Government Anyone?

Bruce · 10-26-2005, 08:26 PM

Ok...i was bored and reading my ap gov book...i came across a interesting prompt...

"Since about 1970, there has been an effort to shift power from the federal government to the states.” Discuss the constitutional relationship of the federal and state government, the reason why there has been an effort to shift power in recent years, and explain some of the specific means through which the shift has been attempted.

I think that the main relationships between the national gov and the state govs is that the federal dudes try to stick the states with acts like the "no child gets left behind" act and then leaves the bill for the states to pay...

i would say that the reasons for a shift to state power is simply because the people dont want to give "the man" too much power. its like a big corperation, without localized managers to help the boss there is chaos...for specifics...uh well i havent really researched that...so...LETS START SOME HIGHER LEARNING!...dont be shy

Birdlady · 10-26-2005, 08:48 PM

Where is your constitutional discussion? I would point you to Artcile IV - specifically section 4, and Ammendment X for specifics.

Get back to me with your understanding

Bruce · 10-26-2005, 08:53 PM

Ok here we go! constitutional rights anyone?

The most important idea of the relationship of the federal and state governments is that it allows a separation of administrative responsibilities among levels of government that are closest to the conditions that require authority. An example of this is that from the beginning of the republic only the central government had the responsibility over military and only state and local governments had responsibility of police forces. Similarly, it is appropriate for state governments to deal with sewage systems, building codes, and zoning, while it is acceptable for the federal government to solely regulate interstate commerce.

Birdlady · 10-26-2005, 09:10 PM

OK, well I know you cut and pasted that here, but do you get it? How does that relate to your initial question and the constitutional articles I referred you to?

It is a good explanation, albiet very simplified. (would that is really were all that simple!)

Birdlady · 10-26-2005, 09:11 PM

Oh, and BTW, I am at a loss to help figure out specific ways in which there has been a shift from federal to state government, because , IMHO, it is not heading in that direction...quite the opposite, at least since the '90s. How old is the text book? curious...that's all

Bruce · 10-26-2005, 09:30 PM

that was not cut and pasted! it was a previous answer to a similar question

also...i and having some trouble finding specifics 2 lol...

Bruce · 10-26-2005, 09:31 PM

um the text book it not old, but it is in a supplemental part of old ap test questions...ya...well...i do think that there is definatly a want for a shift to state government...just because everyone wants power even the states lol

Bruce · 10-26-2005, 09:36 PM

FOUND ONE! lol Case 98-1161, City of Erie v. Paps A.M. (Did Pennsylvania's law against nudity violate the 1st and 14th Amendments?)

Birdlady · 10-27-2005, 04:15 AM

Hehe, with all the correct spelling and punctuation, I was certain you cut and pasted!

Interesting case, right now i gotta go to work until 7 tonite, so sorry to leave ya hanging, but I gotta pick this up much later

I will try and get a reply tonight...OK?!

pmanzi · 10-27-2005, 08:27 AM

I would have to agree with Bridlady the shift is power is going more towards federal control then the states. IMHO this was originally protected by Article 1 Section 3 of the Constitution but the ratification of the 17 Amendment led to the states no longer being represented at the federal level.