Trump's budget puts Washington in its place

The White House's budget covers hundreds of federal agencies and $3 trillion in spending, so there is plenty in there to like and dislike.

Most budget commentary criticizes or praises this cut or that hike, or defends or assails this agency or that program. This sort of Beltway budget banter is all well and good, even though the details are likely to change dramatically before a budget resolution is passed.

But President Trump's blueprint tells a more important story to the close reader. The bigger question isn't what agency needs how much money. It's not even about efficiency.

The bigger question is this: Which activities are properly performed by the federal government, and which activities are properly left to other bodies, such as states, local governments, the private sector or nonprofit organizations?

For much of the Washington news media, cutting federal funding for something is the same as opposing that thing. Trump's budget, however, makes a distinction that these critics miss. Federal funding should be for things that are best done by the federal government. Many things are better done at a level of government closer to the individual, or even outside government altogether.