The Founders’ word: Void

Discussion in 'Freedom and Liberty' started by Yard Dart, May 1, 2016.


  1. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

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    When it comes to limits of federal power under the Constitution, the view of many Founding Fathers fits under the same theme. That is, federal acts outside of the Constitution are null and void.

    During the ratification debates, Oliver Ellsworth, the Supreme Court’s third chief justice, put it this way: “If the United States go beyond their powers, if they make a law which the Constitution does not authorize, it is void.”

    In Federalist #78, Alexander Hamilton wrote, “There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void.”

    And in 1798, Thomas Jefferson wrote that “whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force.”

    See the pattern?

    I won’t get into a laundry list of everything that should qualify as “void” today under the Founders’ Constitution, but here are a few to set the stage: ACA, ATF, DEA, EPA, GCA, NFA, NSA, TSA.

    What to do?
    It’s my opinion that no one in their right mind should expect the federal government to limit itself. This also includes the federal courts, a branch of the federal government. And, as I noted in my July 2013 article, “voting the bums out” hasn’t been a good strategy either.

    In other words, if you have a problem with the federal government, you need something outside the federal government to stop it. That would be the states and the people.

    First, let me be clear. This isn’t my idea. I didn’t dream it up one night. It comes from some of the most prominent Founding Fathers.

    While James Madison wrote the most specific and complete set of instructions on how to stop the federal government without relying on the federal government to limit itself, he was far from the only Founder to talk about states and individuals as a check on federal power.

    Even Hamilton agreed. In Federalist #28 he wrote that state governments would offer security against “invasions of the public liberty by the national authority.”

    A little-known Founding Father from Massachusetts also made the case, just like Madison and Hamilton did, that the states were the strongest check on federal power, should they work together to oppose it.

    In the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, Theophilus Parsons said that the state legislatures were, “superior to all the parchment checks that can be invented.” And when they’re organized in opposition against federal acts, he said that “none but madmen would attempt a usurpation.”

    Like Madison, who in Federalist #46 recommended that states and individuals employ “a refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union,” Parsons advised the same.

    He continued, “But, sir, the people themselves have it in their power effectually to resist usurpation, without being driven to an appeal to arms. An act of usurpation is not obligatory; it is not law; and any man may be justified in his resistance.”

    Taking action
    The common thread from Madison to Parsons and even to Hamilton is that states and individuals are an essential part of the checks-and-balances system of the Constitution. They are a counteracting force, especially when two or more branches of the federal government work against us.

    As these Founders taught us, when states and individuals take action, they are extremely effective as a roadblock to increasing federal power.

    Whether it’s blocking federal gun control, rejecting mass surveillance, ending asset forfeiture or even bringing down the Federal Reserve, the focus should be on individuals and states, not on federal courts and federal elections.

    This is just what Thomas Jefferson advised as well. In response to powers “which have not been delegated,” he told us that nullification is the “rightful remedy.”
    The Founders’ word: Void - Personal Liberty®
     
    Brokor, Dunerunner, Bandit99 and 8 others like this.
  2. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    As I stated before.. See to your local politics before conserning yourself with what to do with DC...

    Had a conversation with a "less than" informed gentalman this afternoon.. He claimed to be a "former 3%er" but still carried the will to take up arms as a proud American.. He ruffled up when I pointed out he was indoctrinated into the nationalist proppaganda.. Gave him the proof of his standing with the .gov and left it for him to find out for himself..

    One can offer links to .gov documentation and historical information, however, if their inclination is to remain ignorant of the facts, well, I hope they grow a lot of wool for shearing time...
     
  3. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    The state governments of today are bought, paid for and dependent on the Feds...as are many county and local governments. @Dont is correct...ya gotta get your local house in order before worrying about the rest.
     
  4. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    This is why secession must happen, at every state level possible. Make the FED obsolete.
     
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    Oligarchy!

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