Federalism Roundup

What is Federalism?  By definition, federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides the powers of government on a territorial basis between a central or national government and several regional governments, usually called states.  With this division of powers, the littler states have the power to govern themselves, yet they have to answer to the national government which has the ultimate control. 

The National government has most of the power in regards to the country.  That being said, it is a government of delegate powers.  It gets these powers from the constitution, which overrules what other lawmakers want to say.  Some people feel that the constitution should be overruled in some instances but, since our country was founded off the ideals stated in it, I don't think we should.

What some people don't realize is how much help the national government is obligated to give states.  The constituion states that "guarantee to every state in this Union a Republican Form of Government."  I think this is a good thing because, it doesn't matter where you go in the US, you will be able to live in a republic.  This is alot better than traveling around and living in a dictatorship in one place, and a democracy in another.

One thing the constitution talks about is how the national government has to grant state's rights in controling their own amount of territory or land.  What that means is that, even though Florida may want more land, they can't just take it from the surrounding states.  Also, they can't go to the government to try to have them take it away from a different state.  This protects all the interests of each and every state, which is a very good thing.

No States can make alliences with each other, as stated in the constituion.  This law was made so that another civil war doesn't happen.  I think this is kind of wrong because, if the national government is doing things/passing laws that are not in favor of the states, I think they should be able to rise up against the government.

The Privilege and Immunity clause seems very nice for citizens.  It grants all US citizens all the same rights in all states.  This is nice because then I can travel from state to state without having to go through checkpoints like they have to do in Europe.