A statement prepared for the Oklahoma Rally for Healthcare Independence on July 7, 2012
Last week, the Supreme Court sent shockwaves across the country when it upheld the insurance mandate in the federal health care act. Many Americans counted on the Court to strike down ObamaCare. They were certain the justices would ride in on white horses and save them from a federal government claiming the authority to regulate some of the most personal decisions they will ever make – how to handle their own health. Lo and behold, the black-robed demigods admitted the feds can’t regulate activity that hasn’t happened yet. But with masterfully executed verbal gymnastics, Justice Roberts found a safe haven for this federal power. Tax it! In essence, the Supreme Court said “If you do not participate we will tax you for doing nothing. We will tax you for refusing to obey us. We will tax you into action!”
Many hopeful Americans reacted with shock and surprise. That quickly turned to dismay.
At the Tenth Amendment Center, we were neither shocked, nor are we dismayed.
For six years, we’ve been telling anybody who would listen that Washington D.C. will never solve the problems of America. Washington D.C. IS the problem! And we simply can’t rely on the federal government to limit its own power. Counting on the Supreme Court to rein in an overreaching Congress set on imposing a one-size-fits-all health care system on 300 million Americans was as naïve as expecting an Oklahoma Sooner player to fairly referee a game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Now some folks are hoping Mitt Romney will come in and save the day. He’s going to “repeal and replace.” He hasn’t explained exactly what replace means, but we can tell you exactly what it means: the federal government continues to butt into our lives!
No thanks!
Ladies and gentlemen, you won’t find solutions in Washington D.C. They are right here in Oklahoma City!
Thomas Jefferson said the states were not “united on the principle of unlimited submission to their general government,” and that “the government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself.” He went on to assert that when the federal government exercises undelegated powers, its acts are “unauthoritative, void, and of no force,” and “nullification of the act is the rightful remedy.”
It’s time for the people of Oklahoma to stand up and say, “No! We do not accept your unconstitutional acts. We will not bow down to undelegated authority. And we will not comply!”
This is not an act of rebellion. No. It is the federal government that has thrown off the rule of law. It is Washington D.C. that has slipped free of its proper Constitutional restraints. It is the Congress the president and federal judges engaging in acts of defiance.
When the Oklahoma legislature interposes on behalf of its people and nullifies the federal health care act, it will serve its proper role as the protector of its citizens’ liberties. No, it is not an act of rebellion, but a courageous act of patriotism in the spirit of 1776, representing the will of Oklahomans.
Thank you for coming out today! All of you gathered here today on the steps of the state capitol represent the voices of thousands who couldn’t make it. It is you – the people of this state – who can bring about real change.
We do not hate America! We love American and what she stands for. And we want to see the United States remain a beacon of freedom and liberty. But that is not possible when our president, our senators, our representatives and our judges refuse to submit to the rule of law – when they blatantly disregard their oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
James Madison boldly proclaimed that the states are duty bound to interpose to arrest the progress of evil. By evil, Madison meant the expansion of the federal government beyond its delegated powers. For the last 100 years, we’ve sat back and let it happen. But no more! You are here today, standing on the steps of your state capitol to say, “No more! We have remained silent long enough. We will not let you abuse your power.”
Thank you for taking a stand. Thank you for standing up for the Constitution. And thank you for committing to the work ahead!
