It’s about time.

I really would like to see the tea party make a real push to get the 17th ammendment repealed. I find it much less likely Obamacare would have passed if they had to answer to the state legislators about the unfunded mandates.

In related news, Cheech and Chong have teamed up with NORML to determine how we can reduce marijuana use in the US.

I mean really, Republicans? The party that gave us the Patriot Act and No Child Left Behind is going to save us from big government?

I’m less worried about the 17th Amendment than the 16th.

FLORIDA ON #10:

Rubio is soft on #10? How does this fit with his ideology? A hopeful country of conservatives are vesting so much confidence in this guy.

#10 is a no brainer. All state constitutions must fit inside the US constitution. That’s a beautiful thing. But one size does not fit all when it comes to running a state and Washington, by virtue of how deals have to be made to get bills passed, can’t really best serve the specific interests of any one state. I say this, not to attack politicians, but as a pragmatic person. States must be accountable for their actions and how they run their budgets. A US Senator is called to deliberate in a more global manner and a Congressman is called to be more focused on constituents, but often this focus fails us as we argue about earmarks and compromises. Therefore, state legislatures serve a critical role in government.

I support Arizona’s recent actions with respect to illegal aliens on the basis of #10. While I don’t think police officers should have to act in the capacity of dealing with illegal immigrants, I am pretty sure the tough-love approach with Uncle Sam is going to force much-needed action as a waiting nation hyper-focuses on politically dangerous issues that politicians have not had the “appetite” to fix. Arizona may also have to deal with law suits and negative press. I believe they are willing to take the heat right now. I am an empathetic person who loves my country and who also respects the lives of those who are less fortunate than me. This extends to our neighbors in Mexico, but we this is an issue that has been swept below the rug for too long. As a result, poor people are suffering in a shadow labor force with no protections, hospitals are bending with the strain of providing unsubsidized medical care for these unfortunate soles. We have to stop kicking the can down street. Thank God for state constitutions. Otherwise, this thing might never get fixed.

BAD STATE (FLORIDA) LEGISLATION LEADS TO A FEDERAL BAILOUTS:

I also believe that that states should take responsibility for their own bad legislation. I am going to lay out an issue that is not really being talked about in the national dialogue. Here is the perfect example of how the state of Florida took stimulus money to fix its own screw ups. Now, granted, we needed that money and I understand the many are blaming Governor Crist for taking it. I am going to tell you the back story here, though, because the blame lies with Rubio.

Rubio cut a deal, when he was State Speaker of the House, to change the funding model for education in Florida. You can ask any elected state official in South Florida and they will most likely admit this, but the Republicans won’t say that on the record. Rubio played dirty for a ticket to playing on a national stage. As a result of what he pushed through, the largest school systems in the state are in the process of going bankrupt. As a result of that, tax payers in other states were asked to bail us out. Our Republican-dominated state legislature was not up for fixing it either. What is a Governor to do? Crist did what he had to. Floridians now must fix this broken funding model going forward and hold our legislators accountable.

THE ULTIMATE IRONY; BLAME RUBIO, NOT CRIST:

This leads us to the ultimate irony. Governor Crist has been roasted for taking federal stimulus money to save the very teachers’ jobs that were put in jeopardy because of Rubio’s actions.

So, to every hard-working, tax paying citizen in the other 49 states, I would like to apologize for having to take stimulus funds. I thank you for helping us to bail out educators. If you are mad about this, email Marco Rubio. While you are at it – ask him why he is soft on #10.

As to Arizona, carry on. The Feds are starting to get it.

New day/New Issue: Take a look at what happened with banking regulations. State Regulators were onto the dirty mortgage dealings far before the Feds. Attorneys General were screaming – but no, no – but the Feds dragged their heals. The problem here is that intra-state banks hide behind their national charters. The state regulators can’t touch them. So, if you are not happy about this – write your congressman and senator and tell them so. Tell them you are passionate about #10. Mr. Rubio, are you listening?