, and whether they can be encouraged to join the enforcement efforts.
I don't know what the big deal is with homosexuals and lesbians is but they already have the same rights as any other citizen. Why should they have special laws justifying who or what they are? Do they have a right to get special treatment just because of their sexual preference? If so then I want special treatment equal to what they have. What homosexuals and lesbians do or do not do is their choice, get over thinking you are something special and get on with life!
Tommy I don't think the point was if they are special or not. The issue is that it is not a federal issue at all but a state issue. The 10th amendment prohibits the federal government from making these laws
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