Do you support Federalism or do you think a more Unitary system would be better?

[white_wolf]

This is purely a hypothetical question since I am fully aware that the odds of the U.S. changing to a more Unitary system of government are next to 0. I'm asking because I've seen several debates on this forum over the issue of states rights and how far they should go. I, personally, feel that Federalism and state's rights have caused as many problems as they have solved with especially when it comes to the rights of minorities. So, once again as a purely hypothetical question, do you all prefer a Unitary system or a system of Federalism?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. It is more rationale, but also less in touch with local realities

[kurt_cagle]

2. Not a chance in hell

I think it is far more likely that the United States (and possibly Canada and northern Mexico) will disintegrate in the next fifty years into eight to ten distinct countries, more or less aligning with the geohistorical regions - Deep South (aka The Free Republic of America), Appalachia, Caribbea, The Maritimes, New Hudson, Heartland, Ubuntu, Yosemite, Mexico Norte, Cascadia, Quebec, and The People. Part of the problem that the United States has is that there is too much fundamental disagreement about basic things - the importance of community vs. the pursuit of liberty, the role and power that business has, the need for defense vs. the abuse of power, the importance of education vs. the right to teach your own children, what part religion should play in government, and on and on and on. These differences are causing fractures and faultlines to emerge that are becoming too pervasive to ignore and too wide to repair. I'd also make the argument that one part of the agenda of the right is in fact to force this break-up.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

6. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's likely,

but there is a real deep divide that is far more than north/south, or east coast/west coast or red/blue, that the media portrays as the only reality. As a Canadian we definitely have about 5 factions in play. But, I think what it comes down to, is people's economic interests, which in the last 1-200 years have pretty much been geared towards collective unity, and ignoring cultural differences. In the end, its all about the money. In fact a united Mexico-USA-Canada wouldn't surprise me. Some would argue that it IS where we are going.

[demosincebirth]

3. I support getting rid of the Electoral College, then we can talk

[white_wolf]

4. I completely agree on getting rid of the Electorial College. n/t.

[MFrohike]

5. Federalism is a legal fiction

It's only been resurrected since the Lopez decision in 1995. Honestly, the doctrine of federalism died in 1863 when the United States admitted West Virginia as a state. Though technically legal, the dismemberment of a state against its will is the ultimate proof that there is no dual system of sovereignty because there is only one sovereign.

Law nerd talk aside, the fiction will live on primarily because it's convenient and contains some efficiencies. I would just prefer it was recognized that any "rights" the states have should be conditioned on their absolute dependance on the federal government to carry out even basic functions. If not for the federal teat, state governments would be probably be more or less nonexistent.

[white_wolf]

7. Kick because DU was down all day.