| Grex > Agora35 > #210: United States or United State? |
| United States or United State? | 
Dec 16 20:12 UTC 2000 |
The Electoral College system is reflective of the original makeup of this country, as a collection of a bunch of mini-nations who had joined forces for the purpose of dealing with the rest of the world. Each State would continue to make its own rules, but turn over certain things to a Federal government. A sort of United Federation of States. After a while, however, this aspect of independent home rule started to erode. Many people, not considering themselves citizens of any State but as "Americans", now look to the Federal government and expect it to make all the rules. Should we continue to function as a coalition of indepentent states? Or is it better now to become a megastate? What should each level of government be doing? How big should the basic independent polity be, in population or geographic area? Do you consider yourself an "American" or a "Michi-gander (or Californian or whatever)"? What are your preferences?
| response 1 of 59: |
Dec 16 21:36 UTC 2000 |
What about Ohio vs Michigan? Independence of states not only exists but but involves a great deal of money and human emotion. We are *far* from being a homogeneous "megastate".
| response 2 of 59: |
Dec 16 21:42 UTC 2000 |
The Civil War is over, West Virginia and Virginia should get over it, and merge back into one state!
| response 3 of 59: |
Dec 17 02:25 UTC 2000 |
I'd rather we remain more-or-less independent and sovereign states. The recent unpleasantness settled the question of withdrawing from the Union, and started us down a road that may eventually erase the internal lines, but I don't think we are there yet.
| response 4 of 59: |
Dec 17 03:28 UTC 2000 |
I think *some* division of power between the national and state governments is necessary. It's a simple matter of delegation; state governments tend to know better what's needed in their part of the country than the federal government does. I'm fairly comfortable with the present state of that division of power.