Hal Bidlack
If you've noticed my column from time to time, perhaps while wrapping fish, you may have noticed that certain sections of Colorado Politics are particularly rich in articles that I like to comment on. This week is no exception. In the latest Out West Roundup, there were some articles that I wanted to cover briefly and some that I wanted to spend a little more time covering.
First, in Maricopa County, Arizona's most populous county, mostly in Phoenix, the number of deaths due to heat waves increased by 50% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and this record still stands. . Tragically, it climbs every year. But I suspect there are still a significant number of climate change deniers within the Republican Party. Among them is Kari Lake, a former unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate who is currently running for the Senate. She has denied many things, including the election results, even after a recount of votes by right-wing groups showed President Joe Biden won Arizona. with a larger margin than originally reported. She is also a climate change denier, and when Sen. Mark Kelly tweeted about the need to explore alternative energy during the heatwave, she said, “We know you're from Texas ( where he was campaigning),” he replied bitterly and cynically. astronaut, for Pete). But we live in the desert. It's going to be hot. ” right…
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But I'm not going to talk about that.
It seems a little harsh, but I'm not even going to talk about possible scandals. Apparently, Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem decided she needed some dental work. Apparently, there aren't any good dentists in South Dakota because she flew to Texas to improve her smile. And strangely, she then 5 minutes A video praising a particular dentist. For many people, it looks like it could be in return for dental treatment, but the governor has declined to comment, and the state attorney general has also declined to comment on whether he used a state plane or public funds for the trip. Not answering the question. . If I were a dentist in South Dakota, I would be insulted.
But I'm not going to talk about that.
I do I'd like to tell you another story from Arizona. There, a bill was introduced by Republicans and appears to have been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. If passed, this bill would make it a crime for noncitizens to enter the state other than at a port of entry. Federal law already makes it a crime to enter the United States illegally, but like Texas, some people in Arizona appear to be trying to enact a state law that they believe might supersede federal law. There are various other sections of the proposed bill, some of which most people might agree with, but how dangerous and outrageous such Republican proposals really are. It is a question of federalism that actually shows what is the case.
So remember the early days of our country. Recall that on November 15, 1777, the newly established national legislative body, the Continental Congress, adopted the Articles of Confederation as the law of our nation, and the Articles went into effect on March 1, 1781. That happened over the next nine years or so. confusion.
Under this article, the state governments were supreme, and the central government was to remain in place and function at the direction of the states. One of the many unfortunate aspects of the way this provision was written is that doing anything significant at the national level requires a unanimous or near-unanimous vote of the 13 newly created states, which is always problematic. It existed.
A certain small country.
Rhode Island became known as “Rogue Island.” That's because when a state government went to the trouble of sending delegates, it almost always voted. no Things based on national regulations such as roads, forts, post offices, etc.
Additionally, nearly every state printed their own currency, so if you were in New Jersey, for example, and you wanted to ride your horse to New York, you would have to exchange your state money for New York currency. To be precise, it is not a system designed to promote free and fair trade. There were many other issues, too many to list here, but fortunately my personal hero, Alexander Hamilton, got things on track and ultimately led to the passage of the Constitutional Convention. , suffice it to say, eventually the present federalist form of government was born. Constitution.
Federalism, the core of our system of government, has a relatively simple meaning. Simply put, each tier of government, whether national, state, or local, has specific powers and responsibilities that two tiers cannot interfere with. So while fixing local roads requires the busy work of mayors and city councils, education tends to be run by the state. And certain very important powers have long been reserved to the federal government. The important point is that only the central government can be involved in formulating national defense and foreign policy.
You can imagine the chaos that would ensue if every state in the United States could negotiate its own trade policies with other countries and set its own tax rates and import rules, not to mention immigration. You can also imagine the dangers if a state (well, let's say Texas) decides to develop its own defense policy. Can you imagine if a nation thinks it can send its National Guard to wage war or other military action against another nation, or even a nation?
No, the Founders were very wise and informed by the chaos of the Articles of Confederation era.Federalism is the best way and international issues Must Reserved at the national level. If you crack that barrier, you create havoc.
Now, if House Republicans pass a bipartisan border and immigration bill, the Senate will pass it with a majority. 70 votes, we would be well on our way to improving the border situation. But former President Donald Trump issued the following orders to his House henchmen: do not have Pass the bill. His order was not issued as he thought deeply about the bill and made several additions or amendments. No, he's against it because it's another one of President Biden's good decisions and good things for the country.
Let's talk about putting yourself above service to the nation.
Hal Bidlack is a former political science professor and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who taught for more than 17 years at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
