STATE REP. MIKE HILL (R-FL): It's time for state legislators to stand up to a corrupt Congress

By Mike Hill

Our country was founded by men who were vested in a better tomorrow for their countrymen and future generations. The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights are overwhelming evidence of their ideas in what it would take for a country to succeed.

Upon my commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Likewise, when I was sworn into the Florida Legislature, I took an oath to protect and defend the U.S. and Florida constitutions.

Congress has recently shown that it does not have the ability, or the desire to govern properly and reduce excess spending. The U.S. debt is steadily climbing due to a lack of congressional and executive self- control. The burden of this debt will be carried by our children and our grandchildren. This is a threat to our nation. How can a country successfully compete with other nations if they cannot financially support themselves? It is time to stand up to the corruption of Washington, letting the Legislative and Executive branches know that “We the People” are fed up with their egregious spending.

I am a member of The Assembly of State Legislatures, which consists of state legislators from around the United States who are aware of Article V of the Constitution, and recognize that the power belongs to the states and the people. The mission of The Assembly is to lay the framework and rules for a convention of the states, as described in Article V, for an amendment to our Constitution.

No amendments have been formally proposed by The Assembly as of this writing; however, the more-popular amendments include a federal balanced budget, congressional term limits, and returning power to the Congress and away from an out-of-control judicial system that usurps the will of the people.

The unabated actions of Congress veering more and more off-course for what is fiscally best for our country make the possibility of calling a constitutional convention by the states more plausible. According to Amendments 9 and 10 of the U.S. Constitution, it is the responsibility of the states to shape the direction of governing our nation. This federalist position demands that we, as legislators, have an obligation to ourselves and those we represent to uphold the Constitution.

Having a lack of fiscal responsibility as a nation leaves us vulnerable to foreign and domestic threats. Threats that are a violation of the very oath I took. Our Congressmen have decided rather than make the unpopular decision to cut spending, they would rather increase the debt ceiling again in order to further negate balancing the Federal budget. In Florida, I have taken it upon myself to diligently work toward balancing the federal budget by composing legislation that will require the federal government to annually pass a balanced budget and impose more strict requirements for raising the debt ceiling.

Our liberty as Americans is being tested. Our foundational beliefs as a country are being called into question. Now is the time to prepare for the difficulties that lie ahead. Let us come together as “We the People” and make our voices heard! It is your right as citizens to be fully represented when decisions are being made.

I am honored to have the opportunity to be one of 11 delegates of the state of Florida to be participating in the Assembly of State Legislatures. I promise to uphold my oaths and vote according to what is in the best interest of the United States as a whole, but foremost the Floridians I have the privilege of representing.


Mike Hill represents portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the state Legislature.