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The Federation is no more...
Our country was built as a federation of States: some powers were delegated to the Feds by the States.
It endured for over a century, surviving the centrifugal forces in 1860-ies.
Then, in 1913, two huge blows were struck: amendments 16 (federal income tax - the Feds became RICH) and 17 (direct popular election of senators - the Feds became completely independent of the State governments).
The consequences have been calamitous, but we endured for almost another century.
Now it's over: Federal aid is top revenue for states and the States are now Federal subsidiaries.
This is still a great country, just not a Union (or a Federation) any more...
It endured for over a century, surviving the centrifugal forces in 1860-ies.
Then, in 1913, two huge blows were struck: amendments 16 (federal income tax - the Feds became RICH) and 17 (direct popular election of senators - the Feds became completely independent of the State governments).
The consequences have been calamitous, but we endured for almost another century.
Now it's over: Federal aid is top revenue for states and the States are now Federal subsidiaries.
This is still a great country, just not a Union (or a Federation) any more...