Should state governments in Australia and the US be abolished?

Question

The US and Australia have 3 levels of government, local, state and federal. Most countries in the world do not have a state level. Maintaining 3 levels of government seems to be a waste of money, do we really need so many politicians? What do state govts do that could not be done at the local or federal level?

Answer 1

Hey I really like Australia My family nearly moved down there to live for good! But play with your Kangaroos and leave MY BLOODY STATES ALONE!

I absolutely believe in State Government and their powers! It is how America was built and how it prospers! It is why Louisiania has Parishes instead of Counties. One thing will not do for all! Look at the pathetic attempt to improve our schools, in the no child left behind standardization from some of the most brilliant educator who was isolated in a LA LA LAND of theory of ... well THEORY ! It just does not work in practice! Nice thought, will not work!

You must be from Australia where you are like we were about a hundred years ago! In so far as vast open lands. We like local control where possible!



APS

Answer 2

You might as well ask why have even 2 levels of government. Why not just one level of government? As it stands, people often talk about "government" as if there is only one government in the U.S. People often talk as if they do not distinguish at all between federal and state governments and they talk as if they expect the federal government to do everything that needs to be done. Education, even. If the federal government isn't doing something about improving education, then education isn't going to be improved.

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution has certainly had the effect -- intentional or not -- of homogenizing law across the country, reducing the distinctiveness of states from one another. So why not go all the way and abolish all state and local governments altogether? Why not empower the federal government to do everything that needs to be done?

Answer 3

I never thought about it before. Abolishing state governments is a brand new idea for me! I guess its sounds like a good idea, it would be saving money and less politicians but it might be worth the money to have the state governments. I love the Green Party though and if they say to get rid of them, then I support them because I'm sure its followed by good reason!

Answer 4

We do have far too many politicians, I agree. However we have to remember that before federation the states were all separate colonies (countries).

None of them wanted to give up too much power to the federal government. They wanted (and still do) to keep some authority for themselves.

It would be very difficult to bring all the states under one set of legislation. We still have the tyranny of distance and different sets of circumstances for each state.

We are even gaining more separate governments, with the addition of the Northern Territory and Canberra govts.

Answer 5

I believe the Federal government is clueless & their shortcomings are being exposed day by day ...as far as State governments are concerned it's not uniform across the country . Surely no one can dispute that the Labor governments in both NSW & QLD have mismanaged their respective economies & the people are now paying dearly through increased public utility & service costs to keep those States afloat. As for the other States some are doing better than others ....

Answer 6

No, state governments in Australia and the US should not be abolished.

Answer 7

The states are needed to keep things honest. Leave it alone.

Answer 8

Yes, they should be. This is existing Greens policy in Australia.

Answer 9

one step closer to dictatorship?