Do you think we have too many states in the USA?

Question

There are so many layers of government,, why not just have 5 or 7 states to simplify things? It would be less expensive as well.

Answer 1

From what is currently being taught and buzzed about in geography. Hawaii will separate from the U.S., as well as Alaska. My current geography professor thinks within the next 20 years.

That is a start for you.

Answer 2

It would actually be more expensive for the state governments if there was only a few, because than there would be more people to deal with in each state.

In Canada, there are only 10 provinces (the same as states), because we have a lower population than the US. I live in the province of Ontario, and I live in the southern part which is the most populated (and most Americanized) part of Canada, so a lot of people from the nothern part of the province have been wanting the southern part to seperate into a different province because they think all the money goes down to the southern part.

That's why countries with large population like the US need smaller states. I personally think it makes it more interesting to have lot's of states. Each state in the US is unique, and they all have their own flags and symbols and everything. Much more interesting than one big area. That's why I like to visit the US, because it's fun to experience each state.

Answer 3

True.....but then it would make everything dull.....example would be sports. In college football, we'd have to drop many of the teams names or maybe the team all together, such as the OHIOH State Buckeyes....it's more easy to identify the area of the united states by using the name of a state too. Example would be saying "I'm going to Florida for vacation. But if we merged them into 5 big states, you'd have to define which part of which big state your going to. And, last but not least, Citizens simply wouldn't allow it. We'd have to get used to having only 5 states, instead of 50 and would have to learn it all again. Plus, having a diverse statehood in the U.S allows people to travel to different states for different reasons, say if they don't like the tax amount in one, they can easily switch.

Answer 4

Very bad idea in my opinion.
5 or 7 states would cause a huge mess with respect to the house and senate and thus call for a revision of the entire consitution.

As it is there are a lot of americans that feel disconnected to our country.
I believe your idea would make that way worse.
If anything, I would vote in the opposite direction spliting states like california and texas
in half or thirds

Answer 5

No, we need every one of them. Each State has it's own constitution which is important to have in order to give us a choice of which laws we want imposed on us. I'm living in a state that has questionable restrictions on personal rights. So without having to move totally out of the area I have a choice of two other states with different laws, tax code, and such to move to.
Also each area has it's own particular issues, and these need to remain "local" to be handled more effectively. (Like the Federal government doesn't do.)
Good question however, Thanks.

Answer 6

USA is a big country and it is just proper that there are layers of governance from national to local levels.

Answer 7

No, actually if we had just 5 or 7 states there'd be way to much concentrated power

Answer 8

We could merge a couple states I think. Merge the Dakotas, merge the Carolinas, give West Virginia back to Virginia....

Answer 9

No there are not too many states in America.
It would probably not be less expensive.

Answer 10

Just imagine what it will be like once all nations of the world are integrated into the U.S. of A.