Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the laws of this country.Why state law so different?
475598
Because the Constitution was set up that way. Certain powers are delegated to the federal government while others are delegated to the state or local governments. While states cannot go against the constitution (such as the bill of rights), they have great latitude in making laws tailored to their state.\n\nSome would say the fact that each state is different is a strength- people in Maine, California, Michigan, and Alabama all have different values. Why should they have the same laws ?
65986
Of course our rights stem from the Bill of Rights which amended the Constitution.  However, and more importantly, our rights are preserved by the "Rule of Law" and that depends on our Court system being independent of Congress or the Whitehouse.  Many countries had constitutions, lawyers and elections but lost their freedom when they lost the rule of law.  Nazi Germany is a good example.  I know of investors who shy away from investments in Russia today because they doubt that the rule of law there will protect their rights.  perhaps things will change for the better.
80588
Try FindLaw.com. It covers U.S. Constitution, U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulation, U.S. Supremem Court decisions, and just a ton of other stuff. There is also a breakdown on state codes and regulation.
200614
Read the constitution it's explained
159583
The constitution was written that way.  The Senate which is composed of two representatives from each state who were appointed by the state legislatures and was intended to represent the states.  The House of representitives which had a varied number of represetatives from each state loosley based upon population was intended to represent the people.  This resolved a dispute within the constitutional congress between federalists and anti-federalists.  \n\nThis all changed with the fourteenth amendment which coincidentally may not actually be legal since the states which had ceceded from the union prior to the civil war were coerced into signing.
1087466
A constitution is the blueprint of a society. It defines our structure, our essential rules and beliefs. It enshrines our culture and who and what we think we are. Therefore, the structure of a society is always determined by the strength of its constitution.\n   \nNo matter how many good people exist in America, no matter how many honourably intended acts of kindness are provided, poorly constructed constitutions will inevitably lead to poorly constructed societies and to sadness and evil.\n\nRead the Declaration of Independence. You will see that founders carefully placed a "future clause" calling upon generations to rise up and revolt if ever government became oppressive. That is why future amendments have since tried to stop this clause been effected by calling any call for social change and revolution "treason".
96269
Do you mean the constitution? A constitution is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of nation states, this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines its nation's fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people.
969564
The Founding Fathers built checks and balances into our system of government,but the constitution was based on the Bible. Diversity is a correlative, but not a cause.
349463
You are of course referring to Article 4 of the U.S. constitution....no cheating...you are going to have to read it to understand state's powers and limitations.....
896956
Federal trump state. State trumps local. Constitution trumps statute. Statute trumps case law.\n\nSo, from the top -- federal constitutional text, then US Supreme Court interpreting federal constitution, then federal statute, then other federal case law, then state constitution, etc....\n\nAs far as one state relative to another, neither is binding on the other.
246547
Uniform with what? Are you talking about the various state laws?\n\nState law makers were always free to make whatever laws that they wanted to govern their citizens. The ratification of the thirteenth amendment put a stop to making laws that infringe on our inalienable rights, so to speak. Ever since then the only restriction on the various states' laws have been a test of conflict with federal laws or if they unconstitutionally violate the rights of the citizens.\n\nNow, however, some states are working to make their laws more similar to other states' laws that serve a similar purpose by adopting model laws, which they are also free to amend if they want.\n\nThe bottom line is, if a person doesn't like the laws in one state, they can go to a different state that has different laws.
191456
The Amendments to the US Constitution; most State constitutions; state and federal laws.
1082594
A constitution is a system, often codified in a written document, which establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. In the case of countries this term refers specifically to a national constitution, which defines the fundamental political principles and establishes the power and duties of each government. Most national constitutions also guarantee certain rights to the people. Historically, before the evolution of modern codified national constitutions, the term constitution could be applied to any important law.
286099
What government are you talking about? For the U.S., check out http://www.findlaw.com/. It has the U.S. Constitution, U.S. Code, Federal Regulations, U.S. Supreme Court desisions, and a bunch more. There is even a section for State laws.
519035
try this:\n\nhttp://public.findlaw.com/library/state-laws.html
179886
The Constitution gives congress the power to make laws. States can also pass laws specific to there jurisdiction as long as the state law does not violate federal law. In cases where there is no federal law, states are free to come up with their own. An example that has had a lot of attention in recent years is the legalization of marijuana. Some states have past laws to make it legal but the federal government still says its a crime to possess it. If you live in a state where marijuana has been legalized, the federal government could still arrest you for violating federal law.
694761
You might do well to remember that the USA was founded on the separation of church and state.\nRemember this famous quote; "Freedom can be measured by the distance between the state and the church."