Luckily, states do have recourse. State legislatures can prohibit local entities from participating in direct federal-grant programs that usurp their traditional prerogative. Governors can refuse to participate in programs that similarly transfer decision-making authority. Of course, both require the relevant actor to prize the long-term health of our federalist republican government over the short-term infusion of lucre. [More]
In other words, it'll be a done deal.
[Via Michael G]
2 comments:
"However, post-Printz, a largely weak Congress and an expansive executive branch have found another way to force their will on individuals in areas traditionally regulated by state law: via debt-financed federal purse."
Hardly discovered post-Printz. This is the same procedure the feds used to quash 18-21 alcohol availability after the 26th Amendment, and to institute seat-belt and helmet mandates.
My default position on most things is one of pessimism. One of my favorite sayings is: "I'd like to be an optimist, but I don't think it would work."
But in this case, regardless of what the Federal and State buffoons, um, politicians choose to enact, I think we can draw some good news from recent history and give our fellow 'Muricans' some slack.
Case in point #1.
Remember Federally imposed 55 mph speed limits? The feds used the same carrot and stick approach to get the states to go along. Some American drivers played the game for a short while, but within months maybe 20% of drivers putt putted along in the slow lane while the rest drove the speed they felt like going, just like before the Feds jumped the shark.
Case in point #2.
Four of the bluest of the blue states have already passed some form of "assault weapon ban." Estimates of how many existed before the ban and how many owners complied with the law are sketchy at best. Lets go with a frequently cited estimate and call it 20%. (Hmm,there's that number again!) The state governments in question have done nothing to date to enforce their laws. In fact, the case has been made that no one at any level of government has enough uniforms to enforce them, any more than they could enforce the 55 mph speed limits.
Case in point #3.
A house guest last week screamed at me, "They made pot illegal before I was born. I've smoked it for most of my adult life. Do you really think I give a rat's *** what gun laws they pass?
So the bottom line is not what the Feds do, nor what the states do. It isn't even what the counties or cities do. The bottom line is, what will America's gun owners do in response.
If Sleepy Joe and Camel Toe weren't so evil, I might find it in my heart to feel sorry for them.
As it is, you reap what you sow.
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