Path to Liberty

Luther Martin, the Anti-Federalist firebrand, predicted that the Constitution would lead to a national system of consolidated power that could never secure liberty. He argued this was an intentional conspiracy - a deliberate plan at the Philadelphia Convention to undermine federalism and state sovereignty. In this episode, we’ll uncover Martin’s fiery objections, his claims of a calculated scheme, his warnings about consolidation, standing armies, and more. The post Conspiracy: Luther Martin’s Anti-Federalist Warnings about Centralization appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Civil asset forfeiture is theft. Despite the fact that a growing number of states are limiting or even ending this practice, there’s a massive loophole. A federal program called “equitable sharing” not only allows state and local law enforcement to bypass these restrictions but actively encourages it. In this episode, learn what it is and what states can do to bring it to an end. The post Federal Robbery: Asset Forfeiture Program Helps States Steal appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"Independent of the control or interference of the federal government." That’s how Tench Coxe described the vast majority of power under the Constitution - reserved to the states and completely off-limits to the federal government. In this episode, we’re diving into his powerful insights: specific powers reserved to the states and the limits placed on federal power. Living under the largest government in history, this 10th Amendment foundation of the Constitution is more important than ever. The post 10th Amendment Explained: Tench Coxe on State vs Federal Power appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

January 10, 1776: Thomas Paine didn’t hold back in Common Sense. Far more than just a call for independence from Britain, it was a bold and uncompromising attack on unlimited, centralized power. In this episode, we explore some of Paine’s top principles from Common Sense - timeless lessons that remain as relevant and important today as they were over two centuries ago during the early stages of the War for Independence. The post Government is Evil: Timeless Lessons from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The 10th Amendment, peace, cutting spending and debt, and eliminating taxes - these are just a few of the key principles Thomas Jefferson outlined in his first inaugural address. Easily one of the most important presidential speeches in American history, Jefferson’s inaugural laid out a bold and clear vision: a blueprint for liberty, unity, and strictly limited government under the Constitution. In this video, we’ll dive into the context of Jefferson’s election and address, his unwavering emphasis on peace, and the 13 essential principles of his administration. Over two centuries later, his message remains more vital than ever. The post Most Important Inaugural Address: Forgotten Principles of Jefferson appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

We’re diving into one of the Founders’ most critical lessons: the dangers of factions and party spirit. To truly understand their warnings, we’ll explore the ideas that inspired them - especially the sharp insights of Thomas Gordon and John Trenchard, authors of Cato’s Letters and Gordon’s Works of Sallust. Their words, written nearly 300 years ago, reveal truths about political division that remain just as relevant today. Some things, it seems, never really change. The post Forgotten Dangers of Political Parties: Warnings We’ve Ignored for too Long appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Today - like every day - is a perfect time to revisit the timeless wisdom of his Poor Richard’s Almanack. First published on December 28, 1732, it became a cultural sensation over the next 25 years, blending sharp wit, practical advice, and lessons most people ignore today. In this episode, we’ll explore some of Franklin’s best wisdom that’s just as critical now as it was back then. The post Benjamin Franklin’s Almanack Uncovered: Wisdom They Don’t Want You to Know appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The states are “duty bound to interpose.” That’s how James Madison put it in his Virginia Resolutions, passed Dec 21 and 24, 1798, against the Alien and Sedition acts. They answer a timeless question: What should be done when the federal government oversteps its constitutional bounds? In this episode, learn 6 essential principles that make up Madison’s plan to stop federal tyranny. The post James Madison’s Forgotten Plan to Stop Federal Tyranny Revealed appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

One of the most influential Anti-Federalist essays against the Constitution didn’t come from a single writer. It came from a group of delegates at the Pennsylvania ratifying convention. Their warnings - about centralization of power, corruption, and more - might sound eerily familiar today. And make sure to stick around, because at the end, we’ll dive into what they considered federalist dirty tricks used to push the process through The post Forgotten Anti-Federalist Warnings: The Pennsylvania Dissent appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

With those unforgettable words, Thomas Paine lit a fire in the hearts of patriots during one of the darkest moments of the American Revolution. First published on December 19, 1776, The American Crisis was more than just an essay - it was a rallying cry that turned despair into victory. And it was filled with timeless wisdom that we can all find inspiration from today. The post These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls: Words That Saved the Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The natural right of self defence is one of our most essential rights, part of the first law of nature. But that hasn’t stopped governments from violating it. So the founders told us over and over that it’s up to us - the people of the states - to protect and defend our own constitution and our own liberty - whether the government likes it, or not. In this episode, we’re applying their principles and strategy to protect and defend the 2nd Amendment from federal violations. The post 2nd Amendment: Founders’ Blueprint to Defeat Gun Control appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"Tyrants care nothing for discussions that are to end only in discussion." Lysander Spooner didn’t pull any punches. He knew that words without action were meaningless in the fight against tyranny. In this episode, we’ll dive into some of his most radical and powerful takes on the Constitution - his ideas matter now more than ever. The post Lysander Spooner: Radical Truths on Tyranny and the Constitution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Liberty is doomed where power is united - consolidated in the same hands. That’s the warning Montesquieu gave us about separation of powers. This was one of the biggest battles between Federalists and Anti-Federalists But here’s the twist: both sides used the exact same words to support opposite arguments. In this episode, we’re diving into this critical debate over the ideas of the most-cited political writer of the ratification debates The post Anti-Federalist vs Federalist CLASH: Montesquieu and Separation of Powers appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Rights don’t come from a constitution, a bill of rights, or any document at all. Your natural rights - come from your creator - and you have them by the nature of your humanity. Even civil rights - are built on the foundation of natural rights. These were widely-held views from the founders and old revolutionaries. The post Rights Are Not Gifts from Government: The Founders’ View appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Division of power, precedent, the right to resist, and more - essential - and totally forgotten - principles that fueled the American Revolution. They’re all drawn from John Dickinson’s 1767 Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. Totally forgotten and ignored today, but they were the most widely-read writings on American liberty prior to the War for Independence. The post 4 Forgotten Principles That Fueled the American Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The founders knew that an armed society was essential to preserving liberty - because they lived it first hand. In fact, this was one of the most critical lessons they passed down to us. In this episode, learn some powerful views from leading founders and old revolutionaries on the right to keep and bear arms as a natural right, on the role of the militia as a defence against both foreign and domestic danger, and the goal that everyone be armed to preserve liberty. The post 2nd Amendment: Everyone Armed to Preserve Liberty (Founders Warnings) appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The Founders warned us - over and over again - that power always expands, no matter who holds it. So, you can’t trust anyone with power, no matter how much you like them or what they do, because that same power will eventually fall into the hands of someone hell-bent on destroying your liberty. In this episode, you’ll learn some of the most powerful warnings from the Founders about the dangers of power - warnings we can’t afford to ignore any longer. The post Trust No One with Power: Forgotten and Ignored Warnings from the Founders appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

His writings had far more influence on the debates over the Constitution than the Federalist Papers we hear so much about today. In this episode, learn his top-4 arguments for ratification, including a clear line in the sand on delegated and reserved powers, the true source of government power, the militia, and much more. The post Forgotten Founder Tench Coxe: The “Other” Federalist Papers Revealed appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“I would wish the debt paid tomorrow; he wishes it never to be paid, but always to be a thing wherewith to corrupt and manage the legislature.” This slapback from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson was aimed squarely at Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. These two - along with Edmund Randolph and Henry Knox - made up Washington’s first cabinet, a group filled with some major ideological clashes. In this episode, we’ll explore how their divisive views on issues like the national debt and a national bank created a rift so deep it helped give rise to America’s first two-party system. The post Cabinet Picks Clash: Washington’s Team and America’s First 2-Party System appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"We cannot be happy without being FREE." Those words come from John Dickinson, who saw LIBERTY as the foundation of everything else. Once almost as famous as Benjamin Franklin, Dickinson is almost totally forgotten today. Known as the “Penman of the Revolution,” he was a fierce defender of natural rights, the father of the Articles of Confederation, a leading opponent of the Stamp Act, a supporter of the Constitution, and much more. To honor his birthday, we’re diving into the life and legacy of one of America’s most underrated and ignored founding fathers. The post Most Underrated and Ignored Founder: John Dickinson, Penman of the Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"A nullification of the act is the rightful remedy." That’s how Thomas Jefferson put it in his draft Resolutions against the Alien and Sedition Acts. On November 10, 1798, the Kentucky legislature passed resolutions based on his principles. They not only reaffirmed the Constitution’s structure a strict line between delegated and reserved powers, but also laid out how to defend it against violations of the constitution by the federal government. The post Nullify: Thomas Jefferson’s Radical Declaration They Want You to Ignore appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

It’s time to walk the walk. Right now, the Constitution is treated as little more than an optional guide - at best. Or toilet paper. In this episode, learn the top-5 most crucial steps an oath-keeping president should take to radically protect and defend the Constitution - starting now. Path to Liberty: November 8, 2024 The post President OATH to the CONSTITUTION: 5 Steps to Protect and Defend NOW appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This principle - central to the American Revolution - has been almost totally forgotten and ignored. On this episode, we’re uncovering powerful warnings from leading Founders and Old Revolutionaries about the dangers of compliance with usurpations of power. And a century later, the radical Lysander Spooner took up the same cause, fiercely defending these principles of resistance to defend liberty. These are lessons we can’t afford to ignore any longer. The post You Can’t COMPLY Your Way Out of TYRANNY: The Forgotten Foundation appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"If their duty, their honor, and their oaths will not bind them, let us not put into their hands our liberty, and all our other great interests." Those are the words of Gouverneur Morris, the penman of the Constitution. Today, despite that warning - politicians ignore that oath every day - and the people keep letting them get away with it. The price is our liberty. The post Oath to the Constitution: Ignored and Betrayed Daily at the Cost of Liberty appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Refuse to comply. That’s exactly what the people did to bring down the Stamp Act once it went into effect on November 1, 1765. We’ve all heard about the fiery protests and the bold resistance, but there was so much more to the story. On this episode, learn their hidden strategies of defiance - the methods they used that government-run schools never talk about. These are the same strategies the founders told us to use to nullify unconstitutional acts today. The post REFUSE TO COMPLY: How the Stamp Act Was Nullified appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Repealing the 17th Amendment is the right move to help restore federalism - but is it enough? The Anti-Federalists warned us about dangers in the Senate’s structure long before the 17th came along, and without understanding those warnings, we could still end up with the same problems: corruption, power grabs, and more centralized control. The post Repeal the 17th Amendment: Ignored Anti-Federalist Warnings on the Senate appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

On his very last day in office, James Madison shocked Congress by vetoing an infrastructure bill - even though he supported the idea behind it. Madison refused to sign off on the measure, saying it didn’t follow the strict limits of the Constitution, even if it aligned with his own political goals. This might be the most important - and most ignored - veto in history. The post Most Important (and Ignored) Veto in History: James Madison’s Last Stand appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

A deep dive into six key differences that demonstrate how the Articles were much closer to a pure system of federalism than the Constitution for the United States. We’ll cover topics like representation, the executive branch, the taxing power - and more. The post Articles of Confederation vs Constitution: 6 Key Differences You Need to Know appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This government “will swallow the liberties of the people, without giving them previous notice.” That’s the stark warning Patrick Henry gave us in 1788. In a series of fiery speeches, he laid out some of the most powerful anti-Federalist arguments against the Constitution—predicting all kinds of abuses of power and the eventual destruction of liberty. In this episode, we’re breaking down six categories of his most urgent warnings, each filled with powerful quotes we can’t afford to ignore any longer. The post Patrick Henry vs the Constitution: Ignored Anti-Federalist Warnings appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“The active business of the American Revolution began in Philadelphia.” That’s what Benjamin Rush and John Adams believed - because the spark that ignited the Boston Tea Party wasn’t in Boston. It was lit in Philadelphia on October 16, 1773. This forgotten piece of history involves fiery protests, bold resolutions, and even letters from the Committee on Tarring and Feathering. The post Boston Tea Party? It Actually Started in Philadelphia! appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“To these grievous measures, Americans cannot submit.” That’s the bold declaration that helped spark a coordinated resistance across the colonies in 1774. On this episode, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, we’ll dive into what turned out to be not only a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, but the bill of rights too. The post Forgotten 1774 Declaration: Precursor to Independence and Bill of Rights appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

"A vile and arbitrary aristocracy or monarchy" - that's what the Anti-Federalist writer Cato warned we'd get. In a series of seven essays, he laid out his strongest arguments against ratification of the Constitution, predicting all kinds of abuses of power, and the destruction of liberty. In this episode, we’ll break down his forgotten warnings - which just might be more important than ever today. The post Cato vs the Constitution: Forgotten Anti-Federalist Arguments appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Thomas Jefferson called the trial by jury as the only anchor ever imagined by man that can hold a government to the constitution. And jury nullification is how to get that done. In this episode, learn what it is, the history behind it and how it works. Plenty from the founders and old revolutionaries all the way to Lysander Spooner. The post Jury Nullification: The People’s Secret Weapon Against Tyranny appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Everyone's heard of the Federalist Papers - Hamilton, Madison, Jay - but the most important Federalist speech in the entire ratification debate didn’t come from any of them. It came from James Wilson - a name most people have never even heard of. His 1787 State House Yard Speech laid the foundation for the entire Federalist playbook. In this episode, we’ll explore why he gave the speech, why it had such a huge impact, and dive into Wilson’s key arguments for the Constitution. The post Most Important and Most Ignored: James Wilson’s State House Yard Speech appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Most of what they teach about the Bill of Rights completely skips over much of the real history. From the reason the Federalists opposed it, to Madison’s flip-flop, and the totally ignored preamble - on this episode, I’ve got 5 key - and mostly hidden - truths about that just might change the way you view the Bill of Rights. The post Bill of Rights: 5 Hidden Truths They Never Teach appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“A nullification of the act is THE rightful remedy.” That’s how Thomas Jefferson said we should respond to any federal act that goes beyond the limits of the Constitution. But here’s the thing - Jefferson wasn’t inventing something new in 1798. He was reminding us of principles that were at the heart of the American Revolution - ideas the people used to resist tyranny. And today, those principles are more important than ever. The post NULLIFY THEM: Jefferson’s Rightful Remedy from the American Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Nearly five years before the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams wrote an essay urging the people to resist tyranny - not tamely submit and hope for the best. For Adams, it was a moral imperative to stand up for what’s right, even against the most powerful government in history. Unfortunately, his bold call for liberty has been almost entirely forgotten. Today, in commemoration of his birthday, we’re uncovering what Adams warned us about - his message is more urgent than ever. The post RESIST THEM: Samuel Adams’ Forgotten Call for Liberty appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Just after the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, a committee of Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin worked to design a great seal for the United States - and it included that powerful phrase on the reverse. While we don’t know who originally wrote it, we can trace its roots to Jonathan Mayhew’s widely read but mostly forgotten 1750 sermon on resisting tyranny. In it, he laid the moral and philosophical foundation for the Revolution - and in this episode, you’re going to learn all about it. The post Rebellion to Tyrants: The Sermon that Sparked the Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Before the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin had a bold idea to unite the colonies - an idea most people have never heard of. In 1754, just before the Albany Congress, he published his famous “Join or Die” cartoon, symbolizing his forgotten call for colonial unity. Although it was rejected, Franklin believed this plan could have changed the course of American history. The post Join or Die: Benjamin Franklin’s Forgotten Call for Union (1754) appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Government has always been a massive threat to liberty - we can all agree on that. But there’s something even more dangerous, what the founders and old revolutionaries called the doctrine of “passive obedience and non-resistance.” The post The #1 Thing That Destroys Liberty appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

George Washington warned us - and we ignored him. In his Farewell Address, he gave crucial advice that’s been totally rejected for years, and today we’re paying the price. In this episode, learn about two of his most important warnings - that we can’t afford to ignore any longer. The post 2 Ignored Warnings from George Washington’s Farewell Address appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The wisest part of the Constitution - James Madison specifically singled out one clause where he said the most wisdom is found. And what a surprise - not only is his view completely ignored today, the clause itself has been twisted into exactly what he warned against. The post Constitution: The Wisest Part According to James Madison appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Two years before the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson penned a long and detailed list of grievances regarding British acts going back more than a century. He not only referred to them as a “nullity” but pointed out that “we declare them void.” Jefferson’s pamphlet, “A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” is an incredibly important part of the foundation of the American Revolution - something the government-run schools barely even mention today. The post Null and Void: Thomas Jefferson’s 1774 Radical Declaration appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Signed on Sept 3, 1783 - the Treaty of Paris was intended to end the war for independence. But the war didn't officially end on that date with the signatures of Franklin, John Adams and John Jay. The treaty, made with 13 free, sovereign, and independent states, still needed their approval, and it almost didn’t happen. This forgotten history reveals the true nature of the revolutionary American system. The post Free and Independent States: Forgotten Conclusion of the American Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The feds just won round two against Missouri’s 2nd Amendment Preservation Act. But here’s the kicker - they didn’t say it’s unconstitutional for what it does, but for the words it uses. In this episode, get a full breakdown of what happened in the Eighth Circuit - and the very clear path to liberty going forward. The post DOJ vs Missouri 2nd Amendment Preservation Act: Round 2, Feds Win appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

While names like Madison, Hamilton, and Washington often dominate discussions about the Constitution, many other Founders played vital roles in shaping it. In this episode, we're uncovering the contributions of ten often-overlooked figures who significantly influenced the Constitution - some you may know, and others that might surprise you. Get ready to discover the often-ignored stories of Founders like Wilson, Dickinson, Rutledge, Mason, Randolph, and more, whose contributions deserve our attention. The post 10 Overlooked Founders Who Helped Shape the Constitution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

With the largest government in history controlling almost every aspect of our lives, it's time to ask: are we truly free, or just told we are? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal the uncomfortable truth. The post Illusion of Freedom Under the Largest Government in History appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

A lot of people believe that before the 17th amendment, state legislatures had the power to recall and replace senators in congress. But that’s nothing more than a myth. Records from the ratification debates show that this power never existed under the Constitution. The post 17th Amendment Myth Busted: There was no Recall Power appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

When government-run schools teach that the American Revolution was mostly about “taxation without representation,” the underlying message is clear: today, you have representatives, so if you don't like what they do, just get new ones. But this ignores a deeper cause - a centuries-old system called mercantilism. Murray Rothbard described it as “a system of statism using economic fallacy to build up imperial power through monopolies and special privileges.” This was a significant part of the real foundation of colonial grievances, long before the Stamp Act and tea taxes ever sparked broader resistance and calls for independence. The post Mercantilism Before the Tea Party: Forgotten Grievance of the Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Think the American Revolution was just about taxes and tea parties? Think again. The real battle was over a much deeper issue: the colonists' unwavering belief in their right to local, self-government vs a British claim of unlimited power. James Madison called this clash the “fundamental principle on which our independence itself was declared.” But he was far from alone. In this episode, we’ll dive into the insights of Madison, plus more from people like Jefferson, Hancock, Paine, and others to uncover the forgotten truth behind the Revolution. The post The Ignored “Fundamental Principle” of the American Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.