The Problem of "Big" Government

As summarized by Ethan Leib at Prawfsblawg:

Gar Alperovitz had a very provocative and thoughtful op-ed in yesterday's NYT. The central point was that this country is getting too big for centralized government and that it should come as no surprise that big states and regions are getting bolder in efforts at self-governance. California and its ambitions to address health care, trade, and global warming issues might be seen as exemplary.

I've had similar thoughts, but never tried to flesh them out. Makes sense instinctively, though.