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That is because that is how our system of executive administration is designed. It is a federal system with the vast, vast majority of police powers (https://en

That is because that is how our system of executive administration is designed. It is a federal system with the vast, vast majority of police powers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_power_(United_States_constitutional_law) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_power_(United_States_co... residing in the state, not federal authorities.

loeg 7y ago
In ordinary times, yes, the US is a federal system of states with some level of individual state rights. But state power has somewhat eroded over time; federal supremacy is a thing; and there is plenty of precedent for the Fed stepping in during emergencies and war. (And war is a relevant point of comparison because even if this thing goes as well as possible at this point, it's likely going to kill more Americans than any foreign war and probably more than the civil war.) No, the reason the top level federal government isn't doing much is because Trump is an incompetent idiot who doesn't have a second brain cell to rub against the first. The federal government has the funds and the coordinating agencies (FEMA, CDC, military and national guard) and could be buying masks, ventilators, tests; solving distribution problems; coordinating with states on social distancing and even lockdown/shelter-in-place policy. They did nothing during the early weeks when they knew it was a coming problem and it is not clear how much Pence is doing now.
- gwright 7y ago
  As a matter of law the federal government controls the international borders and inter-state boarders. It is up to the state governments to limit movement within their borders. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantineisolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantin... As it so happens, President trump has been limiting international travel starting all the way back in January. Why do you think the federal government isn't "doing much" (https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus)? And what exactly would you have it do that you don't think it is doing?

loeg 7y ago

In ordinary times, yes, the US is a federal system of states with some level of individual state rights. But state power has somewhat eroded over time; federal supremacy is a thing; and there is plenty of precedent for the Fed stepping in during emergencies and war. (And war is a relevant point of comparison because even if this thing goes as well as possible at this point, it's likely going to kill more Americans than any foreign war and probably more than the civil war.) No, the reason the top level federal government isn't doing much is because Trump is an incompetent idiot who doesn't have a second brain cell to rub against the first. The federal government has the funds and the coordinating agencies (FEMA, CDC, military and national guard) and could be buying masks, ventilators, tests; solving distribution problems; coordinating with states on social distancing and even lockdown/shelter-in-place policy. They did nothing during the early weeks when they knew it was a coming problem and it is not clear how much Pence is doing now.

gwright 7y ago
As a matter of law the federal government controls the international borders and inter-state boarders. It is up to the state governments to limit movement within their borders. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantineisolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantin... As it so happens, President trump has been limiting international travel starting all the way back in January. Why do you think the federal government isn't "doing much" (https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus)? And what exactly would you have it do that you don't think it is doing?