Final answer:
The reserved powers given to the states are broad as evidenced by their autonomy in regulating intrastate commerce and marriage, and by the Tenth Amendment, which reserves any un-delegated power to the states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The broad nature of reserved powers can be understood by two main facts:
- Firstly, states have the authority to pass laws on a wide range of topics, including intrastate commerce and marriage regulations. Such powers demonstrate the states' ability to govern themselves in many aspects of daily life that are not specifically addressed at the federal level.
- Secondly, although certain powers are shared with the federal government, such as the power to levy taxes, the Tenth Amendment guarantees that any power not specifically delegated to the federal government is reserved to the states or the people. This provides a broad spectrum of potential legislative areas where states can operate independently of the federal government.
Together, these facts underscore the vast scope of state autonomy and the complexity of the balance of power between state and federal levels in the U.S. government system. Examples include how states can create policies that reflect the preferences of their residents, subject to the constraints of the Constitution and federal law, as seen in cases like Obergefell v. Hodges (2015).