Oklahoma's Governor vetoes State Sovereignty Resolution

The granddaddy of them all, Oklahoma's HJR1003, passed both houses of the Oklahoma legislature, only to run into a Governor who dismissed it with this veto message:

VETO MESSAGES
HJR1003
Without question, the state of Oklahoma and its leaders support the U.S. Constitution and the rights it guarantees to the states and their citizens, and there is no need to spend valuable legislative time on a resolution expressing support for any particular amendment or constitutional right. Furthermore, HJR 1003 alleges, without offering any evidence or explanation, that past and current U.S. leaders may have violated the Constitution and committed crimes against the states and the country. HJR 1003 also implies that the state should reject federal tax dollars paid to Washington, DC, by Oklahoma citizens, an act that would prevent our tax dollars from being used in Oklahoma to address critical needs in transportation, education, health care, law enforcement, veterans programs and many other vital services beneficial to our state. In short, HJR 1003 could be detrimental to Oklahoma and does not serve the state or its citizens in any positive manner.

Needless to say, we disagree. The history of the United States since 1861 has been an almost unbroken Federal attack on the rights of the States and the people, to the point where some Constitutional scholars have been concerned that the Ninth and Tenth Amendments have become a nullity. Past and current U.S. leaders have violated the Constitution -- read any book by Judge Andrew Napolitano or Thomas DiLorenzo, and you will get a thick catalogue of violations, from Abraham Lincoln's shutting down the Maryland legislature, to the April 7th Homeland Security advisory virtually declaring dissenters against Federal overreaching to be "right wing extremists" who should be treated as terrorist sympathizers.

The Governor makes a valid point about turning down Federal stimulus money -- but has he (or anyone else) looked into the cost of maintaining Federal programs to the State treasury? Is it possible that, at least for some programs, the States would be better off designing their own solutions to problems and telling the Feds, "No, thank you"? I am not suggesting that there are many instances where this would work, but no one, to my knowledge, is even exploring the possibility!

No, Governor, HJR1003 would have served the citizens of Oklahoma in a very positive manner by telling the Feds that we have been taxed enough for purposes that have nothing to do with perfecting the union, national defense (the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan actually endangering the national defense by promoting terrorism against the U.S. in reaction to our presence there), general welfare, and certainly not the preservation of the blessings of liberty on ourselves or our posterity!

Rep. Charles Key, however, is not taking no for an answer. He has reintroduced HJR1003 as HCR1028, which focuses on removing the Homeland Security "fusion center" there, and would be a nullification of the Federal law authorizing it. HCR1028 is a concurrent resolution that does not require gubernatorial approval.

Game not over. Stay tuned.

Virtual buckeye to AxXiom for Liberty

Yes, states can secede. Here's why

The Ludwig von Mises Institute, a libertarian think tank, has studied secession as an inalienable right, within international law, and within American law. Particularly interesting is its analysis of Texas v. White, in which the institute demolishes the commonly held myth that the decision permanently forbade any further thought of secession with its reference to "an indestructible Union of indestructible states."

On a lighter note, they won points from me in displaying Ohio on their map as a purple State, something I have argued all along.

Virtual buckeye to PathIveMade at the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

It’s official now: The Ohio Republic is a “right wing extremist” blog

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis assessment released to the law enforcement community on April 7,

“Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.” (footnote to page 2 of 9).

While this blog has never preached hatred of anyone, we certainly are (by their definition) “antigovernment.” Why is it a concern to Homeland Security?

“The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.” (page 2 of 9)

Further down, they add:

“Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.” (page 2 of 9)

In other words, those who favor the preservation of Constitutional liberties (not mentioned anywhere in the document) should be regarded as anti-Semitic, anti-immigration* white supremacists who are stockpiling military ordnance for a coming civil war.

In addition:

“Rightwing extremist paranoia of foreign regimes could escalate or be magnified in the event of an economic crisis or military confrontation, harkening back to the 'New World Order' conspiracy theories of the 1990s. The dissolution of Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led some rightwing extremists to believe that a 'New World Order' would bring about a world government that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, thus infringing upon their liberty. The dynamics in 2009 are somewhat similar, as other countries, including China, India, and Russia, as well as some smaller, oil-producing states, are experiencing a rise in economic power and influence.” (page 6 of 9)

Never mind that the New World Order “conspiracy theory” is based on documented facts (such as the blog and works of Michael Ruppert, G. Edward Griffin’s The Creature from Jekyll Island, and several earlier posts in The Ohio Republic).

Oh, by the way, the document is “unclassified: for official use only.” We taxpayers weren’t supposed to know about this. Fortunately, it was leaked.

* For the record, while I am not Jewish, I was in a Jewish fraternity in college, and had a good experience -- so no, I am not anti-Semitic. I favor a sensible immigration policy, and at the present time the most lethal weapon in my possession is a Swiss Army pen knife. I therefore do not appreciate this crude attempt at smearing Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.

Virtual buckeye to Benja Sariwatta at the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

A Letter from my State Senator

I recently wrote letters to my representatives in Columbus in support of the Ohio Sovereignty Resolution currently in the state House of Representatives. Just the other day I received a reply from Senator Tom Patton of the 24th District. Here is the text of this reply:

Thank you for the fine letter concerning HCR 11 and maintaining Ohio's sovereignty. It is always helpful to hear the opinions of those living in the 24th Senate District, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

I share in many of the criticisms and concerns articulated in your letter. While our state continues to face many challenges in a variety of forms, it is unreasonable to believe that our problems can be solved by clinging to those in Washington.

With that said, I firmly plan to support and co-sponsor HCR 11 once it makes its way from the House to the Senate.

Whoo-hoo! It is indeed a rare and exhilarating treat to receive a letter from a congressman that not only pertains to my values, but also vindicates them. Senator Patton, it will be my pleasure to continue to vote for you and support your candidacy in whatever way I can.

Now we just have to get the Resolution passed by the House so Sen. Patton can deliver on his promise. If I receive replies from the House Representatives who received letters, I will be sure to post them here.

End the Fed Update

_ On April 25th, the End The Fed protest group, made up of participants from Restore the Republic, the Campaign for Liberty, sound money advocates, and anyone else concerned about the parasitic nature of the Feds' Central Bank, met for the second time in downtown Cleveland, to rally in the streets around the Federal Reserve Bank and wake up all passersby to the deadly urgency of exposing the fraud behind the system.

_ The weather was much more pleasant than it was for the first protest in November, and the spirit of those gathered was very empowering and encouraging. We are certain our voices were heard. Unfortunately, we were a little disappointed in the turnout. While many optimists hoped we might double our previous attendance, the reality was that only about half the number actually showed up. Do not let this discourage us. If even one new person comes to understand the injustice of fiat currency through our actions this day, and then tells all their friends what they have realized, our work for that day will not have been in vain. Looking to the future, we must put our heads together to think of new ways to inform and organize, so that the next such protest will truly echo through the city.

State Sovereignty Resolution Update - 3/25

For personal and work-related reasons, I have fallen behind again in reporting the progress of State sovereignty resolutions, so here's the latest:

Alaska HJR27 passed the Senate Apr. 9 by a vote of 19-0. It is awaiting Gov. Sarah Palin's signature, which I imagine won't pose much of a problem...

In Arkansas, HR1011 was reconsidered in committee Apr. 2, only to be defeated in the House the next day by a vote of 34-54.

According to the John Birch Society's Tenth Amendment Movement, Indiana's House resolution HCR50 died in committee Apr. 9, but according to several sources, their Senate resolution SR42 passed Apr. 19 by a vote of 44-3 with 3 abstentions.

After passing their famous nullification act (HB0246) against Federal control of locally-manufactured weapons, the Montana House got cold feet on the regular State sovereignty resolution HR3 and defeated it Apr. 15 in a tie vote 50-50.

The North Dakota Senate passed SR68 Apr. 20. It was returned to the House with an amendment somewhat weakening the language by removing references to the Federal government as being the agent of the States.

Caution to tea-party conservatives

You can't have it both ways, warns The Virginia Rebel:

"A quick note to my conservative friends - it makes no sense to say "don't tax me" and also to say "support the troops" and chant "U.S.A." and say how proud you are to pledge your allegiance to the American flag. Either you support the federal government or you do not. You cannot have it both ways. Pick one. It's liberty on the one hand or tyranny, war, welfare, and socialism on the other. Choose carefully."

Fiscal responsibility in one easy lesson

North Dakota has it down. It is one of only four States not in serious financial trouble -- in fact, it has a $1.2 billion surplus. What's the secret? North Dakota has a State-owned bank outside the Federal Reserve! (The Bank of North Dakota was founded in 1919. The Fed tried to shut it down, but lost the court case). The bank lends money to other banks to help strengthen the local economy. Here's an article from The Liberty Voice explaining how it works.

All economics is local. Prosperity comes from the circulation of money within a community.

Is secession unamerican? Ron Paul doesn't think so.

Virtual buckeye to PathIveMade at the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

Secessionists on the "lunatic fringe"?

Now that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has made secessionism impossible to ignore, the mainstream media are falling all over themselves trying to ridicule both the secessionist and State sovereignty movements as lunatic fringe movements.


Here are a few examples:

- Akron's Ben Keeler reports that the Cleveland media ignored a turnout of 2,000 to Cleveland's Tea Party Wednesday. He also observes that leftist protestors broke up a speech by former Colorado Congressman Tim Tancredo opposing unrestricted immigration at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The demonstration was so rowdy that Mr. Tancredo had to stop his speech and leave the scene. [But then we have known for some time that public universities don't exist to promote free inquiry, don't we? -- HT]

- I usually prefer to leave Rebellion alone when it battles the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), but when they try to smear Tea Party protestors as "Neo-Nazis, militias, secessionists, and racists," they are crossing a line that shouldn't have been crossed. Even the charge of "secessionist", while it applies to me, certainly does not apply to the great majority of people who appeared at the Tea Parties. Most Americans aren't prepared to think about secession yet -- but with tactics like these, they might be encouraged to do so!

- Rob Williams at Vermont Commons weighs in with an observation from Fox News (which Mr. Williams calls "faux news") commentator Geraldo Rivera, asserting that "you would have to be a lunatic to be a secessionist." (video at link) Then again, I never considered Geraldo Rivera to be a serious journalist...

- Also from Vermont Commons: an observation from Cornell Law professor William A. Jacobson about how talk of secession was just fine with the Left during the previous Administration. How the Left gets away with such bold hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me.

- U.S. News blogger John Aloysius Farrell tries to thoroughly discredit the idea of an independent Texas. Fortunately, the article is laced with ridicule and namecalling. (Fortunately, because it speaks to the weakness of his intellectual arguments).

I attended the Tea Party at the Statehouse Apr. 15 as one of an estimated 7,000 participants. (Figure sounds about right -- the lawn was packed). The crowd seemed pretty well grounded to me. Anyone who has ever known former Congressman John Kasich should know he is smart enough not to pander to a "lunatic fringe" movement, especially if he wants to be elected Governor of Ohio next year. (Keep in mind that Ohio is not exactly a classic "red state" and that Mr. Kasich has a moderate reputation to protect, so he cannot afford to risk it on associations with "wingnuts".)

I don't think anyone I know would call me a "lunatic," but I will embrace "extremist" -- as in:

"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), quoted by Barry Goldwater in his 1964 acceptance of the Republican nomination for President.

The Brits get what the US media ignore

The Financial Times blog by Izabella Kaminska gives a balanced overview of the State sovereignty movement in the United States, and observes that the resolutions do provide a platform for future secession. The comments, however, are a review of the usual arguments for and against secession, particularly as it relates to Texas. Ms. Kaminska believes that Texas needs to be closely watched, since it is rich in oil and gas resources.

Texas governor caught in "firestorm" over secession

Texas is one State where more than a few people really are talking about secession. Gov. Rich Perry made this statement at one of the tea party rallies, as reported by KVUE in Austin:

"Perry said he never called for leaving the union. But he didn't distance himself from supporters with secessionist sentiments, either.

"'Wasn't it a great display of our constitutional rights that we live in a country where we can stand up and say, "you know what I think we oughta secede, or I think we oughta do this or oughta do that,"' said Perry. "

Analysts think that his "Texas two-step" was actually a brilliant political maneuver to help Gov. Perry secure a conservative base. Still, it is daring for any governor not to dismiss secessionism outright, and he clearly is irritating some opinion leaders in the State.

If Washington continues to ignore the sentiments that were expressed in the tea parties Wednesday, there will be more "tea parties", more statements of this nature, and they will be better accepted.

State Sovereignty Resolution Update - 4/17

Montana Governor Brad Schweitzer signed HB246 Apr. 15, making Montana the second State to enact a sovereignty resolution. The act also authorizes Montana to nullify certain Federal gun legislation within the State's borders.

State Sovereignty Resolution Update - 4/16

It's not surprising, but it's good to hear that Oklahoma became the second State to have its resolution passed by both houses, having passed in the Senate by a vote of 26-3. HJR1003 is being sent back to the House, then will go to the Governor for approval, which is expected.

State Sovereignty Petition Update - 4/13

Add Wisconsin to the list with SR 6, introduced Apr. 9 by Sen. Joe Leibham (R). It is a shorter version of the Oklahoma resolution, with one unique twist. One of the resolves states that "this resolution does not constitute an application for the calling of a federal Constitutional Convention within the meaning of Article V of the U.S. Constitution".

Ohio Sovereignty Petition Update - 4/13

According to the Ohio Freedom Alliance's Ohio Liberty & Sovereignty page, more than 2,200 signatures have been collected online for the State sovereignty petition, plus an undetermined number of paper signatures.

If you are an Ohio resident and haven't signed yet, please do so now, so we can include your signature in the number at tomorrow's Tea Parties.

"Zero tolerance" prepares youth for zero freedom

I have long been awestruck by the innate stupidity of "zero tolerance" policies applied in our schools. As this article by John W. Whitehead shows, they have been ineffective at reducing crime or bad behavior; but very effective at teaching our children that they have no rights under the law.

One factor that Mr. Whitehead does not consider may be a motivator: the concern school administrators have of being subject to lawsuits. For this reason, I would be in favor of a carefully-written law to provide limited immunity from lawsuits to educators who apply what most of us would consider to be reasonable discipline. It should be a State law, but I suppose the Feds have already trumped it.

In any event, whatever happened to the idea that one of the principal purposes of education was to produce informed citizens? "Zero tolerance" gives our young people the wrong information.

Virtual buckeye to Syclone538 at the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

State Sovereignty and Secession on the radio

Last Monday (Apr. 6), I was a guest on “The House on Pooh Corner,” a weekly talk show hosted by Jim Hogue on public radio station WGDR in Plainfield, Vermont. I spoke with him and another guest mostly about the State sovereignty movement, but also about secessionism.

The linked .mp3 file is 45 minutes long, and begins after my introduction and first comment.

Attend the April 15 Tea Party in your area!

For the uninitiated, a “tea party” is a protest against excessive taxation and government. It is usually advisable to bring tea bags as part of the protest.

Cleveland
4-6 pm (note corrected time) – Mall C, downtown Cleveland.

Columbus
9:00-12:30 – Tea Party and March, in support of HCR 11 and the Honest Money Initiative; beginning at Columbus Metropolitan Library, 90 S. Grant St., March to Statehouse. Bring lunch, signs, and tea bags.

6 pm – Americans for Prosperity Tea Party Tax Protest, Statehouse.

Findlay
8-5 – Tea Party in front of the Post Office.

Jefferson
11 am – Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty Tea Party, Ashtabula County Courthouse.

Medina
4-6 – American Voices for Liberty Tea Party and Tax Protest, Medina Public Square

Steubenville
3-4 – Jefferson County Courthouse.

Here are lots more! Attend one in your area, and let everyone know where you stand!

State Sovereignty Resolution Update – 4/11/09

I’m a little behind on reporting State sovereignty resolution status, so I am hoping this will make up for lost time:

There is a report, unconfirmed by the Legislative Service Commission, that Ohio’s HCR 11 has been referred to the State Government committee, chaired by Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry (D-Austintown).

In Alaska, HR 9 was replaced with CSHJR 27. It passed the House Apr. 6 by a vote of 37-0 with 3 excused. The measure is under consideration in the State Senate.

The Tenth Amendment Center reports that the Senate version (SR 632) of Georgia’s resolution passed Apr. 1 by a vote of 43-1. Because it is not a joint or concurrent resolution, it will not be considered in the Georgia House.

Indiana’s SCR 37 was replaced with SR0042, which was passed by the Senate Apr. 9 by a vote of 44-3. Like Georgia, the resolution was not joint or concurrent.

HCR 3063 passed the North Dakota House by a vote of 52-40. It has been referred to a Senate committee, which will hold a hearing on it Monday, Apr. 13.

Now the bad news – according to the Tenth Amendment Center, HJR 27 in New Mexico has been tabled in committee. Other bloggers indicate that it may be dead in the water.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has endorsed that State’s resolution (HCR50). The Central Texas Register recorded the event thus:

“As the federal government spends us into generations of inconceivable debt, responsible state governments are trying to insulate themselves, protect their citizens and govern with fiscal common sense. Perry summed up what has become the common concern of people across the nation when he said:

‘I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.’”

The Central Texas Register believes that, with six state legislatures passing resolutions, and several governors, including Gov. Perry and Govs. Sarah Palin of Alaska and Mark Sanford of South Carolina, endorsing them, the movement is “bound to have some impact.” At the very least, Congressional Republicans are beginning to feel pressure not to go soft on fiscal issues.

Even more importantly, notes the Register, it shows that the people are demanding real grassroots change. Cosmetic changes, such as a new President, are no longer enough. The grassroots are calling for fundamental transfer of power away from bureaucrats and politicians and back to the people, who are using the power of State governments under the Constitution to hold the Feds accountable, and to end their abuses of power.

The Tenth Amendment Center writer Karen DeCoster is observing that the major issues driving the grassroots push for change are “guns, gold, and secession”. Yes, she wrote the s word! She notes how each is being applied to the effort to protect and enhance the liberties of the people. (Her reference to secession is more that of the secession triggers in the New Hampshire and South Carolina resolutions).

As I wrote a few days ago, a revolution is coming. Our challenge will be to manage it well.

What if some "conspiracy theories" are true?

I have begun a number of paragraphs in this blog with the phrase "At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist..." The disclaimer seems necessary, because our mainstream media are trying to instill the notion that if an idea has been labeled "conspiracy theory", it is therefore false.

For example, I know from reliable, even mainstream sources, that the Bilderburg Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Trilateral Commission really exist. They really do consist of the most powerful people in government and business. The most open of these is the CFR, which has made no secret of its advocacy of a "New World Order." The fact that the other two organizations are working toward such a thing has been reliably documented. Yet any negative reference to any of these groups will immediately brand one as a "conspiracy theorist."

This is a major flaw in modern journalism, as the blog Undernews points out. A "conspiracy theory" is an assertion made without evidence. The same assertion, if backed by evidence, is the truth. Farther down the post, Sam Smith, who writes for Undernews, includes "A Thinker's Guide to Conspiracy Theories." It is very well written, and is well worth your time to read.

Virtual buckeye to Rob Williams at Vermont Commons.

The Revolution is almost here

Revolutions, by their nature, are unmanageable. They almost never end exactly the way the instigators expect; but they do profoundly change the nature of society, for better or for worse. Those who believe that a revolution cannot happen here should take heed to news reports in front of us, including these articles and videos collected by Benja Sariwatta of the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

Those who do not prepare for revolution will find themselves run over by it.

State Sovereignty Resoluton Update - 4/7

Idaho enacted its HJM004 today with a voice vote in the State Senate, becoming the second State (after South Dakota) to do so in the current session.

Montana's Senate has approved HB 246, which unlike most State sovereignty resolutions, is a bill to forbid the Feds from enforcing firearms statutes with respect to certain weapons. The vote, taken Mar. 27, was 29-21. The bill is expected to be signed by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The gun site M4Carbine Forums has some additional information. When Gov. Schweitzer signs the bill, I shall mark it as enacted.

In a related development, ZDNet Health Care reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has held (Wyeth v. Levine) that Federal law cannot pre-empt suits against drug manufacturers for negligence in their warning labels. Justice Clarence Thomas filed a concurring opinion that states the 10th Amendment position quite clearly:

"[Judge Thomas writes:] 'I have become increasingly skeptical of this Court’s purposes and objectives” pre-emption jurisprudence. Under this approach, the Court routinely invalidates state laws based on perceived conflicts with broad federal policy objectives, legislative history, or generalized notions of congressional purposes that are not embodied within the text of federal law. Because implied pre-emption doctrines that wander far from the statutory text are inconsistent with the Constitution, I concur only in the judgment.

"'Only when acting under power granted by the Constitution can even the Congress pre-empt state law,' he wrote, citing the 10th Amendment. He also quoted the Federalist Papers to the effect that federal powers are 'few and defined,' those remaining with the states 'numerous and indefinite.'"

The secessionist movement: still asleep at the wheel!

Three months ago, I wrote a post explaining why the existing secessionist movement is unable to take advantage of opportunities to promote a secessionist, or at least a State sovereignty approach to the growing dictatorship in America.

Here is a prime example. I received an e-mail this morning from the Middlebury Institute, whose purpose is "the study of separatism, secession, and self-determination." Here is the complete text:

"STATE SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT UPDATE

"The following article from the Christian Science Monitor [Mar. 27] gives an update on the state sovereignty movement of the last few months... A good website, Tenthamendmentcenter.com, has agreed to monitor the movement's progress.

"It's not secession, of course, but it has the seeds of that. Worth following."

It's nice of its Director, Kirkpatrick Sale, to notice, considering that The Ohio Republic has posted 47 articles on the subject since July 17 last year. He notes that the Tenth Amendment Center "has agreed to monitor the movement's progress," as though they were doing so at his request.

State sovereignty resolutions have been introduced in 31 States since early January. It is by far the most significant event ever for North American secessionists, and the Middlebury Institute has just now noticed.

The Middlebury Institute is obviously out of touch with the world about it, but it fancies itself to be the leading voice in the secessionist movement. To me, the evidence is clear. It is not qualified for leadership, which will have to come from those who understand practical politics and are willing to apply its skills to the cause.

TSA agents keep Ron Paul supporter off the plane

You will have to listen to the audio to believe it. Fox News reported on Saturday that a young man was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officials on his way to a Campaign4Liberty meeting. It seems that he was carrying $4,200 on him, and thought the source of the money wasn't any of their business until they cited the law authorizing the question. Fortunately, he carried a high-tech cell phone that can work as audio recorder.

TSA ignored his request and called in the police.

Virtual buckeye to lewrockwell.com .

State Sovereignty Resolution Update - 4/6

President Obama may be finding that the State Sovereignty resolutions are hitting a bit close to home. Illinois State Senator Bill Brady has introduced SR 0181, modeled on West Virginia's, and adding a quotation from Alexander Hamilton (of all people):

Alexander Hamilton expressed his hope that "the people ... will always take care to preserve the constitutional equilibrium between the general and the state governments." He believed that "this balance between the national and state governments ... forms a double security to the people. If one [government] encroaches on their rights, they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed, they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits, by [the] certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them".

Why is State Sovereignty important?

Here is an easy-to-read primer on State Sovereignty by Randall C. Stufflebeam, which discusses the reasons why States were sovereign when the Constitution was written, and observing how the States (prior to the 16th and 17th Amendments) provided a vital check on the power of the Federal government.

It's not just dry history. It explains the way out of our problem with the Feds. Please read it.

Virtual buckeye to Brian62 at Ohio Freedom Alliance.

Slavery

Are you one of those people who think slavery was abolished after the War between the States? Noted economist and writer Walter Williams would like for you to think again. His argument is simple and to the point. In essence, what he is saying is that when your taxes are used to transfer funds to me, a part of you is enslaved (by the government) to me.

If the Federal Government were confined to its proper responsibilities under the Constitution, this would not happen.

Virtual buckeye to taxmanblog.

State Sovereignty Resolution Update - 4/2

Rep. Jonathan Miller (R) introduced HCR 49 to the West Virginia Legislature Mar. 27. While generally modeled on Oklahoma's, it includes three unique paragraphs in the Whereases:

"Whereas, Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments and is widely regarded as one of America's most valuable contributions to political science; and

"Whereas, James Madison, 'The father of the Constitution,' said, 'The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people'; and

Whereas, Thomas Jefferson emphasized that the states are not 'subordinate' to the national government, but rather the two are 'coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government';"

Marcy Kaptur demolishes bailout plan

This is a link to a six-minute Google video, taken from C-SPAN, March 25, 5:06 pm. In it, Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) explains very clearly why government should not be assuming the risk of the "toxic loans", including several citations by noted economists.

Virtual buckeye to earth20bama.org .

Facing reality

Have you wondered how America got to where it is? Have you wondered how secessionism has moved from unthinkable to possible in just a few months?

Here is a passionate explanation by Ian Baldwin, a Vermont secessionist (who happens also to be an African-American) of why secessionism may provide our only political route back to sanity.

Virtual buckeye to Vermont Commons.