What if you are unhappy with what Congress and the President are doing? One answer is look to make change at the state and local level. It is an old argument in America? How much power should the federal government have, and how much authority do states have to resist?
This was an argument that the Framers dealt with in Philadelphia in 1787, Hamilton and Jefferson sparred about in the early republic, that tore the Union asunder in 1861, and continues to this day. In the 20th century, the federal (national) government won most of the important battles and became much more powerful than the states. However, that doesn't mean the pendulum of power cannot swing back to the states.
Here is an example of what some states are doing in asserting States' rights authority in a fight against national actions that are unpopular in their parts of the country.
States rebel against Washington | csmonitor.com
Some states may shun stimulus funds - At least six governors have said they may refuse money, but will they face a backlash?
2 comments:
I feel like the federal government has gained a little too much power and is now not fully respecting the states' opinions. Article Four of the United States Constitution talks about the relationship between state and federal government and it says that "congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States". I think government works better with smaller territories like states rather than the whole nation because then the government can reflect the opinions of the people in just those territories. I think the federal govt will always have a little more power than states do but in my opinion they should make it a little more even and make amendments that give states more power. Many of the founders were afraid that a national govt would become too powerful. We should respect their vision of having a national govt, created by the people, for the people, that will respect all people's opinions by giving states more power.
-Dylan Dislers
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