Most people miss the most significant line in the Declaration of Independence. We tend to focus on the first two paragraphs where Thomas Jefferson laid the philosophical groundwork for political secession. (more…)
Read moreDebunking the “One Nation” Myth: Thoughts from Maharrey Head 146
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" Most Americans think July 4, 1776, birthed a nation. It's didn't. It actually birthed 13 independent nations that soon formed a union. The notion that Independence Day birthed a nation is part of a broader "one nation" myth advanced by the likes of Joseph Story and Abraham Lincoln, and perpetuated..
Read moreFederal Supremacy: It’s Not an Anything and Everything Proposition
It never goes away – the myth of absolute federal supremacy. (more…)
Read moreWhat Was the Purpose of the Second Amendment?
The recent mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas have reignited the gun control debate, with some gun control proponents once again calling for a federal “assault weapon” ban. Supporters of such a law often argue the founders never imagined powerful weapons available today in the hands of the people. But this argument completely misses..
Read moreTrump Following in Obama’s Footsteps with Healthcare EO
When Pres. Trump issued an executive order phasing out DACA last month, the administration made it a constitutional issue, accusing Pres. Obama of overreaching his authority when he created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by executive order in June 2012. Now Trump is following in Obama's footsteps with his planned EO to expand access to..
Read moreHow the Federal Fight Against Sanctuary Cities Undermines the Constitution
We all need to fight the temptation to abandon constitutional principles when they conflict with our policy preferences. I recently appeared on a radio show to talk about the Tenth Amendment and nullification. The conversation moved along marvelously as I explained Madison's blueprint, and how state and local governments can thwart unwarrantable federal actions (and..
Read moreSubverting the Constitution: Madison on General Welfare and Common Defense
The words "provide for the common defense and general welfare" rank among the most abused phrases in the Constitution. I often refer to this as the "anything and everything clause." Partisans on both the political left and right use "general welfare and common defense" to justify all kinds of federal actions, from wars to social..
Read moreThe Evolution of Sovereignty in American Political Thought: States’ Rights
This is part 2 of a 2-part series examining the evolution of American political thought as it relates to sovereignty in the political system. You can read part 1 HERE. In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, and continuing through the post-war era, Americans conceived and developed a revolutionary political idea. They came..
Read moreThe Evolution of Sovereignty in American Political Thought – Part 1
This is part 1 of a 2-part series examining the evolution of American political thought as it relates to sovereignty in the political system. When Americans talk about the Revolution, they generally mean the fight with the British. But there was a more fundamental revolution that began long before the first shot was fired and..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #61 – The Real American Revolution
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" We usually think of the American Revolution as the war with the British. But there was an even more fundamental revolution that began long before the first shot was fired - a revolution in political thought. I talk about it in this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head. In an..
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