In “COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM” Dr. Brown explains the difference between the jurisdictions of the “United States” (the U.S. government in Washington, DC) and the 50 independent, sovereign “states of the Union”. He does NOT offer his opinions. Instead, he illustrates the historical facts primarily through citations of U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Each of the 50 independent, sovereign states of the Union is a FOREIGN COUNTRY with respect to the other 49 Union states AND with respect to the United States government. Therefore, unless a specific power was given to Congress in the Constitution, acts passed by Congress have NO authority or jurisdiction within the 50 Union states. Such acts passed by Congress (federal statutes) apply ONLY within Washington, DC, federal territories, and areas within a state ceded to the United States government for certain purposes.

Indeed, regulations by executive branch agencies, most rulings by federal courts, and even presidential “Executive Orders” apply only within Washington, DC (plus U.S. government employees). In short, except for powers explicitly enumerated in the Constitution, the United States government has NO jurisdiction within any of the 50 sovereign states of the Union for the simple fact that each state is its own sovereign country. Likewise, each state (a sovereign country) has jurisdiction ONLY over the people within that particular state. Thus, the New York state government has NO jurisdiction or authority over a man or woman who resides in Maine or any other of the Union states OR Washington, DC.  The New York state government has jurisdiction only within its physical boundaries. All other 49 states of the Union AND Washington, DC are considered “foreign states” (i.e., foreign countries).    —-  by John-Henry Hill