by Pete Ketcham
IN THE BEGINNING
Several months ago I started my efforts to promote action on the 10th Amendment in Idaho. This effort was based on the encouraging fact that the Idaho Legislature passed House Joint Memorial No.4, a sovereignty declaration not requiring the Governor’s signature. My original motivation in this effort was not to promote partisan politics. It was not an emotional effort to “strike a blow for freedom”, nor was it a revengeful effort to put the Federal Government “in its place”.
It was and still is a matter of SURVIVAL.
I saw then as now, an out of control Democratic President and Congressional majority with a socialist agenda proposing bills and mandates so illogical, that the impact in Idaho would be catastrophic. I believed then and still do, that the only entity strong enough to mount a defense against this usurping Federal Government was the states using their 10th Amendment rights.
I then authored a petition requesting the Legislature and Governor take action to enforce the statements put forth in their declaration, and to refuse to comply with usurping mandates and guidelines required by Federal funding grants to the state. The petition was relative well circulated throughout Idaho by contact with the various teaparty groups, whom I urged to form a strong statewide political coalition. I felt confident at the time that this petition was going to have a significant effect on the Legislature and Governor. I sent a copy of the petition to all one hundred five (105) Legislators and Governor, plus a special “Letter of Concern” to the Governor urging him to publically state his support for states rights.
The results for these efforts are as follows:
1. I have to date received a positive response from two (2) legislators and a negative response from one (1). I am actively working with one of these legislators.
2. Have heard nothing from the Governor’s office except after a follow up email, a staffer called and said his office would contact me. A month has passed and still waiting.
3. The teaparty group leaders have helped out to a degree, but their priority has been, and continues to be, teaparty activities in their own area, and the upcoming 9-12 rallies in DC and around the nation. They also continue to reflect very little inclination to form a structured statewide political coalition and they believe they can win their war at the Federal level. I equate this viewpoint as standing on the deck of the Titanic waiting for the rescue ship and passing up the lifeboat.
THE REALITY SETS IN
Where does the fault lie for the marginal results thus far? Obviously with my own apparent inability to organize supporters, and influence legislators, but the greater responsibility for Idaho sitting dead in the water in it’s 10th Amendment voyage is the Idaho Legislators and Governor themselves. They are fully aware of the unconstitutional actions of the President, and the impending radical laws and mandates to be imposed on the citizens of Idaho, yet they have not made one significant move past their initial declaration. One would wonder why they are not self motivated by the common circumstances that are impacting us all.
The political reality is, they are in sitting in a political comfort zone completely out of danger. They are not getting blamed for the state of the economy and chaos in DC. They are not getting hammered by the mainstream news media. They are not getting out in the street rallies and townhalls and being pushed around by “union thugs “. They are not facing protest rallies in their home towns or state capitals against them. Sitting in this enviable political position there is simply no motivation for them to take on a fight with the Federal Government and risk losing Federal funding or exposing themselves to criticism.
I feel certain, that as 10th Amendment advocates in other states begin the implementation process, they will encounter the same reluctance for action by their governors and legislators as I have experienced in Idaho. It is one thing for state legislators and governors to vote on a Sovereignly declaration, but an altogether different matter to bring on a fight with the Feds and risk losing Federal funding. There is also great resistence by various state agencies to the idea of “rocking the federal funding boat”, i.e. taking on the Feds.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Thus, we who are engaged in the 10th Amendment issue do have options to motivate legislators, governors, and agency heads to action, but it is going to take a great deal of work. Listed below are some tasks that I believe must be taken on if we are to realize our goals.
1. Form a nationwide 10th Amendment proactive cooperative coalition.
2. This coalition would need to initiate a statewide information campaign informing state citizens that the very state they live in has the means and muscle to throw back the intrusive Federal usurpations. I have found that the general public is basically uninformed of the 10th Amendment option, and are frustrated, fearful, and angry as they focus at the national level. A petition requesting action on passing a sovereignty declaration, or putting force of action to one already passed can serve as a good information vehicle.
3. Contact the teaparty, 912 type patriot groups within your states, and solicit their help and cooperation. They can be a tremendous asset, but as I have previously stated, they are defiantly focused in on their local sphere of influence as it relates to the federal issues, and so far have provided somewhat tepid cooperation. This is especially evident with the upcoming 912 activity.
4. Organize statewide political rallies demanding 10th Amendment action by the legislators and governors. This action is going to have to be unprecedented, comprehensive, and some what shocking to the incumbent politicians. At first it seemed that we could achieve victory by one nullification bill at a time in order to check the Feds. But it is now apparent that the blitzkrieg of federal laws and mandates are coming so fast that full time state legislative sessions would not be able to keep up. This action must take the form of a complete state plan of action, a plan of action that we as 10th Amendment advocates need to formulate and present to our legislators and governors for action. Each plan of action would have to be tailored to fit the unique characteristics of individual states. Below is plan “B” I have formulated for Idaho. This plan is preliminary, general, incomplete, and somewhat audacious, but it’s primary purpose is to start the process of planning.
IDAHO SOVEREIGNTY
PLAN “B”
ONE
Create a new state agency (as if we needed more agencies) called “Federal Relations” This agency under the direction of the legislature would be tasked with official communications between The state of Idaho and the Federal Government concerning all 10th Amendment / State Sovereignty issues. This agency would also be tasked with accumulating the following information:
A. The accounting of all federal and Idaho state taxes paid by Idaho citizens.
B. The budget requirements of State agencies and entities.
C. The amount of Federal funding that is being received by any entity in the state whether direct or through state channels. This will require all County and city governments to report these funds.
D. Search out and define any and all federal programs, mandates, or laws that are currently in violation of Idaho’s 10th Amendment rights, and in particularly the school system, as in my opinion needs to be brought back out of any Federal control into state/ school district control.
E. Present a report of the above information to the Legislature and Governor.
TWO
Through the “Federal Relations” agency issue a memorandum to the Feds that the State of Idaho will no longer recognize or comply with any federal programs, mandates, or laws that are currently in violation of Idaho’s 10th Amendment rights, and then list them. The memorandum could start out like this:
“Please be advised that the State of Idaho can not and will not comply with funded or unfunded federal programs, mandates, or laws that are currently in violation of Idaho’s 10th Amendment rights. This action has now become necessary due to the recent illogical, and economically disastrous legislation being mandated by the Obama Administration in cooperation with the Democratic controlled Congress. These funded and unfunded federal programs, mandates, and laws are listed below:” etc. etc.
THREE (SCENARIO, the fight is on)
At that point the Feds will probably withhold Federal funding in an attempt to bring Idaho back into compliance.
FOUR
In lieu of the loss of federal funding, Idaho will be forced to impose a property tax on all Federal real estate and improvements lying within Idaho.
(The Feds own approximately 3/4 of all Idaho lands)
FIVE
The Feds won’t pay it.
SIX
Idaho will be forced to confiscate all federal taxes due within the state, in order to meet the state budget. This is not violating the 16th Amendment, as the Feds can continue to tax away, the state is just temporarily confiscating the Fed’s money into a temporary state fund in order to meet state budgets needs until the Feds resume the federal funding the state has become depended on.
If one state could get this fight going it might encourage other states to join in with their own agenda, primarily confiscating federal income taxes, thereby de-funding the Feds.
It is my hope that this article may illustrate the hurdles to be overcome, yet promote real action by the advocates of the 10th Amendment movement.
Pete ketcham
Additional Reading:
August 29th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I urge all who are engaged in this fight to seek the help of your libertarian community and the Libertarian Party of your state and the national party, too. We are all trying to move our governments back to the direction of individual sovereignty and freedom and the move to regain state sovereignty is aligned with libertarian goals.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Windy- it seems to me that the national LP is focused on a failed strategy of trying to win national elections. Do you hear any rumblings there about changing focus – and working with state governments to simply resist this out of control “federal” government?
August 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I just sent the national LP HQ your question, I’m not sure about their support. But, I do know the LP in my local area is fully behind this movement and are currently in discussions on how best to tackle our legislators on the subject, since they “tabled” the Sovereignty Resolution last legislative session.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
The salient question still remains unanswered, what type of plan and strategies will it take to move the state legislators and governors to actually implement their Tenth Amendment rights?
A state sovereignty declaration carries great expectation as a foundation to build state independence upon. But if the expected structure is never built, the foundation begins to lose it’s value as the weeds grow up around it, and the expectations of the beneficiaries turns from joy to disappointment.
Our 1776 Declaration Of Independence was such a foundation, and, as history has shown, the greatest nation in the world was built upon this foundation.
It is going to take far more than passion, rhetoric, and discussion for us today, there needs to be some brilliant strategy developed, and courage to implement it.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
There are many groups that seem to all want the same thing, only saying it in a different way. Tenth Amendment, TEA party, 9-12. It may very well be that some sort of alignment and merging may have to take place, a spearhead maneuver if you will… this multi-prong approach seems to dilute the message being sent. If the tea party people or the 9-12 people got on board,( or visa-versa) with assurances that their causes would be a by-product of returning the States their sovereignty. I can see a national shift happening… can the leaders of all movements get together and hold a meeting?..just a thought..
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
I think the TEA party and 9-12 people will be brought on board when they realist the futility of protest, and impracticality of national elections.
We simply have to convince them this is where their teeth is, this is how they can force the issue practically. We don’t need all the states we just need a lot of them, which can easily be achieved with a well positioned vocal minority.
They need to put aside their dislike of State Government and recognize how they can uses it as a tool to effect the kind of change and protection they demand.
That doesn’t mean trusting the state, it means using the state to check the federal government and vice versa. We the people are the 3rd party that must play both sides to maintain balance, so that nether one of them wins the long run. Right now we need to shift it back in the direction of the States before we lose them completely.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 am
Hey, Pete! Welcome to the club. My sentiments exactly!
I actually wrote on the matter of futility within the state legislatures, and how to conquer it, as well.
See this link: http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/05/23/furthering-liberty-a-plan-that-will-work/
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
Monorprise, I really like what you had to say with this:
“That doesn’t mean trusting the state, it means using the state to check the federal government”
It’s certainly a great tool for people, and it’s the absolute duty of state officials to stand up for the Constitution. It’s high-time we remind them of that.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
One tool, is that we all know most politicians are in it for the power and the prestige. So we appeal to their desire for those two things. We tell our State legislators if they help with enforcing States Rights, they (in effect) become more powerful, more prestigious and more important to residents of the state than the state’s members of congress.
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Good job Monorprise, you’ve just said a mouthful.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Feel free to uses anything I say, to help others understand, this is too important to worry about credit, and the key to our cause will be finding effective and concise ways to help people to understand what is going on and what we can do about it.
That is a task of great difficulty, but we will find analogy’s and explanations that work as we try them. We must build our numbers among our countrymen above all. They must come to understand what they have as an American in terms of their Federal constitutional system, and how they can use it. We must do the job now in hast that our public education system has failed to do, and we must do it not only for our country but for ourselves.
Wind, if you really want to appeal to their vanity, you tell them: “I want you to run theses things here in the State of New Mexico, locally based upon our local interest and values as you in the legislator or governors office best understand and represent.”
Or ask them to defend our rights, as if expecting it of them. When you get down to it people particular politicians want power, but a lot of them don’t want to admit that to themselves or others publicly, so you should not press it. Make them look like a hero, doing their job legitimately.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Perhaps a marketing campaign: short TV ads, billboards, etc, quoting Jefferson and aquainting people with the 10th amendment movement; in order to raise awareness that a solution to our current mess actually exists. Not sure how much this kind of stuff costs but I bet a lot of folks here would donate.
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Jeff,
Linked to your article “A Plan That Will Work”. I had not realized you were the author when I printed it out months ago, and have considered it the best reference document I have. I would urge every one to link to Jeff’s
“A Plan That Will Work” and print it out. Your last sentence “It is time we start a grass-roots effort to control our legislature , rather than have them control us” is my sentiment exactly.
According to “A Plan That Will Work” It would seem to me our grass-roots effort should be built around state legislative districts. We have 35 in Idaho, and I would need to find at least one person in each district to spearhead the 10th Amendment movement. What do you think?
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Larry,
“Most small- to medium-sized business owners find that local advertising fits better with their budgets and marketing goals. A 30-second time slot in a medium-sized market can be purchased for as little as $5 per 1,000 viewers, meaning that you could easily expect to pay less than $100 per commercial slot. Even cheaper rates may be available for off-hour programming.” http://www.gaebler.com/Television-Advertising-Costs.htm
Pete, the grass-roots thing can be done, but I will submit it will be a lot of work. I have been able to see a well of enthusiasm bubbling over out there.
One thing that would probably be good is to have a web page (such as TAC) where people sign-on in support of the 10th and list the state, along with state senate and house districts, in which they live. If we see lots of people sign up, then, we might see an organization gel together.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Oops! I meant I have “not” been able to see a well of enthusiasm.
On that note, most people are unaware. Legislators, as opposed to “people,” seem too busy on other things.
There are some rather gung-ho legislators, though. Manny Steele of South Dakota is one. I worked with Lenore Barrett and Lawerence Denny in Idaho. I think there are some who seem reasonably firmly on-board.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Sorry to keep rambling, but I have always maintained that organization is the key to progress in a movement. It is important to know who is accomplishing “what” and “where.” That’s why I am a strong proponent for keeping a database and maps if the people are really serious about this. Without that, the movement seems to be more of an indefinite source of curiosity – where people speak their outrage, give a few ideas, and then, move on….
I think people want to monitor progress, see it unfold, and be a part of it. It’s kind of like Fox News – a one pony show and all you get to do is watch. You can only listen to the same-old stuff and sit there in outrage or disbelief for so long before you want to move on to the Nature Channel or something else.
Can anyone name any real political movement that ever got anywhere without a concentrated effort along geographical boundaries, where data was organized and maintained? MADD, Acorn, Tort Reform, Elections, you name it. They did not get there by mere whining. They organized. No legislator did it for them. They assembled their forces, and THEN, put the legislators to the task.
Anyway, that’s my two cents. I’m still game as soon as I get the sense that a grass-roots effort will take-off. In order to know that, I’d first have to see who is going to do “what” and “where.”
It really is hard work to try to spearhead a movement. A good idea needs to be implemented where the organization occurs more automatically.
No offense to the people here, but reading articles and blogs is FAR too introverted to accomplish anything. We need people saying, “Here I am. I am so-and-so from Colorado, etc. I live in senate district x and house district Y, and I have signed on the list.”
This list needs to grow to a size where we KNOW we have a serious force actually WORKING and not whining.
At least, that’s what I think.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 am
Peter,
Really admire the thinking and passion you put into this movement. I wanted to comment on your article on a couple of things.
As you know, the Federal Government has mastered how to extort states with its own agenda by withholding funds. Many of the edicts coming from DC have no constitutional authority and the Federal government knows it cannot enforce such edicts. So, they resort to extorting states.
Now, one might think that to stop the extortion, states should simply stop giving the federal government any money. No money given is no money extorted. However, there is one thing I believe many of us patriots keep forgetting: The money is not ours. Our land is not ours; our money is not ours; our labor is not ours.
The whole of our medium of exchange has been collateralized by future years of work and labor from the American People. We have no process by which we can control the medium. It is my firm belief that until Congress assumes its money powers and tells the Federal Reserve to take a flying hike, then we will continually be subject to the economic slavery firmly rooted.
I think we need to rethink the money issue before we go taking on the Federal Government through propounding the 10th Amendment in their faces. Resolutions are weak when comparing the rubber hitting the road. There is no political will to go beyond words because of the money issue.
While I believe this issue is vital to restoring America to constitutional underpinnings, the root of the problem lies in the money issue. We must strike at the root instead of hacking at the branches.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:03 am
Start local. Mayors, town councils, county commissioners, county sheriffs, etc. Some people have already begun or tried a national and state level top down approach, now it’s time to really focus on the bottom up approach.
Talk to people in your neighborhood, town, city, county, at the local cafe, etc. Share information, whether it’s one at a time over coffee or through social interactions and emails.
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
We are being called “Tenthers”, now.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/3/62435/93093
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
The best most effective form of sales and advertisement is and always has been person to person, that means you, me, and everyone personalty dealing with the matter either in person or on the internet thou forums, emails, websites ect..
Our main target is rather clearly, the TEA party and 9-12 group, with the explicit propose of insuring that they know this is where their real teeth is to force the matter. So i don’t believe we should require anything but communication with them and state legislators and governors. Our aim should be to be an extension of their efforts, not a separate effort all together.
As correctly pointed out our goals are really one in the same.
Our is simply better directed with a knowledge of the structural nature of our system and how it was meant to be used to resolve this type of problem. We must share that knowledge with them, and spread it.
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I really appreciate the input from every one. As I rethink my efforts, I may have “got the cart before the horse”, by that I believe I should have tried to built a separate state-wide 10th Amendment coalition before linking up with the teaparty groups, or trying to push the petition.
Fortunately nothing has been lost, but I am now working on plan based on Jeff Matthew’s “A Plan that Will Work”. It is going to be a lot of work to find a leader in each legislative district, but I believe my established link-ups with the teapartiers will be a help.
Some one mentioned we are being called “Tenthers”, I kind of like the term.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:46 am
I am new to this site, however I have believed in States’ Rights for as long as I have been paying attention politically, about 10 years. (32yo stay@home mommy)
I am noticing that our biggest need is to get organized, there are plenty of Americans out there that firmly believe in the Constitution and that the Congress and the rest of the Federal Govt. has been overstepping their bounds for quite some time. Apparently we’re only just now figuring out that we need to organize better, but the left has been organizing for decades and proactively laying groundwork. I know it sounds trite especially considering the source but we need to mimic how the left has been ‘Organizing’.
I think ‘Community Organizer’ is code for radical political activist. They have been making a concerted effort to connect with one another and we need to find quick ways to do the same. Twitter helps and other social networking sites. Meetup.com will be useful if people can get educated.
I don’t know exactly how to do all of this of course, but I do think if some people can start researching and start getting a list of all the organizations, foundations, groups, law firms, polititians who are Pro-Constitution and then start trying to get all of these groups together this would be key. It isn’t just the 9-12ers & TEA Partiers, there are LOTS of groups out there that are fragmented. There are so many more of us than them. I believe there are many many more who are truly fed up and have 1 thing in mind. Uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Oh and I forgot to say ‘I’
September 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
“Sorry to keep rambling, but I have always maintained that organization is the key to progress in a movement. It is important to know who is accomplishing “what” and “where.” That’s why I am a strong proponent for keeping a database and maps if the people are really serious about this. Without that, the movement seems to be more of an indefinite source of curiosity – where people speak their outrage, give a few ideas, and then, move on….”
I agree whole heatedly Jeff, we must know where our brothers and sisters stand so that we can coordinate, and be encouraged to push further and harder.
Efforts such as our own are depended upon us not being alone, we cant make a stand against the powerful central government alone, we need more then 1 state to stand and act together.
Indeed we need enough states so that the cost of their suppression for the Federal Government is higher then the cost of simply backing down to their demands.
That is the only way we can win this fight with out secession and war.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Monoprise…the maps and database could be created on an interactive website. As the group grows on the local level, their leaders, respecticvely could plug in their data to give everyone a running total and placement at all times. The software could include a colorcoded interactive map that shows the strength of the movement, its weakness to identify a focus of resources, and more than ever, the progress in the intiative itself.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:01 am
“I would need to find at least one person in each district to spearhead the 10th Amendment movement. What do you think?”
This is an AWESOME idea Pete, though there are still many states that have no central 10th group, let alone districts.
What I can tell you is that given the rate at which the ‘10thers’ are massing, a 10th group in every state is not far off. Perhaps what you are doing in ID will provide a model for those states who are late to the sovereignty party.
This will be a long and pitched battle, but the results seem pretty clear to me already- decentralization is coming, with all of your help.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Pete, I applaud your efforts in the State of Idaho. I for one totally agree that trying to solve this crisis at the federal level is a futile effort. On many occasions I have contacted our state legislators and the Governor on various subjects to no avail. Here is my path forward on this subject: As we all know, most elected officials have their own “self” interests in mind. It really doesn’t matter anymore what letter comes in front of the candidate (dem, rep, ind, etc.) Every once in a while, a true statesman comes on the scene. In Idaho, there are two such people running for office next year. Rex Rammell for Governor and Vaughn Ward for Congress. Both men are grounded in the principles of our Constitution and are 10th Amendment advocates. On a local level, my wife has been actively campaigning for County Commissioner for next years election. The kind of changes that we all are striving for have to come from within, taking small steps. Patience and Perseverance are key to success.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
One idea:
Step 1. Form a PAC
Step 2. Fund it by a tenth amendment supporter with deep pockets, sort of a bizarro George Soros
Step 3. Contribute to the campaigns of tenth amendment state reps and state senators. Once, we’ve got the state houses it is a fait accompli.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Pete I am from North Idaho and I am hoping you can help me to get involved with this. Can you email me who it is you are working with in the legislature?
Thanks
Use this address shane@freeofstate.org
September 16th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Terry,
I agree with you on Rex Rammell, who I am helping set up a meeting here in Grangeville on the 23rd of this month.
Thank you for your support.
Shane,
I just sent you a email.
Larry,
I think your plan will work, its finding the deep pocket supporter that is difficult.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I am one of those teapartiers. Now that I have protested in Washington, D.C. and Albany, NY , I have some contacts with some very enthusiastic groups throughout the state. It was nice to let off some steam, but now it is time for real action. I am going to start speaking at 912 group meetings about some state sovereignty steps we can start making here. I would like to set up a 10th Amendment Center table at functions and try to recruit some people to help me out.
I have been following the gun law in Montana. I am looking forward to the day when they start actually selling guns with no federal registrations. I think another avenue to circumvent federal regulations would be pharmacueticals made in a particular state for sale in only that state. I think the Sovereignty Declaration is pointless unless it actually means something and there is some sort of action taken.