States' Rights

Over the last 100 years or so, we have seen a steady slide away from Constitutional principles in the United States toward a huge, bloated, powerful central government. I need to write up a post some day on the government's handling (and complicity) in the Great Depression as an example of what groundwork was laid, but suffice it to say most government programs and legislation we have these days have no basis in the US Constitution whatsoever.

But, we have some legislators that are starting to get brave. This is a wonderful sign that the pressure buildup is finally starting to make people motivated. Consider this house resolution in New Hampshire, to be voted on in a couple of days in committee:

New Hampshire to Vote on putting the federal government in its place

Please, please read this in its entirety. It is a wonder to behold. I really, really hope this is passed, and that other states follow suit as soon as possible. Here is a small snippet to get your toes wet with excitement:

That the Constitution of the United States, having delegated to Congress a power to punish treason, counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States, piracies, and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations, slavery, and no other crimes whatsoever; and it being true as a general principle, and one of the amendments to the Constitution having also declared, that “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,” therefore all acts of Congress which assume to create, define, or punish crimes, other than those so enumerated in the Constitution are altogether void, and of no force; and that the power to create, define, and punish such other crimes is reserved, and, of right, appertains solely and exclusively to the respective States, each within its own territory...

And another:

That any Act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States of America or Judicial Order by the Judicatories of the United States of America which assumes a power not delegated to the government of United States of America by the Constitution for the United States of America and which serves to diminish the liberty of the any of the several States or their citizens shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution for the United States of America by the government of the United States of America. Acts which would cause such a nullification include, but are not limited to:

I. Establishing martial law or a state of emergency within one of the States comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that State.

II. Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

III. Requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of 18 other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

IV. Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government.

V. Any act regarding religion; further limitations on freedom of political speech; or further limitations on freedom of the press.

VI. Further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition

A return to smaller, Constitutional government and less meddling in our markets would restore confidence, freedom, reduce debt, relieve the tax burden on individuals and businesses, and probably pull us out of our current recession (or, should I say, depression?) very quickly. More on that later. But the above resolution is rather self-explanatory, and stands on its own two feet. It takes a bold stance, even talking about nullification of the federal government if they overstep their bounds again. I think the last time our country talked about nullification was before the Civil War.

Update: Arizona seems to be following suit.

Update 2: Oklahoma has also already done this, despite a media blackout.

Update 3: And, at least one more brewing. This one is from Missouri, and is more limited, stating Constitutional limits urging the federal government to reject FOCA legislation (and FOCA is a horrid bill). There are also rumblings of similar happenings in Montana, and news from the last decade of Kansas and Texas making similar declarations.

Update 4: Now they're rolling in! Washington State is joining the fray, as is Montana, and Michigan (see House concurrent resolution 4).