Over the last decade, our politics has become more polarized; the political left argues with the political right, and seems to be little room for compromise. For example, late in 2017, Congress passed (and the President signed) a tax law with significant support from the right and very little support from the left. I contrast this to the last excellent tax reform initiative in 1986, which involved a substantial decrease in marginal tax rates coupled with an elimination of business deductions that many on the left thought excessive ("3 martini lunches"; many tax shelters). But that bipartisan effort didn't happen in the recent tax law, nor did it happen on major initiatives during President Obama's presidency.

President Obama supported universal care and promoted and eventually signed the Affordable Care Act. This legislation was opposed by the political right and partially repealed in 2017 after the election of President Trump. President Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, supports Charter schools, and much of federal funding has been geared toward charter schools. The political left largely opposes Charter schools. We have debates on more gun control and a higher minimum wage; these are supported by the political left and heavily opposed by the right. The right wants to reduce environmental regulations; the left supports the principles.

Can federalism help us with some of these differences? Pick an issue (such as those mentioned above or any other issue) and propose how sending it down to the states might help resolve disputes and make our country better for everyone.