Navigation

Author Archive | Gary Wood

Where’s the Line?

By on December 16, 2010 in Uncategorized 1

A simple question each of us needs to learn.  As Ken Ivory (UT-HD47) has stated, “I don’t have all the answers but I have a really good question, where’s the line?”  We just came from a presentation by Mr. Ivory and he is creating a ground swell of excitement here in Utah that will be spreading across the country and you can help!  As a matter of fact this is so simple to grasp and powerful to enact you will want to help.

Anyone investing a few minutes to read this knows the 10th Amendment.  “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.”  In his new booklet Mr. Ivory talks about the foundations of our “Compound Republic” and it is built upon a vertical separation of powers even more important to our preservation than the horizontal separation most were taught in 8th grade civics classes.  “The founders of this nation understood that it is the nature and disposition of men and governments to amass and consolidate unbridled power and control, or, in their words, tyranny.” (Ivory, p. 1)  The basic roots of Federalism, that unique grand experiment formed by our U.S. Constitution, has a line drawn between two governments, the State and General government levels. Continue Reading →

Continue Reading 1

Do we want representatives pulled into line?

By on August 26, 2010 in Republocrats 0

According to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) those members of his faction , the Democratic Party, most likely to be defeated in 2010 are the very members difficult to pull into party line. As reported in a recent article in The Hill Waxman was very clear on why he believes many will lose their seat in Congress this coming election actually referring to weeding out difficult Democrats. This line of thinking is critical to understanding the root problem we face under a governing standard based on the rule of law resting with the people.

Quoting the Berman and Hooper article, “I think a lot of the House seats we’re going to lose are those who have been the toughest for the Democrats to pull into line — the Democrats that have been the most difficult,” Waxman said. When we understand the job of the Majority or Minority Whip as the person responsible for whipping faction members into line with the rest of the party it is not surprising someone with as long a career as Waxman has had feels these Democrats are difficult. He is not alone as a believer in party members serving in Congress for the benefit of the party rather than the people. Continue Reading →

Continue Reading 0

House Resolution introduced reaffirming federalism

By on August 2, 2010 in Announcements, Congress 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional 10th Amendment Task Force last week introduced a House Resolution, reaffirming Congress’ commitment to the principle of federalism and the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The resolution specifically calls for “real decentralization of power” and recognizes that “the cause of liberty demands that government should be made accountable again to the consent of the governed” through the restoration of American federalism.

“The Founding Fathers’ vision of a limited national government of enumerated powers has gradually given way to an intrusive, irresponsible, and virtually omnipotent national government. I am proud to be among the efforts to engaged and educate other Members of Congress on the importance of restoring federalism principles in Congress,” said Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT), co-founder of the 10th Amendment Task Force. Continue Reading →

Continue Reading 1

Focus On Freedom event to show where candidates stand on 10th Amendment

By on May 1, 2010 in Uncategorized 1

May 6th will be a very interesting evening for Utah delegates, voters, and candidates.  When it comes to the 10th Amendment each of those participating in the questions surrounding Key #14 will have to defend or refute the amendment.

It is long past time we get a clearer picture of what these candidates think rather than what issues they can spin in a stump speech or how glittering their personality is.  For those that have not studied the keys here is a brief look at the one dealing specifically with the 10th and the questions they will be asked.

Key #14.  The 9th and 10th Amendments are the keystones to preserving Freedom.

These two amendments summarize the intent of the Framers regarding personal rights and government powers.  The rights of the people are retained in the people, whether or not they are enumerated, but the powers delegated to government are limited to only those which are enumerated in the Constitution.

Defend
Today we see many states attempting to reaffirm 10th Amendment consideration.  How should the national government respond to these attempts?

Refute
Today we see many states attempting to reaffirm 10th Amendment consideration.  How should the national government respond to these attempts?

You can read detailed analysis of the key here;  Key 14 Analysis

If you are not aware of the event a copy of the press release is here;

FOCUS on FREEDOM is a discussion of the Founding Fathers’ principles of freedom rather than a debate of current issues (click to read full article).

Candidates from the Republican, Democratic, and Constitution Party are participating.  Due the size of the venue we could secure we are going to arrange both video taping as well as live streaming.  The streaming will be through Gary & Carolyn Alder’s wonderful website, Freedom Formula.

In addition, we discussed each of the keys and questions in detail during our last two Saturday broadcasts of our radio show, Freedom Is Rising, and you can listen to the archives to get our insights.

cross-posted from the Utah Tenth Amendment Center

Continue Reading 1

Getting the right gang numbers in D.C.

By on April 26, 2010 in Republocrats, The Opposition 0

Many wonder how it is we can have political factions seemingly different while obtaining the same results no matter which party is in office.  It is fairly clear if we look at the nuance comments presented by leadership from the supposed conservative side of the aisle.  It is a business of who has the biggest gang numbers according to RNC leadership.

Newsmax reported Sen. Jim DeMint is irking the GOP.  What is causing this frustration from GOP leaders by DeMint?  According to the report Sen. Cornyn, the RNC lead for senatorial campaigns this year, “We need candidates who can win,” Cornyn told the Journal.”What we’re in the business of is reinforcing our numbers, and the only way you do that is by winning elections.”  It is clearly evident in this statement Cornyn is not in the business of upholding his constitutional oath or in the business of doing what the federal government is suppose to be doing while supporting states who are to do what they are responsible for.  No, his business, and the RNC’s business is winning elections and getting their gang to be the biggest gang over the DNC’s gang.

He is not alone in this gang mentality Cornyn is not alone.  It was just a couple of years ago Nancy Pelosi said the reason the Democrat controlled Congress did nothing to stop Bush’s agenda toward big government was because they were too busy trying to insure they took over the White House while increasing their majority in Congress.  Her gang numbers from the DNC were not large enough yet so she could not be concerned with doing the business of federal government requirements, don’t you see?  She had to focus on getting more of her gang members to back her up in the next rumble!

Sen. DeMint is not endearing himself to the leadership of the RNC.  What is he doing while Cornyn is trying to get more gang members to help with the rumbles planned in 2011?  “I’m at the point where it doesn’t matter if we win if we don’t believe in anything,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “There’s no need to nursemaid somebody to the general election if they’re just going to come up here and vote like the Democrats do.”  He just does not seem to understand what business he is in.

Believing in something counter to liberal philosophy is apparently unwelcomed by either the DNC or RNC leadership.  These two gangs are obviously more concerned with numbers and elections.  In other words, they are politicians.  DeMint is apparently attempting to revive an old position of statesmanship, people who believe in something like our Constitution, an Oath of Office, federalism, and people.  What a crazy, wild buck this one is turning out to be.  However, if the gang leaders have their way this notion of belief will be squashed and the efforts to elect those that are not going to D.C. to tow a party line will pass. 

Gang members of both the RNC and DNC should take a pause in their little turf war to notice there is a new gang forming, and it is bent on restoring people to the sovereign center of America’s capital and all 50 states united.  Are you ready to rumble?

Continue Reading 0

When the discussion grows we begin to win

By on April 12, 2010 in Founding Principles, Media 3

A key factor in successfully defending our American heritage and Constitution is discussion.  We can study, we can fight, we can argue yet nothing will move forward without people willingly listening to one another and growing their mutual understanding through discussion and debate. 

Those opposing federalism and a free will approach to government fear people talking more than anything as truth unites rather than divides.  Division is the heart of nationalism with classes of people pitted against one another and the state playing the role of the peace maker.  In our history it was the committees on communication that helped spark unity and take it from a dream of a few to a reality for all.

Today there is another discussion regarding Utah’s bid to take our land, at Time/CNN’s blogs.  This is a good sign we are making progress.  We can best prepare for this through additional study and interaction together so we can prepare to talk with our friends and neighbors as they become interested in what is going on.  I have long said oppression opens ears and we are entering a time when many will begin to feel oppressed and we will be ready to continue the discussion leading with true principles focused on restoring liberty for our posterity.

Utah’s Bid to Take Back Its Land

Continue Reading 3

Utah Governor signs eminent domain to seize federal land

By on March 31, 2010 in Sovereignty Movement, State Sovereignty 10

An effort seen as fundamental to funding of public education was taken to the next level by Gov. Gary Herbert.  Saturday he signed the legislation authorizing Utah to use eminent domain to seize federal lands.  In an update the Wall Street Journal has written a solid article on the action which sets the pace for other states to follow and legal battles ahead. 

Take some time to read the article.  Also, don’t forget to thank Gov. Herbert and the legislators who helped move Utah toward fundamental sovereignty under the 10th Amendment duties of all states.

In War Between States and Fed, Utah Strikes Latest Blow

Continue Reading 10

Comments on 10th Amendment legislation miss the point

By on March 13, 2010 in Education 0

Yesterday there was an article in the Desert News about this year’s legislative session, Carl Wimmer, and the Patrick Henry Caucus has some fair insights. There is even a comment by the House Minority Assistant Whip (can these titles of nobility get any more stretched?) Carol Moss (D – Holladay) that was right on the mark. According to the article she said, ”The reality is, Utah is very dependent on federal funding.”

The reality is we are too dependent on federal dollars and we must stop this dependency if the legislation or resolutions ever are to mean anything. This is the part of the 10th Amendment equation most Utah citizens are not ready for. As Freedom Coach Gary Alder reminds us, if we are teenagers demanding to be treated like adults we better be ready to act like an adult just in case. The federal dollars are a problem and we must stop the dependency but that is an entirely different article and education series.

In reading the article and the comments today it was apparent most of our fellow citizens think Rep. Wimmer and the Patrick Henry Caucus are the problem, not the fact we have failed to stop the federal usurpation decades ago. One restates a sentiment I have read too often. Posting under the name ‘Thanks Rep Wimmer’ the commenter stated, “Why don’t you far right wingers go start a new country where you can be as whacky as you want to be…”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

Continue Reading 0

State Government vs. Federal Government Radio Show

By on March 9, 2010 in Media, State Sovereignty 2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Steel on Steel radio show, hosted by John Loeffler, this weekend was focused on state vs. federal governments.  I was interviewed for the show for the 10th Amendment segment.  To listen to the interview click the player embedded in this post.

There were many good areas on this show so the entire broadcast is being offered as well.  The link will take you to the full show.

Full Steel On Steel Episode

Please feel free to provide feedback on the interview portion that starts around the 24 minute mark of the show.

Continue Reading 2