Thursday, March 18, 2010

Nodler continues dancing the 10th amendment mambo

In his latest report, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, a candidate for Seventh District Congress, reaffirms his belief in the 10th Amendment:

When our forefathers created our great nation, they designed the country to function as a compact of states with the federal government being the creation of these states. They included the 10th Amendment when writing the Constitution, which says that, “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.” At the time, the federal government’s power included federal taxing, federal police, and federal regulations. Over the years, however, the power of the federal government has expanded to the point where many fear that the federal government may be overreaching its bounds and violating the sovereignty of the states.

In recent years, and particularly with the current administration, the federal government has expanded significantly, especially in its costs. Throughout the country, states are becoming increasingly interested in the issue of state sovereignty and federal infringement. It is a concern of mine as well, which is why I proposed Senate Bill 587.

This legislation, which was discussed on the Senate floor this week, would give the voters of the state of Missouri the opportunity to create a commission that would review the actions of the federal government to see if the state’s sovereignty has been violated. The governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the House would each appoint two members of the commission and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would appoint one member of the commission. If the commission finds that the federal government violated the 10th Amendment, the findings would be sent to the attorney general to allow him to pursue the state’s rights in federal court.

While several resolutions have been proposed this year to express the state’s disapproval of federal actions, SB 587 is more than that because it helps the state to take action. The state has always had the power to challenge the federal government in federal court, but SB 587 would allow our state to truly have an organized system to identify when our state’s sovereignty is being threatened.

One of the strengths of SB 587 is that it puts the issue to the people of the state. If the General Assembly approves the bill, the voters would have the opportunity to decide that this commission is necessary, making it truly a reflection of the people of Missouri’s desire to reestablish out state’s constitutional rights. When our forefathers wrote the constitution, they did so with very specific principles in mind, and SB 587 makes sure those ideals are respected and recognized.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is much ado about nothing. The states are not sovereign over the federal government, but operate underneath its arm. Is Nodler advocating that Missouri secede from the Union? Is that what is going on across our nation, as Idaho's governor signs proclamations suing the federal government if Healthcare is passed? It sounds to me like anarchy. Let's see some heads roll. Gary, step up to the platform. You are going to lose in November. More probably, you will lose in August. Then what will you do? You only have a bachelor's degree from Southern. That won't get you far.

Anonymous said...

It amazes me that a state wants to stand alone until they need help from federal funding to support education, natural disasters, highways, etc. So junior high or more likely, elementary!

Anonymous said...

can you imagine traveling from florida to washington state having to deal with each states' laws? it would be worse than going through the states in mexico. there are guarded stops at each state border.

Anonymous said...

So these three comments come from people that do not beleive in the Bill of rights and do not respect the Constitution. No one has said the states are soveriegn over the Union, but the powers of the Union are enumerated in the Constitution and limited by it. It is obvious that these three people have never read the 10th Amendment.

Anonymous said...

You go, Gary. States' rights need to be much more respected, and a coalition of 35 of them that want to fight this govt. takeover of America should not be ignored.