The New Battleground: Tea Parties And The Tenth Amendment

In what could conceivably be seen as an opening salvo in Election 2012, Texas Governor Rick Perry has opted to take a very visible stand on a sovereignty resolution (text) passed by the Texas legislature.

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.

It's a move every bit as populist as the Tea Party movement.

While the consistent headline refreshing nature of today's 24 hour news cycle won't permit it in coverage of the Tea Party protests tomorrow, this is the battleground we're moving into for the next couple of years.

It's also why I saw Liberty and Tyranny - still number 1 at Amazon - as such a timely work. As much as it is a discussion of taxation, the Tea Party movement is ultimately a discussion of governance and power: how much of it should be given to the Federal government and how much of it should reside with the States, or the people.

Interesting times, my friends. These are, indeed, interesting times. And for Conservatives and the Right-leaning, more so than one might have thought immediately on the heels of Obama's election. Obama's boldness, coupled with an appearance of arrogance, is as much to blame for this as anything else.

By putting an uber-liberal agenda above simply shepherding America through tough times, he has opened the door to a vigorous debate those on the Right should welcome and engage.

Comments

[Pam]

Thank you Gov Perry, but you are going to have to do more to try and make amends to the rural voters (who helped put you in office in the first place) that you stabbed in the back with your little TTC folly. I am glad to see you take a stand for state's rights, but now if you could draft a resolution for protection of the property rights of those that live in Texas, to protect them from a land grabbing governor, his administration and appointees (umm...that would be you and yours), all would be cool. And an apology would be a nice touch, you might get back some of your supporters.

[jfxgillis]

Dan:

Cited your earlier Tea Party Article here: Correctly Political: Tea and Sympathy for the Devil You Know

[jfxgillis]

http://jfxgillis.newsvine.com/_news/2009/04/14/2680735-correctly-political-tea-and-sympathy-for-the-devil-you-know

[seekeronos]

If'n Texas ever secedes from the Union (again) ... I wonder if the then newly reconstituted Republic of Texas would have a "Right of Return" immigration policy for those folks with birth-citizenship... lol

[Wildman]

The constitution is a fairly concise document and written in clear text. The only responsibilities of the federal goverment are to regulate interstate trade, negotiate treaties and provide for the national defense. we do no need a federal government that replicates what is already being done at the state, county and local level. The states, on their own, should declare all mandates from the federal goverment null and void. we need to take our nation back from the lobbyists, special interest groups and advocates.

[Lala]

The states have to stop taking federal money. That's the octopus that ensnares us. We should follow the example of Hillsdale College, the only truly independent college in the country.

[Paul A'Barge]

The opening salvo in the election (assuming you're talking about Rick running for Governor against Kay Bailey) was the Perry team's labeling of Hutchison as "Senator Bailout."

Good one, Rick!

[IslamoLlama]

"-- As much as it is a discussion of taxation, the Tea Party movement is ultimately a discussion of governance and power: how much of it should be given to the Federal government and how much of it should reside with the States, or the people. --"

Oh how the days of the Unitary Executive seem to have passed us by. From the days when warrantless wiretapping was seen as vital to the nation's defense and the best way to support our country was to never say a bad word about its President, we've come a long long way.

From highlights like this: http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2006/10/john_kerry_is_a.html
"-- The bastard [John Kerry] should be tried for treason and shot! --"
to shirt rending protests over the how the media isn't being nice enough to teabagging wingnut heroes.

"-- The states, on their own, should declare all mandates from the federal goverment null and void. we need to take our nation back from the lobbyists, special interest groups and advocates. --"

And just in time, too, Wildman. Funny how this idea never crossed your mind 8 years ago.

[southdakotaboy]

I really do believe that conservatives will have their biggest impact on Obama's plans if we just stop spending. Something like 70% of America's economy is service based. If just 25% of conservatives saved as little as $4,000.00 a year we could cripple Obama's economic "recovery" plan.

It is easy to do. First at the begining of each week sit down and make a menu of all your meals for the week. Nothing to hard unless you like to cook and make sure to include treats for yourself. Next make a shopping list. Now when you go to the store take a calculator along as you shop add things up. As the number gets larger you realize how much you are spending and will avoid those extra "deals" you see on the shelves. My family saves about $50.00 to $70.00 a trip from what we used to. Multiply that out over a year and you get some serious money.

On your menu put down times to go out to eat, but limit the number. We have done this to the point where we have gone from 5 to 6 times a week to 1 or 2. This will save us about $20.00 a meal that is $80.00 to $100 a week. figure that out for a year and suddenly without to much effort you get some serious cash.

Now imagine 25% of conservatives or roughly 13% of the total US population does this. That would put a kink in Obama's plans.

[Jimbo]

So you nutjobs simply want the negro in the WH to fail. Is that it? No nuance, no sly suggestions - just plain unadulterated hatred toward your new black president? Read the stoopid words you wrote: If we stopped spending, Obama's plan will fail. How fricken insane are you? Limbaugh has driven you to distraction and insanity - all to bolster HIS OWN WEALTH - not yours. I think you are confusing anger with LOSING! You people suck, and the entire world is laughing at you - how cool is that?

[southdakotaboy]

Jimbo at what point did I refer to Obama as a negro? At what point did I ever refer to his race/color? You are playing the race card to try and shut us up. We don't care what you think anyway, we are giving you and Obama the same amount of support that you gave conservatives and Bush.

Jimbo you know deep down inside that Obama needs everyone to work the way he wants for his plans to work. Well we aren't playing his game.