To all the sons and daughters of Arizona,

I call to question, State sovereignty. Is Arizona indeed a sovereign State? Are we a member of this Union by voluntary Means, or by force of arms? Do we as a Sovereign State, have the right to exercise that sovereignty? I contend, we do.

Article 2 of the Articles of Confederation says:

"Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled."

If we are to go by that quote, then one must assume that we are indeed a sovereign state empowered to act as such. Further, the United States Constitution Supports State Sovereignty in the tenth amendment:

"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."

If you read the U.S. Constitution, you will find that the only power it restricts, are those of the Federal Government. Not the State or the citizens of that state just the Federal Government’s. Therefore, we must assume that all the power rests with the States and the people of that state. The only legitimate power the Federal Government has concerning domestic affairs, is when it involves interstate matters such as, interstate commerce, and interstate crimes.

The Federal Government also acts as OUR agent in international affairs such as, treaties with foreign governments, and declaring war. All other powers are reserved to the Several States, and to the people alone.

When Arizona joined the Union, we gave up only two of our sovereign rights. They are the right to make trade agreements with foreign governments, and to declare wars on other countries.

When a crime happens in the State of Arizona, the Federal government has no power what so ever to intervene, except when it happens on a Federal Reservation.

Do we as Sovereign State, have the right to leave this Union should it become necessary? Again, I contend we do. Infact, the founders of this country felt so as well.

In the Declaration of Independence, secession is considered a legal remedy to the abuses of an overpowering government.

"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes."

However it should be noted, that secession should be used only as a last resort. After all forms of appeal to the "Foot of the throne" as it were, in Washington D.C., have been exhausted.

Secession should never be used as a trump card, using it to threaten or bully the Federal Government to do anything. To do so, would make us no better than them.

Does asserting our Sovereignty, mean we are seceding from the Union? No, it doesn’t. State Sovereignty and secession, are two different things, they should never be confused as meaning the same.

To assert State Sovereignty, means to enforce the Constitution. Colorado State Senator Charles Duke has written a paper called,"Implementing the Tenth Amendment". In it he argues that it is the right of every state to exercise it’s sovereign rights.

"The Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp. Article IV, Section 4 says, "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government.....", and the Ninth Amendment states that..."The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"."

He further states," We have, through apathy and lack of will, allowed federal legislators and bureaucrats to assert their will over us and commandeer our funds for their own use.... most of it today outside the authority granted to them by the Constitution.

We have by our own laziness, allowed the Federal Government to usurp and steal what is ours by right. But we are not helpless; we can do something about it.

We can take our Government back, it will take courage and fortitude, but it can be done. Senator Duke notes in his paper: "Ordinarily, a legislator who would be interested in a strong Tenth Amendment stance will have an interest in other patriot issues such as Constitutional rights and freedoms, a balanced budget, the right to keep and bear arms, honoring veterans and our American flag, and opposing federal mandates. If you don't know who these might be, visit or call your state capitol and ask for a status sheet. This is a document that gives the name, number, status and usually the prime sponsor of a bill. Look for key words common to a patriot's vocabulary, such as those mentioned above. "

The Federal Government may try to force Arizona to comply, but they really powerless. Senator Duke notes the following," A sovereignty resolution does not preclude any state from participating in any program they choose, but the proponent may no longer claim, "It's a federal mandate. We have to do it". Each state legislator, in compliance with his/her oath of office, must then examine closely before passage, the Constitutionality of any law being considered.

Needless to say, the feds may be unimpressed with a statement of sovereignty and attempt to impose economic sanctions against the state, as has become their pattern over the years. In anticipation of this, each state should also create escrow funds for each federally funded major program. That is, the states will collect the major sources of federal funds, such as gas tax and income tax, in behalf of the federal government and make monthly disbursements to the feds from these escrow

Funds... but only if the funds are to be used for purposes which are allowed in the Constitution. "

But don’t be disheartened, Arizona’s position is firm. We can’t fail if we show fortitude, but we must act now. As we speak, the Federal Government is working to take away our rights. They are doing it with the Patriot act, T.I.P.S., and even the war power act. These programs are designed by nature, to slowly reverse the U.S. Constitution. But how will it work? I wish I had the answer to that answer, unfortunately I don’t. But heed my words; be on the watch for your rights are at stake.

You might be wondering who I am; I am a son of Arizona. I was born in Tempe, Arizona. I was raised in Northern Arizona; I have lived in Arizona all my life. I wish to live or die nowhere else. Arizona is the only place on earth I want to raise my Children, and my grandchildren.

To me Arizona is God’s country, beautiful, majestic, and larger than life. It is both deadly, and loving at the same time.

Arizona can kill you if you disrespect her, yet she can nurture you as a mother would her child.

In this economic crisis, it is imperative that Arizona reasserts her sovereignty. We must get out of the hole that was dug for us by Governor Napolitano, and the only way to do it is to assert our sovereignty.

Charles Goodson

Chairman

Southern Parties of the Southwest

If you would to contact me, please do so in the following manner.:

southernpartysw@msn.com