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Author Archive | Jason Greene

On the internet tax

By on May 8, 2013 in Federalism, Taxation, Uncategorized 5

There are a few problems with the internet tax bill that passed in the US Senate this week.

First, how can the Senate give “permission” to the states to tax internet sales when it doesn’t own or have a controlling interest in the internet in the first place? I can’t give my friend permission to cut down a tree on my neighbor’s lawn or to collect tolls on a public road and split them with me.

Secondly, why do the states need “permission” from the federal government to tax internet sales? Since regulation of the internet and control of state sales taxes are not powers that were delegated to the federal government by the states and the people in the Constitution, no enumerated power exists over these matters at the federal level, and this issue is already under the purview of the states (as per the 10th Amendment).

Thirdly, large corporations such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon are supporting the internet tax because they know they will be able to absorb the additional cost of doing business, while their small-business competitors will not.

Lastly, state governments who are complicit in this effort to squeeze the middle-class even further with tax increases should be instead focusing on reducing spending to get their budgets under control, rather than using usurped federal taxation “power” to bludgeon us into submission.

We would be better protected under true “federalism” where this tax debate would be taking place on a state-by-state basis, rather than a body of 535 deciding what is best for 300+ million people.

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Consistently supporting liberty and the Tenth Amendment

By on October 3, 2010 in Republocrats, Tenthers, The Opposition 3

One of the main obstacles to getting the “tenther” movement and the message of freedom to spread is that too many people claim they are for freedom on some issues (guns, taxes), but simultaneously claim to be anti-freedom on others (marijuana, gay-marriage).

Our two-party political system has raised people to believe that based on which party you subscribe to, you are supposed to advocate for either the federal government to get out of the way in regard to things that you like and to get in the way of people doing things that you don’t like. This is the essence of the problem. To truly embrace freedom and the tenth amendment movement, people need to start opposing federal involvement in EVERY area that is not authorized under the Constitution and not only in the activities which they personally disapprove.

For example, I know many republicans who constantly decry government interference in gun ownership and business, but practically BEG for it when it comes to banning gay marriage and drug use. The same goes for the other side; I know many democrats who say that government needs to get out of the way when it comes to marijuana and gays in the military, but they decry any attempt to lift the federal ban on abortion and/or repeal federal gun laws. It just doesn’t make any sense. Continue Reading →

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The Senate is Going to “Grant” What?

By on January 1, 2010 in Health Care, State Sovereignty 8

Here is an example that goes straight to the heart of the problem of our government not adhering to the Constitution and usurping power from the states.

From a Politico.com article:

“The final Senate bill grants state legislatures the right to prevent insurance plans that operate in the proposed health insurance exchange from covering elective abortions. The changes also require people who seek abortion coverage through the exchange to pay two separate checks each month to their insurance company to “segregate” federal funds from private funds that pay for abortion.”

Since when have rights been legislated to the states and the people? Since when has congress had the power to grant states the rights that are already recognized in the Constitution?

The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution clearly states that any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states and for the people. Since the power to regulate the health of US citizens was not granted to the federal government in the Constitution, it is up to the individual states to decide how (and if) they wish to regulate the health care of their citizens.

Clearly, the states already have the right to prevent such federal programs from operating within their borders

harry-reid-arroganceAnother example of this absurdity would be when there was talk of the final bill possibly containing language that would “let the states opt out” of the public option. Apparently congress forgot that the states do not need permission to refuse to comply with unconstitutional federal mandates.

The states can flat out refuse to comply with, or nullify, any federal laws which are incompatible with the Constitution; they do not need a permission slip from the federal government in order to exercise their sovereignty.

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