Helping a Federation work better

[Warrigal]

Please note - this topic is not intended to be a springboard for party political discussion.

US, Canada and Australia are all federations where pre-existing states voluntarily linked themselves together constitutionally to make themselves stronger. The advantages for defence and border protection are obvious and other areas where this arrangement has benefit includes foreign affairs and diplomacy.

In each case the relationship of the states to the commonwealth is spelled out in a legal document - the constitution.

The first federation to form was the USA, then Canada and last of all Australia so the working arrangements naturally vary. Dramatic events such as world wars have provided some opportunities to reconsider the way certain responsibilities are shared. The states may decide to hand over one of their traditional responsibilities as happened in Australia when in 1942 they handed the collection of income tax to the Commonwealth to help fund WW II. However, in most cases sharing is involved in terms of joint financing and regulations.

Since then there have been frequent meetings between leaders of government to discuss ways that the Federal and State governments may better serve the people.

One such meeting, COAG (Council of Australian Governments) has just ended. The headline agreement is that the states will make their databases of driving licences available to the Feds who have responsibility for security at airports. Apparently the photos will be useful.

https://www.coag.gov.au/about-coag

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia.
The members of COAG are the Prime Minister, state and territory First Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The Prime Minister chairs COAG.

COAG was established in 1992. Its role is to manage matters of national significance or matters that need co-ordinated action by all Australian governments.

COAG usually meets twice a year. However, it will meet when needed and at times it has met up to four times in a year. COAG may also settle issues out-of-session by correspondence.

The outcomes of COAG meetings are contained in communiqués published at the end of each meeting. Where formal agreements are reached, these may be embodied in intergovernmental agreements, including National Agreements and National Partnership Agreements.

COAG's agenda is broad-ranging and focusses on improving the current and future wellbeing of all Australians.
COAG has a strong record of driving reforms that have improved the lives of all Australians. For example, micro-economic reform linked to national competition policy in the mid-1990s left a legacy of a more competitive, efficient and flexible economy which has enabled Australia to meet a number of economic challenges in the last 20 years.

COAG will continue to drive reforms that are vital to Australia’s future.

If you are Canadian or American I would be interested to hear how your federation works internally to co-ordinate action by state and national levels of government. Thank you in advance for any replies that are informative.

 

[RiversideSue]

The US government denies states' rights when it comes to changing marijuana laws. Many states are successfully offering legal marijuana but the federal government is still against it, which makes financial issues interesting for those in the business.

The current ruling body in the US government pretends to respect states' rights when it comes to health care, which is supposedly a driving force behind dismantling an existing system. However, they don't want to let the states do as they wish with the money if what the states want to do is other than what the current ruling body wants.

Education is an area that states claim strong rights over. We see how well that goes every time there's a global ranking of student skills.

 

[Don M.]

I am increasingly becoming a real "cynic" where governments are concerned. I think that more and more, with each passing year, "governments" are just a "corporate tool" being used to further the global business interests, and exist solely to make the people believe that someone is watching out for them. The vast majority of the global wealth is in the hands of just 1 or 2 percent of the population...and these wealthy and corporations allow just enough "trickle down" to the general population so as to keep the lid on anything resembling rebellion. The corporate "board rooms" and the money they spend to select and finance the vast majority of the politicians guides the politics and policies that we all live under.

 

[RiversideSue]

Well said, Don.

Corporations write a lot of our legislation, and guess who benefits.

 

[Don M.]

Well said, Don. Corporations write a lot of our legislation, and guess who benefits.

The vast majority of legislation that appears in our Congress is written by the Lobbyists on K Street....the Senators and Representatives just "Sponsor" the bill...doubtful that any of them have any participation in the actual wording of the bill when it hits the floor for debate. Even during any debate that may take place, these politicians make sure that any modifications meet the needs of K Street before they actually vote and pass a bill. These politicians spend most of their days in meetings with the Lobbyists, and occasionally hurry back to the Capital to cast their vote.

If anyone has any doubts about where their politicians allegiance lies, I would encourage them to visit Opensecrets.org to see where their politician gets his/her money. Then, go to VoteSmart.org to see how they actually voted. In the vast majority of cases, the Vote follows the Money.

 

[Warrigal]

This sounds serious. If a democracy becomes corrupted enough that it serves only the interests of a privileged few rather than working to build a society that serves the greatest good for the greatest number then there can only be one of two endings. One is revolution which may turn our very badly. The other possibility is internal decay and collapse before being conquered by an external power.

The third option is a steadfast population, united and demanding better from their elected leaders. A peaceful revolt.

 

[Don M.]

This sounds serious. If a democracy becomes corrupted enough that it serves only the interests of a privileged few rather than working to build a society that serves the greatest good for the greatest number then there can only be one of two endings. One is revolution which may turn our very badly. The other possibility is internal decay and collapse before being conquered by an external power. The third option is a steadfast population, united and demanding better from their elected leaders. A peaceful revolt.

I think we are quickly getting to a point of national crisis. A major share of our people can only see the D or R after a candidates name, and believe the propaganda that these clowns spout continuously. The divisiveness between the "liberals" and "conservatives" shows no signs of slowing down, and trying to conduct a meaningful political discussion without some nitwit butting in and hurling sarcasm is rare....which is probably the reason why the "political" forum on this site has been shut down.

In the U.S., the working Middle Class has been the rudder which has maintained some degree of stability for generations. That Class is being allowed to stagnate, and decline....while the number of those living in poverty, and those amassing extraordinary wealth are growing. The growth of these "extremes" is eventually going to cause some major, and destructive consequences.