“I presume the general proposition is undeniable that Congress does not possess the power to appropriate money in the Treasury, raised by taxes on the people of the United States, for the purpose of educating the people of the respective States. It will not be pretended that any such power is to be found among the specific powers granted to Congress nor that “it is necessary and proper for carrying into execution” any one of these powers. Should Congress exercise such a power, this would be to break down the barriers which have been so carefully constructed in the Constitution to separate Federal from State authority. We should then not only “lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises” for Federal purposes, but for every State purpose which Congress might deem expedient or useful. This would be an actual consolidation of the Federal and State Governments so far as the great taxing and money power is concerned, and constitute a sort of partnership between the two in the Treasury of the United States, equally ruinous to both.”
President James Buchanan
Veto Message To Congress — 1859
My family and I were listening to several talks by Dr. Paul Jehle yesterday. He listed a number of states that have introduced state sovereignty bills, starting with Oklahoma. Don’t know if it will go anywhere, can’t imagine it passing too many places, but it was encouraging to me. I think I can have Elijah moments where I think I (or we few) alone am left.
Mark,
I’ve heard Dr. Jehle speak before. He is quite good.