The States are Sovereign. That's why they are called States.

We appear to be running down a tangent; and since this is the final round I feel we need to steer this back on course. Yes, ultimately, the people are in charge of Government. People create, vote, and run government. You are 100% correct on that, and I agree with you. But that's not what this debate is about. What I have proposed in this debate is the idea of State Sovereignty. The idea that the States are ultimate in charge of the themselves, and not the Federal Government. I'd like to finish my side of the debate with a quick recap on why I believe: 1) The States are Sovereign. 2) The States are the ultimate authority, not DC and the Federal Government 3) The United States is a Union of 50 Sovereign States, rather than one. The States are Sovereign When the Revolutionary War (War for Secession) was won, the US and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Listed in this treaty were the "demands" and goals the successors (States) demanded from their (once) oppressive government. The first demand is quite clear: "His Brittanic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz., New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to be free sovereign and independent states, that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs, and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same and every part thereof." Notice that it does say the US, but lists each and every State in the Union. Why? Because Great Britain had to sign the treaty with each and every State, rather than one "giant" nation. The States are the ultimate authority, not DC and the Federal Government You and I have already agreed that the Federal Government has authority. In some areas it has authority that supersedes that of the States. But, and a big BUT, we have to realize and come to an agreement that the Federal Government owes its creation and power to the States. After the Revolutionary War the Articles of Confederation, which states that the States are sovereign, failed due to a very weak central government. While the States themselves did NOT fail individually, in order to work more efficiently together a more powerful centralized government was needed. If you read throughout the US Constitution, no where does it state that the States give up their sovereignty to the newly created Federal Government. The Nation was less than 50 years old. The people who fought for our freedom fought for the idea that the States are sovereign. Most of these people were alive during the AOC, and the US Constitution. This is more of an opinion on my part, but why would they agree to give up their sovereignty after they fought to receive it? Of course you had debates from both sides: The Federalists, who were ok with the idea of operating under a system just like that of Great Britain, but only because they would be in charge. Then there were the Anti-Federalists who wanted no Central Government at all. The AOC, and more importantly the Constitution, were the results of constant debates and compromises. The end result being a Strong, Efficient, Central Government for the Federalists; that derives it's power from the consent of the States for the Anti-Federalists. Take eminent domain. The Federalists believed that the Government should have the power to take whatever it wanted for any reason and without paying. The Anti-Federalists said the Government shouldn't take anything without the agreement of the owner. The Compromise: The Federal Government can take whatever it wants so long as it's for public usage and must pay the owner a fair market value determined by a Jury. The Federal Government has the power to create, sign, and abide by international treaties: because the States, collectively, gave the Federal Government that Power. The Federal Government has the power to raise and maintain national armies: because the States, collectively, gave the Federal Government that Power. The Federal Government has the power to Regulate Commerce: because the States, collectively, gave the Federal Government that Power. Everything the Federal Government does, can do, and cannot do is all thanks to the States; which is what makes the States Sovereign. "The States in North America which confederated to establish their independence of the government of Great Britain, of which Virginia was one, became on that acquisition, free and independent States, and as such, authorized to constitute governments, each for itself, in such form as it thought best. They entered into a compact (which is called the Constitution of the United States of America), by which they agreed to unite in a single government as to their relations with each other and with foreign nations, and as to certain other articles particularly specified. They retained at the same time each to itself, the other rights of independent government, comprehending mainly their domestic interests." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration and Protest of Virginia, 1825. ME 17:442 The United States is a Union of 50 Sovereign States, rather than one I hope that in the end you, and the people who read this debate, understand and agree with what I have said. Please be aware that I am NOT advocating any State to secede from the Union. I am NOT advocating for either side of the Civil War. I am NOT advocating for any rebellion, civil disobedience, or armed uprising against the Capital. I believe the United States is a wonderful place to live. There is nowhere else I'd rather live. I just don't believe that the United States is a single nation; and neither do the Authors of the Treaty of Paris, AOC, and US Constitution. I want to thank my opponent for debating me on this subject. As I said before it's a topic that I'm very interested in and I'm grateful he has given me the opportunity to express my thoughts. If anyone has any question or comments, please leave them in the Comments section and I will try to respond. Sky55Anchorage Anchorage Alaska