A group of America's most far-right activists are pushing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to do away with our union as we know it--a constitutional amendment that would allow states to nullify federal laws by a vote 2/3 of state legislatures. Montana State Senator Jason Priest (R-Red Lodge) is one of the movement's leaders.
The concept of nullification was a key feature of the most extreme legislature in Montana history--nearly a dozen bills to declare federal authority "null and void" or unenforceable in Montana were introduced by Republicans during the 2011 session. However, Democrats and moderate Republicans joined forces to defeat the nullification bills time after time. Governor Schweitzer called the bills "anti-American."
Montana State Senator Jason Priest (R-Red Lodge) is listed among the dozen or so supporters of the amendment.
Priest says:
"Montanans are a liberty-minded people and I will proudly sponsor the Article V application for the Repeal Amendment in the Montana Legislature to send a clear, strong message to Washington that we are a sovereign state withMontana-made solutions to today’s challenges.”
Priest has drawn national attention before. Speaking to group of Tea Party followers,
apparently unaware of a running camera, Priest said,
“I live in Red Lodge where I’m that guy that nobody agrees with, and I don’t mind. I have to talk to them about things that are important to them in ways that aren’t offensive to them. That’s a good lesson to learn. I would rather tell them they’re insane… Is that camera on?”
Priest made national news for posting comments to Facebook
using gay innuendoes to argue his dislike for paying taxes. In that posting, Priest wrote,
“Keynes was a big homo if he’s fondling your balls it probably means you’re getting a reach around which is way better than what Obama is giving America. We are all getting the dry thumb.”
The amendment is expected to be announced today. It will be interesting to see what Rehberg's position will be. Will he support the dissolution of the United States as we know it, allowing his affair with the TEA party to cloud his judgement? Or will he abandon his key constituency - the hard-right wing of the GOP?
This diary is cross posted at the Montana Cowgirl Blog.