I’ve never attended Mardi Gras, but I have experienced the pirate-themed mega-party known as Gasparilla in Tampa. And I watched a lot of people “breaking the law.” I witnessed hundreds of revelers drinking alcohol from open containers. I bumped into countless publicly intoxicated partiers. I even saw women exposing their breasts in exchange for 10..
Read moreThe Anti-Commandeering Doctrine: A Tool to Fight Federal Overreach
The anti-commandeering doctrine provides a powerful tool to undermine overreaching, unconstitutional federal power. So, what is this doctrine? What is it based upon? And how can it be used as an effective tool for liberty? (more…)
Read moreTestimony on the Tenth Amendment and Nullification Before the Ohio House Federalism Committee (Audio)
On March 6, I testified before the Ohio House Committee on Federalism on the Tenth Amendment and how states can push back against overreaching federal authority. (more…)
Read moreA Big Win at the Supreme Court: Thoughts from Maharrey Head #113
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" If you care about state sovereignty, the Tenth Amendment, or limiting the federal government, the Supreme Court just handed you a huge victory! (It was also a big win if you want to legally bet on sports.) In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about the SCOTUS..
Read morePick One: Constitutional Principles or Your Policy Preferences
In 1788, James Madison offered a blueprint for stopping “unwarrantable measures” enacted by the federal government. In Federalist #46, the “Father of the Constitution” advised a refusal to cooperate with officers of the union.” He said even in a single state, this strategy would create “difficulties” and “impediments.” And if several states refused to cooperate..
Read moreFeds Are Actually Limited in Using Funding to “Coerce” States
Sometimes emailers offer a good opportunity correct widely-held erroneous ideas. In a recent article, I asserted the federal government has very little power to force so-called "sanctuary cities" and states to enforce federal immigration law. Under a well-established legal principle known as the anti-commandeering doctrine, the courts have long held that the federal government cannot..
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