PHOENIX (May 28, 2012) – Arizonians wanting their state to step in, interpose and roll back unconstitutional federal overreach experienced their share of frustration this last legislative session. Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed two pieces of strong state sovereignty legislation, including an NDAA state non-compliance bill and a sheriff’s first act, which would have required the feds to notify county sheriffs before taking police action within a county.

In November, citizens of Arizona will likely get the opportunity to bypass all of the political wrangling and make it known that they want their state to put a halt to federal overreach through an amendment to the state Constitution via ballot initiative.

If passed, language affirming the state’s right to nullify unconstitutional acts would become part of the Arizona State Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and may not be violated by the federal, state, or any local government. To protect their freedoms and preserve the checks and balances of the United States Constitution, the people of Arizona are empowered to reject any federal action that they determine violates the United States Constitution. In addition to all other available legal remedies, they may do so by 1) a majority of votes cast in an initiative or referendum, or 2) a majority vote of their representatives in both houses of the legislature with the signature of the governor.

Supporters of the Checks and Balances initiative say they already have half of the 320,000 required signatures to get it on the ballot next fall.

“We will definitely make the November ballot,” Jack Biltis said.

Biltis moved to the United States from Montreal, Canada 20 years ago. He says it worries him watching America follow the same path as his native country.

“I’ve seen this movie play out before, and I can’t risk my kids’ futures on it playing out again,” he said. “I’ve seen what an overreaching government can do.  We couldn’t run a business. If we answered the phone in English, the language police could shut us down.  We paid 70 percent of what we earned in taxes.”

Biltis said the move to nationalize health care in the U.S. particularly frightens him.

“Once the government had control of healthcare in Canada, things got even worse,” he said. “After surgery, my father-in-law couldn’t get a needed medication because it required government authorization, and the government office was already closed.  The hospital admitted that he would die that night without the medication, but was not allowed to sell it to us because ‘that wouldn’t be fair to those who couldn’t afford the medication.’  We were eventually able to get the medication through the black market.”

Biltis calls the United States “the world’s last hope.”

“If America goes the way of Canada, there is no other place to escape.  After seeing Washington’s takeover of the healthcare, auto, and financial industries, I realized that the government is not operating under any semblance of control,” he said. “Bringing back Federalism is the only way to make the government accountable and keep us free.”

So Biltis put his money where his mouth is, mortgaging his home and business to the tune of $950,000 to fund the drive to get the Checks and Balances initiative on the ballot and passed in Arizona.

“I have nothing personal to gain from this movement, other than the chance that my kids will grow up in an America as free as the one I knew,” he said.

Polling indicates the initiative enjoys strong support in the Grand Canyon State, with 61 percent of voters favoring it. Interestingly, stronger language garnered 12 percent more support than moderate language.

For more information on the initiative, or to make a donation click www.checksandbalancesaz.com. If you are interested in volunteering, email info@checksandbalancesaz.com. You can also stop by Biltis’ office at TAG Employer Services, 20815 N Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix to sign the petition.

Mike Maharrey

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