State vs Fed
I don't see the question of federal vs. state government as an 'either / or' one. It depends on the individual issue in question. I think states would better manage those issues that fall entirely within their borders, but those are becoming fewer. Should Missouri be allowed to dump raw sewage in the Mississippi River just upstream from their border with Arkansas? if not, do you expect the states would work that out for themselves without federal intervention?
States aren't choosing each others' representatives, or telling them how to run their elections below the federal level. 3/4 of state legislatures agreed to change the method of selecting senators; they willing ceded that power to the electorate. The Senate is still made up of two people from each state, preserving the balance of equal representation. Does being chosen directly by the people make senators less responsive to their states' needs than being chosen by the home legislatures?
You asked if a federal government should be stronger than state governments. Should state government be stronger than its citizens?
