One thing was evident from the “Tea Parties” that took place all across the country on April 15. The American people are waking up, and they do not like what has happened while they were dozing instead of maintaining the vigilance the Founders told us was indispensable to preserving our liberties. Any patriots who watched the tea parties taking place on Fox News (there was no other place to watch) could not help but be encouraged and inspired by the hundreds of thousands of “ordinary citizens” who turned out.
Now that we are awake we need to stay awake, but we also need to be cautious as we move forward. When a parade starts there are always those who are eager to step in front and lead, and if we do not know where we are going it is tempting to follow the most articulate and charismatic leader. There are a number of smaller movements starting to percolate within the larger conservative movement. Some of these appear to be good; others raise red flags and need to be more carefully considered.
Some of these smaller movements include the state sovereignty movement, the third party movement, the fair tax movement, and even a call for a Constitution Convention. We should be very cautious in considering a third party, or in a hasty support for the “Fair” tax. It is always wise to take a closer look at anything with the word “Fair” in its title. The natural question should be: For whom?
The movement to reinstate state sovereignty, on the other hand, is long overdue. There are currently over twenty states whose legislatures have passed, or are in the process of considering resolutions to reaffirm the constitutional relationship between the federal and state governments.
Republican Governor Rick Perry of Texas crated a stir among the press when he made a statement at a tea party being held at the Austin City Hall on Wednesday. In the statement he seemed to suggest Texas might consider seceding from the union if Washington continues on its present path.
“Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that,” Perry said. “My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention. We’ve got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that.”
Is it likely Texas would try and secede from the Union? Of course not.
Does it have a right to? Definitely.
To deny the right of states to secede is to deny the assertion in the Declaration of Independence that…
“…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
There may come a day when such drastic action is necessary but that time is nowhere in the foreseeable future. We do, however need to support the state sovereignty movement. No other part of the Constitution is more critical to our liberty than the Tenth Amendment which locks in the doctrine of enumerated powers.
The Texas Legislature is considering a House Concurrent Resolution, HCR50, in support of State Sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. Governor Perry, at a press conference explains his support for the bill.
“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.”
You can listen to his entire statement in the video below.
Read text of Resolution here.
The Constitution Sentinel 
You are right to say that, following the successful Tax Day Tea Parties, it’s entirely possible that the “parade” may be usurped and that charismatic leaders might take the movement in the wrong direction.
I may be one of those…I don’t know. I wouldn’t call myself “charismatic”, and I have no ambition toward politics or even leadership, as it were. I’m just aware that someone has to do SOMETHING, because action is what is required right now. The seeds have been sown and the garden continues to sprout new foliage, but someone has to make an effort to harvest the fruits. That’s what I’m attempting.
Thank you for your time.