Why doesn’t the American public get along with its governing institutions? Is this a division that can be breached? And how does the Constitution fit into the conversation?

Join the Rockefeller Center in celebrating Constitution Day (and its 35^th Anniversary!):

Monday Sept. 17 / 5:00 – 6:15 pm / Rockefeller 003

“Can Federalism – The Genius of the Constitution – Restore Public Confidence in Congress and U.S. Government Institutions?”

A conversation between Former United States Senator (R-NH) & 2018 Perkins Bass Distinguished Visitor Kelly Ayotte and Research Assistant Professor Dr. Herschel Nachlis.

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LECTURE DESCRIPTION

Congress continues to have abysmal public approval ratings. Does the expectation of many in the public, coupled with the promises of politicians running for federal office, that the federal government can solve almost every problem lead to a disconnect with the American people when Congress gridlocks and/or doesn’t solve problems? The Founders established a federal system delegating certain powers to the federal government but leaving the remainder to the states. By the federal government continuing to expand in areas that would be better governed and managed by the states, the American people become more dissatisfied with the Congress as a whole. 

• Federalism is the genius of the constitution and the more the balance of power becomes tipped to Washington DC, the more unsatisfied people become with Congress and the federal government. 
• State and local governments are better equipped and aligned with their constituents to solve problems than the federal government. 
• Reinvigorating federalism, as envisioned by the Founders and drafted in the structure of our Constitution, will make Congress more effective and will allow government to better serve the people.