gut;960173 wrote:I understand and respect the position and logic, I just struggle to justify the inefficiencies and other issues allowing states to decide this individually. I get that 200 years ago the goal was to keep the federal govt from having too much power, but the states were far more independent with most cities a few days travel or more from another city. Now you outlaw abortion and someone can drive 30 minutes west or even hop on a plane to Canada. And I can't reconcile how, in the USA, a gay couple's marriage can be recognized on spot "X" and not recognized two steps to the right across the state line.
New technologies do not render the constitution obsolete. 200 years ago the goal was to limit the power of federal government and today it is still the law of the land. I agree with Otrap on the "not under my roof" mentality. 10's of millions belive it to be the killing of a human life. Like minded people would have the chance to at least not allow it in their state and maybe change a few minds. Getting in that car and driving to a city in another state, or buying a plane ticket and flying into Canada and going through the necessary security procedures to enter their country, may just lend enough time to think things through.
I can also pay a sales tax on point "X" and take two steps across the state line and not pay one at all. Maybe you can't reconcile that either. Or be hauling ass through West Virginia at 75mph and just a few feet later I could get a ticket for speeding when I cross into Ohio. You will never get 300+ million people to agree on so many of these issue. National rule would leave possibly over a 100 million people discontent with the law of the land.
gut;960173 wrote:There's so much mobility today, even just with jobs not to mention travel and moving to new states, that our society IS becoming more homeogenous (relatively speaking) and that SHOULD dictate more uniformity in laws. I have NEVER thought of myself an Ohioan first and American second. Now ignorance of the law is no excuse, and while it may not affect a traveler, it seems really moronic to have to learn and comply with different state laws everywhere I do business.
I agree that our society is becoming more homeogenous on a national level. Uniformity in laws will likely naturally occur on some issues. But naturally from the bottom up. Not unaturally form the top down. Have you ever read the US Code of law? Few have because they will never have the time or the resources. Its seams moronic to have to comply with that morass everywhere I do business. Just ask Gibson Guitar.
gut;960173 wrote:What I would propose, instead, is that some of these issues be put to popular vote rather than decided in a Congress based on back-room deals. If you want abortion to be illegal, let 50.1% of the US population say so (which I doubt ever happens and why this should be a dead issue).
The United States is a republic. Its not a democracy. This would be a radical change in how our federal system of government works. I am sure you realize you would need to amend the constitution. Direct democracy does not alway go the way you think. Look at California. Thought of as one of the more liberal states in the union. Yet by direct democracy the people outlawed gay marriage.
gut;960173 wrote:The whole concept seems rather stupid and wasteful to me. People aren't going to uproot their family because their state decides for or against abortion or gay marriage. They really aren't affected by it either way beyond a false sense of moral stewardship. Again I go back to being an American first and Ohioan/Michigander second, but I think the practical reality is there are some things that make more sense to do on the federal level and others on the state level.
They may not move but they may feel they have a better chance of influencing change in their state rather than in Washington DC. The farthest Ohioans are not much more than three hours from Columbus. I agree there are some things that make mores sense to do on the federal level. So did the founders. They made a list to start us out. Many more things have come up over time and we have added some. Who gets to decide what "things" make more sense on the federal level and what others the state level? Well the founders answered that as well. Its called the Amendment process. Basically the states and feds with their elected representatives get together and decide. At least that is how it was supposed to be.