The Nature of our Nation...

Of note in the Western US is a recent movement, beginning in the beautiful state of Montana, towards asserting a level of sovereignty assigned to the states themselves. I would like to draw a few parallels between the legal battle there and the fringes of my previous post on Decentralization. In effect a lawsuit, brought by Montanans against the federal government, and recently joined by several other states, is challenging whether or not the federal government has authority to regulate purely intrastate commerce. Specifically, the issue at hand is firearms produced and sold within the state, however it touches on the corners of the debate regarding the limits of power. Obviously, I have my own opinions, and see this as a step, and a legal one, in the direction of decentralization, and in fact legitimizing the states as individual entities. Also note the states that have joined in on the lawsuit, and compare them to a list I personally posted quite recently on this website...

The Decentralization of American Government, or Why I would Secede from the Union.

The United States of America is, in theory, an organized coalition comprised of 50 individual nations, working together for the combined protection of their inhabitants. If, hypothetically, a situation were to arise in which those nations felt that the established coalition, and any laws thereof, comprised an active threat to their well-being, it would be reasonable and prudent to withdraw from that union. If, in the course of time, such a decision were made, and pursued in a legal and fair minded manner, it would be the height of tyranny to deny them that right.

If we observe the actions of the United Soviet Socialist Republic, we may note that it is doubtful a peaceable and amenable divorce could be attained. Therefor, if any of the several states wee to attempt to break themselves from the union and that action were met with either unreasonable demands or military action, the union that is the United States of America would be acting in the same manner as its former foe, which has since failed as an entity. This would not be in the best interest of the inhabitants. This response would be both despotic and totalitarian in nature.

It is our right, as citizens of a free nation, to enter or to leave this Union as we see fit. I would therefor propose that the Western Alliance of States be formed, comprising the areas of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Being the several states most similar in political and cultural values, it is most likely that these nine states would act in the best interests of their own citizens, devoid of the unreasonable levies and responsibilities forced upon us by citizenry of vastly differing viewpoints. These states could then peacefully negotiate with the remaining American States in order to maintain the defense and stability of the continent. The right of these states to levy taxes and enter into treaties is firmly established, and * These several states would, in due course, be obligated to pay a portion of the incurred national debt, as would be appropriate. National Entities within the area of the WAS, such as Yellowstone National Park and various US Army and Navy establishments, could be purchased outright through assumption of debt, or operated under other negotiated treaties.

The effective end of a peaceful dissolution would not be a death blow to the American was of life. Rather the opposite. A peaceful dissolution of the Federal Government of the United States would mean a MORE active role in international relations. Just as their withdrawal from the Soviet Union has given the various eastern European nations their own voice in the world, so would ours now be heard. Rather than the single, increasingly unrepresentative voice our nation now offers to the world, we would now be able to approach international relations with perhaps as many as 50 individual views, as 50 individual nations. Perhaps we would be united in cause, but each with our own unique view, our own unique voice, to better represent the citizenry from which the law and culture arises.

*Edit- I felt compelled, after some discussion with my father-in-law, to amend this post to a degree. I would note that my Constitutional studies are limited in scope and are mostly freelance, but after reading the Constitution, I felt the need to strike a line and amend it. Article I Section 10 of the United States Constitution does, in fact, prohibit the states from entering into treaties. My intent was to show that states can, indeed, enter into agreements, such as the Western Student Exchange program, the Western States Hunting Alliance, and similar. As I have not properly researched the applicable laws, or their place as relates to the federal government, I have stricken this reference entirely.

When is a Post not a Post?

WHEN ITS THIS ONE! Seriously... okay, not seriously. I haven't posted anything in a while, but in my defense I was first away from home for several months, working out of state, then getting married, then honeymooning in Aruba to recover from the wedding, then at home recovering from Aruba. So this is to let people know, assuming that anybody wants to know, that the Wolfman will soon emerge again from his den and begin flooding the 'net with his confused, amused, and nominally useful ramblings. Yes, of course I realize I just referred to myself by my own nickname, and in the third person. I thought it was humorous. Stay tuned and soon ye shall receive!