Return to a Union of States

It occurs to me that we are a deeply divided nation, with clear lines of delineation. We've self-sorted to borrow from the book The Big Sort.

Obviously, this isn’t a brilliant observation on my part. It does seem to me that we should revisit some of the original concepts of a union of states, and stop treating issues with one-size-fits-all solutions that are intended to appeal primarily to the specific groups necessary to obtain election.

While we certainly have common needs (infrastructure, interstate commerce, etc.) and individual rights spelled out by the Constitution, which a Federal government should protect (especially from itself), each state should be responsible for the unique culture of its citizens and the laws that help create that culture.

You might live in NYC and believe Vermont’s no permit concealed carry gun laws are too liberal, or live in Vermont and think that someone taxing your Coca-Cola because it’s too big is idiotic. In either case the Federal government shouldn’t be dictating what’s appropriate to local cultural and geographic needs. Unfortunately, the Federal government has pretty much done away with the Tenth Amendment by collecting taxes from citizens, and then withholding funds from those states that do not do what the Federal government wants (see legal drinking ages required to receive highway funding as just one example).

Of course, I’m more of a practical libertarian, so if you’re a fan of authority – which this election seems to indicate most people are – this might seem rather scary. To me it makes a lot of sense.