Problems such as, federal deficits, lack of funding, federal overreach, etc., can be solved in one step............States opt out of paying Federal income taxes, sales and excise taxes. Those monies previously going into the US Treasury, would now go into States coffers, to pay for all the stuff the States need.

The States can pay for it's own education systems, repair and replacement of roads, bridges and other infrastructure, and healthcare, without any Federal funding. Without Federal dollars flowing in, the federal government has no "carrot" to use against the States.

Why would States send money to DC, then beg for some of it to be returned? The idea of making high population States help pay for shit in another State, is anathema to personal accountability. The States don't need to help fund a Federal Army, as they have Armed Forces of their own, to help ensure the security of their State. The Federal government can find alternative sources of income, to pay for it's international meddling. BTW, we'd need to ban the Fed from borrowing money, but then - with no income from the States, it might be impossible for it to borrow anyway.

Instead of whining about what the Federal Government does not pay for, or arguing about what it does, we'd be limiting that emotional whirlpool to our own State. The States are already being required to do more for it's people, so why not just take care of all of it? It just makes sense for the citizens of each State to keep their money IN their State, to pay for stuff for their own people. Let each State handle their own air traffic control, travel security, etc. and we could eliminate the Department of Homeland Security ( what the hell do they do anyway?), the TSA, the DEA, BATF and a few other choice acronyms.

I can't find a Constitutional basis for most of what the federal government does ( or purports to do ), and I sure can't find a legitimate reason for most of the fees and taxes levied by the Federal government. To my mind, the easiest way to ensure a smaller Government................is not to have one. The States took care of their own business before there ever WAS a Federal government, and I'm confident they could do so again...........certainly far more cheaply and efficiently than the monstrosity we're paying for now.

I am in favor of welcoming anyone who is willing to go through the crap necessary to become a US citizen legally; regardless of their national origin. I am not in favor of wetbacks. There are people other than Mexicans and Central Americans sneaking into this country; and quite a few are starting to come in through Canada. Right now it is easier for some foreigners to enter Canada than it is for Americans. A US citizen with a DUI conviction has trouble entering Canada, but a Pakistani or Yemeni has fairly smooth sailing.

I can't find a Constitutional basis for most of what the federal government does ( or purports to do ), and I sure can't find a legitimate reason for most of the fees and taxes levied by the Federal government. To my mind, the easiest way to ensure a smaller Government................is not to have one. The States took care of their own business before there ever WAS a Federal government, and I'm confident they could do so again...........certainly far more cheaply and efficiently than the monstrosity we're paying for now.