- Joined
- Sep 9, 2005
- Messages
- 34,929
- Reaction score
- 12,324
- Location
- Pennsylvania
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Progressive
Explanation:
I've heard multiple times from multiple sources various arguments relating to the more basic argument that states should have more autonomy in making decisions and laws.
Or something like that (I don't fully understand this bit).
However, what set me thinking and prompted me to make this poll was some late-night conservative talk show host (Rusty something?) that I heard say something along the lines of "abortion law should be made on a state-by-state basis - I think about 30+ states would have no limits and the rest (mostly Southern and Midwestern states) would ban it in part or in whole."
I then got to thinking what other areas of law and such this might apply to.
For example: Gun control or lack thereof. Currently states (to the best of my knowledge) have a lot of autonomy in that area, with some states recognizing other states firearm permits and some not, in a complex web of laws.
Would it be better if there were a basic federal standard that all states had to meet at least? A maximum limitation? Should all firearm permits be accepted in any state?
Or Gay Marriage: Currently states have much autonomy in that area - is this acceptable? Should it be federally allowed or banned? Or should it stay at the state level?
Which brings us back to abortion: Should it be decided at the federal level, as currently, due to a supreme court ruling that dictates a minimum standard for all states to follow? Should it be decided at the state level, with a mixture of different laws from state to state?
Health Care: Should federal-level or state-level laws govern it?
Or any other issues you can think of - are there any for which you would definitely favor state-level lawmaking over federal...Or vice versa?
Do you favor ANY federal level laws, or would you rather all decisions be made at the state level, with only, say defense being handled at the federal level?
Or the opposite: Only federal-level laws, leaving just very minor decisions to the states?
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Personally, I favor decentralized and small government, so I tend towards as few as possible federal, minimal state, and more specialized as you get down to the county and township (terms used in PA) levels, with an overall mandate to have as few laws as possible.
This is not reasonable in our current system, to my understanding, but it's how I would prefer it.
I've heard multiple times from multiple sources various arguments relating to the more basic argument that states should have more autonomy in making decisions and laws.
Or something like that (I don't fully understand this bit).
However, what set me thinking and prompted me to make this poll was some late-night conservative talk show host (Rusty something?) that I heard say something along the lines of "abortion law should be made on a state-by-state basis - I think about 30+ states would have no limits and the rest (mostly Southern and Midwestern states) would ban it in part or in whole."
I then got to thinking what other areas of law and such this might apply to.
For example: Gun control or lack thereof. Currently states (to the best of my knowledge) have a lot of autonomy in that area, with some states recognizing other states firearm permits and some not, in a complex web of laws.
Would it be better if there were a basic federal standard that all states had to meet at least? A maximum limitation? Should all firearm permits be accepted in any state?
Or Gay Marriage: Currently states have much autonomy in that area - is this acceptable? Should it be federally allowed or banned? Or should it stay at the state level?
Which brings us back to abortion: Should it be decided at the federal level, as currently, due to a supreme court ruling that dictates a minimum standard for all states to follow? Should it be decided at the state level, with a mixture of different laws from state to state?
Health Care: Should federal-level or state-level laws govern it?
Or any other issues you can think of - are there any for which you would definitely favor state-level lawmaking over federal...Or vice versa?
Do you favor ANY federal level laws, or would you rather all decisions be made at the state level, with only, say defense being handled at the federal level?
Or the opposite: Only federal-level laws, leaving just very minor decisions to the states?
-----------------
Personally, I favor decentralized and small government, so I tend towards as few as possible federal, minimal state, and more specialized as you get down to the county and township (terms used in PA) levels, with an overall mandate to have as few laws as possible.
This is not reasonable in our current system, to my understanding, but it's how I would prefer it.