Idaho GOP Approves Far-Right Platform: Repeal 17th Amendment, Buy Gold And Silver

Talking Points Memo ^ | June 29, 2010 | Eric Kleefeld

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Idaho Republicans held their convention over the past weekend, approving a platform containing some mighty interesting parts of the Tea Party platform -- from state nullification of federal laws, to protecting the institution of marriage from transgendered people, to to a Glenn-Beckesque embrace of gold and silver money.

State Rep. Marv Hagedorn (R) told the Associated Press that the push to go further right was a product of disgust with the current status quo from the Obama administration. "It does reflect a change," said Hagedorn. "But it's not a change in our party, it's a change in the White House."

The convention's platform calls for a radical overhaul of the federal government. One proposal is a Tea Party favorite, calling for the repeal the 17th Amendment, which provides for the direct election of Senators instead of the original system of them being selected by state legislatures. The platform also calls for the state legislature and governor to "nullify any and all existing and future unconstitutional Federal mandates and laws, funded or unfunded, that infringe on Idaho's Tenth Amendment sovereignty." In addition, the GOP calls for the state of Idaho to take back federally controlled lands.

Then there is the hard-money plank, which might have come right out of a Goldline ad on talk radio: "We believe Idahoans need to protect their savings from the ravages of inflation, which is hidden taxation, and encourage citizens to participate in a systematic acquisition of precious metals which represent real value as opposed to paper currencies."

One resolution went even further: "Let free Idahoans pay taxes, and other fees due to the State, County and City in silver and or gold in any form. Payments to City, County, or State employees requested to be paid in silver and or gold, Will be complied with."

We asked the state GOP for comment on this one: How would such a system work? How would the state evaluate the proper values of gold and silver in collecting payments? And since governments collect taxes and fees in order to spend those revenues on needed goods and services, how would the state find people who accept gold and silver, instead of the universally accepted U.S. dollar? Would the state simply sell the excess gold and silver, in order to pay for services with dollars? They have not responded to our request for comment.

The platform also called for marriage to be limited to a "naturally born" man and woman, going the extra mile beyond conventional gay marriage bans and making sure to exclude transgendered folks, as well.

That said, there are some places that the state GOP wouldn't go -- they rejected a call for the state to establish its own independent volunteer militia, separate from federal control. The reason: It would cost too much.

(Platform and resolution documents provided to TPMDC by Dustin Hurst of Idaho Reporter.)

[Frantzie]

The state or some states need to pass a law demanding all candiddates prove they are NBC to run for SCOTUS.

[surroundedbyblue]

Hot damn!!! Time to move!

[dynachrome]

“The platform also calls for the state legislature and governor to “nullify any and all existing and future unconstitutional Federal mandates and laws, funded or unfunded, that infringe on Idaho’s Tenth Amendment sovereignty.” In addition, the GOP calls for the state of Idaho to take back federally controlled lands. “

A state ‘pub party with a spine!

[Commander X]

Time to move to Idaho!!!!

[denydenydeny]

some mighty interesting parts of the Tea Party platform

This is how the Left frames the debate: By defining what constitutes weird, odd, strange (a.k.a. "interesting") beliefs.

The implication is that beliefs in, say, late-term abortion on demand, or the mandatory teaching of anal sex techniques in elementary school, or Soviet-style control of the economy, are therefore mainstream.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

I agree with you. I want Obozo to explain why he cannot be on the ballot in Idaho or AZ... Better still would be for our 9 Black robed wonders to do their job. They have better things to do I guess than enforce some obscure sentence that is not even part of the commerce clause.

[Billthedrill]

That said, there are some places that the state GOP wouldn't go -- they rejected a call for the state to establish its own independent volunteer militia, separate from federal control.

Idaho doesn't really need another bunch of wild, gun-toting rednecks gathering around fuming about the government while they're running a couple thousand rounds out of their Dillon progressives. That's what the church Ladies' Societies are for.

[11th Commandment]

Repealing the 17th amendment must go hand in hand with reapportionment. See my tagline below and learn how progressives intentionally froze the number of US House Reps to ensure their own reelection...

[4rcane]

the hard money platform is a good one. Hope more states adopt it. Your state will be better of with it. It set limit on over spending and it enrich the citizen of the state by not falling prey to inflation

[Rodamala]

My plywood shack in the Idaho panhandle looks better and better every day!

[ForGod'sSake]

Thanks dynachrome! The precious metals thing might be problematic but whadda I know??? Seems folks with a significant amount have it for a reason and would be inclined to hang onto it for more interesting times...

Idaho GOP adding "interesting" planks to the State platform!

Please ~ping~ me to articles relating to the 10th Amendment/States Rights so I can engage the pinger.

I've stopped monitoring threads and unilaterally adding names to the ping list, so if you want on or off the list just say so.

Additional Resources:

Tenth Amendment Chronicles Thread
Tenth Amendment Center
Firearms Freedom Act
Health Care Nullification

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES

[Man50D]

Hot damn!!! Time to move!

I may join my sister in Brother in Law who live in the Boise area.

[little jeremiah]

Thought this might interest you in light of the recent discussion about the proposed TX Repub platform.

Let me know if you find anything more about that, btw. Thanks!

[Michael Barnes]

(sorry dial up users)

I kinda like my mainstream reality.

Shooting communists in the head

[RobinOfKingston]

Speaking as an Idahoan with a secondary connection to the just-completed convention, the level of stupidity exhibited in the comments is truly industrial strength.

[jiggyboy]

Goldbug ping

(Well after today’s market action, it’s a toss-up IMO: a short-term double-bottom at $1230-ish, or a possibly longer-term double-bottom at $1258-ish.)

Mail me to get on or off the Free Republic Goldbug Ping List.

[jiggyboy]

oops that would be "a possibly longer-term double-top at $1258-ish" of course

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks ForGod'sSake.

1. the 1st Amendment
2. the 2nd Amendment
3. the 3rd Amendment
4. the 4th Amendment
5. the 5th Amendment
6. the 6th Amendment
7. the 7th Amendment
8. the 8th Amendment
9. the 9th Amendment
10. the 10th Amendment
11. the 11th Amendment
12. the 12th Amendment
13. the 13th Amendment
14. the 14th Amendment
15. the 15th Amendment
16. the 16th Amendment
17. the 17th Amendment
18. the 18th Amendment
19. the 19th Amendment
20. the 20th Amendment
21. the 21st Amendment
22. the 22nd Amendment
23. the 23rd Amendment
24. the 24th Amendment
25. the 25th Amendment
26. the 26th Amendment
27. the 27th Amendment

[jiggyboy]

*cough* you mean the comments of the original article I assume?