If you delve into the ratification of the Constitution, you will often see the federal government referred to as the “general government.” This terminology tells us a great deal about how the founding generation understood the role of the government it created, and its relationship to the states and the people. Samuel Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary..
Read moreKentucky Gov. Bevin Just Another Federal Supremacist Lying About REAL ID
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin ran as the “limited government” Tea Party guy. He even famously boasted the would tell the EPA to “pound sand.” But it turns out he’s just another federal supremacist without a spine lying to push an unconstitutional national ID system. Bevin released a YouTube video on Friday to tout a piece..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #38: Ask Me Anything
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I answer some listener questions. This week I am traveling, so I prerecorded an episode last weekend. I decided to do something a little different and tackle some listener questions. In this episode you will find out what piece of legislation I..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #37: Freedom of Speech and the First Amendment
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head I talk about the First Amendment, its relation to freedom of speech, and more generally the importance of free expression in a free society. The recent shutdown of a Donald Trump rally in Chicago has generated a lot of discussion about freedom..
Read moreGo Ahead; Discriminate Against Me
A bill making its way through the Kentucky legislature would allow businesses that provide "customized, artistic, expressive, creative, ministerial, or spiritual goods or services" to refuse service to individuals or groups based on religious convictions. The bill was obviously written to allow the proverbial Christian baker to refuse to bake a cake for a gay..
Read moreMobs Vying for Power
Over the last few weeks, several videos popped up showing Donald Trump supporters roughing up protesters. In Louisville Trump disciples shoved a young girl around. In North Carolina, a guy sucker punched a young black man heckling the crowd. Police threw the protester to the ground. On Friday, Trump canceled a campaign event in Chicago..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #36: Rewriting Nullification History (With the Truth)
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about a recently published academic paper that obliterates conventional thinking about nullification and interposition. In 1798, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison penned the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. These documents, approved by the..
Read moreAmerica: Untethered from Its Constitutional Moorings
Americans have untethered their government from its moorings. The colonists fought a war to tie government down. Under British rule, government had become more and more arbitrary. Parliament and the King could issue edicts and pass laws detached from any absolute guiding principles. Americans called it tyranny. In the British system, the constitution evolved. Government..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #35: Donald Trump
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I share my thoughts on the Trump phenomenon. As a general rule, I don't care much about national politics. I'm particularly apathetic about who inhabits the White House. But the Donald Trump phenomenon is pretty hard to ignore, and I couldn't resist..
Read moreLegislative Testimony: “Right to Try” Bill would Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients
Following is testimony I offered before the Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee in support of "Right to Try" legislation. SB113 would bypass the FDA expanded access program and allow terminally ill patients to obtain experimental drugs from manufacturers without first obtaining FDA approval. This procedure directly conflicts with the federal expanded access program..
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