South Carolina Sovereignty Bill Moves Closer to Passage

S424 received a vote up by the subcommittee on 3/3/2009

The room was filled with citizens representing themselves, as well as a number of individuals from The League of the South, The Palmetto Heritage Coalition and The Campaign for Liberty. Four citizens spoke before the subcommittee: Robert Slimp, Matt Kneece, Jim Hanks, and Steve Isom.

Matt Kneece spoke forcefully about the need to follow the will of the people. He pointed out that the federal government pursues wars that 70% of Americans oppose.

As Kneece rose to leave Hutto asked, ”Do you think we should have government by polls?

Matt Kneece answered, “No, but we should take them to count and elect new officials.”

Other speakers pointed out that this was a historic moment. One said that the federal government was trying to ram the “stimulus” package through to the groups in the states that they favored without allowing the Governors or Legislatures any say in how the money is to be spent, and that if states wished to retain any autonomy at all they had to stand up to this.

After the speakers finished Hutto said, “The question is short and sweet, what is the practical effect of this bill? I completely support the Constitution. We have a system that determines the Constitution. That’s what the federal courts are for.

Martin said: The stimulus package passed 4-2 (South Carolina U.S. congress members’ vote count). We can’t pick and choose which laws to follow. That would lead to anarchy. But we should pass it.

Rankin said that Joe Wilson used to make quite a few resolutions similar to this one. It became something of a joke.

Martin agreed, “You are right. We did it in 1996. It didn’t make a difference.”

Bright said: “Then we didn’t have 26 other states standing together.”

The vote was:

Larry Martin, 2, Pickens county: Up

Lee Bright, 12, Spartanburg county: Up

Tom Davis, 46, Beaufort county: Up

Luke Rankin, 33, Horry county: Up

Bradley Hutto, 40, Orangeburg, Allendale, Bamburg, Barnwell counties: Down

The members of the Judiciary Committee appear below. Contact them to support this bill.

Judiciary:

McConnell, Glenn F. , Chm. cosponsor
Martin, Larry A. cosponsor
Knotts, John M. "Jake" , Jr. cosponsor
Campsen, George E. "Chip" III cosponsor
Cleary, Raymond E. III cosponsor
Campbell, Paul G. , Jr. cosponsor
Bright, Lee cosponsor
Coleman, Creighton B. cosponsor
Davis, Thomas C. "Tom" cosponsor
Martin, Shane R. cosponsor
Mulvaney, J. Michael "Mick" cosponsor
Rose, Michael T. cosponsor
Shoopman, Phillip W. cosponsor

Ford, Robert
Rankin, Luke A.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Malloy, Gerald
Sheheen, Vincent A.
Lourie, Joel
Williams, Kent M.
Massey, A. Shane
Nicholson, Floyd
Scott, John L. , Jr.