1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state governments have an equal share of power? Why?
I definitely think that a strong national government is necessary. If a national government wasn't strong and didn't hold a lot of power, states wouldn't really have anyone telling them what they could and could not do. I think that states would abuse their power and start wars with each other. They would be trading with each other and forming alliances that could be detrimental to the nation as a whole. The national government, in my opinion, keeps all the states at peace with each other.
2. National power increased during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states (somewhat) during the Reagan administration? Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate?
During the Great Depression, people wanted national action to aid the economy. Roosevelt's nation-centered federalism was said by political scientists to resemble a "marble cake," with specific powers under both national and state authority. Voters began to display wariness about the powers of the national government. President Reagan sought to reduce the power of government and was an avid supporter of the New Federalism. He stated "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." He cut back on categorical grants, replacing them with more flexible block grants. He also eliminated general revenue sharing. State-centered federalism gained some traction, so I do think that the shift was appropriate. The people wanted more power to the states.
3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism. Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best left to state and local governments? Why?
I think that the national government should regulate education. I think good standards could be kept better if the national government regulated every high school and college. I know that the high school my mom teaches at in Madisonville, Tennessee has a "no-fail rule" which basically means my mom isn't allowed to fail a student, even if they don't do most of their work. I think that if the government regulated the system, less "shady" things would be going on in our high schools.
Commented on:
1. Nathan Tollett
2. Brittany McCann3. t
I agree with you Rebecca, I think that a strong national government is necessary. Good point, if there wasn't a strong national government then how would the states know what they can and can not do?
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment on the "no fail rule" that you mentioned. I didn't know that things like that actually happened. Government definitly needs to step in and regulate our school systems.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that strong natioinal government is necessary. I thought the same thing that the states would decide to do whatever they want if they dont have someone to give them rules.wow I didnt realize that they had a no fail rule. I wasnt aware that they could do that how do any kids learn? I know I wouldnt have done my work if I knew I would just pass anyways.
ReplyDeleteThat "no fail" rule is unbelievable to me. At my high school, if you didn't pay attention, didn't do your work, didn't pass test; you would fail. That's ridiculous. It not only allows kids to pass grades without learning, but also gives them the idea that you can pass through life without ever working hard.
ReplyDeleteI love your education standpoint. I wholeheartedly agree. My mother is a teacher and I had no idea of the "no-fail rule". I do know, however, that with the standards each location attempts to set and their attempts at completely over-ruling the standards already set by higher powers it is a very difficult job. Teachers in high schools especially have lost the drive to pass their students on to college having actually LEARNED something and be CAPABLE of accomplishing the work in college.
ReplyDeleteI too agree that a strong national government is necessary. If we did not have a strong national government the states would be more likely to only be concerned with their individual states needs and not the nations needs as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the strong national government. I feel like there would be to much battling over each other if the powers were equal. I think there should be laws that the whole country follows so that every thing run smoothly. Everyone wants to be the top dog, so I definitely don't think each powers would work.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the schools should have some sort accountability for the students they teach so it makes sense to have let the teachers hold the students accountable for there actions when, when I was going thru high school my mother moved around a lot and I was never in the same school more than 6 months this was of course in a number of states and nothing was ever done that same from the credit system to class schedule certain things should be standard and let the schools focus on the extras.
ReplyDeleteI agree that powers should not be all on states and national. That causes chaos. Great job.
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