some things have happened first in states.

有些事情是在州首开先河的
Women's suffrage happened in states first,

女性投票权的先例是在若干州
and then grew over time

然后逐渐增加
into finally a federal right to vote for women.

最终变成联邦权力[女性有投票权]
There are many other cases.

还有很多其它的例子
States' rights is not always a conservative or reactionary idea.

州权力并不是都是保守传统的观念
It is sometimes a progressive idea.

有时候甚至是种进步思想
One might believe in more local state control--

人们可能更信任地方州管理
but to what end, for what purpose,

但其极限是什么目的是什么
to advance what issue, cause, what principle?

能够促进那些问题依据那些原则
Just make your list of issues.

要是列一张问题清单
And where would you start first,

你该从何开始