Civil War History - Secession and PoliticsWas it Slavery, or was it States Rights? Perhaps it was the election of Lincoln? What were the real reasons for Southern Secession and what were the political issues in this time of war? Find your answers here in the Secession and Politics Disussion.
The issue of 'state's rights' does not begin and end with the Civil War. While the concept of state's rights prior to the Civil War cannot be discussed without discussing secession and slavery, the concept of the limits of Federal authority vis-a-vis state authority is still with us today.
Since the Civil War the Commerce Clause of the Constitution has essnetially permitted Federal regulation of any commerce that effects interstate commerce. The interpretation of what effects interstate commerce is VERY broad.
Things to ponder include same-sex marriages (does the Full Faith and Credit clause essentially compel sister states to honor legal civil unions entered in other states?), death penalty (can a state which does not have the death penalty refuse to honor extradition request from another state that wishes to execute an inmate?), English as an official language (Can the Federal government compel states to make English the official language? What if Puerto Rico becomes a state?), even regulation of illegal immigration (Should the Federal government permit states to interpret Federal immigration law and to permit deportations or even to grant citizenship?)
And to complicate matters still further, what role will supranational agreements like NAFTA play with respect to the Federal System?
It is the tendency of all gov'ts to centralize its powers over time. In regards to this board, some here regard it ironic that the south's quixotic attempt to reverse this tendency, ended up speeding up the centralized power of the U.S. Government. The south itself drove a very big nail in the coffin of states rights.
The Federalists weren't for the Bill of Rights in the first place. They only allowed 'em cause they were so vague that they figgered they could skirt 'em.
We need a third Constitutional Convention. One to Centralize/Nationalize US even more. We don't need no Bill of Rights nor amendments neither. The third US Constitution will be perfect. We'll make it so and the Dictator will ensure it.
Hmmmmmmm, another Constitutional Convention.....might be a good idea.... of course a way must be found to keep the south out of the proceedings; in self protection (If for nothing else).
The south itself drove a very big nail in the coffin of states rights.
As a percentage of GDP, the Federal government doesn't become very active until the Depression, couple that with WWII and I think that is where you see the US truly 'going Federal' for lack of a better term.
The rationale supporting almost unlimited gov't intervention in times of national crisis and the direct actions that flowed from than rationale, was first experienced during the CW.
For example, the Federal Income Tax, used during the crisis was declared unconstitutional after the crisis was over But was not forgotten by the Federal Gov't, for future use.
One thing I find very ironic: I grew up in Philadelphia (PA) in the 1960's and can always remember hearing Southern politicians talking about state's rights.
Now I live in New Orleans. I've lived here since 1992. I lived through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Virtually everyone here believes that the federal government handled the situation badly. But I've not heard one person or politician state that "this shows why we need to take care of our own affairs and not depend on Washington." Not one.
I believe that paternalism is the reason. Everyone - including governors and state legislators - looks for the federal government to take care of them. They just don't seem to know any other way.
Ohmagawd, Captain. Were we brothers in a previous life? It seems that the staunchest advocates of a hands-off government are the first to squall about why the government doesn't handle things better.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
You really wouldn't expect the local folks to take responsibility for their inaction would you. A couple of small towns in Kansas are flooded. One is my home town. I just haven't seen the national news coverage or heard all of the finger pointing that went on in Naw Orlens. I guess farm folks just get to it.
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