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How is this a good thing? States receeding? Second US civil war in the not to distant future? It might sound good in video games but this is very very serious and bad news.

By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: February 11, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – For approximately 10 minutes or so, Room 412-C in the Oklahoma State Capitol was ground zero – the frontline of freedom – when Rep. Charles Key (R-Oklahoma City) introduced House Joint Resolution 1003, or the “Claiming Sovereignty Under the 10th Amendment.”

And, in the final vote, the committee voted 12-0 in favor of Key’s resolution that stands up for the citizens of Oklahoma and against an increasingly invasive and tyrannical government.

Key, a member of the House Rules Committee, introduced HJR 1003 as a reminder to the U.S. Government that they did not create the States, that they need to serve the States and not continue to make unreasonable demands via oppressive federal laws.

To remind readers, the 10th Amendment states: 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.”

Similar in language to a resolution Key filed last year, the resolution went forward through the GOP-controlled House, passing 92-3. However, it went no further in the Senate, which had been evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

The situation has changed, however, with Republicans dominating in the Senate following the November elections.

And since early January, word has been spreading about Key’s new states-rights resolution. Since appearing on The Alex Jones Show on Tuesday, heardlocally on low-power station 107.1 FM, Red Dirt Report was told that Key’s office and the office of other committee members, have been getting many calls in support of HJR 1003. In fact, a number of other states are following Oklahoma's example.

So, with a crowd of people observing in an adjacent committee room, Key introduced the resolution to the committee in approximately one minute, telling the committee that the federal government needs to “cease and desist passing these mandates.”

The only one with questions, Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, argued that since the landmark case, Marbury v. Madison, that the U.S. Supreme Court made the final decision on these sorts of issues.

Key, however, disagreed. He noted that over the many years since then, many are not on board with the Supreme Court having the final say.

Morrissette then asked Key if “monies that Oklahoma receives from the federal government … millions coming into Oklahoma, could be jeopardized?”

Replied Key; “A lot would have to happen for those monies to be jeopardized.”

And two members of the public – Preston Williams and Mark Lerner – spoke before the committee in favor of HJR 1003.

“I don’t want to sell the sovereignty of Oklahoma for more federal benefits,” Williams said, adding, “To not pass this resolution would be a horrible thing to do.”

Lerner did not mince words either, saying, in reference to the unconstitutional Real ID Act that “The states must draw a line with the federal government.”

When it came time for a vote, all of the representatives, Morrissette included, voted yea for HJR 1003. Looking over at Key, it was clear he was pleased, considering the smile on his face.

“It was great, wonderful,” Key said, clearly elated. “I want to thank the members for voting for it and for the public for coming out.”

Morrissette told Red Dirt Report that it was clear that the committee and the many supporters wanted HJR 1003 approved.

“It appears the sense of the committee and the sense of the people want to send a message to Washington,” Morrissette said. “I think it’s appropriate that that message is sent.”

From here, the resolution will go to the floor leaders’ office and from there it will be scheduled for a full vote in front of the full House. Additionally, the secretary of state’s office is required to send copies of the resolution to President Barack Obama, the U.S. House and Senate leaders, and to members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and legislative leaders in other states.

Stay tuned to Red Dirt Report for more updates on this important legislation.