States' rights pushed in bill that would 'assert the sovereignty of the state'

[^_^ 5,021]

Jan 24, 2013

Written by Jerry Mitchell

More than a half century ago, Mississippi created a state Sovereignty Commission to block enforcement of federal laws.

Now two key state lawmakers are introducing legislation to attempt to do much the same thing. House Bill 490 would create a committee to help neutralize federal laws and regulations “outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government in the United States Constitution.”

Robert McElvaine, professor of history at Millsaps College, said all this bill will accomplish is to put Mississippi up for ridicule. “ ‘The Neutralization of Federal Law’?” he said. “I am astounded to see such a measure introduced in the 21st century. Do the authors of the bill see Mississippi as part of the United States?”

He pointed out that the issue of state sovereignty “was settled by a terrible war 150 years ago as well as by numerous Supreme Court decisions.”

House Insurance Committee Chairman Gary Chism, R-Columbus, principal author of the bill with Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Smith, R-Columbus, said the legislation is meant to enforce the 10th Amendment, which says powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.

Talk of opposing federal law started with federal health care reform and has since been fueled by the push to change federal gun laws, he said. “It’s too much intrusion. You’re bleeding into our constitutional rights.”

He rejected comparisons to the Sovereignty Commission.

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The proposed Joint Legislative Committee on the Neutralization of Federal Law would review existing federal laws and executive orders and recommend those to be “neutralized.” If the majority of lawmakers back the recommendation, Mississippi “and its citizens shall not recognize or be obligated to live under the statute, mandate or executive order.”

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130125/NEWS010504/301250044/States-rights-pushed-bill-would-assert-sovereignty-state-?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It should work until the Feds really care, and then, history will repeat itself.

http://crdl.usg.edu/export/html/ugabma/wsbn/crdl_ugabma_wsbn_37311.html?Welcome

[james&olya 1,121]

[quote name=' timestamp='1359227280' post='5943361]

Jan 24, 2013

all this bill will accomplish is to put Mississippi up for ridicule.