Prepare: Prior to beginning work on this discussion question, read Chapters 3 and 4 in American Government. In addition, watch the videos provided on federalism: Quick Study of Federalism Part 1, Quick Study of Federalism Part 2, and Quick Study of Federalism Part 3, and the U.S. Constitution: Episode I - A More Perfect Union.

Reflect: The U.S. government's expansive role in public policy is caught in a swirl of conflicting crosscurrents. On the one hand, popular expectations about government's responsibility to solve problems often exceed the capacity of state and local authorities to respond effectively. On the other hand, policies developed at the national level may not sufficiently reflect the great diversity of interests across the U.S. to be effective at the local level. Moreover, the search for effective policy is further complicated by theoretical debates about the constitutional framework of federalism, that is, what limits on national power can be derived from the Tenth Amendment?

Write: Select a policy or piece of legislation that involves the program you are seeking a degree in (i.e., your major). In your initial post, discuss the federalism challenges that this policy is creating or facing. For example:

If you are an education major, how are local, state, and federal government policies affected by the No Child Left Behind legislation or some other piece of education-related legislation?

If you are a criminal justice major, how does recent legalization of marijuana in some states affect local, state, and federal control over this issue?

If you are a business major, how does the insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act affect local, state, and national businesses and their employees?

If you are a political science major how has the recent Citizen's United ruling affected the amount of money available for campaigns at the local, state, or federal levels?