When States’ Rights Are Exercised Properly, Everyone Wins
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
-Tenth Amendment, US Constitution
The debate over states’ rights is not new. Throughout history, battles have been waged and debates argued over where the lines of power are to be drawn. But such debates often seem incredulous in today’s day in time, because if common sense prevailed, one need look no further than our founding documents for the answer. The Tenth Amendment clearly states that any power not given to, or restricted by, the federal government belongs to the states.
One of the greatest things about the United States is the ability to live in this nation, protected by all its freedoms, while at the same time experiencing the diversity of its fifty states.
One of the key arguments for the inclusion of the Tenth Amendment was to protect the sovereignty and individuality of each of the thirteen colonies, most of which were originally settled by individual groups for specific reasons. Though times have certainty changed and states have grown and divided, each state still has its own unique personality, history and issues that affect their policies.
Many of the debates that take center stage during our national political campaigns are ones that should be reserved for state campaigns. The problem is, we have a federal government that is increasingly encroaching on the rights of the states, and a populace that is largely uneducated on the subject. This year—the past several months in particular—we have seen a rise in governors taking a stand and showing true leadership in the face of growing federal encroachment and failures. Texas Governor Rick Perry has had a busy summer dealing with the border crisis and an Ebola outbreak. When those in DC failed to respond adequately Gov. Perry took matters into his own hands The states of Indiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina have rejected the educational policy of Common Core (several others have pending legislation). And in Maine, New York and New Jersey governors have enacted travel policies in the face of Ebola threats while the White House plays politics. While these governors have every right to exercise such power in order to lead their state, it is great to see them take action in areas where federal leaders are faltering.
When states’ rights are exercised properly, everyone wins.
Don’t like the high taxes in your home state? Move to one with a lower rate. Want more options for education? Move to a state that promotes school choice. Are you an advocate for social liberalism? Move to a state that endorses progressive social policies. Moving may not be easy, but forcing people to agree with a position or policy that is not a majority view within that state seems senseless when other states offer what you are seeking. With 50 states and 14 territories, the United States offers something for everyone, without the federal government infringing on policies that clearly should be reserved for the states.
Image courtesy of jurisdictions.steamforum.com
