For those of you unaware, the state of Indiana is exercising, what appears to be their sovereign right to NOT use federal funds for abortions or abortion providers. From any realistic point of view, we understand that Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of abortions in the country. They ARE an abortion provider. Therefore, Indiana is withholding funds from Planned Parenthood. Of course, our current administration is strongly pro-abortion and is threatening to withhold 4 billion dollars in medicare funds, if Indiana does not provide funds for this abortion provider for other "primary services" which they render. If you'll remember, recently, Planned Parenthood representatives claimed that they provided free mammograms. After a canvassing of the entire country, it turns out they do not provide this service. Almost all of Planned Parenthood services and revenue come from abortions.
Now Indiana faces a dilemma, do they take a stand based on the will and morality and beliefs of the people of the state of Indiana or do they "cave" and ignore the wishes of their state and accept federal funds that really do pay for mammograms and other necessary services for the elderly and the needy in countless hospitals and clinics. This is a clear example of the complete loss of anything approaching state sovereignty.
Because of the efforts of well-intentioned men one-hundred and fifty-years ago to restore the Union and to free the slaves, we face this problem and in my opinion, tragedy today. No matter the "cause" of the war and the "good" that resulted from it, our "big government", federalist system with fifty vassal states is also a part of the legacy of the American Civil War.
Jim