Debates over how the distribution of powers between the states and the federal government should be handled have been prominent from the beginning. The founders understood that this decision would have a lasting influence on the types of policies implemented as well as how the impact would be felt by citizens. Much would depend on whether the laws came from Washington DC or state capitals (Barbour and Wright, 78). In light of this, the Founders established the government of the United States based on an equitable distribution of powers between the federal and state governments, as outlined in the Constitution and the Tenth Amendment. However, in recent years, I believe the country has moved toward granting more power to the federal government. In this article, I argue that despite the current transition to a strong centralized government, a balanced system based on the federalism intended by the Founders is the best option for the distribution of power. A division of powers between the states and the federal government creates a system that is better equipped to meet the needs of its people. Each state has different needs and traditions from the other. Given these differences, moral pluralism should come into play in a federalist system, as Jonathan Rauch explains. Moral pluralism gives states the power to reach their own judgments on issues for which there is a lack of national moral consensus (Rauch, 104). For example, states would be divided into options on issues that address sensitive topics like abortion and same-sex marriage. Another concept presented by Rauch as a positive aspect of federalism for states is that of experimentation. As part of the experiment, states employ different policies based ...... middle of document ......in to emerge. In conclusion, a system based on balanced federalism was initially envisioned by the founders and is the best option for an effective system. government. It is essential that powers be distributed so that states handle state affairs and that the national government does not overstep its role as an organizational factor in the system. As for the recent shift towards a central government, one can only hope that the nation exercises caution in its evolution and that power returns to the balance between the federal and state governments. Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/18/states-join-obama-health-care-lawsuit-fla/ (accessed November 18, 2011). McClenaghan, William A. and Frank Abbott Magruder. Magruder's American government. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2010.