The untold and unused power of Governors

Self ^ | 01 Apr 11 | Self

[OneWingedShark]

Governors are more powerful than you might think; they could, today, radically change the political landscape for the country.

I will now show just one way a governor could do so.
Being that I live in New Mexico I will use that state in my examples; most states should have similar language in their Constitutions.

First, declare a state of invasion; the New Mexico State Constitution gives the Governor such authority:

Art V, Sec. 4 - [Governor’s executive power; commander of militia.]

The supreme executive power of the state shall be vested in the governor, who shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. He shall be commander in chief of the military forces of the state, except when they are called in to the service of the United States. He shall have power to call out the militia to preserve the public peace, execute the laws, suppress insurrection and repel invasion.

Second, call upon the militia, both organized and unorganized [in the case of New Mexico], to enforce our southern border’s security with lethal force.

Art XVIII, Sec. 1 - [Composition, name and commander in chief of militia.]

The militia of this state shall consist of all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, except such as are exempt by laws of the United States or of this state. The organized militia shall be called the “national guard of New Mexico,” of which the governor shall be the commander in chief.

It is important that this be the case, for the legal reason that anything less than lethal enforcement would be evidence against an actual state of invasion (i.e. it would be circumstantial evidence that the action was wholly political in nature).

Third, apply to the Federal government demanding that they send assistance in the form of protection from the foreign invaders just as the United States Constitution requires:

Article 4, Section 4 - US Constitution

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

This leaves the Federal government with three options:

1. Give such aid.
   This would be quite politically embarrassing for the portion of the government which is unapologetically open-border, and considering that they make up a not insignificant portion yields this to be a very unlikely scenario.
2. Withhold aid and attempt to remain neutral.
   This is very likely the policy which will be chosen. It would not be embarrassing the open-border crowd, and it would not be overtly siding with foreign nationals against Citizens, yet it would not be very kind to them either, as it would prove that the Federal government has no intention of upholding its obligations; this will add much support to the 10^TH Amendment/State’s-Rights movements such as the Firearm Freedom Acts proposed by several States which seek to repudiate the regulations laid upon the States by the Federal government via the Commerce Clause.
3. Act against the State of New Mexico
   This is the most interesting alternative as any action against the State of New Mexico, whether it be executive, legislative, or judicial would be giving aid and comfort to the enemies of one of the Several States: that is it would be Treason, and very easily provable so. Not even the Supreme Court could resist: for if they did then they would obviously be attempting to act in a manner both superior to and contrary to the Constitution and they are not given the power to amend the Constitution.

So, in conclusion, this course of action is very-much a win-win situation for us: we would be legally forcing the correct action of the government OR causing it to prove that it has no intention of upholding "its end of the deal," thereby forcing it to divest any pretense for the legitimacy of its authority. While the spin in the national media will likely be horrible, any governor that actually did something as daring as this would likely become an instant folk-hero.

[OneWingedShark]

There are other ways for Governors to impact the national scene but even that is not needed: what is needed are people who use the law like a sword to cut and assault the opposition rather than the pansy/namby-pamby "nice-guy" crap that our leadership seems determined to follow.

For instance, the WI State Constitution says:
Article IV, Section 14. -- Filling vacancies.
    The governor shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies as may occur in either house of the legislature.
meaning that the Governor could have said "the 'missing' Legislator's seats are obviously vacant, as they have left the state, so I will issue these writs of election."

The most sure-fire way to eviscerate our opposition is to follow the plain language of the Constitutions of both the Nation and the State we live in.

[Lorianne]

Declare that the Mexican government is creating a climate of fear,and violence and lack of lawlessness which is creating a refugee problem along their borders. Call on the UN to feed and house these refugess (ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER)until such time as Mexico can get its government and law enforcement in order so that it can protect its own citizens.

[scorchedearther]

Governors have a lot more power than they think.

[rellimpank]

—as a generality, I would prefer that governors “powers” be limited to subjects such as the positioning of rolls of T. P in the restrooms in the capitol and the color thereof-——

[OneWingedShark]

>—as a generality, I would prefer that governors “powers” be limited to subjects such as the positioning of rolls of T. P in the restrooms in the capitol and the color thereof-——

Why the hell would you want *THAT*?
Governors with _real_ power are one check against a corrupt Federal Government.

[OneWingedShark]

I thought you guys might like to read this, or to know who would.

[Pecos]

1. Lorianne - Makes perfect sense. Therefore, it doesn’t stand a chance of happening.
2. OWS - Conflict among and between the various branches and levels of government were built into the Constitution as part of the separation of powers.

[OneWingedShark]

>2. OWS - Conflict among and between the various branches and levels of government were built into the Constitution as part of the separation of powers.

See my post 5.

[OneWingedShark]

Ping

[B4Ranch]

“Call on the UN to feed” which means we’ll be required to shuffle up about 1/4 to 1/2 of the total costs. We’re doing that already, aren’t we?

[Dead Corpse]

I’ve wondered about some of these exact questions. Thanks for the ping.

[Fireone]

There is only one thing I would call on the UN to do.....
Get the heck out of the United States!

[kbennkc]

Thanks. If you develop a ping list for the consideration of these important issues, please include me anytime .

[Lorianne]

oops I meant lawlessness, not lack of lawlessness ... let me try this again.

Declare that the Mexican government is creating a climate of fear,and violence and lawlessness which is creating a refugee problem along their borders. Call on the UN to feed and house these refugess (ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER)until such time as Mexico can get its government and law enforcement in order so that it can protect its own citizens.

[Lorianne]

Yes, that too.

But my point is to shame MEXICO by pointing out to the international community that they (MEXICO) are the ones causing a refugee problem on our border.

We are not causing the problem, MEXCICO IS, by not treating their citizens well

[Lorianne]

True, but we could make that point that we’ve already chipped in more than our share ... time for the rest of the world to deal with this refugee problem that MEXICO is creating.

[B4Ranch]

Considering that 50 percent of our government is embracing socialism, demanding that we pay the bills for everyone else, I don’t think it stands much of a chance.

[Lorianne]

Pehaps we are too far gone. I don’t know.

But it’s worth a try.

I refer to ‘undocumented immigrants’ from Mexico in our coutnry as REFUGEES. That puts the blame on Mexico, where it should be, for creating a situation where so many people feel they need to leave their homes, their families, their culture etc. If Mexico was a decent place to live, they wouldn’t be here.

Plus I’m tired of Mexico blaming us for their own shortcomings. They should be shamed before the entire international community for the conditions inside their own bloody country.

[OneWingedShark]

How NM could change politics across the nation ping.

[DNME]

You’ll need a governor with a real set of stones to call up the “unorganized” militia, but just calling them up would instill instant national folk-hero status.

Imagine ... the governor calls for all able-bodied citizens, ages 18-45, to report to the state capitol building by noon on Saturday. Every responding militia member must bring a serviceable centerfire rifle greater than .22 caliber with at least 200 rounds of ammunition for same. Sidearms may be brought as well but only rifles will be counted for militia duty. If the governor wants to be super cautious, the call-up could be limited to military veterans only, to weed out undesireables.

Additional call-up requirements could include camping gear (to include campers or Winnebagos), a knife or “well-scoured hatchet” (sorry, that was one of the old Minuteman requirements), food & water, ATVs, etc.

Even if the governor simply took names then disbanded them, just the sight of so many armed citizens ready to defend their state would make a potent statement!

The ramifications would be enormous! DO IT!