Fed, IGR, IGM: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

State whether you agree or disagree with the following: What is the future of federalism? Meek and Thurman (2012) mention that the fiscal pressures will continue to be a top agenda item, as will negotiating responsibilities among local, state, and federal agencies for service delivery" (p. 318). Stephens and Wikstrom (2007) highlighted some key points about the future of federalism and intergovernmental relations, highlighting that "the intergovernmental system will continue to be very bewildering, complex, and kaleidoscopic, rendering it difficult for the ordinary citizen, and even the attentive public, to pinpoint responsibility and hold national, state, and local public officials fully accountable for their responsibilities, actions, and broad policy decisions" (p. 274). Walters (2005) mentioned that If current federal revenue and spending trends were to continue unchanged, Ethel GAO reports that the federal government would only be able to cover half of its fiscal commitments by 2050, as spending on such things as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and interest on the federal debt explode [s]. The word 'unsustainable' is cited frequently by GAO when it discusses the federal fiscal picture" (p. 386). My concern is for the states that primarily depend on federal funds to function. If their tax base is unwilling to support economic development, infrastructure, and progression, how will their state be able to provide the necessary 20% on projects that the federal government is willing to provide 80%? In my opinion, what as I see as the future of federalism is the continued change. We are in a weird time right now. It seems as though we have extremes on both ends that are not successfully attempting to meet in the middle. It's an, "I want it all my way, and this is my way" mentality instead of, "What's your way? OK, this is mine. Let's give and take a tad." It is my hope that the future of federalism will be accompanied by a more level-headed, even-keeled society. There is hope, and hopefully more Americans will continue to exercise their right to vote and Abet involved in theodolite of our society. Things may have to get worse before they get better, but hopefully they'll gebbeittae                                                                                                                          

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