Do you have any idea how much of those systems were developed with little or no Federal control? Despite the recent deification of government, national coordination of large technological systems, believe it or not, does not require Federal government control at the top level.

As just one example, the North American power grid reached its present form, including interstate connections, with only minimal Federal input. Note the list of private, non-profit organizations that handle the complex issues of ensuring electrical access across the nation. Much of the current Federal regulation in this area is less than 20 years old.

States and private companies DID and DO set up their own telecommunications networks.

Most of the water system in California was constructed and paid for by California. Some projects, like Hoover Dam, were Federal, and there was a lot of Federal input into dams created across major interstate rivers and waterways.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no Federal Department of Sewers.

The interstate highway system is almost the only highway system constructed by the Federal government. Even labeled U.S. highways across the nation are handled by each individual state. It's good to hear that the interstate highway system is responsible for our economic growth. As we all know, prior to the 1960s we were a third-world nation riding goat carts.

In recent years, states have sucked money off the Federal government for things they did themselves through most of our history. That just proves the point that the Federal involvement isn't essential, just politically convenient.

Where does the idea that nothing on Earth can be done without Washington D.C. come from? This overriding lust to have everything in existence controlled by Federal Czars? Is this from too much T.V. news? Is it some weird signal being broadcast that I miss by not watching television?