Good points. I remember when we had the 55 mph freeway speed limit. Not that Federal speed limits shouldn't exist on Federal highways, but the Fed threatened to withold Federal assistance to the states if they didn't comply. Yes, it's a form of extortion that the central government should have that kind of power, especially since the money they threatened to withold came from the states in the first place.

I've always like Thomas Jefferson's take on the subject:

"The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations."
-Thomas Jefferson; letter to Gideon Granger, August 13, 1800

They did the same thing when they changed the federal drinking age to 21.Some states refused to change theirs so the Fed said no federal highway money if you do not change the drinking age.

Louisiana still refused for several years but as their roads began to fall apart they had no choice but to accept.:nope:

It should be states rights within reason so long as a state law is not violating civil rights they should be allowed to do what they want.
Personally I think the drinking age being 21 is a bad idea it makes drinking intriguing to kids and more likely to abuse.In Germany they allowed you to drink at 18 on base I was past the legal age by the time I was posted there but I can say that there seemed to be less alcohol related problems in Germany than at stateside bases I had been.

Thank you. I've been looking for the proper line between what States should be free to do and what the Feds should be able to enforce for a long time, and that's the phrase I've been looking for.

I like it. That sounds reasonable...... But who gets to decide what is and what is not a civil right? And especially what takes precedence a federal opinion on what is a civil right or a state's opinion on what is a civil right?

Civil rights are a lot like art, we know it when we see it and we can recognize when it is absent, but trying to define it is a little more tricky. We all know what civil rights are... but we may not be in agreement. :D

In my current chapter of my dissertation (which I should be writing instead of posting here) I am addressing the difficulties in defining and measuring political freedom (only one subset of civil rights). Pretty easy at the conceptual level, mighty difficult at the measurand level. :yep:

I'd say the Bill of Rights would be a pretty good standard.

Senate votes down UN small arms treaty ????
 

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...10670486_n.jpg
Maybe we should ban democrats.... if we could save one life...
have no link as of yet word is that we will not enter in that treaty, another blow to the new world order,, say helloooow toooo my little freind. Looks like Aunt Janet is on her own.,, with her billions rounds and her little tanks,,,now my be we can get down to business and fix our economy instead of disarming us.. all eyes on Cyprus this ain't over yet..

Guns don't kill people, Democrats kill people.

You're right! FDR was a democrat and look how many people he killed. :har:

And Woodrow Wilson! And JFK and Lydon Johnson!

Democrats are deadly weapons! :dead:

YES, Senate votes down UN. gun grab treaty
 

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews...s-trade-treaty 54-46 looks like someone lost a percent,,another happy dance for me,, well back to work cleaning ammo brass, nice to know I got job security and the bennies are pretty good free ammo. Just to think some democrat probably has a alter made up with all those pictures with candles and insents burning. ooooooooommmmm bannnnnn the Big Gulp,,,oooooooooommmm bannn personal freeeedom. oooooooooomm ban freeeeeee willlll. have a beautiful sunday and thank Jesus for his blessings,, because we are in a fight against evil in mans heart. It is better that we are armed and not have the need to use them, than not have them and need them, God gave us the right to self preservation not government.

OMG! I just realized I'm a registered Democrat AND I own a gun. How do I protect myself from myself?

You don't. I'm afraid you're doomed.

OK. I'll just turn myself in before I turn on myself.
http://rexcurry.net/police-state-she...ng-saddles.jpg

Don't forget the biggest Democrat killer of all, Harry "Nuke 'em till they glow" Truman.

Your own party hates you.

Democratic Party Hipocracy, at it's best, if it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't have the job at the gun shop speaking of I got tumblers to turn off.

Look at all thed's
 

sorry hit wrong button nothin to see here move along

Lenin called. He wants their agitprop back.

Read the UN paperwork Yubba, it's clearly states it has no effect on internal gun control laws of sovereign states. It would only limit what arms can be imported.