Need to return to Federalism
The U.S. was founded on the principle of federalism where there is a centralized government with sovereignty in certain areas and sub-units (state and local governments) with sovereignty in other areas.
This separation of powers worked well throughout the 18th and most of the 19th centuries. Beginning in the late 19th, and accelerating in the 20th Century, the lines drawn between the central government and the state governments blurred to the point where the states cannot sneeze without federal approval or federal dollars.
Part of this came about as a result of the mindset change from the government staying out of your way so you can prosper to the government being the enabler of your prosperity. This fundamentally flawed approach to government has led to unprecedented federal growth and eliminated the awareness of our federalist form of government.
States and lobbyists have become the humble beggars for federal funds that Franklin Pierce warned us of when he was vetoing social bills in the 1850s. There is a way to resolve this that should satisfy both progressives and conservatives. It takes the understanding that there are certain precedents set, that although they fall out of line with the Founding Fathers' vision, they are political realities today. On the other side, people must realize that several of today's federal programs are duplicative and unnecessary.
By a balanced plan of devolution, retention, privatization and a new federal revenue sharing plan, our country can revitalize federalism for the 21st Century.
It is time to change the states' focus from fighting for their "fair share" of federal tax dollars to competing with each other in creating the most innovative solutions for their citizens. Ask your congressman what is a "fair share" of federal dollars. Is it based on a formula of population and per capita income (the general welfare) or is it get the most you possibly can?
Federal revenue sharing would be the cornerstone of revitalized federalism. My proposed federal revenue sharing plan would disburse federal tax dollars directly to the state governments, without restrictions on how this money would be spent. This would be coupled with the elimination or downsizing of several federal departments. The dollar amounts funneled to each state would be at least 20 percent less than the totals they are receiving today and would be based on population.
The large reductions in federal dollars would be offset by the elimination of federal oversight and the strict regulations stating how the money is to be allocated. The states would be responsible for creating the requirements for how this money is spent and managing their budget.
The federal government would retain its intended responsibilities of national defense, diplomacy, and foreign and interstate commerce. It would also be responsible for ensuring that the States retain the level of social justice that was fought for and won.
The feelings toward states' rights are tainted by the failure of many state governments to address civil rights issues in the past. This failure to promote freedom casts a pall on attempts to revive federalism. The established progress would not be reverted to the states.
This plan allows for the arguments between big government and little government advocates to be made at the state level. Fifty laboratories of democracy would be working toward solutions to such things as health care, education and urban development, to name a few. Successful programs would be mimicked and unsuccessful programs could be scrapped.
Competition is beneficial. Without it, there is little incentive to be productive. Our path toward a single central authority needs to be changed. We can do better.
John Witt
Lake in the Hills