Nullification: The Rightful (and Moral) Remedy

The doctrine of nullification is stepping on some pretty sensitive toes these days.

Some supposed conservatives (wrongly) decry it as a step toward secession, while the far left (rightly) view it as a threat to building their socialist utopia. Both attempt to halt nullification efforts by claiming it is unconstitutional. That is an important debate, and Dr. Tom Woods, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Walter Williams, etc., are more than capable of making the case that it is indeed constitutional.

However, let’s not forget the moral case for nullification.

Saying “no” to tyranny, oppression, or coercion to participate in immoral acts is timeless. It began well before the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of 1798. It has been, and always will be, a critical pillar of Natural Law, which is the foundation upon which our Constitution rests. One of the first recorded acts of nullification is found in Exodus, Chapter 1. The king of Egypt was concerned that the Hebrew nation was growing too large, and might threaten his grip on power. He commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male Hebrew babies when they were born. “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.” Exodus 1:17.

They nullified the king’s edict. Why? Because killing babies was morally repugnant to them.

Today, it is politically incorrect to assert that something is morally wrong. The prevailing attitude is – if it’s legal, then you have no right to question its morality. That is not how Jefferson and Madison understood the legal foundation of our Republic. In fact, Jefferson concluded the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 by appealing to Natural Law, which finds its roots in Judeo/Christian ethics. He asserted that allowing the general government unrestricted authority, “would be to surrender the form of government we have chosen, and live under one deriving its powers from its own will, and not from our authority; and that the co-states, recurring to their natural rights not made federal, will concur in declaring these [Alien and Sedition acts] void and of no force, and will each unite with this commonwealth in requesting their repeal at the next session of Congress.” (emphasis added)

When Mark Levin, Rachel Maddow and the like say, “You can’t say ‘no’ to the Federal government, because it’s unconstitutional”, they claim that the king and his court can deny our natural right to self-defense against tyranny, oppression, and coercion. That assertion is as absurd today as it was to a bunch of Hebrew women thirty-five hundred years ago.

We should show as much courage as they did.

Oh, and for those who believe that saying “no” to the murder of babies is very different than saying “no” to Obamacare, the NDAA, and the NSA – you haven’t been paying much attention.

Nullification is the rightful, constitutional, and moral remedy! Let your voice be heard today!