4 ms·
That's the whole point of federalism/separation of powers. Our government is not supposed to be efficient. This fact might not always make sense to those obse
by zozin 6y ago
That's the whole point of federalism/separation of powers. Our government is not supposed to be efficient. This fact might not always make sense to those obsessed with efficiency, such as as programmers, but in this case it's a feature, not a bug.
Disputes between states and the federal government take years/decades to be resolved, but I'd rather have our inefficient system over a more efficient one that is far more prone to being taken over by demagogues and those who seek ultimate power.
- tarboreus 6y agoThis is highly accurate. Our inefficiency and the fact that we're not a democracy, or a republic, but really a bureaucracy might just get us through November.
- supernova87a 6y agoI understand that aspect of it, and am all in favor. Sometimes the greatest benefit of our system is that it helps us avoid great folly and disaster, rather than enabling great sudden advances. What I can't stand is the principled, yet then flip-flop-on-principles, stands people take per issue, only to have it switch with the next issue. It's paralyzing us on important, urgent things that aren't decade-long debates that should be had.
- blaser-waffle 6y agoElaborate
- supertrope 6y agoThe logic behind federalism is that getting it right is more important than getting it done quickly. Because once it's settled nationally there's no escaping it. In theory states are laboratories of democracy and if an issue is important enough it can be a factor the next time you move. Also government has to operate closer to the people. The factors driving public policy in different areas can lead to different solutions.
- dfxm12 6y agoYou have to understand that "states rights vs federal jurisdiction" is mostly a useful excuse to try to sell constituents on policy that might be unpopular/harmful to them or to try to sell judges that something might be legal (or not). It's simply not a legitimate concern to most politicians. Look into the voting records of these flip-floppers. I'm sure you'll find that they more often than not side with lobbyists rather than the will of their electorate.
- okennedy 6y agoI think that's the GP's point. Contradicting previously expressed principles shows how little the politician truly cares about those principles. Politicians lying or exaggerating is not surprising, but it's unfortunate that they don't get called on it by the media and/or public more often.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]