By Matthew Hayward The Census: From Counting People to Collecting Control The Constitution established the census as a straightforward tool for representation—nothing more, nothing less. Article I, Section 2 mandates an enumeration every ten years to determine how many representatives each state is allotted. That’s it. Simple. Effective. Proportional representation was the goal, and the census was designed to achieve it. So how did we end up here—with government agents asking about the number of bathrooms in our homes, our ethnic identities, and everything in between? This is the creeping hand of central planning at work. What began as a tool to empower individual representation has been twisted into a mechanism to empower bureaucrats, planners, and those who believe they know better than free individuals how to run their own lives. Central Planning: The False Promise of Data The justification for prying into the most intimate details of our lives is always the same: “We need the ...

As we navigate the intricate web of our modern society, the concept of sanctuary jurisdictions continues to make headlines. Traditionally, these places – known as sanctuary cities, counties, or states – are where local or regional law enforcement limits their cooperation with federal authorities, especially on controversial issues like immigration. However, this sanctuary concept has recently morphed into a broader, more powerful movement encompassing a range of constitutional issues, from Second Amendment rights and marijuana decriminalization to the refusal to enforce mask mandates and business closures related to COVID-19. Today, we'll examine the intriguing notion of a constitutional sanctuary from a libertarian perspective, focusing on individual liberties, limited government, and personal choice. We'll also delve into the critical role of Constitutional Sheriffs, resistance against not just federal but also state overreaches, and the implications of non-compliance with co...

By Matthew Hayward Madam Speaker, distinguished colleagues, and fellow legislators, I rise before you today on behalf of my constituents who have expressed their concerns regarding the issue of income tax. As their representative, it is my duty to ensure that their perspectives are taken into account and that their deeply held principles are given the consideration they deserve. Some of my constituents hold the belief that an income tax suggests the state has ownership over its citizens and possesses the authority to determine how much of their hard-earned income they are allowed to keep. They argue that this concept bears a concerning resemblance to slavery, as it infringes upon the fundamental right to self-ownership. I understand that this may be a contentious viewpoint. Still, it is crucial that we, as legislators, listen to the concerns of all citizens, regardless of whether or not we personally agree with them. In doing so, we uphold the democratic principles that our great natio...