FTA: Remember the real system of checks and balances: It isn’t between different parts of the federal government; it’s between federal government and state governments. That was supposed to be our guarantee of limited government. Without that counterbalance, there’s nothing to stop the federal government from running away with the whole show. It’s time for the states to do their part.

But the fed bought them hook, line and sinker with its numerous handouts for compliance. Now they're mostly compliant.