Nullification maintains balance of power

Dear Editor:

In last week's DCI, Hank Lohmeyer reported that I said during the recent GOP debate that if elected my top goal would be "support of law enforcement." Mr. Lohmeyer failed to emphasize that the specific context of my support would be relative to the sheriff standing between a citizen and a rogue federal agency or agent who oversteps its or his authority.

The principles of "nullification" and "interposition" first expressed in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions in 1798 against the unconstitutional Alien and Sedition Acts, provide that the state government has the power to disregard federal law by refusing to enforce it.

One way nullification could be accomplished is by the arrest of a federal agent who attempts to impose a void federal law against a citizen. This would be the act of "interposition" by the sheriff. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement authority in the county, elected directly by the people to serve and protect them against the criminal element in a county, even if that element is the government itself. It is up to the sheriff to honor his oath of office to support and defend the Constitution by distinguishing when the United States Congress, the Colorado General Assembly, state or federal administrative bureaucracies, the governor or even the president have abused their power by passing unconstitutional statutes, orders, rules or regulations. Nullification is the means by which the balance of power is maintained in America's compound republic, thereby thwarting any design to reduce the people under absolute despotism.

It is my platform to introduce the principles of nullification and interposition into the Colorado General Assembly, and to provide backup to the sheriffs should they choose to put their reputation on the line by interposing in behalf of one of the citizens of their county.

David Justice

Candidate

House District #61

Gunnison

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