Oklahoma House Joint Resolution 1054 was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry on Friday. The resolution would have prevented Oklahomans from the mandated purchase of health insurance and prevented monetary penalties for non-compliance. The message of the Oklahoma legislature was clear, Federal Government you have overstepped your Constitutional authority.
Here is a perfect example of the State of Oklahoma exercising its 10th Amendment supremacy. Yes supremacy, when the Federal Government strays from its authorized constitutional parameters, the states reign supreme. The Oklahoma Legislature recognized the overreaching power grab and looting of personal freedom over the state and its citizens. This is an example of nullification: telling Congress your actions are invalid, void, and we nullify that action or legislation.
In order to understand the rationale for nullification we must revisit our founding. Even our Founding Fathers argued over the proper role of a centralized government. There were three main schools of thought: monarchists, nationalists and federalists. The monarchists; lead by Alexander Hamilton desired state sovereignty to be eliminated and the establishment of a British style government.
He called for life terms for a president, and senators and the president would appoint governors. Madison, Jefferson and Washington spearheaded the nationalists who advocated for a strong centralized government. The dominant group emerged, understanding the advantages of a coalition of states handing specified powers to a federal, not national government, and this group was the Federalists. These founders wanted to maintain the primary authority of the states, yet handing delegated powers to a federal government.