Want Texas Independence? Stop Taking Federal Money!
Will Malven
4/18/2009
So Mr. Governor Rick Perry has discovered that big federal government is an anathema to state governments as well as the nation’s citizens.
Governor Perry's new found voice on fiscal restraint is refreshing; it appears that being forced to run for office every now and then does serve a purpose.
After serving for years as a relatively mediocre governor, Mr. Perry faces his first real challenge from another candidate in his own party, the retiring Senator from Texas, Mrs. Kay Bailey Hutchison who is polling very well within the state.
His decision last month to reject that portion of federal stimulus funds that would simultaneously increase unemployment benefits and burden the states with funding those benefits after the initial funds offered by the federal government were depleted, while laudable, was only a symbolic expression of independence.
Now, on the heels of the tea party movement and the immense popularity of the underlying principles being expressed, he is raising the possibility of Texas seceding from the Union.
Sorry Rick, I'm not likely to buy that pig in a poke.
I don't trust this newly discovered Conservatism coming from a man who has exhibited rather moderate leanings. It seems to have come about rather abruptly and at a convenient time for his campaign. The idea of Texas secession has popped up on occasion over the last thirty to forty years, usually when the citizens of Texas are feeling disgruntled or the federal government has overstepped its constitutional authority, only to recede as sanity returns to citizens of our state.
Not only would such an act be ill-advised and unnecessary, it also would be illegal. It appears to be nothing more than a blatant and cynical appeal to a disgruntled electorate for political gain. If Governor Perry truly is unhappy with the extent of influence federal authorities exert over affairs in Texas, there is a much simpler, more direct, action that he could take. It would require considerable courage from the governor, but it would be a guaranteed means of breaking the yoke of the federal government.
STOP TAKING ALL FEDERAL FUNDS!
There has been considerable interest of late in the respective state governments invoking their rights as described in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution which states:
It is an attempt by the states to reassert their authority under the Constitution. The problem is, States have not lost their autonomy; they have sold it piecemeal to the federal government in return for billions of dollars in federal assistance.
It was the states’ acceptance of federal funds back in the early 60’s which first allowed the federal courts to rule in favor of the federal government’s efforts to impose desegregation on those Southern states which at the time were attempting to assert the principle of “states’ rights” under that same 10th Amendment.
It is the continued acceptance of federal money which will allow the federal government’s continuing influence-some would say interference-in matters traditionally reserved to the state, in spite of those resolutions.
Now we are faced with the distasteful and hard to swallow truth. The reason all of these states, which of late have passed these resolutions of states' rights, are forced to do so is that they have voluntarily surrendered their sovereignty for the “filthy lucre” of our federal government.
That's right folks; this transfer of power from the states to the federal government is a direct result of the state governments’ greed for federal dollars. Cut the flow of dollars from Washington DC to your state and you cut the reins with which the federal government exercises its control.
I’m afraid I must agree with Democrats who point the finger of hypocrisy at governors who reject a portion of federal stimulus money while eagerly demanding what remains. I find it a little more than disingenuous for Governor Perry to take a stand against federal interference in state matters while continuing to take federal money for our schools, our state highways, and other state needs.
If Governor Perry is sincere about severing those federal reins of power, then he must sever the pipeline of federal monies into the state's coffers.
You want Texas independence? Then it's your for the taking. Cut the flow of federal dollars; otherwise all that is happening is the blowing of hot air.
That is the hard truth facing each of these Republican Governors; if you're unhappy with the power and influence the federal government exercises over your states, you have the power to throw off those reins. All that is lacking is the will.
Hard facts for hard times.
Long Live Our American Republic!!!!
4/18/2009
So Mr. Governor Rick Perry has discovered that big federal government is an anathema to state governments as well as the nation’s citizens.
Governor Perry's new found voice on fiscal restraint is refreshing; it appears that being forced to run for office every now and then does serve a purpose.
After serving for years as a relatively mediocre governor, Mr. Perry faces his first real challenge from another candidate in his own party, the retiring Senator from Texas, Mrs. Kay Bailey Hutchison who is polling very well within the state.
His decision last month to reject that portion of federal stimulus funds that would simultaneously increase unemployment benefits and burden the states with funding those benefits after the initial funds offered by the federal government were depleted, while laudable, was only a symbolic expression of independence.
Now, on the heels of the tea party movement and the immense popularity of the underlying principles being expressed, he is raising the possibility of Texas seceding from the Union.
Sorry Rick, I'm not likely to buy that pig in a poke.
I don't trust this newly discovered Conservatism coming from a man who has exhibited rather moderate leanings. It seems to have come about rather abruptly and at a convenient time for his campaign. The idea of Texas secession has popped up on occasion over the last thirty to forty years, usually when the citizens of Texas are feeling disgruntled or the federal government has overstepped its constitutional authority, only to recede as sanity returns to citizens of our state.
Not only would such an act be ill-advised and unnecessary, it also would be illegal. It appears to be nothing more than a blatant and cynical appeal to a disgruntled electorate for political gain. If Governor Perry truly is unhappy with the extent of influence federal authorities exert over affairs in Texas, there is a much simpler, more direct, action that he could take. It would require considerable courage from the governor, but it would be a guaranteed means of breaking the yoke of the federal government.
STOP TAKING ALL FEDERAL FUNDS!
There has been considerable interest of late in the respective state governments invoking their rights as described in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution which states:
“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 is an attempt by the states to reassert their authority under the Constitution. The problem is, States have not lost their autonomy; they have sold it piecemeal to the federal government in return for billions of dollars in federal assistance.
It was the states’ acceptance of federal funds back in the early 60’s which first allowed the federal courts to rule in favor of the federal government’s efforts to impose desegregation on those Southern states which at the time were attempting to assert the principle of “states’ rights” under that same 10th Amendment.
It is the continued acceptance of federal money which will allow the federal government’s continuing influence-some would say interference-in matters traditionally reserved to the state, in spite of those resolutions.
Now we are faced with the distasteful and hard to swallow truth. The reason all of these states, which of late have passed these resolutions of states' rights, are forced to do so is that they have voluntarily surrendered their sovereignty for the “filthy lucre” of our federal government.
That's right folks; this transfer of power from the states to the federal government is a direct result of the state governments’ greed for federal dollars. Cut the flow of dollars from Washington DC to your state and you cut the reins with which the federal government exercises its control.
I’m afraid I must agree with Democrats who point the finger of hypocrisy at governors who reject a portion of federal stimulus money while eagerly demanding what remains. I find it a little more than disingenuous for Governor Perry to take a stand against federal interference in state matters while continuing to take federal money for our schools, our state highways, and other state needs.
If Governor Perry is sincere about severing those federal reins of power, then he must sever the pipeline of federal monies into the state's coffers.
You want Texas independence? Then it's your for the taking. Cut the flow of federal dollars; otherwise all that is happening is the blowing of hot air.
That is the hard truth facing each of these Republican Governors; if you're unhappy with the power and influence the federal government exercises over your states, you have the power to throw off those reins. All that is lacking is the will.
Hard facts for hard times.
Long Live Our American Republic!!!!
What do you think?
To leave your opinion click on the word "COMMENT(S)" below
posted by Will Malven at 12:53 PM
3 Comments:
I agree we should stop taking federal money. But I disagree that Texas Independence is a crazy idea.
California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York make up about 40% of our GDP, and all but Texas are in deep financial trouble. In fact, only four states are solvent. China is financing our spending spree (and the wars) and it has recently withdrawn 210 billion from the U.S. and is only buying short-term treasuries, so it is obvious that source of financing is coming to an end. We are imploding.
What will happen? Upon its collapse, the U.S. will merge Candada, Mexico and the U.S. in order to increase its tax base and maintain its power--and it will no longer have that pesky U.S. Constitution to contend with.
Or, with the U.S. overextended and yet a third war looming, Texas could make a play for independence. We are in for rough times in any case, but many of us would pay the ultimate price in order to secure freedom for our children. Surely there's no hope for them if we don't.
For a wild look at how California plans to use federal money go to TheNothingStore.com
We should stop taking federal funds, you are completely right. And we should stop sending as much Tax money as we do also. Then taking federal funds would not be an issue.
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