Lansing Rally on Sunday to Show State Resistance to Federalized Health Care

With a vote on President Barack Obama's health care reform bill expected Sunday, a group of protesters are holding a last-minute rally to show politicians it is time for states to flex their own muscles.

Joan Fabiano of Grassroots in Michigan is hosting a health care protest Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Lansing at the State Capitol building.

"They are not listening to us in Washington at all," Fabiano said. "We need to return the focus to our own state. There is a growing sovereignty movement across the nation. I really believe this is the course we have to take if we want to stop these unconstitutional bills being rammed down our throats by the feds. Where in the constitution does it say the government can force you to buy a service?"

Sate Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, said he will be in attendance Sunday.

Opsommer introduced House Joint Resolution YY on March 4. It would allow voters to add an amendment to the state constitution that would create a commission to examine the constitutionality of actions by the federal government.

To be added to the constitution, the amendment would require a two-thirds vote from each chamber of the Legislature before being sent to the voters. A simple majority of voters could then approve it and put it into the constitution.

Opsommer acknowledged that the current Legislature is unlikely to act on it right now. He said he hopes the next session would vote on it after the upcoming November elections.

"The entire health care debacle in Washington is the exact reason something like this is needed," Opsommer said. "Because Washington is out of control ... and the American people know it is out of control."