The USA was founded using the concept of Federalism whereby the National, State and Local governments would share governing power and each would have territorial powers and responsibilities. The primary Federal responsibility was National Defense … protecting the citizens from foreign aggression (e.g. the British at that time). The US President was the “Commander in Chief” of the military. The States controlled Federal Elections in their State. It was intended that the Federal Government would not be a strong central power (i.e. not a King George) but in addition to National Defense would provide a venue for States to resolve issues between States in the Federal Courts; and define and pay for initiatives that related to multiple States by Federal Laws and Regulations. The Headquarters of the Federal Government in Washington was the District of Columbia (DC) which was created to be a neutral zone that would not conflict with State Rights.

State Rights are all rights not granted to or precluded from the Federal government by the US Constitution. Power taken by the Federal Government by Laws, Regulations and Federal Court Rulings reduces State Rights which is contrary to the Founder’s intensions.