1. I agree with Kettl's description of federalism. The flexibility that federalism has can be used to explain a multitude of its characteristics. For example, we see the flexibility of federalism by the way that it works between state and national governments to tackle a multitude of problems. We can also use the flexibility of federalism to describe the give-and-take relationship between state and national government, for if an issue seems too large for state officials, the national government is able to step in and aid or address the issue at hand.
2. I disagree and agree with the use of grants in this way. It allows the federal government to undermine or bribe state officials to follow or "obey" in a way that benefits the federal government's plan. We saw this when the legal drinking age was changed from 18 to 21 when it was a state's choice to change the law, but the federal government wanted it to be a national change. For the states that pushed back on the law change, the national government held that states funding for things such as roads, etc. until they voted in favor of the national government's demands. But this can also be used to promote a state's desire to vote in favor of social problems such as civil rights. The use of grants depends on if it is used in harming and undermining, or promoting and helping states.
3. If I were to change any aspect of federalism, it would be for the people to fight or defend our cases against officials, much like a trial with a jury before any radical or large policy changes, such as the threat to women's rights at the moment. If states could allow for the people to gather and fight for their rights before allowing them to vote on them, it could possibly persuade them before they make choices that impact people and their lives directly. This would be primarily for state and local government officials. This would be "for the people". Also, no laws should be made with an argument backed by religion for the separation, and church and state have already been written in the constitution. 