From the office of the Governor of Texas comes an affirmation of the 10th Amendment.

Governor Rick Perry’s statement in support of states’ rights comes in the form of HCR 50 which affirms that Texas claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not otherwise granted to the federal government. It reads in part:

I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.

HCR 50 designates that all federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

In his speech, Perry reiterated that state sovereignty is something the Founding Fathers knew was necessary to keep the power and reach of the federal government at bay. In this, he sounds like a true constitutionalist:

I believe the federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state.

Texans need to ask themselves a question: do they side with those in Washington who are pursuing this unprecedented expansion of power? Or do they believe in the individual rights and responsibilities laid out in our foundational documents?

Texans need to stand up and be heard, because this state of affairs cannot continue indefinitely.

Returning to the letter and the spirit of the U.S. Constitution, and its essential Tenth Amendment, will free our state and, ultimately, strengthen our Union.

Of course, one has to keep in mind this is the same Governor Perry who is up for re-election in 2010, so the campaign can be considered “on.” His encouragement for, and support of home schooling lask week was equally as remarkable as his words supporting the 10th Amendment, but again, consider this could be a segue into a full campaign push. Almost certainly, he will need to win the support of conservative constitutionalists if he is to be successful, and this could be nothing more than political posturing to that end.

Indeed, not to be forgotten is that Perry, sadly, is the same man who consistently supports the Trans-Texas Corridor against the wishes of the citizens of the great state of Texas, carrying the torch and never letting it drop for federal officials who would see the completion of the corridor.

Still, it’s nice that someone who appears to be quite entrenched in the politics and politicians of the day would have the courage to speak out on states’ rights, considering by doing so he could be labeled a right-wing terrorist.

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Pat Henry said:

Your vote is your franchise It is great that politicians are finding it necessary to start talking our talk. The way to make them walk the line, is to vote for true Constitutionalists. When they stand to lose on that basis, they'll get the "courage" to vote on that basis. If we let them get away with mere rhetoric, they are only stronger (and laugh up their sleeve). The People are smarter, if we'll just be honest. Principle Above Politics. No fear; just do what's right. When they sign 10th Amendment bills, when they vote against the Fed, when they nix the Trans-Texas Corridor, when they reject RealID, etc., THEN we can vote for them. (But by then, we won't need to, because we already have Constitution candidates we can elect!)

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April 16, 2009
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Liberty said:

	... It's great and convenient for Perry to start talking the talk now. Hopefully Texans will remember Perry's mediocre conservative record (hate crimes legislation, Trans-Texas Corridor, etc). I highly recommend Debra Medina for Texas Governor. http://www.runmedina.com/
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April 16, 2009 | url
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Garden7 said:

	Governor Perry Words are cheap...actions are the real deal. I believe Gov. Perry read a script to impress the conservative crowd. Debra Medina looks like the real deal and deserves the attention of Texas voters.
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April 16, 2009
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danwhitehead1 said:

	Isn't this man the same person - - - - - - who was in favor of state enforced vaccination of very young girls with or without parental consent?
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April 16, 2009
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MarkGlen said:

	Texas needs a right-wing candidate for Governor. Rick Perry will say what ever he needs to say to get reelected. He is for the corridor from Mexico City to Canada and so is Texas Republicrat Sen. John Cornyn. Rick mouthed the subject of one of my letters to the editor the last time he ran for Governor when he was in our area. So far we have no one worth voting for as Texas Governor.
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April 16, 2009 | url
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MarkGlen said:

	Thanks Liberty for the web address On second thought I support Debra Medina for Governor of Texas!
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April 16, 2009 | url
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orangemonster said:

	... Smoke and mirrors,he's just chasing future votes.We will probably see this across the country as officials come up for reelection.Be careful what is said and who says it.
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April 17, 2009
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MarkGlen said:

	Question for Liberty Is Debra Medina a Liberaterian?
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April 17, 2009 | url
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Pat Henry said:

	CP Texas! If Medina is a true conservative, she will get bumped somehow by the GOP top. She may then find a home here: http://www.cptexas.org Meanwhile, there are good article links there (including Chuck baldwin and Cliff Kincaid) and y'all might want to do some personal discovery at the June 13th Conference! Something outside of the usual party fare is Necessary.
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April 18, 2009
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Thomas Paine said:

	If words are all we get, at least thats a start Just the fact that this 10th amendment speech got national recognition is a boost for freedom's call. Rick Perry may or may not be sincere, but at least he said all the right things, which means JBS minded people are being heard. Chalk one up for the good guys!
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April 19, 2009
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drake_thomas@hotmail.com said:

	Congratulations to The Great State of Texas! Yes Texas! Let this be the beginning of a new tradition: instead of what California does, so does the rest of the nation; instead, let's make it, "What Texas does, so does the rest of the nation!"
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April 19, 2009
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Cosmos110 said:

	Why Not >>>> Ron Paul for Governor of TEXAS?
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April 21, 2009
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