On this July 4, Americans will take the day off to spend time with family, enjoying parades, picnics and fireworks. Some of you will take a moment to honor the principles of freedom and equality for which our patriot forefathers fought. Unfortunately, these days, many Americans take certain freedoms for granted...
On this July 4, Americans will take the day off to spend time with family, enjoying parades, picnics and fireworks. Some of you will take a moment to honor the principles of freedom and equality for which our patriot forefathers fought. Unfortunately, these days, many Americans take certain freedoms for granted – such as the right to vote and the right to free speech – as we go about our business as if these rights could never be taken away. This Independence Day, I’d like to take time to discuss one of the most important rights that we have as U.S. citizens – states’ rights.
A Brief History
The Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, declaring that the 13 original colonies were independent of Great Britain. As you know, the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, and stands today along with the Constitution as the most important American documents. At the time the Declaration was issued, the American colonies were “united” in declaring their independence from Britain, but were not yet declaring themselves to be a single nation. That union would evolve and take shape in the next few years. As a proclamation, the Declaration was used to try to establish clear reasons for an American rebellion that might persuade reluctant colonists to join them, and to establish cause to foreign governments that might lend them aid. Overall, the Declaration was one of the first major steps in the founding of our nation, and the brilliance of its philosophy stems from the desire to be free – free of the social, economic and political constraints of the monarchy, and free to enjoy our right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
The U.S. Constitution
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The Preamble to our Constitution is as inspiring and hopeful as the day it was adopted. Each article of the Constitution sets forth the infrastructure of our federal government, including the powers of the three branches of government, federal powers and states’ powers. The Bill of Rights affords Americans the right to bear arms, the right to a jury trial, the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments and more. The Bill of Rights includes the 10th Amendment, which provides that powers that the Constitution does not delegate to the United States and does not prohibit the states from exercising, are “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
A New Age of Federalism
“I don’t believe in a government that protects us from ourselves.” President Ronald Reagan
When we fast forward to 2008, it is apparent that our federal government has outgrown the original vision and philosophies of our forefathers, like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Our federal government keeps getting bigger, and our tax burden is a grave concern for many Americans. Lately, many have noted that our U.S. federal government is increasingly burdensome upon the states, passing along unfunded mandates and gridlocked in debate on several issues.
High Energy Costs – While Americans continue to suffer from high gas prices, Congress continues to find itself gridlocked in debate on solutions to our energy crisis. State leaders cannot approve any efforts to build new oil refineries or to explore new options for oil and natural gas, such as making the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) accessible. Instead, Congress chooses to waste time debating whether or not to further tax oil companies, which will only drive gas prices even higher. We need our Congress to spend time constructively by passing a comprehensive energy plan that will meet the energy needs of this country in the years ahead.
Immigration – Shouldn’t the federal government enforce what is already current federal law, before it gives amnesty to over 12 million illegal immigrants? In Georgia, the latest provisions of SB 529, the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act, kick in on July 1, 2008. Georgia law now requires every state agency and local government to verify the lawful presence of any person 18 years of age or older who has applied for state or local public benefits. State governments handle many aspects of the everyday life of an immigrant (healthcare, education, employment, etc.), and it is unfortunate that aspects of Georgia’s new immigration law could be trumped by any federal policy.
Government spending – Over the years we’ve seen an increase in federal budgets for local or “pet” projects. All taxpayers fund these “pork” projects, but they only benefit a particular area and are typically used to garner votes. A classic example of this is the Gravina Island Bridge, which is a $315 million bridge being built in Alaska. This “Bridge to Nowhere” was cited by many in Congress as a clear example of pork barrel spending. Along with other recent earmarks in our ever-growing federal budgets, this suggests that the federal government has outgrown the intent of our founding fathers.
The founders of this great nation saw freedom as the key to any federal government. I agree with Ben Franklin when he said: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” It is doubtful that Franklin meant to create the huge federal government that manages our country today. The best thing that you can do is to exercise the rights our Constitution affords to us. Get out and vote. Contact your senators, congressmen and local leaders to express your concerns on the issues that matter most. Also, get involved in the process, and get to know who represents you at every level, whether federal, state or local, because these are the people who vote on your behalf.
I hope that all of you will find some way to honor our servicemen and women, and enjoy celebrating this July 4th in a fun, special way.
As always, it is my honor and privilege to be your state senator. In closing, I’d like to thank the men and women of the U.S. military, who are currently serving us in Iraq and Afghanistan. They put their lives on the line daily to protect our freedom and uphold the Constitution. I hope that all of you will find some way to honor our servicemen and women, and enjoy celebrating this July 4th in a fun, special way.
Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email atchip.pearson@senate.ga.gov
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