even as the economy recovers.

Huh???

Well, I guess the survivors of the Titanic recovered, and so did the survivors of Hiroshima as well as Haiti so I suppose it depends at how you look at it.

We can’t delegate some issues all the way down to county or city level, because of the horrible legal mishmash that would result. So the balance of mobility and jurisdiction for things like abortion must remain at the state level.

Dark-Star on February 3, 2010 at 4:18 PM

Correct, some issues do not warrant being pushed down to the county level. Abortion is one that I would say no lower than the state level, and no higher than the state level. The people of the state, though, should determine which level of government for “stuff”. Hopefully they will choose wisely.

But our current system of winner-take-all is creating a hostile environment, because those on the losing side would have to leave the country, as national-level laws can’t be changed that often.

Yes it is IMHO. Now which political ideology should create the biggest “tent” of voters? Which ideology does not preclude one group of people or another from implementing their ideas for government?

Progrssive statist ideology does not provide me and like minded people to implement a free market, free society state aking to what existed when our country was founded. My federalists limited government principles do not preclude a state from being the opposite of what I desire (e.g., see CA, MA).

Progressives and statists should embrace federalism. It provides them their best opportunity and means to implement their ideas in states that they control.

MobileVideoEngineer on February 3, 2010 at 11:18 AM

Agree with your thought that The Unprecedented wouldn’t mind in the least if we peasants knew less about his Administration’s goings-on. Speaking for myself, however, I have no intention of granting him his wish.

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

WashJeff on February 3, 2010 at 1:34 PM

I’d add that they deserve to ‘vote with their feet’ in a reasonable capacity.

We can’t delegate some issues all the way down to county or city level, because of the horrible legal mishmash that would result. So the balance of mobility and jurisdiction for things like abortion must remain at the state level.

But our current system of winner-take-all is creating a hostile environment, because those on the losing side would have to leave the country, as national-level laws can’t be changed that often.

A refreshingly unique perspective by Lt. Daniel Kaffee. Daniel Kaffee, a life-long friend,  has an extensive background in finance and will be guest-authoring at the Raw Deal from time to time. I am honored to share his practical insights with you, my …

Analysts expect a gain of 5,000 jobs and an uptick in unemployment to 10.1%.

I would like to meet this Mr. Analysts, who constantly has the numbers wrong, needs revisions several times for each number, and yet everybody still quotes him all the time.

What is his secret?

And I’m sure that if all they did was cut taxes and lower the deficit all this would just go away…

ernesto on February 3, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Oddly enough, for once in his life, ernesto has accidently stumbled onto the truth.

He also advised motorists to stop driving their Toyotas until the problem is fixed.

hawksruleva on February 3, 2010 at 11:09 AM

Is there no one in this administration who aspires to competance?

Dusty on February 3, 2010 at 1:24 PM

Yes, I saw that “may”. Odd number for a guesstimate. The official number comes out tomorrow.

Decentralization should be item #1 on any political activists agenda, left wing or right wing.

ernesto on February 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Totally agree. Progressives will have an easier time getting UNiversal Health Care at the state level. They have already won battles in some states (e.g., MA).

Why make the fight harder by trying to get a little more the half the population to agree your position? Does not make sense to me?

From a conservative side, I would tell the country:

- On abortion: I want Roe v Wade overturned. The federal government has no power to ban a state from allowing abortions or banning them.
- On Health care: If universal health care is great for the economy and the people, please do not wait for the national government to do it. Our form of government allows state’s to create such plans with no constitutional or other issues.
- Gun laws: I catch some slack for this position, but the 2nd amendment to me only applies to the federal congress and not the states; though, every state constitution seems to duplicate the second amendment. State X wants to ban guns, change your constitution and do it.

What’s that line… Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

STOP DRIVING NOW: Owners of recalled TOYOTA cars being told by feds to seek repair immediately…

DON’T STOP DRIVING NOW: Lahood Says Earlier Comment on TOYOTA Was ‘Misstatement’…

As Glenn would say, “We’re in the best of hands.”

It’s up on Drudge now and linking to a Bloomberg report but, FWIW, the report says “Government May Lose”.

Calling Captain Renault!

That poor bunny wabbit…… How is he going to feed his young ones?

UltimateBob on February 3, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Obowma’s redistributed wealth. The rabbit will go on welfare for almost two years, have 10 more kids and receive state financing for all of them at a taxpayer cost of $1,500 per child. Obowma will say it’s due to rabbits having been discriminated against at all those fancy- schmantzy dinners where they are the main course.

God gravy! It’s a wonder you idiots don’t cross against traffic lights on a regular basis. Well, you would if it weren’t for the little “Walk” “Don’t Walk” lights at every street corner.

csdeven on February 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM

First of all, im from new york we cross against the light all the damn time…keeps the senses sharp ;-)

Anyway, why so mad? I was being pretty facetious…and even in the face of that you didn’t make an actual point. You argued against increasing the debt, when I hadn’t recommended that at all. You didnt say why cutting the deficit would help urban employment, you made no point at all. You should learn to focus, and maybe lighten up a little bit.

WashJeff on February 3, 2010 at 12:24 PM

I’m inclined to agree, actually…though these days I wonder why more people don’t take those ideas to their logical conclusion.

Decentralization should be item #1 on any political activists agenda, left wing or right wing.

If the goal is absolute liberty and unfettered capitalism, one can apply anarchic principles with a focus on municipalities rather than larger governments to achieve it.

If the goal is a sustainable future system, one can apply anarchic principles with a focus on local voluntary collectives and technology rather than larger institutions to achieve it.

But certainly, one has to wonder why republicanism is so quick to scold democrats for their imposed schemes when the GOP would just as easily impose their own.

And I’m sure that if all they did was cut taxes and lower the deficit all this would just go away…

ernesto on February 3, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Moron. The first step is cutting taxes and reducing the deficit. The last resort would be saddling future generations with unsustainable debt. Obama, and you idiot minions of his, have it backwards. But this is your default psychological reality. Up is down, down is up, bad is good, good is bad, and fiscally responsibility is wrong.

God gravy! It’s a wonder you idiots don’t cross against traffic lights on a regular basis. Well, you would if it weren’t for the little “Walk” “Don’t Walk” lights at every street corner.

Just asking, are there still tons of positions listed in the local fishwraps and on online jobsites in your area as well? Because I’m starting to suspect they’re as phony as a nine-dollar bill.

Dark-Star on February 3, 2010 at 10:58 AM

I’ve had several conversations with recruiters about this very subject. Often job reqs don’t get pulled in a timely fashion and the boards repost them after 30 days. Some are come ons as well and some alas are being used by companies to justify an H1-B hire, who work for considerably less than an equally skilled citizen.

For the record I have no problem with hiring H1-B candidates provided American citizens are fully employed, but the entire purpose for that guest worker program is to help employers find skilled workers. In our current circumstance this justification for hiring foreign workers is invalid.

And I’m sure that if all they did was cut taxes and lower the deficit all this would just go away…

ernesto on February 3, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Problems will never go away, but smaller government will mean problems will be solved at the local level and not be nationalized. Solved by people you hae a vested interest in the solution, not someone that is 2500 miles away.

Did you ever watch the John Adams miniseries that was on HBO a couple years ago? If not, watch it. It is great. Better yet, read the book. But in one of the opening scenes John Adams and others in Boston think there is a fire, turns out to be the Boston Massacre, and everyone runs to help out. That does not happen today because we have outsourced caring for others to governments.

Don’t take this as “get rid of the fire deparment,” but the more government does for society, the less people feel attached to their community, state, and country.