By Mark Balzer
On Saturday January 9 the Idaho State Republican Party held its Central Committee Meeting in Boise. A lot was accomplished Chris and I spent the morning in the Resolutions committee meeting. We had brought 3 resolutions from Bannock County, a total of 14 resolutions were presented to the committee for consideration, 10 passed the committee and one was presented to the floor of the Central Committee under a minority report and passed at that point.
The resolutions passed by the Resolutions Committee are all items that support individual freedom and the sovereignty of the state of Idaho.
The first resolution passed was titled “CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS FOR IDAHO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS” This resolution calls for protection of the religious and conscience rights of Idaho health care professionals to allow them to refuse to perform procedures, prescribe or dispense medicine that is a violation of their personal beliefs.
The second resolution passed, titled “A Resolution Affirming the Sovereignty of the State of Idaho Guaranteed under the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution” calls for legislation asserting Idaho’s rights and responsibilities as a sovereign state under the Constitution of the United States. Legislation should require the formation of a committee to review federal legislation and the constitutionality of all federal laws. If the committee finds any of these laws to violate the U.S. Constitution they should forward a letter to the Feds and the other 49 states with Idaho’s objections.
Resolution number three calls for correction of language in the Idaho Constitution. Currently the constitution states that Idaho is “The state of Idaho is an inseparable part of the American Union,…” and replace it with “The state of Idaho is a sovereign state, subject only to the Constitution of the United States, providing the freedom necessary for the continuity of the Union, by preserving the right of local self- government”. This is a good correction and if the Idaho legislature agrees then this will be a ballot issue next November.
The “Idaho Health Care Freedom Resolution” calls for the nullification of any nationalized health care system and mandatory vaccination program.
A resolution supporting the independence of Idaho sheriffs as the only elected law enforcement officials in the state titled “Support of Idaho Sheriffs” was passed in reaction to the factions that are and will try to force the county sheriffs to deputize people against the will of the county sheriff.
Another resolution regarding law enforcement was passed calling for the prohibition of indefinite detention in the state of Idaho.
A resolution calling for support of legislation regarding an open and independent audit of the Federal Reserve Bank was passed after heated debate. A similar resolution calling for the abolition of the FED failed in committee.
A resolution calling for a law similar to “Montana’s Fire Arms Freedom Act” which would exempt any firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition produced and sold in Idaho from federal regulation under the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution.
A resolution calling for the abolition of kindergarten classes saving the state approximately 63 million dollars and reasserting the right and responsibility of education to the parents in the most formative years of a child’s learning was presented to the committee the morning of the meeting and required a 2/3 vote to be heard, once heard it passed.
A resolution reaffirming the voting rights of Idahoan’s was also presented late and passed the committee. This resolution calls for the legislature to not pass any form of permanent absentee voter registration.
All of the above resolutions passed the central committee without comment and will be forwarded to the Idaho Legislature.
Two resolutions regarding sound currency were presented to the committee. Both failed a committee vote. One failed on a 7-6 vote and qualified for a minority report to the Central Committee. Chris Stevens made the minority report and the resolution passed on a 64-56 vote and will also be forwarded to the state legislature. Thanks to Chris for his eloquent presentation assuring the passage of this important resolution.
All in all we as defenders of State Sovereignty and individual freedom and rights had a very good weekend at the Republican Central Committee meeting. I have been involved with the resolution committee for over 10 years and I do not believe any of these resolutions would have passed 5 years ago. We are making progress and cannot afford to relax.
For home work find out how to contact your legislators and let them know you will be watching their vote on these critical issues. We at Sovereign Idaho along with the Idaho Freedom Foundation and other groups will publish the voting record of the legislature when available so you as citizens will be able to see how you are being represented at the state level.
Come and join us on the 18th for the Converge on the Capitol.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, December 14, 2009
The EPA pt 1
The world has been meeting in Copenhagen this week to discuss the need for regulations about climate control. A few weeks ago e-mails, dated between March 1996 and November 2009, showed that some of the scientists involved in climate research tweaked their data at best and at worst outright falsified the information.
President Obama will be going to Copenhagen, along with Al Gore and others, a republican delegation will also be going to present the opposing view. Interestingly at this conference which touts the evils of using fossil fuels, self important people will use 140 private planes and over 1200 limousines. This number does not include official planes like Air Force One and diplomatic cars.
Earlier this week the Environmental Protection Agency decided that carbon dioxide is a toxic substance. The President of the US Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, and other business people are concerned that any action by the EPA will stifle the economic recovery when it begins.
But this column is not about global warming.
Shortly after the EPA made this declaration Lisa P. Jackson the EPA administrator told congress that if they did not act on CO2 regulation the EPA would. She went on to say that if the EPA did write the regulation it would be from a command and control position and not from a position friendly to business.
As most people see this there is one of two things that could happen.
Thing one, is that congress will pass the cap and trade bill which will increase the cost of absolutely everything in this country. This will happen because the people in congress who pass it and the president who will sign it have failed to realize one simple fact about taxes and business.
Business does not pay taxes.
Thing two, the EPA will enact new law regulating CO2 emissions increasing the cost of absolutely everything in this country. This will happen because the people in the EPA who will enact the regulation …, well, see above.
What most people do not realize, I have talked to only one who could see this, is there is a thing three. Thing three is for congress to tell Ms. Jackson that she does not have the authority to regulate CO2 emissions.
They would do this by exercising their constitutional authority and responsibility as the only body authorized to write law. Yes Grasshopper the Constitution does actually say in Article One, Section One;
“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives”
Hmm, I don’t see anything in that section, and that is the entire section, that says any agency of the government has any authority to make law. Do not be mistaken my friends whenever any federal agency is writing new regulation they are making law.
The EPA is part of the executive branch. Nowhere in Article Two, which is the section enumerating the powers of the executive branch, does it say the executive is allowed to make laws. Of course the EPA does not call what it does making law, they are regulating. Well when these regulations come with penalties up to and including jail time they are laws no matter what little nicety you call them by.
Friday the EPA announced that any use of pesticide or herbicide would require individual permits for each application under the clean water act. This means that a farmer who finds a fungal infection or insect infestation must apply for a clean water permit before he takes any action to protect his crops. Like he would get that in time save his crops.
Congress should have and still can pass a law telling the executive branch to mind its own business and not try to blackmail congress into action. That is one of those mythical Checks and Balances you may have heard about. Lately they have become as rare as Unicorns.
We as a country have come to accept regulation and enforcement by the same branch of the government. We accept the Supreme Court as the ultimate sovereign authority in this country. Both positions are incorrect, and tyrannical, because neither give any redress to The People.
ONLY congress has the authority to pass law, or regulate, not the executive branch, and certainly not the judicial branch. Our three branches of government have either overstepped their authority or abdicated it through inaction, both situations are wrong, both need to be fixed, and congress can start with the EPA.
Mark Balzer is the Co-Chair of Sovereign Idaho
President Obama will be going to Copenhagen, along with Al Gore and others, a republican delegation will also be going to present the opposing view. Interestingly at this conference which touts the evils of using fossil fuels, self important people will use 140 private planes and over 1200 limousines. This number does not include official planes like Air Force One and diplomatic cars.
Earlier this week the Environmental Protection Agency decided that carbon dioxide is a toxic substance. The President of the US Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, and other business people are concerned that any action by the EPA will stifle the economic recovery when it begins.
But this column is not about global warming.
Shortly after the EPA made this declaration Lisa P. Jackson the EPA administrator told congress that if they did not act on CO2 regulation the EPA would. She went on to say that if the EPA did write the regulation it would be from a command and control position and not from a position friendly to business.
As most people see this there is one of two things that could happen.
Thing one, is that congress will pass the cap and trade bill which will increase the cost of absolutely everything in this country. This will happen because the people in congress who pass it and the president who will sign it have failed to realize one simple fact about taxes and business.
Business does not pay taxes.
Thing two, the EPA will enact new law regulating CO2 emissions increasing the cost of absolutely everything in this country. This will happen because the people in the EPA who will enact the regulation …, well, see above.
What most people do not realize, I have talked to only one who could see this, is there is a thing three. Thing three is for congress to tell Ms. Jackson that she does not have the authority to regulate CO2 emissions.
They would do this by exercising their constitutional authority and responsibility as the only body authorized to write law. Yes Grasshopper the Constitution does actually say in Article One, Section One;
“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives”
Hmm, I don’t see anything in that section, and that is the entire section, that says any agency of the government has any authority to make law. Do not be mistaken my friends whenever any federal agency is writing new regulation they are making law.
The EPA is part of the executive branch. Nowhere in Article Two, which is the section enumerating the powers of the executive branch, does it say the executive is allowed to make laws. Of course the EPA does not call what it does making law, they are regulating. Well when these regulations come with penalties up to and including jail time they are laws no matter what little nicety you call them by.
Friday the EPA announced that any use of pesticide or herbicide would require individual permits for each application under the clean water act. This means that a farmer who finds a fungal infection or insect infestation must apply for a clean water permit before he takes any action to protect his crops. Like he would get that in time save his crops.
Congress should have and still can pass a law telling the executive branch to mind its own business and not try to blackmail congress into action. That is one of those mythical Checks and Balances you may have heard about. Lately they have become as rare as Unicorns.
We as a country have come to accept regulation and enforcement by the same branch of the government. We accept the Supreme Court as the ultimate sovereign authority in this country. Both positions are incorrect, and tyrannical, because neither give any redress to The People.
ONLY congress has the authority to pass law, or regulate, not the executive branch, and certainly not the judicial branch. Our three branches of government have either overstepped their authority or abdicated it through inaction, both situations are wrong, both need to be fixed, and congress can start with the EPA.
Mark Balzer is the Co-Chair of Sovereign Idaho
Monday, November 16, 2009
Not All Flu's Are Created Equal
In the news this week, over four thousand Americans had died of the H1N1 flu virus. Over twenty two million have been infected, there is a problem with that number but we will get to that later. The government still does not know when enough vaccine will be available, at this rate you will be vaccinated by default before you can actually get the vaccine.
Recently at Tendoy Elementary we have seen an indication of the epidemic mismanagement that infects the H1N1 panic. People stood in line for hours for the chance of getting a shot. In other places in the screening criteria changed during the day as it became apparent to health care officials, not professionals, officials, that they simply did not have enough vaccine.
Everyone needs to get vaccinated, isn’t that what we were told earlier this year? Now there are guidelines on which people are a higher priority to receive the vaccine. Everyone needs the vaccine, and you will get it when and if there is enough. You may not get the vaccine your doctor recommends either; a health care official may decide that for you.
These decisions are made again by health care officials, government bureaucrats, not your doctor. For those of you who do not recognize this for what it is, this is health care rationing. Remember we were told there would be no rationing under a government run health care system.
Guess who is running the H1N1 flu vaccination program.
You cannot get the vaccine but the terrorist at Guantanamo can, well they would have received the vaccine until the public found out and threw a fit.
Why are there so many cases of H1N1? Well health care professionals (doctors) have been instructed by health care officials (bureaucrats) to report all cases of the flu as H1N1 and not to run any tests to see which type of flu they are really dealing with. To paraphrase Napoleon “All flu’s are equal, but some flu’s are more equal than others”.
So reality has nothing to do with this, why waste a good crisis right?
Do you still think the government can run a health care system? They cannot even manage something as simple as distribution of a single vaccine.
Fancy Nancy and her compatriots have thrust a two thousand plus page health care bill down the throats of the American public. I guess she thought if 1000 pages upset us we would be ecstatic about a bill twice as big and incomprehensible.
I get my health insurance through the university, for my family the total cost for health care is $5364.36 a year, I already pay $779.76 a year for other peoples medical insurance (Medicare).
The monstrosity of a law passed last week is estimated to cost as much as 1.2 trillion dollars to cover 36 million people. That is $277.78 per month per individual. For a family of four that cost comes to $13333.30 a year, but the government can run health care cheaper than the private sector.
When asked what part of the constitution supported a National health care system, Senator Ben Nelson (D,NE) and Senator Jack Reed (D,RI) and the White house press secretary all claimed that they were “not constitutional scholars” and “did not know the case law”. I guess they also failed high school civics.
If you decide to pay cash for your health care, in other words be responsible, you are a felon and subject to 5 years in prison and up to $250,000.00 in fines (section 7201). When questioned (3 times) about this Fancy Nancy could not give the reporter an answer that had anything to do with incarceration of American citizens.
For the first time in the history of our country, as a condition of freedom, you will be forced to purchase something from the government. I have news for all of the above individuals, THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
Senators are insisting that any health care bill pay for abortion. Forcing taxpayers to contribute to a system which pays for procedures they object to on religious grounds is a violation of the First Amendment. Which side will the courts come down on? Will it be the fundamental right? Or the legislated right?
Our government which cannot handle something as simple as distribution of a vaccine is taking over health care. November 11 was Veterans Day, if you want to honor the Veterans who served to guarantee your freedom get involved in the process and put a stop to this insanity.
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