You’re the BOSS!
Dear Friends:
Are you fed up with nasty national politics? Even in these early days of the presidential campaign, the bickering noise irritates and infuriates. But that is the least of our problems. The dysfunction in Washington, DC, is more troubling and threatening to your life, liberty, and America’s future. Few would disagree that our national government is a mess.
It’s Not New
It didn’t just happen. The federal government has been gathering power for more than a century. However, it has gained dangerous momentum in recent years. Watching the Washington elites and the federal bureaucracy expand exponentially into our daily lives while failing in their primary responsibility to keep our nation safe is disheartening.
While you may not recognize it while going about your busy life, your freedom is eroded daily. The dysfunctional, squabbling Congress has become little more than an “advisory council.” The Supreme Court legislates from the bench by judicial fiat. And the executive branch writes laws, while the administrative state issues rules.
They are all guilty, Republicans and Democrats alike. It is a pitched battle, a partisan power grab. They are bankrupting our country, inflating our money to make it even more worthless, weakening our national security while begging our adversaries for oil, and throttling the free enterprise system and our freedoms with mountains of regulations. The complete list of our national problems and challenges is far too long to list here.
The Reality
The structure of the federal government is broken, and Washington will NEVER fix itself!
The root of the problem is that our system of government is upside down. Our Founders wrote the Constitution expressly to limit the national government. Power-hungry elites must be stopped before it is too late.
You’re the BOSS!
It’s time to stop wringing your hands and fretting about the swirling problems. Assert yourself. Almost everyone in the ‘Imperial City on the Potomac’ seems to have forgotten who they work for: YOU – You’re The Boss!
You are the embodiment of “We The People.” The Constitution was written to limit the federal government’s powers and guarantee your life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Remember, many of our founding fathers were state legislators. They saw states as sovereign and possessing the greatest authority (they clarified that in the 10th Amendment). They knew state governments would be far more responsive than a far-away central government residing on that insurmountable hilltop symbolized by Capitol Hill. They reasoned state governments are closest to the people they serve.
Electing a different president will not guarantee the ship-of-state will be righted; history provides that evidence. We need a president who views the Constitution as the guardrail for federal behavior. We also need Congress to fulfill its legislative role representing you and not surrender its responsibility to presidential executive orders and bureaucrats’ unchecked regulations.
Sadly, those with power will not willingly yield it. That’s human nature. It will take more, much more, and it will take your energetic support to put controls on Washington, DC.
Historic Gathering in Colonial Williamsburg
This past week, Sen. Danny Verdin, Rep. Jason Elliot, and I, representing South Carolina, joined legislators and citizens from 49 states to participate in a historic simulation of the only lawful, peaceful, and constitutional process to put limits back on the federal government – the Article V Convention of State.
I use the word historic because we viewed this simulation much like the Annapolis Convention of 1786, the rallying point in American history that propelled the 1787 Convention that produced our Constitution a year later.
Good men and women came together in Colonial Williamsburg, and when the gavel fell, they rose to become statesmen and stateswomen with seriousness and intensity matching the gravity of the proceedings.
This was preparation for the future Article V Convention once 34 states agree to meet, as directed in the US Constitution. Commissioners at this simulation diligently crafted proposed constitutional amendments and demonstrated the depth and potential of what an actual Article V convention would bring.
Three committees debated amendment proposals. On the final day, all commissioners gathered to debate and vote on recommendations. A total of six amendments were approved to the applause and cheers of the Commissioners:
- Term limits in the US House of Representatives and the Senate.
- An Amendment capping the number of seats on the Supreme Court at its current level of nine so as not to allow political court-packing with additional judges.
- The Fiscal Restraints Committee brought one Amendment before the Convention: a balanced budget based on the average annual revenue of the nation.
- An Amendment was passed that would redefine the Commerce Clause to return to the Founder’s intention for the federal government to be restricted to only regulating commerce between the states, not regulate every aspect of business and commerce in America. This is a critical Amendment to reign in Washington since the Supreme Court shredded the original intent of the Constitution, which resulted in the vast growth of the federal government. Reinstalling the proper use of the Commerce Clause would put needed handcuffs on the feds.
- A necessary amendment for western states would forbid the federal government from owning, regulating, or controlling state land or mineral rights, except when a state’s legislature grants permission. (Did you know the federal government owns 85% of Nevada and 63% of Utah?)
- This is my favorite! This Amendment allows a simple majority of the states to rescind actions by Congress, the President, or administrative agencies. (This would go a long way in restoring state sovereignty and give you a much-needed voice in Washington.)
During the debate on Congressional term limits, I offered an amendment to reduce the number of terms a Congressman or Senator can be elected. While many Commissioners encouraged me, the strengthening of the term limit amendment failed to receive the approval of the majority.
In total, nearly 370 amendments were proposed. Our time was brief, but the actual Convention would likely meet for weeks or months to craft the best-proposed amendments.
What Was Accomplished?
This simulation proved in practice, not just in theory, how a Convention of States will function as planned and
according to the states’ specific instructions. As with the actual Convention, the rules for this simulated Convention made clear that ONLY amendments Germaine to the CoS Resolutions passed by states could be introduced. They would impose fiscal restraints, limit the power, scope, and jurisdiction of the federal government, and impose term limits on Congress and the Judiciary.
Be the BOSS!
The time for hand wringing is over. It’s time for action. Every day citizens control the government. While South Carolina became the 19th state to approve legislation calling for an amending convention (“Hello, Washington, we’re coming to fix you”), we need 15 more (two-thirds of all states) to compel Congress to set a date for the Convention. (Brief Video Explains CoS)
Join the 50 thousand South Carolinians and the 5 million Americans who support the call for putting limits on Washington, DC. (JOIN HERE) Spread the word on social media. Please write or call friends and relatives in the remaining states urging them to advocate to their legislators. Write to legislators in those states, asking them to fix the problem. You can help! Let’s do this!
I close with this reminder from Sir Winston Churchill:
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
I departed Colonial Williamsburg early Saturday morning to return to SC. I was on a special mission. I arrived in Lexington at noon to surprise SC’s Convention of States grassroots leaders at their annual meeting. I presented them with the SC state sign used at the Article V Convention of States simulation. It’s historical memorabilia that contains the autographs of CoS’ national leaders, including Mark Meckler, Michael Farris, and Sen. Rick Santorum. Our SC Patriots were thrilled!
Want to Know More?
Do you want to learn more about my positions, bill sponsorships, voting record, and past writings? Here are some handy links:
- About Me: https://taylorschouse.com/about-2/
- My Positions: https://taylorschouse.com/issues/
- Sponsored Bill & Voting Record: http://tiny.cc/b1pouz
- Recent Newsletters: https://taylorschouse.com/category/newsletter/
I’m Available & AT YOUR SERVICE
It is my honor to be of service. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating state government or have any thoughts or concerns about the legislature.
In Your Service,
Email: Bill@taylorschouse.com
www.TaylorSCHouse.com
Newsletter not paid using taxpayer funds.
Legal Notice: This newsletter is not a solicitation for contributions to any SC registered lobbyist.