Something is changing in our political culture.

All these resolutions have passed state legislatures. It’s not just lone “whacko” governors doing the deed. Deliberative bodies have decided these measures. Something big may be afoot.

What is it?

Opposition to bigness and “limitlessness” in the federal government.

Randy Brogdon expressed the idea well enough. He said that Oklahoma is telling folks in Washington, DC, “loud and clear to end all federal mandates that are beyond the scope of powers specifically outlined in the Constitution.” He specifically mentioned the Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind and some provisions of Homeland Security as federal usurpations of state powers.

It all comes down to the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” It is upon this provision that these state sovereignty resolutions rest. This drive has been dubbed the Tenth Amendment Movement.

Tell the idiots in Washington, DC, “loud and clear to end all federal mandates that are beyond the scope of powers specifically outlined in the Constitution.

Congress likes to pass unfunded mandates--that's where the problem is. The States then have to pick up the tab for something that Washington mandates. Most States must operate with a balanced budget, that means if the money isn't there, they can't spend it or borrow it. Revenues from taxes must increase before funds can be spent.