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Contract with America Legislative Proposal #10: Enforce the Tenth Amendment
Enforce the Tenth Amendment by starting an orderly transfer of power and responsibility from the federal government back “to the states, respectively, or to the people,” as the Constitution requires. Over the next year, state and local officials and citizens will be asked to identify the areas which can be transferred back home.
The discussion of any new piece of federal legislation must begin with a serious consideration of the Tenth Amendment:This bill will decisively return power and responsibility to the states and the citizens.
“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.”
With every new law, initiative, and reform, Washington must ask itself: Are we overstepping our bounds and usurping powers that should belong to the people and the states?
For too long, Washington has ignored this fundamental question.
As a result, far too much power has migrated from the people and the states to Washington and its bureaucracies.
America works best when states are free to craft innovative policies and compete with one another for talent, resources, and investment.
When Washington imposes one-size-fits-all rules and regulations, the positive and unique advantages of our federalist system are lost.
Many responsibilities that the federal government has assumed to itself should be returned to the states.
For example, during my Speakership, we passed the first major overhaul of an entitlement program in American history with welfare reform in 1996. Under the old system, the federal government gave states a blank check, and often incentivized welfare recipients not to enter the workforce. Naturally, spending growth was out of control, and the program did little to alleviate poverty. Our reform changed this: States now get only a fixed amount – a “block grant” – every year, and can design their welfare system however they want as long as they require recipients to eventually enter work.
Within five years, various measures of poverty had plummeted to historic lows. Nearly two out of three welfare recipients were working, and the federal government had saved billions of dollars on future welfare costs.
We can build on this success by identifying other means-tested entitlement programs that can be block granted to the states. There are 184 other means-tested entitlements that could be block granted in a similar manner to our reform in 1996. One program alone – Medicaid – could save the federal government over $700 billion in the next decade, according to Congressman Paul Ryan’s 2012 Republican Budget. Not only would these programs be more responsive and dynamic on a state level, but Americans would save hundreds of billions of federal tax dollars every year.
I will need advice from state and local leaders and citizens as we come together to identify what other responsibilities must be taken out of Washington and transferred back to the states, or to the people.
Comment
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Comment by Ronald A. Newcomb on February 28, 2012 at 5:18pm -
How about border security by the State (Ref:Arizona)?
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Comment by Susan M Emerick on January 29, 2012 at 10:00pm -
Newt needs our prayers but he also needs our Mooolaa!!! As soon as my tax return gets here, it's going directly to Newt's efforts. I live on a fixed income and some part time wages. This return would sure come in handy, but Newt could put it to far better use.....saving our country!!!
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Comment by Deborah Englar on January 29, 2012 at 2:46pm -
I pray to God that Newt Gingrigh comes out on top in Florida. He has the best ideas, he honors the Constitution, he is a THINKER and he is a good man who cares about America. He also believes in our Heavenly Father as ruler of all and would look to Him as we, The American People, come forward to try and right our country back on the road that allowed God to be with this nation. Please pray for Newt in this very serious year of campaigning that more and more Americans will come to realize that Newt is our best candidate to win back this country with hard work and the American way. God Bless you Newt and please stay the course...get some much needed rest when you can and may God strengthen you each day!
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Comment by Susan M Emerick on January 21, 2012 at 12:39pm
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Well, today is a big day!! Newt, I'm wishing you a successful day!! Will be watching tonight after work to see how it all shakes out!!!
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Comment by Lynn Moore on January 21, 2012 at 8:51am
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The states are in a better position to respond to the needs of their constituents than the federal government. I like the idea of Block Grants because this puts the impetus on the states to control the social programs of their own citizens or to create jobs. Our founding father's intended the decision making to be left with to the people; not legislated by an out of control Federal government.
As to the comment on term limits, there are term limits, it's called the vote. If you believe in absolute term limits, then use your vote to limit terms. People should have the right to vote for whoever they choose. Your vote is your right to limit the term of politicians. Term limits eliminate experienced people like Newt. Would you put term limits on CEO's of corporations? I am guess, not.
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Comment by Susan M Emerick on January 19, 2012 at 1:04am
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If you think about it, Newt has supported a flat tax at around 15%. If he is successful in getting that done, the tax code as we know it will simply go away. There will be no more reasons for those that use the tax code to reward their friends. Natta, nothing to manipulate. That alone will change the landscape and restore much of what we have lost. It would be the best start to our goal....restoring our country!!! What say you all?
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Comment by Julie Lyons on January 18, 2012 at 3:58pm
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We must return America to the Repulic that it was and enforcing the 10th amendment is agreat start. However, we will never givecontrol back to the American people until we pass TERM LIMITS on representation. NOONE should be allowed to set u a"kingdom" in America. That's what these 20 and 30 year reigns really are. It give TOO MUCH POWER to that individual. Power allways corupts.
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Comment by Susan M Emerick on January 15, 2012 at 11:45pm
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Mike, our President must first be the leader of AMERICA, not the world. What is good for America, its people is good for the world.
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Comment by Susan M Emerick on January 15, 2012 at 11:43pm
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Newt, if you can get this accomplished, you will greatly reduce the lobby machine in Washington reducing their power. This is huge!!! Just think, no more influencing the tax codes!! Those folks will have to go directly to the states to influence the laws. Divide and conquer!!! Love this one!!!
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Comment by Richard Anthony on January 2, 2012 at 9:45pm
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Mr. Speaker,
The 10th Amendment should also be invoked with regard to South Carolina's voter ID law. It is unconscionable thet AG Holder would void SC's ability to identify and protect voting rights of her citizens with regrad to a civil rights law that unfairly applies laws to some states and not others. Clearly this law is unconstitutional as states are equal members of the Union and as such all laws apply to the states equaly. SC should directly appeal to the Supreme Court as this dispute between the fed and state clearly falls within its jurisdiction to hear such disputes.
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Comment by Mike Little on December 21, 2011 at 6:08am -
What would you do to secure our country and will you be a president for the world or the USA.
Explore Newt Gingrich's Contract With America
Part 1: Legislative Proposals
Unleash America’s Full Energy Production Potential
Save Medicare and Social Security
Control the Border by January 1, 2014
Revitalize Our National Security System
Maximize the Speed and Impact of Medical Breakthroughs
Restore the Proper Role of the Judicial Branch
Part 2: Day One Executive Orders
Eliminate the thirty-nine White House "Czar" positions
"Mexico City Policy" of Respect for Life
Restore conscience clause protections for Healthcare Workers
Respect Each Sovereign Nation’s Choice of its Capital
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