Path to Liberty

When the framers designed the Senate, they envisioned it as a safeguard for the states, with a key component being state legislatures choosing two senators instead of the people at large. But in 1913, the 17th Amendment removed this critical part of the system. In this episode, get a deep dive into this long-forgotten aspect of the original Constitution - how it came to be, the four reasons they set it up this way, and the warnings we were given against changing it to what we have today. The post 17th Amendment: Did it Destroy the Structure of the Constitution? appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Government-run schools never teach that states have the power to stop federal programs simply by refusing to implement or enforce them. James Madison gave us the blueprint, and the supreme court has repeatedly upheld it as the anti-commandeering doctrine for over 180 years. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: August 9, 2024 The post States Can Check Federal Power: Anti-Commandeering Explained appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

American presidents act almost like elected kings, with vast powers and very little accountability. But that wasn’t the plan. Responding to anti-federalist warnings that presidents would eventually degenerate into a type of monarchy, Federalists like Tench Coxe, John Dickinson, James Iredell, and many others went into great detail explaining how the power of the executive branch would be extremely limited in comparison to the British Monarchy they fought a long, bloody war to free themselves from. The post Executive Branch: President, not a King (Federalist Arguments) appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Despite what supporters of the monster state want you to believe, “shall not be infringed” means exactly what it says. Yet, today - we have another example proving that words on paper can’t enforce themselves: The latest annual report from the ATF reveals that federal gun control enforcement is close to record levels - once again. And even though they want YOU to believe it’s “for your safety,” almost all their top enforcement actions are for paperwork violations. The post New ATF Report: Gun Control Enforcement Near Record Highs Again appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The Constitution can’t enforce itself. It never could - and never will. That’s because mere words on paper - what many founders called “parchment barriers” - don’t actually stop government people from doing what they want. The post Parchment Barrier: Ignored Truth About the Constitution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

America is drowning in debt - and teetering on the brink. We've just hit a new, unthinkable milestone: a national debt of $35 trillion. This isn't just a number; it’s a ticking time bomb. The Founding Fathers warned us about this "public curse," a financial abyss that would swallow our freedoms if left unchecked. In this episode we’ll revisit their chilling warnings and explore how we're ignoring their wisdom at our own peril. The post Founding Fathers Warn of a National Debt Doomsday! appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Imagine a United States where a national government holds almost absolute power over the states, with the authority to veto any state law and even send in troops to enforce its will. This was the audacious vision of James Madison, the man we know as the "Father of the Constitution." But the Constitution we have today is far different from the Virginia Plan he originally drew up. The post James Madison’s Shocking Plan: A Blueprint for Total Control appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“A monarchy, or a corrupt tyrannical aristocracy” is what George Mason predicted we’d get. On this episode, learn about his top anti-federalist objections to the Constitution during the ratification debates. This included necessary and proper, standing armies, congress, the president - and more. The post George Mason vs the Constitution: Top Anti-Federalist Arguments appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

During the debates over the ratification of the Constitution, Antifederalists repeatedly warned that the President would become like a king - and the worst kind of a king - an elected one. The post Is the President a King in Disguise? The Anti-Federalist Argument appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The Founding Fathers were deeply worried about the dangers of paper money, because they lived them first hand. On this episode, learn 4 key ways the founders warned us about the dangers of paper money - dangers we're still living through today! The post The “Evils of Paper Money” Have No End: The Founders Warned us Why appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Most people seem to believe that the constitutional convention of 1787 was called for by Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Even the Library of Congress makes this claim. But it’s totally false. It was actually the Commonwealth of Virginia that initiated the call for the Philadelphia convention - and she was followed by a number of other states before congress ever shared their opinion in early 1787. Learn the truth - receipts included. The post Myth Busted! Virginia, Not Congress, Called for the Philadelphia Convention appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Almost totally ignored today, Tench Coxe was famous at the time of the Founding. And his essays of “A Pennsylvanian” in support of the Constitution were actually far more widely read and influential during the debates over ratification than today’s far more famous Federalist Papers. Learn about his essays where he came down in favor of the individual right to keep and bear arms, religious liberty - and a clear line in the sand between federal and state power. The post Forgotten Founder Tench Coxe: Ignored Federalist Papers appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

“A frightful despotism” - that’s what George Washington predicted we’d get with a combo of factions and usurpation of power. But he was far from alone in warning against what leads to political violence. Ignoring their warnings - and solution - only guarantees the worst has yet to begin. The post Cause and Solution: The Founders on Political Violence appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

One of the most important foundational documents in American history, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is one that most people never learn about. Following principles outlined by Thomas Jefferson in 1784, it included a precursor to the bill of rights four years before one was added to the Constitution, it banned slavery in the territories decades before the same language was copied into the 13th Amendment, and led to the creation of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. The post History Ignored: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Despite all the bad things happening all around us - there actually is some GOOD news to report! New state laws going into effect this summer push back on centralized power by rejecting a CBDC, prohibiting a new scheme to track firearm purchases, support sound money, raw milk - and more. Don’t miss this update on the latest news from the Nullification Movement! The post Big Wins for Liberty: State Laws Push Back vs Feds (CBDC, 2A Privacy, More) appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The American Revolution: What REALLY sparked the fight? This episode explores an almost totally forgotten declaration written by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson in 1775. The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms is an incredibly important document revealing the colonists' motivations beyond what history books tell you. The post Forgotten Declaration: Cause of the War for Independence Explained appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Honesty in politics? Yeah, we know - sounds impossible. But check out this episode and join us on a true path to liberty. The post Tired of Endless Political Fraud? There’s a Real Path to Liberty appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The American Revolution wasn't just about throwing off a king. It was built on a radical idea: that the people have the right to resist and nullify usurpations of power by any government. Today, we'll dive deep into this secret weapon for liberty from the founding fathers - something they not only considered a right, but a duty. The post Resist and Nullify: The American Revolution’s Fundamental Principle appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Thomas Jefferson called the 10th Amendment the "foundation of the Constitution" for a reason. It enshrines many of the very principles that sparked the American Revolution - principles that even shaped his words in the Declaration of Independence! In this episode, we’ll dive into these Top 5 revolutionary ideas that have been ignored for far too long. The post 10th Amendment: Top-5 Principles from the American Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Shays' Rebellion was repeatedly cited by Federalists as a primary reason to replace the Articles of Confederation with a Constitution with a stronger central government. But what if the threat was exaggerated? Anti-Federalists sure thought so. In this episode, we'll dive into the debate and explore James Madison's surprising later admission about this pivotal moment in American history The post Was the Constitution Sold on a Lie? Shays’ Rebellion and Ratification appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Was the Constitution a recipe for tyranny? That's what Patrick Henry, Brutus, Federal Farmer and many other Anti-Federalists feared. In this episode, we'll explore three of their top arguments against ratification and their warnings about centralized power as a massive threat to liberty. The post Top 3 Anti-Federalist Arguments: Controversy over the Constitution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Forget everything the government-run schools taught you about the “pursuit of happiness.” The Founders had a far more radical understanding - something most history lessons miss or completely ignore. In this episode, we'll unlock this message in the Declaration of Independence, the way the founders intended. The post Unlock the Pursuit of Happiness: The Founders’ Ignored Message appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The Founders knew that freedom can ONLY exist when power is kept under strict limits. Anything else is arbitrary power - how they defined tyranny. The post The Founders on Power: 8 Essential Principles for a FREE Society appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

They don’t teach this in government-run schools. In this episode, we explore 8 foundational principles from the founders about the right to keep and bear arms that are almost totally ignored today. The post 2nd Amendment: 8 Key Principles From the Founders Ignored Today appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Have you ever heard of Dr. Joseph Warren? He was a key figure in the American Revolution, a fiery orator who defied British tyranny, and the man who sent Paul Revere out on his famous Midnight Ride. This video dives into the incredible story of Joseph Warren, the "Pro Liberty, Anti-Empire" Founding “Grandfather” that history almost totally ignores. The post Pro Liberty, Anti-Empire: The Forgotten Founder Who Lived the Revolution appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

The federal reserve is never going to end itself. And congress is not going to shut off its own private money printer. So it’s up to the people and the states - as the founders advised - to get the job done in support of the Constitution and liberty. The post End the Fed from the Bottom Up: The Founders’ Plan You can Use Now appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Think all federal laws are supreme? Think again! In this episode, we'll explore how the Founders told us the Constitution is what's supreme - and everything else is a usurpation that's NULL AND VOID. The post Constitution Myth Busted: Usurpations are Void appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

A lot of people in today’s liberty movement are totally wasting their time. They’re like a hamster on a wheel: running in place, getting nowhere. The problem is - they focus too much time, money and energy on elections as their primary - or only strategy for liberty. The Founders wouldn’t recognize this while living under the largest government in history. The post Chasing Votes vs Building Freedom: The Founders’ Radical Plan for Liberty appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Think you have financial privacy? Think again. Since Nixon, the US has increasingly turned banks and the entire financial industry into a massive surveillance network. This video dives deep into 5 of the major acts they’ve passed since 1970. The post From Banks to Big Brother: The Rise of Financial Surveillance appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Turns out the guy who said 'Give me Liberty or give me death!' wasn't a big fan of a giant, centralized government. Today, on Patrick Henry’s birthday, let’s see why he’s one of the real OGs of the 10th Amendment. The post 10th Amendment OG: Patrick Henry’s Top Views (on his birthday) appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Despite what supporters of the monster state want you to believe, there are times when states push back against federal power and the supremacy clause doesn’t even apply. Learn about this powerful 10th Amendment tool called anti-commandeering. The post 10th Amendment: Why the Supremacy Clause Doesn’t Apply When States Opt Out appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

This is an absolutely incredible story of resistance to federal power. Anthony Burns - born into slavery, escaped, captured - and the center of a massive standoff between people in Boston and the federal government. The post Nullification in Action: The Shocking True Story of Fugitive Slave Anthony Burns appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Imagine being a suspect for simply walking near a crime scene. That's the reality of a mass, warrantless surveillance tool called a geofence warrant The post Caught in the Crosshairs? How Geofence Warrants Turn Innocent People into Suspects appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Explore the 4 biggest threats to liberty as identified by the Founding Fathers, with quotes & analysis included. Learn how history can guide us in protecting our freedoms today. The post 4 Biggest Threats to Liberty: Founding Fathers Warned Us appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Executive Order 6102 - learn the truth behind the gold confiscation order, and the fact that most Americans defied it. The post FDR’s Gold Grab: The Confiscation Most Americans Ignored appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

What does "liberty" truly mean? We explore 3 schools of thought, from Filmer's "divine right" to Locke & the Founding Fathers' individual rights. Plus, modern thinkers like Rothbard and more! Discover the historical roots of your freedom. The post What is Liberty? 3 Views From Divine Right to Individual Rights appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Do you ever wonder what the Constitution really means? This video will show you how to learn the Constitution the way the Founding Fathers told us to. We'll explore a process called "originalism" to determine the original meaning of the Constitution's clauses and phrases. The post Master the Constitution: DIY Guide to Original Meaning appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Gold and Silver, CBDC, Biometric Surveillance and 2nd Amendment Financial Privacy. We break down the bills and new laws & what they mean for you. The post Nullification News: Key Wins on Sound Money, Firearms and Privacy appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

They’re mostly ignored or forgotten today. But, to the founders, these five formed an international law and foreign policy pantheon. The post War and Foreign Policy: Top-5 Influences on the Founders appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

No deal. That’s pretty much how North Carolina patriots responded to British Major General Henry Clinton’s proclamation condemning what he called their “wicked rebellion” along with his offer of amnesty for everyone, but two, in exchange for giving up their arms, and more. The post No Deal for Gun Control: North Carolina Rejects British Offer from General Clinton appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

George Washington asked his attorney general to give his opinion on whether he felt Alexander Hamilton’s Bank Bill was constitutional. The answer was a resounding no. The post The Constitution vs the National Bank: Edmund Randolph’s Analysis appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Tracing its roots back to John Locke, the Mayflower Compact - and even earlier - the “consent of the governed” was one of the most important principles in the Declaration of Independence, and was the foundation for the formation of the Constitution as well. But, as Lysander Spooner argued - the notion that “all the people” consent exists only in theory. The post John Locke vs Lysander Spooner: Consent of the Governed appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

In the American system, the people of the several states are sovereign, meaning they hold final or ultimate authority. Power flows from them to the federal government, which merely serves as their agent. The post Sovereignty and the Constitution: Government as Agent of the People of the States appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

In his 1850 essay The Law, Bastiat railed against socialism, and argued that legitimate law isn’t just the will of politicians, but instead is based on protecting the natural rights of individuals. You can see inspiration in these views from Locke, Jefferson, Paine and more. The post The Law: An Intro from the Founders to Frederic Bastiat appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

George Washington: “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” Thomas Jefferson: “Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.” The post No Permanent Alliances: Foreign Policy of Washington and Jefferson appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

From Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson to Lysander Spooner - the notion that the people should submit until they can replace enough politicians to stop the government from doing what the government was never authorized to do in the first place - is only a guarantee that they'll never stop, and it'll keep getting worse. The post The Failed Strategy of “Vote the Bums Out” is Making Things Even Worse appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

Jefferson's chilling warnings about unchecked fiat, paper money printing proved prophetic as the U.S. plunged into its first boom-bust economic crisis in the early 19th century. The post Thomas Jefferson’s Prediction of Economic Meltdown and its Relevance Today appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

With some of his sharpest satire and wit, Franklin told the British the top-20 ways their policies would bring their empire over the American colonies to an end. Much of it sounds pretty familiar to what we face today. The post Benjamin Franklin’s Rules for Bringing Down Empires appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

86 years and a day before the "shot heard 'round the world" - the people of Boston and surrounding towns rose up and overthrew the royal governor in a dispute that started over tax resistance to arbitrary power. The post Tax Resistance and the Birth of American Independence appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.

April 12, 1776 - the first official action by one of the colonies in full support of declaring independence. The Halifax Resolves were also the first example of a colony-wide assembly admitting that reconciliation with the British was no longer an option. The post First for Independence: The Halifax Resolves of 1776 appeared first on Tenth Amendment Center.