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Superlizard

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WAKE UP CALL: TEXAS GOV. BACK RESOLUTION AFFIRMING SOVEREIGNTY
Tue Apr 14 2009 08:44:54 ET

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“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,” Gov. Perry said. “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.”

Perry continued: "Millions of Texans are tired of Washington, DC trying to come down here to tell us how to run Texas."

A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves. HCR 50 affirms that Texas claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not otherwise granted to the federal government.

It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

Developing...

It was just a matter of time - I wonder if more states will join in.
 
Go for it... more money for the other 49.  You're still gonna have to pay income taxes, you know...
 
dbw said:
Go for it... more money for the other 49.  You're still gonna have to pay income taxes, you know...

What does the above have to do with income taxes?   :icon_scratch:

They're talking about the 10th Amendment.
 
It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

The feds aren't going to go for this.  Go ahead and repeal the drinking age, speed limit, etc... Congress isn't going to make allowances for your bold statement on federalism, especially when it's beneficial to 98% of the states and only hurts Texas.  All this is gonna do is lose you your federal highway and education money.  You'll be paying into the system with your taxes but not getting the benefits out.  You're gonna end up with dumb(er) kids and lots of potholes, and the benefit is... what?  A big fudge you to the feds?  Speaking on behalf of the 49 non-Texas states, we think this plan is great!
 
dbw said:
It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

The feds aren't going to go for this.  Go ahead and repeal the drinking age, speed limit, etc... Congress isn't going to make allowances for your bold statement on federalism, especially when it's beneficial to 98% of the states and only hurts Texas.  All this is gonna do is lose you your federal highway and education money.  You'll be paying into the system with your taxes but not getting the benefits out.  You're gonna end up with dumb(er) kids and lots of potholes, and the benefit is... what?   A big frick you to the feds?  Speaking on behalf of the 49 non-Texas states, we think this plan is great!

Repeal the drinking age... speed limit.. etc?  LOL  You're making absurd assumptions. 

Read H.C.R. No. 50. so you understand clearer what's going on here.  To put it simply, it's a CYA move to ensure the Constitution is upheld and therefore the balance of power isn't unsettled... just in case.  And as well:

A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves.

And speaking as a non-Texan from another state, I like this.   :icon_thumright:
 
HCR 50 said:
        RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that
  directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal
  penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation
  or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed

Emphasis mine.  That would include the federal speed limit and drinking age.  Reading + reading comprehension = knowledge!  Try it at home!
 
dbw said:
HCR 50 said:
         RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that
  directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal
  penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation
  or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed

Emphasis mine.  That would include the federal speed limit and drinking age.  Reading + reading comprehension = knowledge!  Try it at home!

And where exactly can one find the federal speed limit and drinking age in:

A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves.

Why are you making such absurd assumptions and jumping to drastic conclusions?  You think this is some sort of evil right-wing secessionist conspiracy or something?

Crikey.
 
Superlizard said:
You think this is some sort of evil right-wing secessionist conspiracy or something?

I wish, nobody would be happier than me to see Texas go.  And with only 98 senators, 59 is filibuster-proof, meaning we can finally come for your guns and put your children in socialist reeducation camps.

...oops disregard that ;)
 
As a Texan, I'd love to know what's wrong with Texas.  I absolutely support that resolution.  The 10th amendment is there for a reason.  The Constitution is not about the common good.  It's about individual rights and avoiding an oversized central government capable of oppressing its citizens.

Ultimately, it has no teeth.  I don't read that passage as saying they are going to repeal laws on the books in Texas, but a call for the federal government to repeal laws which are directly in contradiction to the spirit of the Constitution.  Mandating federal drinking ages through black mail is not in line with the Constitution.  How you feel about the drinking is irrelevant.  It is not a power granted to the federal government and they have no business forcing states to subvert the powers given to them.
 
Lucky #007 said:
As a Texan, I'd love to know what's wrong with Texas.  I absolutely support that resolution.  The 10th amendment is there for a reason.  The Constitution is not about the common good.  It's about individual rights and avoiding an oversized central government capable of oppressing its citizens.

Yep - just say "no" to big gov't.  Considering the state of the economy today, and for example the recent ousting of the CEO of GM (Wagoner) by the White House (among other things), it's a very wise move; the balance of power must be upheld.  Like you said, ultimately no teeth, but good news nonetheless.
 
Guys,

could someone PLEASE explain it to a non-us citizin? I'm very curious to understand what this is all about.
 
And oddly enough - this in today as well:

A newly unclassified Department of Homeland Security report warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed "right-wing extremists" concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats.

...Last month, the chief of the Missouri highway patrol blasted a report issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center that linked conservative groups to domestic terrorism, assuring that such reports no longer will be issued. The report had been compiled with the assistance of DHS.

The report warned law enforcement agencies to watch for suspicious individuals who may have bumper stickers for third-party political candidates such as Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin.

It further warned law enforcement to watch out for individuals with "radical" ideologies based on Christian views, such as opposing illegal immigration, abortion and federal taxes.

Thanks, Napolitano.  :doh:
 
The 10th Amendment basically reserves all government powers not expressly granted to the federal government for the individual states.  Like drinking age, speed limits, etc.  The federal government here in the states has found nifty ways of sidestepping this amendment and has in many cases just flat out ignored it.  Drinking age is one case in which they sidestepped it by threatening to withhold federal funds if the states did not change their drinking age to 21.  Some states are getting fed up and basically Texas is passing a resolution putting that displeasure in writing.  It won't do much on its own but it is a good first step.
 
Lucky #007 said:
The 10th Amendment basically reserves all government powers not expressly granted to the federal government for the individual states.  Like drinking age, speed limits, etc.  The federal government here in the states has found nifty ways of sidestepping this amendment and has in many cases just flat out ignored it.  Drinking age is one case in which they sidestepped it by threatening to withhold federal funds if the states did not change their drinking age to 21.  Some states are getting fed up and basically Texas is passing a resolution putting that displeasure in writing.  It won't do much on its own but it is a good first step.

great :) we here in Europe are leaning towards the same structure which is being used in the USA, and the netherlands always has been accused of following the USA in their policies and behaviour; hopefully, we will follow this trend too ;) I HATE europe and its STUPID legislation. fudge europe.
 
Earlier in the thread I was just talking about the political implications, not the philosophical ones.  I have mixed opinions on the specific programs that are affected.  I think the drinking age is not only stupid but totally unconstitutional.  The US constitution doesn't give the goverment the power to tell people what they can and can't drink, ANYWHERE.  (Even the 18th Amendment aka "Prohibition" doesn't ban drinking anything.)  As far as I know this is true of our state constitutions, too.  So on what authority does the government ban underage drinking?  Similarly, on what authority does the gov't ban consumption of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth, crack... whatever?

Speed limits just kinda seem like a good idea.  :help:  The streets are regulated for public safety.  And the feds reward states that enforce speed limits with highway funding.  Or you could say they withhold it from the rest... same dif
 
I agree.  Is there a state that doesn't enforce speed limits?  They just need to stay out of it altogether. 
 
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