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American Government Reflections

Chapter 4: Federalism
Powers and Responsibilities
The powers of the federal government are expressed, implied, and inherent. All expressed
powers are defined in the Constitution whereas implied and inherent are not mentioned. Inherent
powers are powers that are common among all governments such as foreign affairs. The Elastic
Cause is associated with implied powers as it allows the government the right to interpret its
authority in ways that the Constitution does not specify specifically. This allows the government
to adapt to different challenges and situations that arise. The government also has powers that are
reserved for only the federal or state governments and concurrent powers that are shared by the
federal and state governments. State governments have reserved powers that the federal
government cannot interfere with. I believe that this helps limit the powers of both the federal
and state governments so that neither becomes too powerful. This limit on powers for both
federal and state governments also created another system of checks and balances within the
federal system. Also, there are powers that are denied to both governments such as granting titles
of nobility and denying people accused of crimes the right to trial by jury. Additionally, the
federal government must protect states from violent actions, respect the states territories, and
ensure that each state has a republican government. I learned that the government must provide
aid to states in the event of natural disasters and foreign attacks. Also, an attack against one state
is considered an attack against the U.S. as a whole. The federal government must also approve
the formation of a state from a territory. Additionally, I found that if the states pass as law that
contradicts the laws made by the federal government, the law is reviewed by the judicial system
to make decisions based on the Constitution. The federal law is considered the highest law in the
land and is superior to all others. I believe that this idea of the highest law is needed as without it
states could pass laws that undermine the federal laws and would reduce the respect and power
of the federal government. This would then lead to a weakened society.
Growth of Federalism
Federal involvement in the states has increased primarily through economic involvement.
Systems such as revenue sharing, where federal tax revenues were shared with local and state
governments, and the grant system. Though I believe that the federal government should provide
financial support for programs, facilities, and more, states should have more power to decide
how they will use the money. In block grants, the states have more control over how they will
spend the money, whereas there is more restrictions in categorical grants. I believe that the state
and local governments should be able to decide how to spend the money because there is a
higher chance that they will know the needs of the people for whom the aid, program, etc. was
intended better than the federal government. Federal involvement in the states has also increased
through federal mandates, requirements that the federal government imposes on state and local
governments. These mandates can help the public good and limit the state government's ability to
regulate their own affairs. I believe that the federal mandates are needed to keep environmental
and health hazards under control and to help ensure the safety of citizens. I do not believe that
these mandates violate the rights of the states to handle their own affairs as environmental,
health, economic, and other problems can affect other states besides one and can affect the
nation. This is when the federal government should become more involved in the state.
Relations Among the States

There has only been thirty-seven states admitted into the Union since the ratification of the
Constitution. However, each new territory that applies to become a state must go through a
process that is outlined in the Constitution. They must first petition to Congress and of this is
approved an enabling act is passed that directs the territory to draft a state constitution and
establish a representative government. If this is approved, Congress then passes an act of
admission and the territory becomes a state with equal rights to all other states. How hard is it for
a territory to petition to become a state? What are the requirements for a territory to become a
state?
Interaction between the states must also ensure cooperation among all states. The Full Faith
and Credit Acts recognize the other's official acts. This means that the states must recognize the
civil laws in each state and criminal laws, though they do not have to enforce other state's
criminal laws. I believe this is beneficial to the people because it means that a person who is
licensed to drive in California can legally drive in all other states. Just imagine if the states did
not recognize each other's laws! That would mean that a person would have to obtain a driver's
license in all states to be able to drive in any other state. I also agree that the voting for local and
state issues in a state is limited to residents of the state, which is usually determined by how long
a person has lived in the state, because this prevents others who are not as informed or who are
not affected by the voting from swaying the needs of the people from that state. Additionally, I
believe extradition is needed to stop criminals from escaping justice in another state. This allows
them to face the full consequences of their crimes and does not allow criminals to run rampant.
Interstate compacts are another way that states cooperate and encompass issues such as
protection of natural resources, pollution, etc.

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