James Madison, the father of our constitution, explained, "The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite."
The founding fathers had a misguided belief that members of congress would go to the Senate and the House to represent the State and the people that elected them. They feared a too powerful central government with a tyrant as President. The system of checks and balances they devised, with the legislative branch representative of the States and people was supposed to prevent an all powerful federal government.
The Supreme Court was not given specific authorization to interpret the constitution, instead, the constitution left it to congress and to the justices of the court to develop the authorities and operations of the judicial branch. What has transpired over the years is that the Congress and the Court have conspired in striping the States of any authority. Sure the members of Congress bring pork home, but is this to make the states more dependent on a strong federal government? While the federal ability to tax in order to fund those thing the states can not provide is vital, they now fund everything from state roads to grants for most local projects.
When did you last hear a member of congress speaking out for states rights? They do beg for more federal funds for education and other federally mandated programs. This is taxpayer money that never should have gone to Washington. Most of the programs rightfully belong to decisions of the states. One might conclude that congressional members have come to only represent Washington.
A GOVERNMENT STRONG ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU EVERYTHING, IS STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE IT AWAY.
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