72. Nullify, Nullify, Nullify

72. Nullify, Nullify, Nullify

Author: Nick Jamell July 30, 2019 Duration: 39:13

I am in favor of every means of exacting back power and sovereignty from government overreach that does no harm to individuals in the process. I do not advocate defiance of every law, but I do see it fit to have the states stand against unjust laws as well as the individual, in the most prudent way possible.

"In case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states who are parties thereto, have the right and are in duty bound, to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil, and for maintaining within their respective limits, the authorities, rights and liberties appertaining to them."
-James Madison

Nullification: This is the idea that because states are equal partners with the federal government on many programs, and that through the delegation to the federal government its powers by the states it was created, that the states have the right to disobey the federal government when it oversteps its bounds.

Historical Uses of Nullification:

  • The 1798 Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts
  • The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
  • Prohibition's repeal forced by nullification practices
  • Marijuana laws on the books today

Personal Nullification: I am not advocating vigilante justice or tax evasion in anyway. However, there are ways to nullify federal overreaches through individual actions if there is a critical mass of people. A few places where we are seeing it are homeschooling, people not taking government loans for liberal arts degrees anymore, and gray markets.


Nick Jamell hosts Conversation of Our Generation, a space where urgent contemporary questions meet enduring ideas from history and philosophy. Rather than reacting to the noise of daily headlines, this podcast deliberately steps back to examine the deeper currents shaping our society and culture. Each episode is a long-form dialogue that treats topics like politics, religion, and social change not as fodder for debate, but as puzzles to be understood with patience and intellectual humility. The aim is to move beneath entrenched partisanship and surface-level takes, searching instead for clearer perspectives and foundational truths. What you’ll hear are thoughtful explorations that connect modern dilemmas to the wisdom of ancient and modern thinkers, asking how we might navigate today’s complexities with a more grounded sense of principle. This isn’t about quick answers; it’s about cultivating a more meaningful and less reactive way of engaging with the world. For anyone feeling adrift in a polarized age, this podcast offers a sustained, earnest conversation that values depth over speed, and understanding over winning an argument. Tune in for a respite from the frantic news cycle and a chance to consider what it means to be part of this particular moment in time, armed with the best ideas from across the ages.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 245

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