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It is great comedy to hear the secular, pro-gay left, so hostile to states' rights in virtually every instance, suddenly discover the tyranny of centralized government. The newly minted protectors of local rule find themselves demanding: 'Why should Washington dictate marriage standards for Massachusetts and California? Let the people of those states decide for themselves.' This is precisely the argument conservatives and libertarians have been making for decades! Why should Washington dictate education, abortion, environment, and labor rules to the states? The American people hold widely diverse views on virtually all political matters, and the Founders wanted the various state governments to most accurately reflect those views. This is the significance of the 10th Amendment, which the left in particular has abused for decades.

Ron Paul#7

PoliticsFederalismHypocrisy

About this quote

What does it mean?
The left claims to support states' rights while opposing them, exposing the hypocrisy of centralized government control.
In plain terms
Opponents of federal power sometimes act like they want more control.
What can you take from it?
Recognize and challenge political hypocrisy.

Where it applies

  • marriage law debates
  • education standards
  • environmental regulations

Putting it to work

  • highlight inconsistencies in public statements
  • support state-level decision making

Questions to consider

  • Why do political groups shift positions on federal vs. state power?
  • What are the benefits of federal standards?

Another view

Some issues may benefit from national standards to protect minority rights.

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