As the publisher of both Gilbert Watch and Gila Watch, I believe it’s extremely important to share with readers of both blogs the inspiring stories of our young people.
Some months ago, the Payson Tea Party voted to start an annual $500 Scholarship fund, to be awarded to a deserving high school senior.
Last month, Ms. Darlene Younker, president of the Payson Tea Party, announced the recipient of the group’s first annual $500 scholarship award.
“It is with great pleasure that the Payson Tea Party announces the award of our first ever Tea Party Scholarship. Applicants submitted essays answering the question "Is the Tenth Amendment Relevant in Today’s Society?" Our winner is Savannah Grassel.
"Miss Grassel, a senior at Payson High School, is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll since 2010. She is currently the Student Body President. Savannah is very active in sports having lettered in soccer. She has also been the Captain of the girls basketball team, has played soft ball, and has participated in track and field. In addition, Savannah holds several jobs. This well-rounded young lady has been accepted into Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, where she will major in Biological Sciences. She would like to become a sports medicine doctor. Congratulations, Savannah!”
Presenting the award to Savannah are Darlene Younker, president of the Payson Tea Party, and U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (CD4).
Here is Savannah’s essay:
Is the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution relevant in today’s Society?
The 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution is still today an integral part of the power struggle that exists between our different levels of government, mainly our state and federal tiers. The 10th amendment was added to the constitution to prevent the growth of the type of government the British exercised over the colonies. The amendment has nurtured discussion and influenced decision making by these branches of government ever since. I feel that this amendment is still relevant in our present day society when understood the way our forefathers intended.
Today the United States is governed primarily by two parties, Democrat and Republican, which maintain quite different ideals and solutions for our countries’ problems. The main issue is do we maintain a powerful federal government with incredible cost (taxes) and manpower, and limit state government, or do we limit our federal government and introduce more power back to the state governments.
I have seen examples of the relevance of the 10th amendment in my lifetime. I have seen the institution of an increase in drinking age to 21 years old. The government has said it would limit funding for state highway repairs if a state would refuse to increase the drinking age to these levels.
Another example of the conflicting levels of government is the new Healthcare Reform law or Obamacare. This reform was dictated mainly by the federal government and enforced down to the state levels. This law has been beneficial for some but has taken away the freedom of individuals to choose their own plan which may be more beneficial for them. In addition individuals were told by the federal government that they would be fined if they failed to join a certain plan by a certain deadline.
Another example of manipulation of this amendment is in the agriculture industry. The government will maintain it has a right to tell farmers what to grow and have influence over the prices they can ask for their products when times of scarcity exist. There is also a battle being waged between the federal and states regarding gay marriage and whether this should be state or federally regulated. Also there are issues with abortion, birth control, and drug regulation; all further examples of issues our levels of government are struggling with providing proper authorization and control over.
I would say the 10th amendment is still relevant, although we as a people are conflicted over the proper interpretation of it at times as we continue to try and build a government that mirrors what our forefathers had in mind when they created this addition to the constitution.