Amidst the roars of the TEA Party and demands for smaller government, it seems that when a natural or man-made disaster hits, states go running for the Feds. If the government is really too big, perhaps the states should handle own problems rather than blaming the government for taking too long (Bobby Jindal). If the government is really too big, states should take some autonomy for themselves and prove their point - that the states can do things on their own.
I understand the argument for states' rights. I've studied it for years and subscribe to a bit of it myself. But states should stay away from biting the hand that feeds them. They are a part of a successful, functioning union of over 50 entities, they are able to create their own laws and collect their own taxes, they even have their own elections. The only rule they have to follow is in Article VI, Clause 2 - and that says don't mess around with contradicting the Federal government. Simple enough, it seems. But, this points to a discussion of the natural functions of sovereign governments - what are they there for? To govern, obviously, but maybe more. The TEA Party likes to complain about it, it seems that the other side likes to make it bigger, but is there a middle ground? I don't think either side has it quite right.
There have been lots of theories thrown around about why governments exist. James Madison is quoting in saying, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary," and Thomas Paine with, "That government is best which governs least." This points to a small government that leaves a lot of control and power with the people (or states) and is one which the TEA Party would probably advocate first. However, there are others such as Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli that advocate a Leviathan or Prince that rules with an iron fist. This would suggest a strong, almost tyrannical government (if it subscribes to the Machiavellian theory that it is better to be feared than loved) that neither side would promote. Even still, history suggests some kind of mix is necessary - The Articles of Confederation bombed because there was not enough power, yet the American and French revolutions (among several others) were fought on Enlightenment ideals opposing excessive government power.
The Federalist system that the United States implemented with the Constitution creates a perfect theoretical mix of liberty and states' rights with order and federal power. The states have their autonomy and can do pretty much whatever they want except make their own money and treaties (and there are ways around the "no treaties" thing), but the Federal government and the laws it makes/enforces are still the "Supreme law of the Land." It's the perfect compromise. But nothing is perfect, much less remains perfect. So now some are complaining that the Feds are usurping power from the states (we've heard that for 200 years), and it's looking more like a Unitary style of government, as opposed to Federal. That is obviously not the case. Still, some states are passing laws that are clear violations of the 14th amendment by implicitly promoting racial profiling, others are passing laws that exempt their citizens from a national healthcare system - if you ask me, that's one step short of firing on Lincoln's supply ships headed to Fort Sumter. No one can agree on the proper proportions of Federal/State power. And now that the Federal government is exercising more power themselves (see previous post), the States, as represented by the TEA Party, are reacting swift and strong.
I have no complaints about protesting. I have no complaints about protesting an increasingly larger and more obtrusive government. But I do have complaints about inconsistencies. The oil spill this summer, Katrina in 2005 - these are two examples of how states will not survive without people, money, and management from the Federal government. And those who protest the government's interference in states' affairs as a blanket issue should think twice about how much they really want the states to be in control.
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