When the nation began it was the goal and promise of the founding fathers to make sure there was NO central government,and that each state would run independent of each other.That is why it is called the United States.At that time Washington DC did not have much power in the government.So the power was localized and not in one place.They would be turning in their graves if they seen what a mess he system is turned out to be.

No question that Bush has increased the power of the executive and therefore the government into very uncomfortable latitudes. I'm afraid that they have set things up so that no one president with or without congressional cooperation will be able to dismantle the federal government in the near future. The main reason is that Bush and Co have created a national debt that will be ongoing and generational. They have subverted and cut up the great American Constitution in many ways and no single presidential decree will be able to paste it back together. Social Security has been a target of the far right for many decades and finally, by increasing the debt and piling on propaganda they are with in reach of destroying it. The same for medicare. The infrastructure of the United States has not been properly maintained for many years and it will cost billions more to replace, restore and repair bridges, highways, schools, libraries and hospitals. This will not help shrink the size of government. Bush and Company have allowed insurance and pharmaceutical companies to drive the cost of medical care to astronomical levels while shouting out the dangers of "socialized medicine" thus preventing the government to take on a single payer Universal Health Care System that would cost less than the system now in place. In short, my answer is simple. "no!"

I tend to agree, although we should strive for balance.

How about the Libertarians?

Could you specify which powers should be returned to the states? Lots of people say what you have, but then have trouble agreeing which powers to delegate. For example, oine of the biggest spenders is Defence. Do you want to split up the Armed Services between the states. Another is Social Services. Do you want every state to have their own SS, and people who move states get little bits of pension from every state they have lived in? Or Medicare/Medicaid and have all the old people move to the states with the most generous provision? The idea of delegating as much power as possible is excellent - indeed, fundamental. But all the powers allocated to the Federal govenment have been allocated for reasons that seemed good at the time - and usually still seem good to some people. If you can find some powers that can be returned, let us know.

I agree 100%.Contrary to popular belief,the Civil War did not start over slavery,but the rights for states to govern themselves.I believe it was that point in history which put us on the path we are on now.Control over the south during reconstruction just spread to the whole country.The politicians said,"Hey look at the power we have,why should we stop here".Income taxes were started to pay for the war and were to end when that debt was paid.We're still paying income tax.Why should we stop here?Big Brother is to strong now,he wont be denied.

agree

I agree - the republicans talk smaller goverment and ficical responsability but after 8 years of Dubya the goverment has grown by tens of thousands of people and the bills - ( and debts ), have grown bigger. I'm for letting state and local goverments take over virtually all offices they can run - and shrinking the federal goverment to the bare minimun.

I agree. By force if necessary.