There is much discussion about central government these days. As usual, Republicans want to end as much of the Federal Government as possible, assuming all central government is bad, and return power to the states.

Here are some interesting side effects of a lack of Centralized authority, regulation, advice, and even employment.

If each state has its own education system, what will be taught? It’s is easy to imagine many different education systems in many different states, but if you understand human nature, one state will provide next to nothing for education and one state will go all out for a fulsome education. So people born in one state are uneducated and in one and over educated in another? That’s a simplification, but a true one if you’ve ever traveled the United States. Any student should make the most of whatever system they are in, like the present, but system inequities will grow exponentially if states are allowed their own schedules and syllabuses. Not only would it lead to informational deserts and oases but imagine if the Christian state of New Christendom, (yes, imaginary) only taught their students the Bible and that God would provide for all? Would those students be at a disadvantage to students in other states that taught reading and writing? Or would an uninformed belief in what God supplies be an advantage?

Laws? What if it’s legal to have sex with a 15 year old in one state and not others? With the large contingent of perverts in the American population can you anticipate the nefarious, interstate activity?

Who pays what for National defense? And if one state pays more, does it get more?

Who pays for interstate infrastructure? Imagine a major toll road with every state section being in different levels of repair depending on how much the state has to effect repairs? I’m thinking 95 from Maine to Florida, with possible tolls at every state line to collect revenue. Ugh.

There are more than enough issues with states running their own parts of the country, but it has to be obvious to all a central authority is needed. And to have a central authority, we need taxes to support it. That’s life. Almost every European country collects more taxes than the US, and Europeans are not flocking to our income tax haven. Why not?

Then there is The Ship of State. A majestic floating vessel. We, the populace are on the decks and in the cabins, bemoaning our fates or reveling our hearts out.

But below decks is the engine and support structure. Regulatory agencies TRY to make sure drugs are safe and effective for everyone. (Cartels are a perfect example of an un-regulated drug trade.) The Ship’s health institutes track what is killing us so lawmakers and manufacturers can keep us on track to healthier, safer, and happier lives. Other departments monitor food, air, and water quality, all looking to HELP a burgeoning, profitable corporate world make more profits without losing lives or limbs. Wouldn’t it be better if corporations factored in more regulation instead of paying settlements from lawsuits? Hm. Let’s ask the lawyers on the upper decks. Note: The new administration is pledging to remove regulations and taxes currently “strangling” American Businesses. Take a look at not just balance sheets, but CEO pay and tell me how much more profit do companies need to make? And how much more do they need to pay CEOs? Then, imagine no regulation…

The Ship of State also employees over 2.1 million people in these “below deck” activities. There are Federal Employees in every state with the top ten being work forces in: District Of Columbia, Virginia, California, Maryland, Texas, Florida. Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.

The Original American Experiment in Democracy has already outlasted almost all other empires in the world’s dynastic histories. The steady, unwavering cruise of The Ship of State has been a large reason for our success. Support it. Or get yourself some weapons, grow your own food, and make your own Ozempic and Viagra.