[Rodeo]

I think state and local governments are best suited to handle most government responsibilities. Preventing crime and punishing criminals, educating children, setting and enforcing zoning and land use laws, maintaining infrastructure, and establishing community standards, among others.

Responding to terrorist attacks and massive natural disasters is not one of the governmental functions best left locally. When a governor declares an emergency, that means local resources have been overwhelmed, and that the state need national help. At that point, the feds take over the response, and they had better be prepared to handle the job. We just saw what happens when they are not.

I do agree that the states should not give the federal government additional powers without serious thought, but disaster response is a pretty easy call for me. The to our nation are too great, and the resources necessary to do the job correctly are too large, to entrust to thousands of independent plans and planners around the country.