More federalism would help end today’s divisiveness

[Frank DeForrest]

Originally Posted by redguitar77111

I think that the states should be given the power to deficit spend so that they can each do what they want with healthcare (and whatever else the federal government "can't afford").

States already deficit spend. And FYI the fedguv doesnt have its own money, but will deficit spend yours and grandchildren's.

[Freak80]

Originally Posted by PuppiesandKittens

Let’s face it: the US is filled with groups that dislike each other. Since the Federal government is so large and powerful, each group views controlling the Federal government as essential in order for the group to protect itself from harm that other groups could inflict if they controlled the Federal government. Further, the Presidemcy has grown so powerful that each group views electing a President that it supports as critical.

So why not:

1. Transfer nearly all power from Washington to the states, except for a few things such as foreign policy and social and a few other programs that would simply fund gaps between what poor states can spend and what rich states can spend.

Result? Groups could continue to cluster in different states and wouldn’t have to bother each other. Liberals in Massachusetts wouldn’t have to run into conservatives from Alabama.

The Federal government would need to keep control of a bare minimum of economic and other programs that would fill gaps between what various states can spend, but their scope could be reduced and largely delegated to the states. (We’ve seen what happened in Europe, with a single currency but individual states of varying resources and without a central government to prop up poor ones, and that’s a disaster.)

2. Reduce the power of the Presidency.

I’d like to find a way to reduce the power of the President to pick Supreme Court justices, since that would help reduce fighting about the Presidency, but I don’t have a specific plan now.

The President has become nearly an elected strongman; most Western countries don’t have that, and a strong Presidency runs the risk of becoming semi-dictatorial.

3. Create a nonpartisan head of state.

This is a more “feel good” move that would help build national unity. Heads of state (the ceremonial parts of being President) doesn’t need to be a partisan job. Queen Elizabeth does a wonderful job and is beloved, but her political views are largely unknown.

I say all of this as someone who is on the center-right politically.

Thoughts?

We tried that from 1788 until 1860. Things got a little divisive nonetheless.

[Freak80]

Originally Posted by ottomobeale

Small detail of adverse selection.

For example

Liberal state with universal health insurance would be less popular as people would live in GOP state... until they got sick.

Correct. We New Yorkers would need to build a wall along our southern border to keep the Red State moochers out.

[rstevens62]

Originally Posted by engineman

Don't forget, an amendment "Congress shall pass no legislation to which they are not subject".

The catch to that is...the people MUST recognize when they have not done this and act to make sure it does not happen again.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights give us this power, even by force if necessary.

[Prytania]

Originally Posted by Freak80

We tried that from 1788 until 1860. Things got a little divisive nonetheless.

The EU does it now.

Things were divisive because the authors of the Constitution left things rather vague, probably on purpose.