Moderate & Liberal States REJECTING National Conservatism

[kpete]

December 5, 2005 latimes.com

Ronald Brownstein:
Washington Outlook
A Wave of Activism in States May Signal a Surge Nationwide


Today, conservative ideas focused on limiting government and cutting taxes are as powerful in most Republican-leaning states as they are in Washington. But in Democratic-leaning and swing states, experiments are developing that may headline the domestic agenda for the next president (either a Democrat or centrist Republican) committed to a more activist federal government.

Ideas sprouting in these states include a higher minimum wage (17 states exceed the national standard of $5.15 an hour), support for stem cell research that Bush has limited at the national level, universal preschool and guaranteeing all children access to healthcare.

Two of the most intriguing, and widespread, priorities in the activist states are the promotion of energy independence and the combating of global warming. Here the contrast with Washington is especially stark.

But the ideas now germinating in the states may increase the pressure on Washington to address these concerns — especially when the cycle in national politics next tilts back toward greater federal activism. When the countryside rumbles, sooner or later the capital always shakes.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-outlook5dec05,1,6246811.column?ctrack=1&cset=true

[ixion]

1. geez.. say 'activism' again... and GOP limiting government?

:wtf:

How the hell is that statement allowed to stand? This 'conservative' government has created the LARGEST DEPARTMENT IN US HISTORY. The * maladmin has spent more than ALL PRESIDENTS COMBINED. How is that conservative? How are they allowed to get away with talking about limited government when all they do is expand government and creat snarling bureaucracies?

I really don't 'get' civilization. :crazy:

[Bill McBlueState]

2. $5.15 an hour?

It's astounding that the federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. According to http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html, it's been that way since 1997, and the minimum wage when adjusted for inflation is the lowest it's ever been.

That more than many other things shows exactly what priority the federal government places on fighting poverty. How the hell can anyone survive on $5.15 an hour?

[TahitiNut]

7. Here ya go ...

[Toots]

3. I also love Connecticut's new Campaign Finance Laws.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. This is an important article -- evidence, I hope, that the great wheel...

is beginning to turn.

[wixomblues]

5. Liberals reject conservatism, water is wet, and the earth spins on.

Sorry, it just seemed to easy.

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. Those dirty, rotten, scumbag, unpatriotic, evil, traitorous

"rejectionists"!!!

That explains the push to get the newly coined term out there that was introduced last Friday.

[Marr]

8. It's only "limited gov't" in the sense that it DOESN'T FUNCTION.

Odd. All these Republicans out there "limiting" gov't, and somehow- SPENDING keeps going up.

They cut everything that benefits the general population, then hand that money (plus more) to their cronies and chosen corporate outlets.