Sunday, March 22, 2009

My country, my State


In connection with the two preceding entries, the reason I'm feeling such pride in my country and my state should be fairly obvious with the knowledge that my state, Oklahoma, is one of only two states in this union who have passed in both houses of their legislatures their versions of the tenth amendment resolution. Oklahoma's bill passed the House and Senate by margins of 83-13 and 25-17 respectively.

Also recall that Oklahoma was on the forefront of introducing and passing into law state initiated immigration legislation. And in specific connection with this post, Oklahoma's constitution also affirms our Judeo-Christian, European heritage, which of course is deemed "uncivilized" by certain leftist organizations in America.

The map I've posted is unfortunately a bit out of date, showing only 26 individual states which have introduced their own tenth amendment resolutions. There are now, by my tally, 28 such states and counting. The two additional states not represented on this map being Nevada and Ohio.

Also keep in mind that when one house of a given state's legislature "kills" a bill such as this in committee or whatever, it doesn't necessarily mean that the bill is forever dead. Sometimes legislatures and legislative committees are simply rejecting a specific bit of language in a measure, essentially requiring that the objectionable language be re-written or altogether stricken, and the measure re-submitted. I think that is likely the case with the New Hampshire resolution, the language therein being very strong and threatening. But, of course, I have no way of being absolutely certain that is the case.

Nonetheless, essentially the same thing can be said without such purposefully threatening effrontery. I mean "cease and desist, otherwise we're going to war" and such as that doesn't seem very, ummm, diplomatic. And it is, after all, that the states have a diplomatic relationship with, and carry on diplomatic relations with foreign governments through, the central government.

So, you guys keep trying up there in New Hampshire. There may well come a time for strong language such as contained in your resolution, but I don't think that time is now. You can always add it later when the central government, in direct defiance of the various states and their wishes, continues to abuse its powers and encroach upon your rights under the ninth and tenth amendments. Let the record show that you did not provoke the central government, but that the central government and perhaps certain states in this union ignored your petitions and remonstrances:

The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

[...]

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

Change a few words around using that as your model, and you've got it.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, you should be pleased with your state. Igorance is loose in the nation and sanity is in short suppose. My state is stong on conservative values also--Mississippi. We love our individual rights and the powers given to the states under the 10th amendment.

Terry Morris said...

Thank you Ron. I hope you'll come back and keep us updated as to how Mississippi's Tenth Amendment Resolution is progressing. Entries on the topic will never be too far down the page, I can assure you of that.

And yes, you've got great people in the state of Mississippi. The contrast between what went on in Southern Mississippi and what went on in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina was ... strikingly obvious to those of us who kept our emotions halfway in check. I think it was the local chapter of the Salvation Army that sent folks to your state to help in the relief effort. I couldn't get loose to go with them, but I did provide them with a donation. I also gave money to the relief effort in New Orleans. I still kick myself for that boneheaded move. :-)

Call Me Mom said...

Sen. Liebham has assured me that he is planning to introduce WI's resolution "in the next few weeks". At this point I'm not holding my breath.

In fairness, he does have his hands full trying to weed out the non-fiscal items in our governor's most recent budget. Things like allowing illegal aliens in-state tuition at the UW and same sex health benefits for the partners of state employees.

Does Oklahoma want new legal citizens? I'm feeling unappreciated and overtaxed up here.

Vanishing American said...

Terry, thanks for keeping this issue out there, and keeping us up to date.
I've been impressed with what Oklahoma is doing these days, and I too begin to wonder if your state might be a desirable destination for some who are living in more liberal areas.
-VA

Terry Morris said...

Mom, VA,

I think we can probably find room for you here.