If the answer is yes, is that right and doesn't it fly in the face of states' rights; one of the fundamental structures of our government. If a state creates a law the feds, don't like they can just force the state to change via money.
2006-11-18 00:23:31 · 10 answers · asked by V for Vendetta 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
it is true. they control every aspect of our personal lives.
2006-11-18 00:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by St♥rmy Skye 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Funny how the feds will take money in confiscatory taxes from citizens in that state, but if that state doesn't pass this law or that law, federal money is withheld.
I believe there is a term for this: Blackmail.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blackmail
(Especially the 5th definition.)
Edit: I must respectfully disagree with the gentleman above me. There is definitely something wrong and unethical about raking in tax revenue from citizens in a particular state and then withholding the "goodies" until the people in that state enact laws or regulations that the feds demand, repeat, DEMAND be enacted. This is nothing but blackmail, pure and simple!
2006-11-18 00:53:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not true. Last year, President Bush did sign a law offering states one time grants if they enacted tougher seatbelt laws and I've post a link below to an informative article below. No states are losing any funding.
There is nothing wrong or illegal about the federal government using money as a carrot to dangle in front of states to get them to change their laws. The federal government is under no obligation to give the states money and the states are under no obligation to take the money.
The states still have the choice of taking the money or not changing their laws.
2006-11-18 00:43:19 · answer #3 · answered by Carl 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Federal Government uses funding mandates to regulate many aspects of Individual States. Not only seat bealts, but roads, healthcare, education, drug laws, social programs, and anything else they might dream up in Congress.
This is a direct result of the reduction in States Rights and societies overall desire to give up individual freedoms and personal resposibility.
2006-11-18 00:33:38 · answer #4 · answered by danknow 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was the same with the 55 mph speed limit. They don't tell the states how to enforce or fine people though. Here in Idaho, it's the law to wear a seat belt but the fine is only $5 and it doesn't go on the driving record. Back in the 55 mph years, Montana had the speed law but it was only a $5 fine which also didn't go on the record.
2006-11-18 00:29:13 · answer #5 · answered by m-t-nest 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is not a new threat, they did this way back when the speed limit laws were supposed to go down to 55. Imagine that.... they take OUR money, then withold it for the services they're supposed to provide all because us upstart states refuse to comply with their stupid whims. Everything's gotten so bassackwards since our founding fathers envisioned the ideal form of government where the people govern themselves. Thomas Jefferson would have organized a revolution by now. The government is supposed to fear the people, not vice-versa.
2006-11-18 00:34:18 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would believe so, afterall, the government has a good way of covering things like this up. "They are trying to make people where seatbelts" would be their coverup, but their ripping off more states, and that's all their doing.
2006-11-18 00:27:49 · answer #7 · answered by Gabe 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The federal government is not obligated to give money to the states; if the states want federal monies, then they have to comply with the federal government requirements. No compliance, no money. The state is always free to refuse - if the people of the state are stupid enough to let it!
2006-11-18 00:31:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
States don't have any rights in the Democrat world-view. They don't care about the United States Constitution.
Democrats are Stalinists. They want to transform the United States into Soviet Union West.
-Aztec276
2006-11-18 00:29:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
That sounds like one of those evil Democratic Party intrusions into our personal lives. Next thing you know, the Demmies will demand that you have to wear a helmet while your riding a motorcycle.
2006-11-18 00:27:03 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋