THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: There has been a lot of talk lately about the TEA Parties, what they are and what they represent. There has even been talk about them forming their own third party. Let me state here definitively that the TEA Parties are not about any one candidate, or any one political party, or any one demographic. The TEA Parties are essentially about states' rights. They are both a protest and a statement that Americans are "Taxed Enough Already" (TEA) and are sick and tired of an ever expansive federal government, which knows no limits, spends too much and has mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren with a massive federal debt which we will never be able to pay off.
States' rights are outlined by the ninth and tenth amendments of the U.S. CONSTITUTION...
ARTICLE IXTEA Party participants agree the federal government has overstepped these Constitutional restraints for a very long time, and it is now time to return many powers, previously seized by the fed, back to the states. The principle of TEA Party governance is not "anarchy" is some on the Left would have you believe, nor is it "the government that governs least governs best," as some Right-wing talk show radio hosts would have you believe. Rather, the principle of the TEA Party movement is simply "the government that governs best, governs close to home." In other words states' rights.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
ARTICLE X
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.
So when you see those yellow flags at TEA Parties across the nation, please understand what they're about. They're about bringing government back home, to the states, which have proved to exercise far more fiscal responsibility over the last century than the federal government.
For the record 'The Catholic Knight' supports the TEA Party movement, insofar as TEA Parties remain peaceful and family-friendly demonstrations. This is because the underlying TEA Party message is virtually identical to the Principle of Subsidiarity taught by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Principle of Subsidiarity is the "hinge" upon which the rest of Catholic Social Justice turns. If you believe in Catholic Social Justice, then you must believe in Subsidiarity, and if you're a Catholic American who believes in Subsidiarity, then you are a supporter of the TEA Party movement, whether you realize it or not.
7 comments; post here:
You make some good points Mr Knight, but unfortunately, devolution to states' rights may not be the ideal solution either. While I fully agree that the federal govt is over sized, over intrusive and out of control, it does not necessarily follow that the individual states are much better. Here in my state we have corruption, inefficiency, high taxes, incompetence and downright criminal behavior of the legislature. We have an anti-life governor and a bloated bureaucracy that cant even issue drivers' licenses efficiently, let alone in a taxpayer friendly manner. Bumbling obsolete bureaucracies (we even have a liquor tax to fund relief from the Johnstown flood of 1889!!!! (absolutely no kidding)My point is that there isnt any guarantee that the states will handle these problems any better with or without the federal monster. Thanks for reading my rant. Pete Frey
You make some good points Mr Knight, but unfortunately, devolution to states' rights may not be the ideal solution either. While I fully agree that the federal govt is over sized, over intrusive and out of control, it does not necessarily follow that the individual states are much better. Here in my state we have corruption, inefficiency, high taxes, incompetence and downright criminal behavior of the legislature. We have an anti-life governor and a bloated bureaucracy that cant even issue drivers' licenses efficiently, let alone in a taxpayer friendly manner. Bumbling obsolete bureaucracies (we even have a liquor tax to fund relief from the Johnstown flood of 1889!!!! (absolutely no kidding)My point is that there isnt any guarantee that the states will handle these problems any better with or without the federal monster. Thanks for reading my rant. Pete Frey
on further clarification, Mr Knight, I DO support the TEA party movement, the birth certificate movement, the impeach Barry movement and the "Get us out of the UN" movement. Pete Frey
Mr. Frey, my observation of your comments is that the problems your state is encountering is self generated by the people themselves for electing representatives who are untrustworth. It's time the people start electing the likes of "Joe the plumber" rather than the person who trains themselves for a career in government; first by a degree in government, then seeking appointment to a local government commission or becoming a community activist, then on to an elected office, etc. I see this in my own city. A businessman/woman hardly ever seeks office, it's the person who does all the above who seek office - their whole life is in politics.
You're absolutely correct, anonymous. I should add that it isnt just in MY state, but all the neighboring ones as well, and at both the state and local levels. Each time we elect a "reform" candidtate we end up with more of the same: entrenched politics and an immovable bureacracy. I believeit was the late Bill Buckley who commented he would rather be governed by the first 100 names in the Boston phone book than by 100 Harvard professors. Your point about Joe the Plumber may also explain why Sarah Palin became such an instant hit with the American people. Pete Frey
I think the bishops REALLY need to come out and reëmphasize the forgotten CENTRAL PRINCIPLE of subsidiary, especially when it comes to health-care. It's amazing how this absolutely central social teaching has been ignored. :(
That is well stated. I agree with you completely and I hope that we are able to return this country back to what the founders wanted and our government obeys the constitution instead of trying to rip it in shreds!
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