Guest Blogger: Utah House Speaker Dave Clark and Senate President Michael Waddoups on Federalism
David Clark and Michael Waddoups /
Since our “modest proposal” essay was published in the Washington Post on Feb. 19, we have heard mostly support, but some criticism. The critics tend to question Utah’s ability to assume complete responsibility for education, transportation and Medicaid, and manage these important functions of government properly.
We assert that not only can we run these programs adequately without federal oversight and interference, but we can operate them more effectively, more efficiently, and serve citizens better.
It seems that many in Congress maintain an elitist attitude about government: The bigger the better, the more centralized the better, and all public policy sophistication and intelligence emanates from the federal level and is sprinkled like pixie dust on state and local governments through federal oversight and mandates.
If those assertions were true, then why is the national level of government overwhelmed in debt, mired in gridlock and partisanship, and wholly unable to resolve the biggest problems that face our nation? (more…)