CARD 14 - Distribution of Powers
Governmental Power in the US is distributed between National, State, and Town levels. Constant issues arise between Town, State, and National jurisdictions. The creators of the Constitution envisioned a very limited federal government. Control of housing, taxation, education, artistic pursuits, etc. were not mentioned in the Constitution. These were 'reserved' to the States.
Federalist #41
To the People of the State of New York:
...two important questions arise: 1. Whether any part of the powers transferred to the general government be unnecessary or improper? 2. Whether the entire mass of them be dangerous to the portion of jurisdiction left in the several States? ...the choice must always be made, if not of the lesser evil, at least of the GREATER, not the PERFECT, good; and that in every political institution, a power to advance the public happiness involves a discretion which may be misapplied and abused...It has been urged and echoed, that the power ``to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States,'' amounts to an unlimited commission to exercise every power which may be alleged to be necessary for the common defense or general welfare...
PUBLIUS
