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big government, federalism, local goverment, public transportation, scott walker, small government, state government, wisconsin recall
During the time of the founding, state government was viewed as essential to preserving our democracy. Different states had very different viewpoints on certain issues. Southern states like South Carolina and Northern ones like Massachusetts had radically different economies and lifestyles. There was also very little communication between these different regions. Therefore, the Framers created a system known as federalism – the federal government would hold the ultimate power, but state governments had the authority to pass laws that would affect those living within the state’s boundaries. At this time, most of the people living within those state’s boundaries were fairly homogeneous in both race, religion, and ideology.
This is no longer true. While South Carolina is certainly still different than Massachusetts in very important ways, the people in Columbia, South Carolina, have radically different needs and desires than those living in rural Western part of the state. The urban poor in Columbia are in need of a strong safety net, Medicaid, public housing, and public transportation. Those living in rural areas of the state, however, have a cheaper cost of living and are not as in need for these benefits that that are essential to the urban poor. Sure, cities existed in the 18th century, but they were not nearly as developed and complex as they are now. Today’s cities require special attention.