[Arkinsaw]

As for this revolt, it will die in its cradle when Congress cuts all money for highways until the states fall in line. Remember how the Congress forced the issue of the 55 MPH speed limit? It threatened to cut off the money. The states blustered and complained. Then there was a loud sucking sound, and all fell in line.

Yes, and I remember when conservatives here fought hard against the Federal government taking our money and bribing our state government with it (or using it as a sledgehammer).

But that was before we needed to trade fundamental things for security.

[Congressman Billybob]

The Supreme Court has ruled on this. If Congress puts conditions on its grants of money, the recipients are bound by those conditions. Witness the recent Solomon Amendment decision which held that Yale Law School could not accept federal money while refusing to let military recruiters on campus.

The Grimms Brothers Fairy Tales had it right in the Pied Piper of Hamlin, "He who pays the piper, calls the tune."

John / Billybob

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Yes, and I remember when conservatives here fought hard against the Federal government taking our money and bribing our state government with it (or using it as a sledgehammer).

Yes, and it will end when a state government informs the federal government that such threats will result in the confinscation of all federal taxes revenues collected in the state, and the diversion of said federal revenue to state coffers. The federal government simply does not have the ability to deal with such a senerio. The courts certainly do not, as enforcement is a function of the executive branch.

i may be mistaken on the particulars, but i believe that the state of Vermont once made such a threat over some federal initative...and the feds backed down.

[TheKidster]

Yes, and I remember when conservatives here fought hard against the Federal government taking our money and bribing our state government with it (or using it as a sledgehammer).

But that was before we needed to trade fundamental things for the illusion of security.

- just needed to make a small correction.