A new Civil War? Lawmakers meet to discuss taking back federal lands for the states
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
4/22/2014 (4 years ago)
Catholic Online
(https://www.catholic.org)
Lawmakers from the Western states gathered in Salt lake City last Friday to discuss what happened on the Bundy ranch in Nevada and to say that it is time for the states, not the federal government, to manage those resources for the good of their people.

Lawmakers met in Salt Lake City to discuss how the federal government has been using lands in the Western states.
Highlights
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/22/2014 (4 years ago)
Published in Politics & Policy
Keywords: lawmakers, western states, civil war, rural, cliven bundy, summit
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online)Â - Saying that "what's happened in Nevada is really just a symptom of a much larger problem," Utah House speaker, Becky Lockhart (R-Provo) summed up the alarm she and other state-level lawmakers from the Western states felt at the federal mismanagement of the Bundy case.
The summit was planned well before the Cliven Bundy incident, but the events at his ranch have brought the spotlight to this important issue.
Pray for our nation.
During a closed-door summit last Friday, state-level representatives from Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming discussed how to handle the problem of taking federal lands back for their respective states. More than 50 political leaders were gathered for the summit.
While the root of the problem can be discussed at length, the central issue is who should control the often vast tracts of land and their mineral resources. Presently, the federal government claims most of the land and mineral rights across the Western states and it taxes income extracted from those regions.
In contrast, Alaska extracts oil and compels private firms to pay every Alaska citizen a stipend every year for what they take. Other western states get essentially nothing when their resources are used.
Oil, natural gas, minerals, trees and water are among the resources in question, as well as the land itself.
Representatives at the summit pointed out that lands managed by the states have been better preserved and provide more value to the state than those managed by the federal government.
The federal government has steadily grown in power and reach over the past several decades. The Obama administration is simply the latest in a series of federal administrations that have sought to exercise ever-increasing power over "public" lands and private people who use those lands and develop rural areas.
Officials in the Obama administration have also been accused of using strong-arm tactics to press ranchers and others who live in rural areas to give up usage rights and water rights, despite having questionable legal authority to do so.
The Obama administration has also overseen the militarization of various law enforcement agencies so that today SWAT tactics are much more commonly used for many situations as well as heavy weaponry, making people feel as though they are under attack or potentially under attack by government forces.
Amid this climate of federal control and coercion, the people are finally lashing back. For the moment, militias and strident conservative groups form the core of the anti-government movement, calling for a return to Constitutional principles in governance. These people represent a fringe element, however that fringe is quickly moving towards mainstream acceptance and support.
While the future portends conflict, it doesn't have to be that way. Article V of the U.S. Constitution allows for peaceful revolution by the states, provided three quarters of the states agree to repair the damage that decades of political wrangling have done to it. As hopeful as this sounds, it is also terribly unlikely.
The only other option beyond this will be mass protest and change by other means. This is not something that should be soon supported because of the inherent danger to life and property that it creates. Nonetheless, if a free people are no longer able to express themselves freely, or to practice their loving faith, or to engage in lawful commerce or exercise their myriad other rights and liberties, then what other option will there be?
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2018 - Distributed by THE CALIFORNIA NETWORK
Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for APRIL 2018
For those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters. That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
More Politics & Policy
California bill that could BAN THE BIBLE advances Watch

A bill in the California legislature intended to ban gay conversion therapy is also worded so that it could be used to ban books such as ... continue reading
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry talks about consulting on a documentary about the papacy Watch

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) is not shy about his Catholic faith. He holds a master's degree in theology from Franciscan University of ... continue reading
Is the end of Facebook near? How regulation could kill the world's largest social network Watch

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced two days of tough questions from both the Senate and the House. It is possible that Facebook ... continue reading
California scientists say earthquake early warning system worked in 5.3 tremor Watch

Caltech says their early warning system worked well during the 5.3 magnitude quake which shook the Southern California coast on Thursday. ... continue reading
Another victory for religious liberty! Catholic employers win injunction against Obama contraception edict Watch

A federal judge ruled in favor of the Catholic Benefits Association last week, issuing a permanent injunction and declaratory relief ... continue reading
Latest
by Catholic Online
- Five things Catholics can do to promote international religious freedom
- St. George: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 23, 2018
- The Christian Duty: A mission of leading others to Jesus
- Daily Reading for Monday, April 23rd, 2018 HD Video
- The Eucharist's Importance to the Life of the Church
- Daily Reading for Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 HD Video
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 23, 2018
Latest Videos
on YouTube

Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Sunday April 22, 2018
Reading 1, Acts 4:8-12
Psalm, Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 21, 29
Gospel, John 10:11-18
Reading 2, First John 3:1-2
Saint of the Day

St. Abdiesus
April 22: Also called Hebed Jesus, a deacon in the ... Read More
Information
Learn about Catholic world
Catholic Online
Inform - Inspire - Ignite
Catholic Online Saints
Your saints explained
Catholic Online Prayers
Prayers for every need
Catholic Online Bible
Complete bible online
Catholic Online News
Your news Catholic eye
Daily Reading
Today's bible reading
Lent / Easter
Death & resurrection of Jesus
Advent / Christmas
Birth of Jesus
Rest of Catholic Online
All Catholic world we offer
Services
Products and services we offer
Catholic Online Shopping
Catholic medals, gifts & books
The California Network
Inspiring streaming service
Advertise on Catholic Online
Your ads on catholic.org
Catholic Online Email
Email with Catholic feel
Catholic Online Singles
Safe, secure Catholic dating
The California Studios
World-class post production service
Education
Learn the Catholic way
Catholic Online School
Free Catholic education for all
Student Classes
K-12 & Adult Education Classes
School Teachers
Teacher lesson plans & resources
Support Free Education
Tax deductible support Free education
Socials
Connect with us online
Catholic Online on Facebook
Catholic social network
Catholic Online on Twitter
Catholic Tweets
Catholic Online on YouTube
Enjoy our videos
Catholic Online on Instagram
Shared Catholic moments
Catholic Online on Pinterest
Catholic ideas style inspiration