The mindset I see is the farther away, the less "accountability" is required. It's easier to fool the bureaucrats in D.C. than the bureaucrats in, say, Austin. Or worse yet, a locally run dole that will likely be more adept at culling out deadbeats. For example, local churches are really pretty good at separating the wheat from the chaff. But of course the gummint has taken over the role of the church. Damn shame.
...even a bunch of Lib'rals I know agree that government is best which is nearest the governed...who needs a Federal Nanny when we can have 50 State Nannies instead?!
To that I would say, your liberals are more conservative than my liberals. The bigger "big brother" is, the better. And besides, from a poll I saw on FR(?) a couple years ago(who knows who or where), something like half the respondents thought the Fed gummint had its own money. They are either totally clueless about governance or, well, totally clueless. Can you imagine half the populace not understanding that taxes are the source of gummint funds? THAT'S scary.
Thing is, some of those States are gonna be run better than others, and good folks will flee from the poorly-producing ones while converging upon the well-run ones.
In good time I suppose. It's taken decades, but didn't NY and Kellyfornia, amongst others, just about "welfare" themselves into bankruptcy? And, they've got double trouble now, apparently the (good)people and companies are deserting like rats from a sinking ship. But what of the damage done in the interim???
FGS
If they say that, ya got'em!! There's an ol' sayin' "Only bureaucRATS love the bureaucracy!!" Ain't that right, 'Dru?!
Fact is, States already run most of the Federal Programs as it is, so Block Granting the funds to the States ain't really all that scary to folks. The rules are already in place, and States should be given the authority to adjust those rules and regulations as they see fit, so there is really know need for a Environmental Protection Agency if you've got 50 States Protecting their own environment!! Same way with Education Spending...sure, I agree with standardized testing, but we don't need a Federal Dept. of Education when we've already got 50 State Dept. of Education!!
Devolve Power...again and again and again!!
FReegards...MUD