Tucker Carlson and Pence: The Cities

Tucker embarrassed Pence a few days ago, ending what should never have begun, an ill-fated presidential campaign. If Pence had a brain, here's what his response should have been. 

The rise of crime and poverty in American cities is very troubling. I understand the sentiments and the worries that underlie these comments; however, I feel obligated to share a perspective rooted in the Constitution and the principles of federalism.

In our democratic republic, power is divided and shared among different levels of government - federal, state, and local. Each of these levels has its unique roles and responsibilities as defined by our Constitution. The Tenth Amendment, in particular, declares that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This clear delineation of powers forms the backbone of our federal structure and underscores our commitment to decentralization and self-governance.

Now, coming to the problem at hand - crime and poverty in American cities. The primary responsibility for public safety, law enforcement, and local economic conditions rests with state and local governments. It is they who have the authority to enact and enforce laws related to criminal conduct and the regulation of police forces. They also have the power to implement policies that address poverty and social services at the community level. This is why cities have mayors, and states have governors - to deal with these local and regional issues.

Having the federal government intervene in these matters would not only disrupt the balance of powers outlined in our Constitution but could also diminish the capacity for local adaptation and responsiveness, which are inherent strengths of our system. While national politicians are indeed responsible for addressing national issues, it is local politics and law enforcement systems that need to be at the forefront when dealing with these local and state matters.

Justice Louis Brandeis, a staunch proponent of federalism, once described the states as "laboratories of democracy" - each state has the autonomy to experiment with different policies and solutions. If one state is successful in reducing crime and poverty, its methods can serve as a model for others. On the other hand, if policies are unsuccessful, the damage is limited and localized. This capacity for trial, error, and adaptation is one of the greatest strengths of our federal system.

Furthermore, it's crucial to remember that our Constitution guarantees each state a Republican Form of Government (Article IV, Section 4). This republican principle emphasizes local self-governance and the ability of communities to craft their laws and regulations in accordance with their needs and circumstances. Centralizing power at the federal level would be antithetical to this principle.

So, while the concern for our cities is appreciated, I believe the solutions lie in local political will and action, and not in national level interventions. As champions of the Constitution and federalism, let's entrust our states and cities with the responsibility and the authority to deal with the issues at hand and support them in their efforts to ensure public safety and welfare.