Texas Governor Back State Sovereignty Resolution

Could this be the beginning of a new states rights movement? (from Drudge)

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state,” Gov. Perry said. “That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

Perry continued: "Millions of Texans are tired of Washington, DC trying to come down here to tell us how to run Texas." ...


A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves. HCR 50 affirms that Texas claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not otherwise granted to the federal government.

It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

States rights took a big hit under Abraham Lincoln. Prior to the Civil War the states were much more powerful as individual governments...as the founders intended... but in order to hold the union together, a lot of that state power was abrogated by the federal government.

You may recall that each state had their own state militias, and the officers that served in those forces were first and foremost loyal to their states. Robert E. Lee, when offered the command of the Union Army, turned it down because he could never raise his hand against Virginia. He ended up leading the Army of Northern Virginia.

Over the years more and more power has been taken from the states and put into the federal government, both by legislation and court rulings. Classic example: Roe v. Wade. The abortion issue was federalized by that ruling in violation of the 10th Amendment. Political correctness overcame constitutional correctness, and that process has been repeated over and over. Unfortunately, many judges care not what the constitution actually says or means, they only care how they can make it fit that day's political desires.

HCR50 is a move I can support. It's time to return power to the states as intended by the founders.