Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ed Martin Promises to Stand for State Sovereignty

In a letter addressed to Speaker Steve Tilley (R) of the Missouri House and President Pro Tem Rob Mayer (R) of the Missouri Senate, Ed Martin (R) outlines his commitment to state sovereignty. Martin is currently running for the GOP nomination for US Senate and hopes to defeat Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) in November of 2012.

Martin notes that the Federal Government has overreached its authority many times, but notes that the passage of Obamacare in 2010 and the failure of the current Congress to repeal or defund it are the main reasons he is renewing his commitment to the core principal of state sovereignty.

Martin closes his letter with three promises to the leaders of Missouri's General Assembly "and their successors":

  1. Each year, I will meet with you and the General Assembly expressly to discuss any federal actions or contemplated actions that we are concerned constitute an overreach by the federal constitutional authority. (Perhaps the week of March 23rd would be a good time given its significance as an anniversary of Obamacare.)
  2. I will support you in any effort to nullify or interpose any law, regulation, or other action that we deem to be an overreach of federal constitutional authority.
  3. Finally, I will fight against any action by the federal government to punish the state or Missourians for any expression of their sovereignty. I know that the federal government can use its power to withhold and intrude in our state, and I will fight to stop this abuse.
The first promise hearkens back to an earlier time in our nation's history. Prior to the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913, US Senators were selected by the legislators of their respective states. Martin obviously believes that as a Senator he should show some deference to the legislature of the state he represents.

I hope to see more candidates for US Senate take this innovative approach.

Ed Martin's State Sovereignty Letter to Speaker Tilley President Pro Tem Mayer March 2011

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