When has the Republican party attempted to give back any of the Federal powers "stolen" from the states? While I agree the Republicans pay lip service to limiting the Fed, when have they ever really put that ideal in action.

Each of the two major parties is in it for themselves, not for the rest of us (again, gross generalization, blah, blah blah).

As to some states failing while others prospering if the Fed were to stop their redistibution of wealth, that would be a shame. But history is littered with the downfall of governments and civilizations. Sounds harsh, I know; but it's true. Also, no one is making us stay in any given state (or country, if it gets that bad). If a state is not bearing up under pressure, move. We are free to move about this land of ours. Surely one can find a place that suits one's ideals and needs. If they cannot change the place they are (I'm talking to myself here, too), go elsewhere.

My reference to our founders involves the fact that only the powers specifically granted the Federal government by the Constitution were to be within the federal purview. All else was to be that of the States. The Federal government has stepped way beyond that limitation. This was a response to a the colonies being ruled by a government separated geographically from their citizenry and thus, out of touch with the immediate needs of said colonists. I don't believe for one second that a group of in-fighting, power-hungry, money-grubbing (gross generalizations, I know, but you sound intelligent and I believe you will get my meaning) politicians can honestly make decisions that best serve the citizens of states outside of the politicians' day-to-day exposure.

No, I intended to imply that the flames targeted at me would accuse me of being anti-American. I apologize for the ambiguity.

I am encouraged, though, that the majority of replies have been in agreement.

I love my country, I hate my government (because it is no longer "my" government). We need a change. We need to break the stranglehold the Republican and Democratic parties have on the machinery of government. We need the populous to wake up and act...vote. Vote for repealing rights that the federal government has usurped from the state governments. We need to limit federal legislation of states and depend upon each state to make the decisions that affect the people that they know better than the federal government (you know, they way our founders intended it to be). I'm going to stop here and get ready for the onslaught of all of the knee-jerk, anti-American flames aimed squarely at me.