Giuliani and Federalism

This LA Times article discusses Rudy Giuliani’s pitch to allow states to resolve many divisive issues, instead of the feds. On the one hand, that would be great. Power is supposed to be divided between the states and the federal government, with states handling most issues and the feds handling a few specified issues (like immigration and national defense). If allowed to operate, federalism fosters laboratories of democracy, where states can take different approaches and, by so doing, figure out best practices. Especially in a mobile, highly-networked age, federalism yields tremendous benefits. The trend, however, is for the federal government to involve itself in any and all issues and to diminish the autonomy of states.

On the other hand, a blanket “federalism” answer is something of a dodge, if it doesn’t discuss the effect of the “full faith and credit” clause, which would require states to recognize legal actions in other states, such as gay marriages. Perhaps Rudy does that; I don’t know. And, please, Mr. Mayor, if you’re even going to utter the word “federalism,” don’t say you support federal involvement in education.

In any event, it’s nice to hear some discussion of federalism on the campaign trail.