Editor, Times-Union: Our founders crafted a Constitution which delegated 18 specific powers to the federal government from the states. Believe it or not, forcing me to buy health insurance is not among those 18 specific (enumerated) federal powers. In addition to these powers delegated to the federal government, Article 1, Section 10 lays out powers that are denied to the individual states. These two sections form a general basis for appropriate federal power in our system of checks and balances. On the flip side, the Ninth and 10th Amendments to the Constitution make it clear the individual states and the people retain their power in every other situation. This is the definition of state sovereignty, and you can see how far we have strayed as a country from this proper balance of powers. Curt Nisly understands the states created the federal government, not the other way around. Curt Nisly knows the states had to give up some power to the federal government in order for the nation to succeed. Now, however, the federal government has taken too much power. We need someone in Indianapolis who will work to restore the proper separation of powers between the federal government and the states. Democrat candidate David Kolbe believes the federal government knows what is best for the people of district 22. He accepts without hesitation the actions of the federal government because he personally favors Obamacare. But when you support a law that, for the first time, forces citizens to buy a product or pay a tax, you clearly favor the federal government over the states and the people. Curt Nisly will stand up for the rights of Hoosiers to govern themselves in matters where the federal government is not empowered to act. If you live in the 22nd District, and you believe the state can govern itself better than the federal government, then vote for Curt Nisly on Nov. 4. Gary Eppenbaugh Warsaw, via email
