Blog Post 1.2 "Local Governments and Devolution"

1. What are the two sides in the argument over "sanctuary cities"?

On one side you have those who wish to protect the cities and allow them to keep their undocumented immigrants while on the other side you have those who wish to forcefully take the undocumented immigrants and deport them. This point extends past just undocumented immigrants though. It extends to how cities are allowed to operate within states that disagree with them. 

2. What does Chester mean by "distributism"?

Distributism is the economic and political theory that allows for the distribution of federal power and economic responsibilities to the state levels. 

3. How do liberals and conservatives tend to feel about devolution?

Conservatives believe that it would lead to their dreams of nation wide banned abortion and bans on same sex marriage failing, while liberals believe it is just another name for white supremacy.

4. Why do liberals find themselves increasingly supporting devolution?

In a Federal climate that stands against protecting the decisions of the cities in favor of deporting its immigrants, the liberal parties stand with supporting devolution for the sake of protecting the cities' rights.

5. How does the author use the abortion issue to explain problems with federalism?

 Abortion is an issue that differs on opinion with each individual state, and as such it is useful for showing the vast issues with the current system of federalism implemented here in the US.

6. What prevents the local governments from solving more political questions locally?

State governments tend  to intervene and stop attempts of change in cities, which makes it difficult for any significant change to occur. 

7. Why does the author argue that conservatives would not really make drastic cuts to social programs?

The majority of conservatives are old people, and as such they are dependent on medicare and medicaid, and would not vote to cut it.

8. How would people be likely to respond if states were able to have more varied policies?

People would likely be more concerned with their own states' policies and stances rather than a state half a thousand miles away.

9. Why does the author argue that conservatives should end their opposition to sanctuary cities?

The author believes that forcing local majorities to live under laws they abhor is nothing but a cause for extremism.

10. What does the author mean by "True federalism is painful"?

It forces us to adopt a federal mindset, which leads to us attempting to empathize with the entirety of the US rather than just our neighbors. This is what he means when he says that we have to live with our neighbors self governance even when we abhor it.

11. What do you anticipate would be the biggest problem if more local governments had more control over policy?
I believe that if that were to occur, we would see more support for a more decentralized US, and I honestly don't believe that is a good idea.