[Jim Robinson]

I believe the people of the State of California tried to do something about it, but were overturned by liberal judges. Immigration is not the problem, liberalism is. Deny the liberals their federal power and a lot of these problems will be taken care of by the people.

While I'm at it, the one single event that did the most to destroy the constitutionally limited government established by our founders (IMHO) was the 17th amendment. This effectively denied the right of the states to their equal representation to the federal government. This made the federal takeover possible. That, combined with the 16th, which gave the feds the tools to fund this monstrosity. Repeal these two amendments, give the states back their representatives, eliminate the income tax, and you defund and defang the beast.

[Lazamataz]

I believe the people of the State of California tried to do something about it, but were overturned by liberal judges.

That was the single most disgusting act of judicial activism I have ever seen. They did not interpret law; they wrote it.

[Dales]

Jim, I am with you especially on the unbelievably detrimental effect that the 17th amendment had on the country.

Maybe what FR needs nowadays is something to rally around that we all should agree on, to replace Clinton who we all agreed was someone to rally against.

Maybe FR should adopt an official position, that of setting a goal of getting the repeal of the 17th on the national consciousness by 2006 or some other date. Set it in motion, and let's get people working on ways to make it happen. Brainstorming on how to frame the arguments. How to win people over to it. How to get the issue enacted in various states.

Let's get something we can all rally for going.

[cynicom]

Jim...

Re your Nr 39....

Your solution to the ills of this country are logical and reasonable, and under our constitution should be attainable. This government that is now a "statist" government, would never allow your solution to happen.

Our "duly elected" government is now enmeshed in every facet of our daily lives, bar none. Never will they allow any diminishment of their grasp and power. Statists want to eradicate the term "individdual", and slowly but surely they are doing so.

[sweetliberty]

"Repeal these two amendments, give the states back their representatives, eliminate the income tax, and you defund and defang the beast."

But how, Jim. They love the power and they aren't going to lie down and allow it to be taken away from them. It gets very discouraging at times.

[rdb3]

No need for your opinion on the XVII Amendment. This amendment squashed the republic in its entirety.

Whether we want to agree with it or not, the United States of America is now a democracy due to the ratification of this amendment.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Now you're talking! If the leftist socialist liberal communists in our government win; then we have the U.N. calling all the shots (I am deeply concerned over these results.) The U.N. is currently and quite heavily; pushing for us to usurp our constitution and sovereignty with their global governance/ICC/ AKA New World Order tyrannical ideals.

So the repeal of our entire constitution is at stake at the leftist liberal's hands. This should be chief concern quite sadly, said... over repealing the 16th-17th amendments.

We may not have a constitution to repeal if the ilk of the leftist democrats use their political spins and Hitler-like tactics to get back in the drivers seat.