Read Alex Massie, James Surowiecki, and Reihan. I think Surowiecki’s worries about balanced budgets and procyclical vs. countercyclical fiscal policies raise some real problems for an all-out federalist approach along the lines of what Alex is suggesting, but Reihan’s compromise strikes me as spot on: have the feds sign the checks, and let each state figure out what to do with it. Then let the people vote with their feet.

UPDATE: Reason’s Tim Cavanaugh thinks Surowiecki is full of it.

     Filed under: government/law, politics