“Secessionist” Resolution Passes North Dakota Senate

The resolution in the North Dakota legislature asking the federal government to begin recognizing the 10th amendment and to stop overreach into state matters, the one the Fargo Forum wrote off as being part of a “secessionist movement, has passed in the Senate. By a strictly party-line vote, unfortunately, meaning not one Democrat in the legislature had enough respect for the sovereignty of North Dakota to vote for it.
As you would expect from liberals, they all want big centralized government. They all want fewer decisions made in North Dakota, and more decisions made in Washington DC.
The resolution now goes to the House, where I expect it will also pass. Also, I’m guessing, by a strictly party-line vote. Which, if it happens, would be a small bright spot in an otherwise dim legislative session. It takes a certain level of conviction for politicians to vote for a resolution like this one. Would that the Republicans voting for it now had the courage of those convictions when faced with legislation that grows spending and government in the state.
Republicans, throughout this legislative session, have done a terrible job on that front.
Below you’ll find a transcript of Senator Joe Miller (R – District 16)’s speech in support of the resolution from the Senate floor:

Mr. President, HCR 3063 is a resolution about federalism and about states’ rights. The Finance and Tax Committee voted on a 4-3 vote to adopt this resolution because it is the Majority’s belief and I think even the minority’s belief that government that is closest to the people is the best form of government.
North Dakota, I would say, represents the best form of republican democracy in the history of this country and perhaps the world. While the national legislature and other legislatures have adopted rules that stifle ideas and kill bills in committees, we bring everything to a vote. We live and work among our constituents, we are not professional politicians.
That is why I believe it is so important that we recognize that there has been a constant erosion of the sovereignty of states, erosion that has escalated in the past few decades. This is not a partisan issue. Both Parties are to blame for this, and both Parties should be willing to work to restore state sovereignty
This is part of a national movement. Many states have introduced similar resolutions and some have already passed similar resolutions. The Oklahoma House passed this resolution in a non-partisan manner and so should we. It will be a profound statement for the states to resolve that the powers of the Government of the United States have grown beyond its intended purpose. That the powers not enumerated in the Constitution are, in fact, reserved to the states and to the people.
We see the consequence of an overactive federal government each session, as we are constantly approached to fund programs that the federal government has created, to later allow that program to wither and die. We see the consequence in our laws as we are forced to enact legislation to comply with federal mandates.
Perhaps it isn’t the process of the federal government providing money or incentive, but when it is the conduct of the United State Government to place new requirements on states in order to receive that funding that is a restriction of our rights as a legislature. The commandeering of legislative authority from the states is held to be unconstitutional, by the New York v the United States Supreme Court decision.
Whether it is seat belt laws, drinking age, alcohol limit, k-12 education requirements, water quality requirements, road bed right-of-ways, waste disposal, farming practices, vegetable gardens, and the list goes on the United State Government has over-stepped its bounds. There are only about 20 duties required to be conducted by the federal government and rest are reserved to the states. Think about that and then think about what is.
Mr. President, it is my hope that this body would unanimously pass this resolution. Do this for the sake of our state and the sake of a stronger democracy.

Unfortunately, the liberals’ idea of a “strong democracy” is big, centralized government.