In The Federalist No. 45, James Madison gave his vision of how federalism would work:
The powers delegated by the Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. … The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the states.
Assuming you agree with Madison on the point, please explain how banning slavery falls into the “external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce” category.
That is, assuming you think it’s a good thing that “federalism” was violated by a Constitutional amendment banning slavery.
If you do, please explain why.
If you don’t, please explain why.
Please do so with the understanding that however you justify your position, that’ll be the standard by which in future exchanges, I’ll hold Fred accountable regarding amendments to protect life and marriage.
Bump!