Ron Paul and the 10th Amendment
Why is it the RP’ers who scream “States Rights!”, and “10th Amendment!” forget to read the WHOLE Amendment?
“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.”
Can I point out the last 4 words? “OR TO THE PEOPLE “. Why is it there is some belief that rights begin and end with the State, and the RP parrots FORGET this key part of the amendment? I will tell you why. The LARGE majority of Ron Paul supporters have NOT read the Constitution (or they would know it is not “replete with references to God” per Ron Paul), and they have NOT read the Bill of Rights.
They HAVE parroted the Ron-speak, bumper sticker version of both. Understanding? Nope, sorry. If there WAS understanding, they wouldn’t latch on to “States Rights!” so firmly and desperately. They would read the whole Amendment, read the WHOLE Constitution, including powers of the SCOTUS, Congress, etc.
What we have instead are newbies, desperately trying to sound relevant, when in truth they have no desire to fully understand the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. If they had, there wouldn’t be people screaming “states rights!” while claiming the U.S. has a population of a billion. Yeah, same people..
I think State is just easier to implement than “to the people”. The former is simple and allows for regional differences versus blanket federal legislation, whereas the latter is somewhat ambiguous. What form should the people’s power take? And to what extent?
Minion4Hire
November 24, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Actually, as an active and vocal Paul supporter, I am well aware of the full text of the entire Bill of Rights. Especially that of the 10th Amendment. That’s why I’m such a big fan.
You’re rightfully concerned about the distinction, but “state’s rights!” is the simplest way to say “The federal government has no authority here, this is up to the states and/or the people.”
Interpreting one of the mantras of Ron Paul Republicans as something that is statist is to completely misunderstand the philosophy. The goal of those who think like Paul does is to decentralize power. Ron Paul has an almost naive faith in the people, in the voters. So don’t think for a second that he or his fans are ignoring the final four words of the 10th Amendment.
Ben
November 24, 2007 at 4:40 pm
>>Why is it the RP’ers who scream “States Rights!”, and “10th Amendment!” forget to read the WHOLE Amendment?<<
Because they’re not as smart as you. Get a girlfriend.
(eidt) Having been married for 20 years, I am not clear why you would advocate I cheat on my wife. Perhaps some introspection is needed on your part?
Dave in VA
November 24, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Yawn. You’ll never win an argument Constitutional Law with a Paul supporter. Are you actually implying that the Federal government is the same thing as “the people?” That’s pretty funny.
The fact that the Founding Fathers wanted a small government at the top isn’t really disputed anywhere( except here, I guess!).
The SCOTUS et al have chosen to gut the Constutution over the years. Check out their decision on the 10th AMendment – they won’t even hear cases on it because the political process will protect us? So much for that whole brilliant checks and balance thing. The politicians will protect us. That’s especially troublesome considering the change the 17th Amendment made to the whole system.
DUI roadblocks? The SCOTUS said they’re clearly a violation of our Constitutional rights, but they were going to let it slide.
Forgive me, but I need to go back and fight for Freedom a little more before it gets too cold out.
(moderator) Outstanding job completely missing the point. I would expect no less from a junior member of the Constitution Club. Where, oh WHERE did I say the people was the same as the Federal Government? Where did YOU argue the State was NOT the same as the people?
Grow up, and learn what REAL freedom means. In the meantime, keep ignoring the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. It seems to be what you do best…
Alexia
November 24, 2007 at 4:44 pm
We’ve read the amendment. The Constitution gives wide latitude to the States, but anything that the state chooses not to regulate is left up to the people.
The Ninth Amendment is probably more important since it makes it clear that the enumeration of rights is not intended to disparage those maintained by **the people**. Personally, I don’t think Ron Paul gives proper attention to the Ninth Amendment. However, should we ever get to the point where that argument is even important, it’s a big win for liberty. Ron Paul is so many orders of magnitude better than anyone else on Constitutionality, I can live with my relatively minor disagreements with him on policy.
Jim
November 24, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Some things should be federal, some state. The system works well that way, I don’t see why there’s a need to tear it down. A balance of power is needed, not a seperation.
Honestly, life is pretty good in the United States. Those who really hate it are free to leave. Freedom is aroud me all the time. I’m free to blog, others are free to criticize the government. What more do we demand?
I’m talking from the viewpoint of a 15 year old. I see the world differently.
badcastd
November 25, 2007 at 12:05 am
Kudos for mentioning Paul’s “replete with references to God” error in his “War on Religion” letter from 2003.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul148.html
Gary
December 28, 2007 at 5:07 pm
GIVE ME A BREAK !!!!
FRED P
January 26, 2008 at 12:00 am