A Major Problem with Federalism

I think there's a major problem in instituting federalism at the national level of government.

Just this past week a Chinese Communist leader speaking at a forum carried by C-Span argued that the Chinese not only recognize the problem but have a solution to it.  The Communists through the existence of their party exercise control upon governmental agencies at all levels to maintain its plan of direction that carries forth the nation in unified and coordinated effort.  The Russians used to implement the so-called Five-Year Plans to accomplish the same thing.

The point being that under federalism which enables, because of its loose construction, provincial and local governments to "go their own way", thereby foregoing an overriding sense of national purpose, which serves to give guidance and identity to the citizenry. 

In the United States, specifically, the states must be treated "fairly" in such a way that the national government must not play state-favorites.  This point of view overlooks that some regions of the nation should be "favored" to achieve national purpose, such as expending more money in some particular region to build up infrastructure, e.g., roads and bridges.  Or, it fails to devote large sums of the nation's finances to construct a dam in some African country so as to bring about especial good will abroad.  The ability to wield large sums of money at the national or federal level to achieve some  particular national, political goal is very much limited by internal political struggles.  Note that the US cannot provide sufficient aid to Egypt so as to effect its internal policy.  In short, federalism is really only good for implementing national short-term goals.

Why, the states are engaged in competition to attract the most numbers of citizenry precisely because there is no national plan regulating regional growth and development.  I believe this will eventually cause serious rifts among the people.

Having been in China and having become familiar with the Communists' control of governmental policies, I believe the Communist leader's assessment of the effect of the Party upon determining long-range national goals is correct.  And, therefore, I am led to believe his evaluation of a major weakness in federalism is also correct.  Similar to the party, is the national governing agency or governing board.

In sum, the US in its present allegiance to federalism bears all the marks of the classic "ship without a rudder!"  It needs to adopt long-range planning controls that build a sense of direction and purpose for its people to carry forth in their everyday actions.  (Simply to extol the virtues in the US Constitution doesn't do it).  Something like a national governing agency is needed to assure long-range planning and control.