Originally Posted by
early morning
re:The federal government is not - was not- designed to operate on 'whims", but on sober consideration of the representatives sent by the member-states. There are always going to be disagreements on what is fair, right, and best for the "common good", and we've pretty much dealt with that as it happens. I think universities should be pretty much hands-off educationally, but should toe the line legally (due process for all students, and protection of their free speech rights, even if that speech is abhorrent).
Are you really saying that states should not be subject to federal oversight? that state law should not have to stay within the confines of constitutionality? I am not clear about your comment that federal funding is used to subvert state sovereignty. Yes, federal funds are used as a carrot, and as a cudgel. What would be your idea to make sure states comply with our constitution? Do we really want/can we survive 50 different sets of environmental standards? What about civil rights - should states be allowed to discriminate at will, and still receive federal funding for whatever? What other means is there, other than calling out the military, to enforce court orders or laws that have been deemed constitutional but are ignored by a (or several) state(s)?