14Feb 10
The Reinstitution Of Vertical Checks And Balances Has Begun…
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A few days ago an email landed in our inbox from Virginia’s Attorney General, Kenneth Cuccinelli II. While a state senator he frequently sent out emails titled the Cuccinelli compass. Though not quite as frequent he still sends them out in the midst of
fulfilling his new important service to Virginia. The most recent Cuccinelli Compass included an article he had written and then was published in the Washington Examiner.
Reading the article sparked hope within me first of all for my state but then also for the United States. The essence of it was the checks and balances for Government provided by the constitution. Cuccinelli spoke of horizontal checks and balances- Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. He also mentioned the oft forgotten vertical – federal and states. The impetus for the article is summed up best in the writer’s own words,
“Virginia is moving towards passing legislation that would make it unlawful to implement federal legislation to compel Virginia residents to buy health insurance, a/k/a, Obamacare. On Monday, February 1st, the Democratic-controlled state senate of Virginia passed a bill that would block the implementation of the individual mandate of Obamacare.”
Simply put, Virginia is in the process of passing legislation to make it illegal, according to state law, to implement an unconstitutional federal legislation. Cuccinelli states that this is pure application of vertical checks and balances. America’s Founding fathers would also of called this interposition – lesser powers standing between the misguided greater power and the people.
It’s easy to think of the federal government as an untouchable and unwieldy giant that only can be influenced through our national elections. However, if the states begin practicing interposition, we the people can deepen our influence on the federal giant through our votes in state elections and our communication with the not so sophisticated state offices.
Virginia until recently was considered a purple state. Obama easily swiped her electoral votes during the 2008 elections. Yet now she is acting very conservative. both through the recent governor race and the opposition of the liberal agenda of Obama. This dynamic and miraculous shift should send thrills of hope to all conservatives across America. If Virginia is making stands any other states can do the same. What happened in Massachusetts just a few weeks ago – the home state of Kennedy and a fortress of liberalism? Republican Scott Brown won a strong victory. New Jersey another Blue state recently voted in a republican Governor. I pray these steps are not just a change of parties but rather are results of a changing worldview and perspective; a beginning of a reformation. If so and even if not so, let us who are the children of light pray to the Giver Of Light to illuminated the minds and heart of Americans all across these 50 states.
Conservative Government holds no eternal significance for the sake of it’s conservative qualities or even for it’s benefits to economics and business. The reason our founding Father created the Republic of the United States was so that it’s citizens could enjoy and keep the liberties that they were endowed with from God Himself. Those liberties properly applied bear eternal significance. The liberal agendas of the Federal government are taking away the protections of the liberties. The American people’s defense against these agendas is first prayer and second interposition.
I’m burdened with the need to pray for state and local leaders. Being the lesser power, their responsibilities increases when the greater power begins operating unconstitutionally. Attorney General Cuccinelli, with many others are beginning to fulfill this incredible responsibility. Let us pray that they won’t compromise and that their energy for fulfilling this responsibility stems (if not now, will be) from Him who is the Alpha and Omega, He who was at the Beginning and will meet us at the End (Rev.21:6).
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice!
Seeing how the Lord lead our church to pray almost every week for our nation and our leaders, it is with great joy that we hear such reports.
Should the Lord ever open the door to serve my country in a position of leadership, I look forward to learning from the examples of men such as Ken Cuccinelli. Men who are not politicians, not swayed by the masses, but holding steadfastly to the principles upon which our nation was founded! This effot is an example of such character.
Mr. Cuccinelli is a true statesman! May we hold these men up in our prayers that they faint not in the day of adversity.
Fantastic! I love Virginia’s motto!
Thanks for writing this, Matthew! This is truly encouraging!
Now that’s the kind of change that I get excited about!
This is the most encouraging political happening that I have heard about in a long time! Thanks for sharing! Jessi told us we had to read it after she saw it – I’m so glad I did!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Matthew!! It’s a reminder to me (1) to always be praying for our leaders and (2) that with God, NOTHING is impossible, including GOOD change in our corrupt country!! How encouraging!! I’m SO thankful that no one can take away power of prayer!!!!!
[...] for just over 30 days, we rejoice to report that they are holding high the principles of morality. They are making the difficult choices and preserving the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our [...]