Federal Government > State Government
The rationale for this is that we live in a global world and need collective responses to global challenges. Instead of there being a Utah response and a Virginia response to the need for more STEM graduates, there should be a US response. Economies of scale also come into play. It can cost less and be more efficient to have resources centralized.
State Government > Federal Government
America was founded after a revolution rejected a strong central monarchy and America needs to continue to honor that by allowing citizens in Utah to have different approaches than Virginia. When convenient, the states can choose to collectively band together on issues like defense but that should be the exception and not the rule.
Western land claim which gave the new settlers a beacon of hope that they could make a future in the west.
