Interesting

[MikeBjerum]

I have C-SPAN on again today as I work on calls.  Right now Bruce Katz (Brookings Institute) is on talking about the failings of the Joint Deficit Reduction Committee and what can be done.  He referred to a book written by another speaker, Alice Rivlin, who is also from the Brookings Institute.  Her book was written about 20 years ago if I understood.

He says her book is more on track today than it was two decades ago in its advice that the local and state governments are better for dealing with projects and economic enhancement.

Less by feds and more closer to home?  Is this really a new idea?  I thought this is what this once great nation was originally founded on.  United States of America!  States united!  Not United America or as so many call us, America.  We are fifty individual states forming one nation.

[Solus]

I have C-SPAN on again today as I work on calls.  Right now Bruce Katz (Brookings Institute) is on talking about the failings of the Joint Deficit Reduction Committee and what can be done.  He referred to a book written by another speaker, Alice Rivlin, who is also from the Brookings Institute.  Her book was written about 20 years ago if I understood.

He says her book is more on track today than it was two decades ago in its advice that the local and state governments are better for dealing with projects and economic enhancement.

Less by feds and more closer to home?  Is this really a new idea?  I thought this is what this once great nation was originally founded on.  United States of America!  States united!  Not United America or as so many call us, America.  We are fifty individual states forming one nation.

You are exactly right.   Problem is neither of the two major parties are likely to ever head back that way.  Their reasoning is simple:   If everything is better if it is done locally and the less we do the better the country runs, how will we ever become the rulers of this country?  Everyone will look at us as public servants rather than as their masters.

[JC5123]

I remember reading something (I believe it was in Patriots) about a shift in the way we see ourselves as a republic. As long as I have been alive, we have been referred to as THE United States. In Rawles book, he talks about a shift, small by significant, referring to us as THESE United States. Inferring that while we have banded together as a nation, each state still holds it's own sovereignty as equally if not more important. 

[fightingquaker13]

Remember though guys, this hasn't been a one way power grab. A lot of state pols are happy to see the feds take charge. Why? Its about money and taxes. If most of the soveriegnty lay with the states, so would the responsibilty of raising revenue to support these programs. How many Florida or New Hampshire pols want to say "We need a state income tax"? Even if the federal tax rate were correspondingly reduced, local and state officials couldn't promise all that "free" stuff and it Tallahasse sending you the bill, not DC. Then there is the little matter of the majority of states getting more federal tax money then they pay. That would stop, and states would have to live within their own means. Good for Vermont or New York, but it would suck to be Alaska as the welfare train would stop. I'm not saying any of this is a bad idea, just pointing out that the state officials only complain about this stuff when it suits their interests.
FQ13

[MikeBjerum]

FQ,

This isn't a popularity contest.  This is about doing the right thing and acting like grown ups.  This is the stuff the Courts are supposed to catch and send back when the Legislative and Executive branches screw up.  Problem is that we have filled all three branches with spoiled brats looking out for their own best interests instead of the could of the Republic 

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

FQ,

This isn't a popularity contest.  This is about doing the right thing and acting like grown ups.  This is the stuff the Courts are supposed to catch and send back when the Legislative and Executive branches screw up.  Problem is that we have filled all three branches with spoiled brats looking out for their own best interests instead of the could of the Republic 

True, but elections (and for that matter revolutions) are a popularity contest. Don't ever expect a politician to do something that they don't benefit from. Madison got that. We just need, if you prefer a state centric approach, to  sell the idea to the voters. Until there is a popular demand for it, including understanding its cost,s its dead. Its one reason I rolled my eyes at Palin. She was Miss state's rights and federalism. If Alaskans thought they would have seen a drastic reduction in tax revenue from the lower 48 I'm not sure she would have been elected dog catcher. The same is true in places like WV, Indiana, Mississsippi and other bastions of federalism. Well, at least until folks there get the bill. Its not the politicians here, but rather the voters you have to convince.
FQ13

[JC5123]

Remember though guys, this hasn't been a one way power grab. A lot of state pols are happy to see the feds take charge. Why? Its about money and taxes. If most of the soveriegnty lay with the states, so would the responsibilty of raising revenue to support these programs. How many Florida or New Hampshire pols want to say "We need a state income tax"? Even if the federal tax rate were correspondingly reduced, local and state officials couldn't promise all that "free" stuff and it Tallahasse sending you the bill, not DC. Then there is the little matter of the majority of states getting more federal tax money then they pay. That would stop, and states would have to live within their own means. Good for Vermont or New York, but it would suck to be Alaska as the welfare train would stop. I'm not saying any of this is a bad idea, just pointing out that the state officials only complain about this stuff when it suits their interests.
FQ13

You will notice it's always the states that are drowning in their own liberal utopias. Read RED INK They can't manage their own state budgets because they have buried themselves with too many freebies to the public. California is a perfect example.

[twyacht]

There was recent research of liberal/republican cities, counties, states,...etc,......in regards to standard of living, overall prosperity, and jobs.

What political party would be associated with the worst data, based on criteria above?

Hint:

There has NEVER, and I mean NEVER been a Rep. Mayor of which Michigan Major City?....

Which Western State, has had a Democratic Majority at the State Legislative level for decades?....(Associated with a small County of officials that made more in annual salary, than the POTUS)....

Which of the Countries smallest New England States indebtedness to State employee's retirement benefits and pensions, far surpasses one of the Countries largest States, (and no it's not Alaska.)

I'll have to find the report, in my stack of bookmarks, but it's too obvious to deny...

OBTW FQ, NY wouldn't make it 6 months without Federal Funding. Look at the states with a majority of "D"'s......

[MikeBjerum]

FQ,

You keep confusing what should be done with what is done!

This is one of the areas that makes me want term limits.  Once in office, many officials keep their jobs by bringing home all the dollars they can get their dirty hands on.  That is not what government or elected office is about!  These people are elected to office to do a job.  Their focus is to be on that job and not the next election.  This is why I hate it when a candidate or elected official supports their position or actions on the polls.

I have always compared a Republic to a family:  Our elected officials are in place to act like parents.  It is their job to do what is best for us in the long term whether we like it or not.  As adult children, we do not need our parents in our day to day life, but we still treasure their wisdom, and it is the same with government:  They are not there to take care of our day to day needs, but they are there to make sure our government has our backsides covered for generations to come.

Just as many parents want to be friends with their children, our elected officials want to be our best drinking buddies.  They want us sitting beside them, and they assure that will happen by keeping an open tab with the bartender.  We need parents that act like parents and we need leaders that lead!

FQ, you may not vote for people that will act in the best interest of our nation, but I try to!

[fightingquaker13]

You will notice it's always the states that are drowning in their own liberal utopias. Read RED INK They can't manage their own state budgets because they have buried themselves with too many freebies to the public. California is a perfect example.

You mean states like Wyoming? Sorry JC, you get $1.11 back for every dollar you pay. Here's a ranking amomg the states.
FQ13 who will note that Florida is subsidizing you at $.03 on the dollar. GET A JOB WYOMING!

PS TW, New York only got back $.79 on every dollar paid out.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/fedspend_per_taxesbystate-20071009.swf