Posted on 04/13/2020 9:50:13 AM PDT by Kaslin
It appears CNN's media critic Brian Stelter is unfamiliar with the concept of federalism.
Even for the wildly biased CNN media critic Brian Stelter, a tweet of his over the weekend betrayed a stunning lack of understanding of the basic tenets of the American government. Now, I don’t want to shock anyone, but the tweet was an attack on President Donald Trump, that is after all pretty much the sole reason why CNN exists at this point. So let’s have a look and see what the problem is.
Admin officials "say the White House has made a deliberate political calculation that it will better serve Trump’s interest to put the onus on governors — rather than the federal government — to figure out how to move ahead."
Let that quote sink in… https://t.co/v2QVZBXslD
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 11, 2020
“The White House has made a deliberate political calculation that it will better serve Trump’s interest to put the onus on governors — rather than the federal government — to figure out how to move ahead.” So taking Stelter’s advice, I let it sink it. Having sufficiently marinated in the quote, I arrived at the conclusion anyone who took 5th grade American history would have: This is exactly how federalism is supposed to work.
As someone who writes for an outlet named “The Federalist,” I’m in a unique position to help Stelter and CNN out, and since I am a nice guy, I am happy to do so. When James Madison brought his Virginia Plan for the constitution to Philadelphia he envisioned an almost all-powerful national government with a fully proportional legislature and the authority to overturn almost any state actions. As we all know, well most of us anyway, smaller states objected to this assault on their sovereignty and a compromise was reach, one we refer to as “federalism.”
It is important to note that during the Constitutional Convention, it was the small states jealous of their rights that were associated with the term federalism. Those like Madison, in favor of the Constitution were viewed as proponents of “national government.” It was Alexander Hamilton, Madison’s “Federalist Papers” co-author, who cleverly co-opted the term to describe our constitutional system.
Under this system most decisions were still left to the states. A central notion throughout our country’s history is that state and local government, which are much more intimately acquainted with the nuances and needs of their communities, should lead when possible. It is arguably the most unique element of the American system of government.
In fairness to Stelter, though also undermining his poorly thought out point, even Trump sends some confused messages about what exactly the president’s authority regarding ending state lockdowns is. He says he has such authority, though he doesn’t explain how, but that he prefers the governors take the lead, which he refers to as the constitutional approach. In all likelihood, Trump is simply refusing to preemptively state he doesn’t have the power to lift the lockdowns.
Aside from the basic misunderstanding of government that Stelter displays, there is another problem with this tweet, one that echoes the impeachment process. Stelter is intimating that Trump’s only concern is his own political fortunes in the upcoming election. Just as the left was convinced that Trump could have seen no national interest in his dealings with Ukraine, only personal ones, now they are making that argument about the response to the virus.
It is absolutely absurd and it makes no sense. It doesn’t take a political genius to realize that the 2020 presidential election at this point is going to be a referendum on Trump’s handling of the pandemic. If the American people think he did a good job and are happy with the results, he will likely be re-elected, if not, “Hello, President Biden.” Of course his personal political ambitions are tied to the virus outcomes.
This being the case, it is silly to suggest that Trump is somehow hiding behind governors to shirk blame for shortcomings. He knows, in fact everyone knows, that his chances at a second term are inexorably linked to how the pandemic plays out. The reason he is giving the governors so much latitude is that he thinks they have done a good job by and large, and understand the needs of their states better than he could.
What is ultimately so absurd about CNN’s ridiculous and counterproductive constant Trump bashing is that we will soon know the results of this outbreak. We will be able to look back and see what good decisions were made, what bad decisions were made. As the curve of cases flattens and the projections of death decrease, CNN will always as ever find ways to slam the president, but the facts that they claim to love will be on display.
I don’t know if Brian Stelter needs one of those Cato Institute pocket constitutions or what, but the transparency of his and his network’s disdain for Trump has reached the point where they simply can’t be trusted, either to understand American history, or to treat those they disagree with remotely fairly.
“has reached the point where they simply can’t be trusted”
Yeah, CNN jumped THAT shark many moons ago.
He’s not totally wrong. Trump did, purposely and strategically leave the shut down up to the states. It was a brilliant move on his part.
Stelter probably thinks that “federalism” means an all-powerful federal government.
With most airports deserted, CNN’s audience is pretty much gone...as it should be.
What did I tell you LS? No matter what he does he will get hammered by the media.
The President demonstrated the exact same unfamiliarity with federalism on Twitter this morning, unfortunately.
Indeed... The Federal government was not created to rule, judge or govern the States (or to be the source of such aggressions on behalf of other member or foreign States). Rather the complete opposite was intended, as was simply stated on June 27, 1787 in convention,
“...the General (Federal) Government was meant merely to PRESERVE the State Governments: NOT to govern individuals: that its powers ought to be kept WITHIN NARROW LIMITS; that if too little power was given to it, more might be added; but that if too much, it could never be resumed: that INDIVIDUALS as such have LITTLE to do BUT with their OWN States;”
So, where is it in the Constitution (or suggested anywhere in Convention) that the other way around was intended — i.e. that the People have little to do with their own States instead of little to do with the Federal Government, and that the People’s business was with each other’s States and not with their own and that the business of the “Federal” government was the welfare of individuals?
How is interfering with the State governments (regulating all that which has to do with the lives, liberties, choices, morals, habits, customs, health, wages, etc. of individuals) preserving the State governments? — And, going so far as to sue States in order to PREVENT them from supporting and upholding the Constitution and all the “legitimate” laws made in pursuant of it that every State official is obligate by oath to support and uphold? How are such acts against the States “preserving” their governments, or the Constitution for that matter?... IT DOESN’T!
The Federal government tentacles has invaded EVERY aspect of our public and private daily lives/affairs... interfering into our rights to be free individuals and sovereigns.
The Federal Government has WAY overstepped it’s authority beyond the intended reach of our founders whose intent was in leaving the affairs of the states and its people in their respective hands. The 9th/10th amendments are quite clear on this.
I hate to judge people by their looks, but I will. This guy looks as stupid as a rock.
90% of Congress is equally ignorant of the Constitution.
Except today he said, “Screw it. The decision is mine.”
Both a brilliant move, and the only move that could possibly comply with the constitution.
Inslee hinted he may potentially extend shutdown past 5/4. Perhaps the Seattle area needs to extend but not the whole state. It is ridiculous. How do we get him to open up construction??
whatever your opinion of the civil war it lead to a stronger federal government.
Now we have the government way out of bounds on its constitutional authority and failing to recognize the 10th amendment. I am surprised we don’t hear more states speaking up about it.
yes
Last time I looked (just a couple of days ago) 18 Washington counties had zero CV deaths, and about six had fewer than five. I say open up those counties soon (two weeks?) and allow only commercial travel between them and King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties for a few weeks longer. .
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