I think that federalism is efficient in the regards that it allows the the individual states to create their own laws that effect their own citizens and property or to take federal laws and have the capability of making the laws more stringent. As stated in the podcast if one state makes a change to a federal law that has a positive impact, other states may follow suit. On the other hand if they fail, the federal government didn't create a law and expend resources to try to implement and enforce the law. 

I do believe that our government should be efficient in order to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people. If it weren't efficient obviously resources that could be used in a better situation are now "useless". One area that I have seen this in recent history (the last couple weeks and currently) the Trump administration trying to stop California from being able to create more restrictive in regards to emission standards. This is wasteful for the current administration to do this because overall California is trying to create better consumer and industry practices.