Posted on 01/06/2015 11:16:23 AM PST by Jacquerie
Today’s reelection of John Boehner proves there is but one party, the Uniparty.
Political parties represent the common interests of their members, and to this end the two wings of the Uniparty have far more in common than differences. Their rhetoric often contrasts, but their mutual interests are on display. Witness the fifth year of Obamacare, out of control spending, executive and judicial tyranny. Both wings despise the Tea Party more than each other.
The framers’ constitution wisely divided power and provided checks that reached across the branches. Congress can deny appropriations, congress can override presidential vetoes, the senate can refuse consent to presidential nominees, high political appointees and president can be impeached, and so forth. Unfortunately, these important checks have dissolved into practical uselessness. Gone are the contesting institutional interests between the branches which the framers relied upon to prevent tyranny. They are one.
The common interests of the Uniparty are avarice and ambition, money and power. All else, even at the cost of the destruction of our economy, civil institutions, cities . . . everything else plays a minor role if any in their deliberations.
This is precisely the form of tyranny warned of by James Madison, in which all power resides in the hands of a backslapping few.
Freeepers have variously called for a real opposition party. Well, one exists. It is right in front of us. Its members have interests distinct from Washington, DC. They have sovereign powers, generally those which they did not grant to the government they created in 1788. They are fully capable of policing their environment, dealing with labor unions, taking care of their poor, etc. without the heavy hand of a distant, detached, and hostile Rome like city-state.
There is nothing radical in returning the states to the senate. To do so means reversing the tyranny and restoration of republican freedom. There is no substitute.
Article V.
But, even a quick glance at the state houses and governorships show that the political parties have substantially taken over those offices, as well. The problem really now, besides the grip of the parties, is they way they control the states with massive subsidies.
So, what we're left with is this endless cycle of parties handing out money to states, and states providing power and candidates to the parties who perpetuate the cycle.
While I still think the 17th amendment was a disaster, I don't believe that ending it would solve much. Outlawing political parties is about the only way to end it, and that would probably take a constitutional amendment.
George Washington had it right about 220 years ago:" I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."
I'd say he pretty much nailed it, all those years ago.
As you know, the reason for America and the Constitution is not to protect the rights of government, but to protect the rights of the individual. The Constitution created a central government for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms on the individual from threats without and within. What I propose if all else fails, is not palliative to the cause of individual freedom. IMO, if all else fails, the well-being of individual freedom and a free society trumps the issue of an unconstitutional central government that will not cure.
True, nullification does not directly cure the D.C. dysfunction, although it is possible it could influence such. But if D.C. can not or will not resolve, then state nullification could lead to a direct cure for those who wish to be free and live in a free society.
I am all for peaceful resolution to fix an illegal government within the stated remedies of the Constitution. However, failing these efforts (and we must reasonably be prepared for that possibility) nullification is an alternative to those who hold freedom dear. It doesn’t have to be violent, although it could eventually lead to such.
Should congress call a convention, I have little faith that backroom deals and bribes won't corrupt the convention process.
I have little faith that whatever amendments are passed to the states will make the 3/4 threshold for ratification.
I am however, confident that unless the people once again assert their right to frame their government, a demagogue far worse than Obama will soon arrive to provide the stability, safety, bread and order the people demand. He will have more in common with Lenin than George Washington.
I don't see nullification as providing any relief from our oppressions, nor prevention of an American dictator.
True, though I think that also has a lot to do with the 16th amendment, also passed in 1913. The 16th gave the federal government (and the political parties) the money; the 17th gave them the power to spend it. Those two amendments have been the slow, steady doom of our country.
They would have been if they won, since they didn't their vote is suspect in any case. If none of the guys have seats on important committees it might be more believable. The vote was fixed to fall one vote short in any case, it only looked worse when a few members were not present to vote.
I am seriously considering The Constitution Party.
Real tired of beating my head against the wall.
In their way, they are and they do.
But are they really ready to step into the shoes of the federal government or are are they already charged with all the responsibilities they can manage?
Do state legislators really want more power if it means more responsibility and accountability?
The country of Israel (pop. 8 million about the size of Virginia) manages all the functions of the federal government including an Armed forces and security. How do they do it?
That's not the case for a state government.
Your comment makes no sense to me.
:)
Getting Washington to take us seriously will not happen as long as we continue to use "civil" means of persuasion. Anything we enact, Washington will overrule or ignore.
I think that now, the only way we will teach the three branches of government to respect us is to teach them to fear us.
And that is the crux of the whole problem - it is the US Constitution that got us to this point. It is in reality a flawed document - seriously flawed - because it did not anticipate the level of corruption and laziness that could occur over time and provide a workable mechanism to overcome it. The checks and balances are fine but they were never strong enough to handle the concentration of power in a single core person or group (Lincolns suspension of freedom of speech, Roosevelts power grabs, Johnson’s slavery of blacks via federal purse).
I suggest the US Constitution needs to be revoked. And something new put in its place - or the states left to their own ends. Conservatives will some day wake to realize they were fighting on the wrong side of the fence - we should not be fighting to protect the Constitution. We should be fighting to protect individual freedom. These are two very different things when you look at the raw elements of each.
The constitution, or idea of such a document, is in itself slavery to one way of thinking - a corrupt human way. It was not from God or of God. A few of the founding fathers invoked God - but look at their personal lives? How can many of them have known God based on their behaviors? In the end they were just humans, like us. And we all fall short. So until The Lord himself steps foot back on this Earth, no piece of paper will ever give us freedom.
Fear will only invite death and chaos. One must stand back and take a long hard look at the United States of America. Is it a country that is currently earning the right to continued existence? Taken from God’s point of view, which I do not know but can only suppose based on scripture, why would he allow it to continue as it is?
Another thought, perhaps what is happening is in the end best. Empires must fall for something greater to rise. Perhaps our great grandchildren will benefit from the fall. Perhaps they will live in some new state which does have freedom. It may not be as big or as mighty - but it might actually be free. If so, then the fall of america is not such a big thing.
Also, thinking long term, we already won this fight. Or actually Reagan did. Yet here we are. So no matter how strong the leadership or the core of freedom it will eventually fail. Plain old statistics I guess - and that is how The Lord set the universe up to work - statistics/law of averages.
A Convention will lead to armed conflict either as rebellion or as pre-emptive supression or both. The Imperial Party will not permit a Convention.
It is not appropriate to answer that in the affirmative due to certain constraints on speech.
Today will be looked upon by historians as America's wake up call. Article V is all we have left to contain the beltway behemoth. We have to pursue Article V or we have no representation at all. The result of the process will determine our next step.
State legislatures need to realize we have a national emergency on our hands. They need to aggressively pursue Article V.
Most FReepers are aware of these links, but I post anyway for review and for people new to Article V. It is our responsibility to make Article V the most understood aspect of the US Constitution.
The longer we wait, the bigger the risk of secession or outright civil war.
Convention of States - Alabama Way to go Alabama! A good introduction.
The Case for an Article V Convention. Fantastic explanation of Article V convention to the Mass State Legislature.
I would recommend watching the above videos first and then:
Convention of States Lots of information here.
Call a Convention A call for a Convention of States
Article V Project to Restore Liberty Another good source.
Convention of States model Resolution
A Summary of Mark Levin’s Proposed Amendments by Jacquerie
Chapter 1 of Mark Levin’s Book, The Liberty Amendments
Mark Levin, Constitution Article V, and the Liberty Amendments
Rep. Bill Taylor introduces a Convention of States
List of Mark Levin You Tube Videos
Mark Levin Article V, Liberty Amendments youtube video hub
Three hour video of C-Span interview with Mark Levin
Mark Levin’s ALEC Speech, Dec 4, 2014
Gaining Steam? Nearly 100 Lawmakers Descend on Mount Vernon to Talk Convention of States The beginning.
Mark Levin’s “Liberty Amendments” Sean Hannity Special
Convention to Propose Amendments to the United States Constitution
The Other Way to Amend the Constitution: The Article V Constitutional Convention Amendment Process
Friends of Article V Convention Links
Ulysses at the Mast: Democracy, Federalism, and the Sirens' Song of the Seventeenth Amendment by Jay Bybee. Repeal the 17th
Article V Handbook - for State Legislators An important resource.
State Legislators Article V Caucus State Legislators, Join up at this site!
Send this list of links to your State Representatives and Senators here: Contact your State Legislators. January is the month the state legislatures reconvene. Please contact your state representative and senator this month.
Sample Letter to state Representatives regarding the Convention of States Project and also, Talking Points.
Excellent Article V Letter to a State Assemblyman by Jacquerie
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke.
Let’s all work together to get this going.
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