The People and States Reclaim Sovereignty

July 29, 2009 | Lucien Henderson

[Lucien]

The People and States Reclaim Sovereignty

The Ninth and Tenth Amendments provide the leverage needed. All we need is the courage to pull the handle.

The basic issue is one of money. We argue about how and how much money is moved between people. We do this as the money flows up from citizens through the government and back down. As the money flows from People through the States to the Federal government and back, the People lose control. The Federal government gathers up the money, determines where it is to be distributed, and thereby gains control over the States and People. When money stays at the State level the more control and power the People and the States have.

So the solution is simple: Cut off the supply of money to the Federal government. Keep it at the State level. When the Federal level acts to return Sovereignty to the States as defined in the Constitution, the States can opt to restore the flow of funds.

In 2008 alone, the States sent approximately 100 billion dollars in excise taxes to the Federal government. Of those funds; 28.2 billion for gasoline, 18.1 billion dollars for cigarettes and cigars, 1 billion on heavy vehicles and 400 million on firearms.

I know that in an age when the government talks in terms of trillions of dollars, a billion does not seem like much. However, a hundred billion here and there start to ad up. Before you know it we are talking real money, with a real impact on the Federal government.

The real point is to force a stand-off and a real conversation about States versus Federal power in this country – situations that the main stream media cannot ignore.

Some could argue that this just makes for a bigger and different debate in Congress. That rhetoric and posturing would change at the Federal level while action would not.

I argue that these types of actions would create a debate between the People and the Governors on one side and the Congress and the President on the other. By standing on the Ninth and Tenth Amendments and using money as leverage, the States have the upper hand. Senators and Congressmen would have to choose sides between the People and the Governors or the President.

The media, relying upon entertainment to drive consumers to advertising, would cover and fuel the debate. Ultimately, the media would not need to kowtow to the Washington elite in order to get access. The Washington elite will be begging to get their story out. Having all the cards, the Governors could play a smooth take-away to trade access for a positive spin.

In the end, what would the Federal government do? Issue economic sanctions or threaten military force? These are the same sort of tactics they take with countries like Cuba or Argentina. The audacity of that type of move, and its repercussions, would be stunning. The People and the media would not stand for it. Members of the federal government who suggested such action would be literally tarred and feathered – The People return to their Founding Fathers’ example, film at 11:00.

So let us turn our voices, e-mails, letters, petitions, and pickets away from Washington. Let us focus on our Governors, the way our Founders designed. We The People, in accordance with the design of our Country and backed by the Constitution, will quickly change the actions of Washington forever. All we need is courage.

Lucien Henderson lucienstilla@live.com

[ak267]

Nebraska unicameral is weighing in on the matter. Looks like there is a movement to pass “states rights” measure :)

[2harddrive]

“Not so fast....!” sneers the BATF.

[marsh2]

This is the second intelligent strategy I have seen in the battle against growing extra-constitutional federal power. SCOTUS has ruled that the feds can buy power by making receipt of federal money by the States conditional upon the States enacting certain programs or certain provisions in programs, like welfare. The States can just say no. Yes they can. But it is so hard for the legislature to refuse money - regardless of the strings attached. In not doing so, they sell your freedom.

The bulk of taxes should be local and State taxes. Federal taxes should be proportionate to the federal governmental role as a national government - not a big central government with jurisdiction over domestic issues like education, welfare, fish and wildlife, but a government limited to the enumerated powers.

[jnsun]

Thank you for framing the picture.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[ForGod'sSake]

Thanks AAC.

I suppose the only thing I have a real quibble with in the article is EVER putting the general government back in the tax collection loop. ;^)

We have seen several similar proposals over the last few months while following the 10th Amendment/States Rights developments. Some actually appear to be potentially viable options for the States to pursue if an effort to tweak the nose of the beast.

Lucien, I think you give the State Run Media more credit than they deserve. If they can ignore the marxist machinations emanating from the Whitehouse, they can ignore anything.