Walter Williams points out that what we usually call “The Civil War” was not really that at all. In a civil war, two factions fight for control of a government. But the South wanted to get out of Washington, DC, not take it over.
The war of 1861 was a war of independence. The Feds won. And by now, most of us out here in the States are losing. The Oklahoma House of Reps has voted 92 to 3 to put the Feds in their place. This could be quite the revolution if it can gather some steam.
…and Whereas, today, in 2008, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government. … Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 2nd session of the 51st Oklahoma Legislature: that the State of Oklahoma hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States. That this serve as Notice and Demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.