How does the Supremacy Clause apply to state laws?

Question

Why is it important that the state laws be subordinate to the federal laws? Should there be limitations and why?

Answer 1

Article 6 section 2 of the Constitution established the " Supremacy

Clause. It sets up a ladder of laws of how Constitutional

Amendments, Laws, and Treaties of the federal, State, and even Local

Governments are to be enforced.

1. The Federal Constitution is 1st. Anything which conflicts with the

    Constitution or an a Constitutional Amendment is void--

    unconstitutional.

2. Federal Law  The newer of 2 or more conflicting laws is the one

     obeyed.

3. Federal Treaty

4. State Constitution  

5. State law  

             States are NOT allowed to make Treaties

  6. Local Law

      To answer your question. The idea that the States agreed to when

      they ratified the national Constitution was that the People were

      supreme. Read the preamble of the Constitution again. " WE THE

      PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES" not we the States of the

       United States . The people decided to make the National

      Government more powerful than the States. The Federal

      Government when it acts represents ALL the people of the USA

      not just 1 State. The Constitution already limits the power of the

     National Government. Read the 10th Amendment. All Power not

     given to the National Government nor banned from being given to

    the States shall be given to the States.

     Some examples of this are in Public Education, Driving (licenses

     speed limits for example), marriage Laws, Divorce Laws, and Laws

     pretaining to Alcohol Consumption.

Answer 2

That is how a federal government works.  Look at the 9 amendment to the US Constitution.