States’ Rights

The US Constitution (as written) is clear in describing the limits of the federal government in the “enumerated powers” and the methods required to add and subtract these powers using the Amendment process. The federal government operates today in violation of the Constitution, because it has assumed powers from the States and the People that are not included in the current list of “enumerated powers” 

The 10^th Amendment in the Bill of Rights clearly states that all powers not included in the list of “enumerated powers” reside with the States and the People.

States have the right to challenge the current federal government violations and petition the Courts to offer rulings on this issue to bring the federal government into compliance with the Constitution (as written)

States do not have the right to ignore federal immigration rules or other federal laws related to the federal “enumerated powers”.

The Founders designed our government to function for the benefit of the voters.  They embraced the private sector free market economy that included the law of supply and demand, so that consumers could control the prices of the goods and services they needed.  They embraced private property rights, freedom of association and freedom of speech. They warned against allowing the government to ignore the Constitution and required that elected officials swear an oath to “protect and defend” the Constitution.

Voters have allowed the government to ignore the Constitution since 1872 and the damage is considerable.

The federal government has taken on financial responsibilities for things that have not been properly authorized and federal spending is unsustainable. The federal government subsidizes states, entire industries and foreign countries and these expenditures need to be questioned.

States should take responsibility for federal lands that include 30% of the US land mass.  States should take responsibility for all roads, bridges, highways and all infrastructure within state borders.  States should take responsibility for all welfare programs and all healthcare and education funding for citizens of their state.

States should then retain responsibility for funding all interstate highways, state colleges, water supply reservoirs, freight rail and harbor facilities.

States should assign full financial responsibility for all local infrastructure, to cities and counties

Cities and counties should be assigned full financial responsibility for all roads, bridges, water supply, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and water treatment facilities in their borders.

All services that can be handled by the private sector should be transferred to the private sector including public transportation, commuter rail, economic development, education, healthcare and welfare.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader