American Government CLEP Prep Practice Exam

The power to establish post offices is indeed a responsibility reserved for the states, as it aligns with the principles established in the Constitution concerning state powers. According to the Tenth Amendment, any powers that are not specifically delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution are reserved for the states. While the federal government does have certain powers such as coining money, regulating commerce, and declaring war, states maintain authority over various social, economic, and administrative matters, including the establishment and maintenance of post offices within their jurisdiction.

This reflects the balance of power that the framers of the Constitution sought to achieve between federal and state authorities, ensuring that states could manage local services and infrastructure, such as postal systems, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Thus, the correct choice illustrates the role of states in handling certain functions that directly affect their populations.