X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
January 19, 2010
Federal health care foes plot for state opt-outs 01-19-10
While we obviously shouldn't have to do it, at least there is a constitutional mechanism for states to protect citizens from the loss of their rights should the federal government decide to go too far!- Florida Attorney General Threatens Lawsuit Against Health Care Mandate 01-19-10
The health insurance mandate is, I agree, unconstitutional. While I appreciate Florida's warning, I do wonder if it will stick to its guns if the federal government slaps it away. States are supposed to protect us when the federal government can't or won't, and that obligation doesn't change when it's the federal government itself that's the danger.
January 18, 2010
- Bills would limit federal power 01-18-10
If it limits federal power, I'm all for it. Looks like a whole lot of states are out there with the same idea. You'd think that would send Washington a message, wouldn't you? You'd think...
January 15, 2010
- Hundreds gather in Topeka to protest federal encroachment 01-15-10
To suggest such a resolution is "symbolic" is to undermine it from the beginning. The fact is that the Tenth Amendment exists for a reason (and given objections from the states more than 200 years ago, the case can be made that the United States itself exists because of the Tenth Amendment), and there's currently a clarion call for its exercise. Those states who don't heed it are part of the problem. 
COMMENTARY Danger ahead -- the nullification of the Congress 01-15-10
The good news is that it looks like some states at least are taking their responsibilities seriously!
January 13, 2010
- Nine Candidates for State Office in Vermont Want State to Secede 01-13-10
I'm frankly surprised that the overwhelmingly left-leaning Vermont isn't pleased as punch with Barack Obama (actually, I think they don't think he's far left enough), but I certainly respect the sentiment offered by this particular slate of candidates! The United States was never intended to be quite as coherent as it has become. They were meant to be, and should be, a looser coalition that bond together for such as mutual defense. If that's what Vermont's after, I'm all for it. - Fifteen states may sue over healthcare reform 01-13-10
And who could blame them? The best part of the article, though, is at the end where we're informed that some states may sue whether or not the "Cornhusker kickback" remains intact seeing as how there are still more objectionable portions of the legislation.
January 12, 2010
- COMMENTARY 10th Amendment proponents wondering can Congress really do that? 01-11-10
I have to disagree that there's ever a reason to interfere with the states unless state laws attempt to supercede the Bill of Rights (which would, in fact, be the case where discrimination is concerned). But as for the rest of this column, well, Crazytown or Wingnutland it may be, but vindication seems to have cured any semblence of insanity.
January 11, 2010
- Long-shot GOP candidate stirs up the Tea Party crowd 01-11-10
Long shot or no, it's not just important but crucial that state sovereignty be brought into the campaign mix (which explains why one of the more "mainstream" candidates has also done so). State's rights, so long ignored, might be our last, best hope for freedom on this country. - COMMENTARY The newest federalism 01-11-10
I couldn't disagree more, particularly where "insterstate commerce" is being hauled out and held up as having meaning here. The fact is that there are those of us, myself included, who would love to see insurance companies be able to sell across state lines so as to ramp up the competition and drive down the premiums. But they can't. And don't even start on feel-good motives. The road to hell is paved with what again? - Schwarzenegger says health care bill a 'rip-off' 01-09-10
Every state politician who was effectively bribed for his or her vote puts every other state in the same boat as Nebraska's Ben Nelson did. This entire process was a series of lies, coercion, and bribes from the beginning, and it's high time every state got the point that Washington isn't acting in anybody's best interests but its own.
January 8, 2010
- 10th Amendment Resolutions January, 2010
A heartening number of the fifty states are actually paying attention to the attempts for a massive power grab stemming from Washington, DC. Obviously, I support such resolutions in no uncertain terms, and would encourage each and every American whose state is still working toward passage to do the same, vocally and often.
January 6, 2010
- Schwarzenegger Withdraws Support for Democrats’ Health Care Reform 01-06-10
And who could blame him? Other states (like Nebraska) get great deals, while California (and most of the rest) get nothing but expenses, headaches, and worse. (It should be noted that California is already in enough financial trouble these days, and that a major contributor to that trouble is state-sponsored health care...
About the Tenth Amendment
One of the most contentious points in the formation of a Federal government came from the individual states. The states didn't want to lose the ability to make regional decisions nor to be subject to an overriding power from a distant national capital. The Tenth Amendment was written to reassure the states that they would remain largely in charge within their own borders.
Until the mid-19th century, the Tenth Amendment was often cited by state governments to prevent Federal regulation of everything from taxation to interstate commerce. Since 1837, however, various rulings have mitigated the perceived power of the Tenth Amendment, and such matters as a Federal income tax were subsequently upheld in the courts.
The Constitution specifically charged the federal government with the regulation of interstate commerce so as to ensure a smooth flow of goods from state to state regardless of state laws and requirements. Since the Constitution and Bill of Rights were implemented, the federal government has more and more often used that authority as reason to regulate as well as to curb state powers and autonomy. In recent years, the federal regulation of interstate commerce has interfered with everything from medical marijuana laws to gun control measures. As these cases reach the courts, the federal government has yet to definitively lose.
Click here for more on the Tenth Amendment. Want to help preserve the Tenth Amendment? Educate yourself, and then take action!
