American at Odds, Essay Example

The U.S. Constitution assigns the federal government certain limited powers while the states are given most government function. This was elaborated under the Tenth Amendment, where powers not delegated to the national government are left to the states and the people. This essay examines various scenarios where the powers of state and the national government conflict.

It is not right for the national government to use its financial might to force its states into taking certain actions. Such pressures signify an abuse of the federal system as it would mean that the national government places strings attached to the revenue, a situation signifying blackmail or “conditions of aid.” If the national government seeks to abuse the federal system, then it would negate the point of having separate states.

The national government should not intervene in the issue of legalising or banning same-sex marriages. Such should be the state matters since in the U.S., the individual states, rather than the federal government, enact the marriage laws. Despite this, the federal government has often intervened when it comes to where constitutional rights are violated. In the same vein, the government would be seen to be abusing state rights to regulate marriage laws.

The commerce clause should be interpreted narrowly such that it denies the federal government much power to regulate the economy or interfere with the rights of business owners. The beauty of the United States is the separation of power, where each state has its own rules and laws. However, federal regulation interferences complicate business environment by setting rules or standards that contradict those of the state. As a consequence, state commerce can be substantially affected. At any rate, the national government should only intervene or regulate matters that concern interstate commerce.

The federal government should have a role in setting national policies for the public education. Setting the policies should not be left entirely to the state. Most state education standards are hampered by power structures such as teacher union pressures, content and pedagogical disputes and pervasive political influences within the states. These lead to variations in education standards across the country thus calling for the intervention of the federal government, which can set national standards.

The federal government should establish a national system for funding health care. It should also allow the states and the private sector to participate collaboratively. Such a hybrid system will balance power in ensuring that health care is publicly funded and privately-, universally- and comprehensively-provided.

Conclusion

Rather than centralising or federalising many local and state activities, policymakers should focus on how competing and varied demands of the diverse American population are met with minimal state and federal government conflict.