PoliSci Week 3 Forum (Discussion Forum #2), 2 Responses

This Discussion Forum discuss the concept of Federalism. Discuss 2-3 Positive &
Negatives of the Supremacy Clause. Discuss 2-3 Positive and Negatives of the 10th
Amendment. What current issues do you think fall within the debate of federalism (To
Centralize or Not to Centralize)?
Federalism is a two tiered system government, where, on one level, there exists a
central government aimed at the entirety of a nation and on the other level is states
government, with which the national government cannot interfere. For example, in the
United States, the National Government is able to make immigration laws, tariffs, grant
copyrights, make foreign policies, etc. while the States government is able to mete out
property laws, family laws, insurance laws, public health, laws concerning educations,
etc.
The Supremacy Clause is in Article Six, Clause Two and it basically says that the
Constitution and the treaties of the United States is the supreme law of the land. One of
the good things about the Supremacy Clause is that its fair to everybody, it holds all of us
at the same level with the same amount of responsibility to abide by the law regardless of
status and money. But when everybody is pressed onto a level where there is only one
entity, be it a government or anything with the same immense amount of power, they
have to obey, the power can be overwhelming and, at some point, its not going to be a
fair as the ideal with which it was created and suppose to be.
The 10th Amendment is The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution nor prohibited by states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the
people. Anything not mentioned in the Constitution can be subjected to the states
and their power. A positive to this is that it allows the State the power it needs based on
its own situation and needs which is incredibly good as needs differ incredibly much
from place to place and people to people. But with this advantage also comes a negative,
we arent always different and when there needs to be a rule that takes place over the
whole nation, the central government doesnt have the power it needs and the process it
takes for all states to reach the same conclusion, for the greater good, will be too long
drawn out.
This issue leads to the issue of federalism. Some topic that falls within the debate
of federalism are gay marriage, marijuana, the death penalty, and gun ownership. These
topics are something people think the States should align on, pick a side and let it be a
rule while some think that it should be state to state. California might not appreciate the
right to gun ownership and think that it shouldnt be possible at all but the state of South

Carolina might appreciate it immensely, finding that if this right gets taken away, it leads
to other rights taken away and then where will we be? With these kinds of topics people
are always pushing agendas and disagreeing, whether or not a nation should centralize
will always lead to bringing these topics up and, whether we want it or not, arguments.
Vivian Tran
Hey Vivian,
I really enjoyed reading your post and I thought it was very insightful. I agree
with you about your thought on the Tenth Amendment allowing states to address issues
with the emergency only the state would understand, helping out that state immensely. I
also agree with your comment about the social norms according to different states, I
never really thought about it that way, I appreciate the new perspective.
Thank you,
Lyly
Dongxu Ma
Hello,
I agree with your positives of the 10th Amendment. I think a governmental system
as powerful as the one in the States need restriction and with the 10th Amendment, it
allows for all to have a fair chance and fair rulings, situationally. Though you are right
about the negatives also, without something higher to overlook the power of a state, some
might take advantage and violate rules.
Thank you and I appreciate a fresh perspective in all of this,
Lyly