But the Federal Government scarcely ever interferes in any but external affairs; and the governments of the States are in reality the authorities which direct society in America.
Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835
One could say that back in 1835... What a contrast! But de Tocqueville also discusses another problem - one seldom mentioned by states-rights advocates. A lack of federal despotism was indeed beneficial but states themselves sometimes acted as absolute democratic tyrannies. It was the very purpose of the Union to prevent the tyranny of the states over the individual! Too bad the Union has since grown into an even bigger tyranny.
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