Who needs Washington?
Time magazine seems a bit surprised the fewer Americans want Washington's "help". In an article entitled "The End of Audacity [2]", they cite a "startling" poll showing just that...
...In today's hard economic times, something startling began showing up in public-opinion polls: fewer people than in the past wanted Washington to step in. In the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, only 23% of respondents said they trust the government "always or most of the time"--the smallest proportion in 12 years. The percentage of voters who think government should "do more to solve problems and meet the needs of people" has dropped 5 points since Obama's first weeks in office, while that of those who think government should leave more things "to businesses" rose 8 points. The shift is especially noticeable among independent voters, a small plurality of whom wanted government to "do more" after Obama took office; now--by a margin of 17--they think government does "too much".
I guess these guys need to get out in the real world more...
Don't Die Yet...
For those who are worried about the Death Tax helping Uncle Sam reach into your pocket beyond the grave, the Democrats just voted to make your "fear" permanent. As in permanently setting the estate tax at 45% [3]. Currently, it's set to go to zero in 2010, and then jump up to 55% in 2011 (yes, you read that right).
At the same time however, Pelosi has announced that she will NOT support a so-called "war tax" [4]. (apparently assuming voters will already have enough new taxes to blame Democrats for in next year's election).
No Gay Marriage in New York...
Traditional marriage supporters saw another important victory in New York State [5] this week, as that state's Senate voted against approving a gay marriage bill that had been passed by the House and was being pushed by their governor. The vote was 38-24. Given what happened in Maine this year, and California last year (both state's voters supporting traditional marriage ballot initiatives), and the fact that they're all up for re-election next year, the odds that they take it up again soon are probably low. (But keep up the pressure anyway).
Speaking of California [6], a major segment of gay marriage backers in that state have decided NOT to push for a 2010 "re-do" of last year's vote on Proposition 8, (where the state's voters overturned gay marriage). Most likely, they've looked at next years potential electoral landscape and decided the wind will be at the conservative's back...and they'd rather wait for 2012 when Obama's on the ballot again.
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