Thousands in Columbus protest power of federal government

The U.S. government is losing sight of its principal responsibilities, some said.

COLUMBUS (AP) — A rally attended by thousands Saturday at the Ohio Statehouse protested federal government power under President Obama and called for the passage of a measure to assert states’ rights.

The newly formed Ohio Liberty Council staged the rally to protest what the council views as the usurping of power by the federal government in areas such as health care and energy.

The council called for the passage of an Ohio Senate resolution to assert states’ rights in areas the U.S. Constitution does not grant the federal government the power to oversee.

The council consists of groups including Americans for Prosperity, the Buckeye Firearms Association and the Ohio Freedom Alliance.

A handful of states, including Florida, have introduced measures to assert states’ rights.

“I want the right to drive a gas-guzzler and choose my own health care,” said Amy Chauvette, 45, of Toledo, who held a sign that read, “America home of the free? Not lately.”

“Government is losing sight of what they are really there for,” she said. “They are not there to run car companies or health care. They are there to keep this country free.”

Though most who attended the rally directed their ire at Obama and Democrats, some who attended also blamed President Bush, a Republican, for approving the first federal bank bailout and criticized Republicans for allowing government to grow when they were in power.