Bishop condemns the federal government
Hopes that Congress "loses power"
By: Rochelle McConkie
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
|
"Justice is only done on local levels," said Bishop, a Republican. "It will never be done in the federal government."
Bishop said the federal government is only good for "unification" and all issues except the military can be resolved at the state level. Bishop cited education, immigration and land use as primarily state issues and criticized the federal government for stepping in when the states could do a better job.
"Not everything has to be done in Washington," Bishop said, arguing that unlike the federal government, states can create more than blanket solutions to problems because they can focus on individual needs.
With regards to immigration, Bishop said that having one federal standard might not be the best way to deal with the issue, saying states could have a positive impact on their own. He said the United States still needs to protect its borders, simply to maintain control and also to prevent drug trafficking.
Shehnoor Grewal, a freshman in mass communication, said immigration needs to be a federal issue.
"A lot of states have racist or xenophobic (leadership)," Grewal said, and the federal government can prevent states from developing these kinds of policies.
Bishop condemned the "No Child Left Behind" legislation, calling it an "incredibly stupid bill" because the federal government should not be able to mandate how states run their schools or appropriate funds.
Bishop said the notion of state and local power is the essence of conservatism, as opposed to the "liberals who still believe they can solve problems in Washington," and reflects a basic tenet of separation of powers as laid out by the U.S. Constitution.
Paul Martin, a sophomore studying business and Japanese, questioned whether the Bush administration, which he called "one of the most power-hungry presidencies" our country has had, follows this model of traditional conservatism.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Agkistrodon
posted 2/21/08 @ 4:19 AM MST
How many small, independent local entities would there be in an America where the single use of Federal power is for defense? 50? 250? Each one ultimately ruled by some kind of local aristocracy for that aristorocracy would be the outcome. (Continued…)
Paulk
posted 2/21/08 @ 6:57 AM MST
<"Justice is only done on local levels," said Bishop, a Republican.>
I don't suppose Bishop would consider having a talk with Utah's legistlature about their attempt to overrule Salt Lake City's new domestic registry? I'm sure his fellow Republicans will be very understanding. (Continued…)
Ema
posted 2/22/08 @ 10:51 AM MST
Calling No Child Left Behind an "incredibly stupid bill" is so Bishop. He's a very blunt man. It would have helped to add that he was a public school teacher for many, many years at this point in the article. (Continued…)
Post a Comment