I was looking at some of the Ballot Initiatives, which might be a better indicator of underlying trends in the U.S. electorate.
In Washington State, initiatives to privatize liquor sales failed, as did one to privatize Workmen's Compensation. Good outcomes imho. A move to remove Sales Taxes on some items like candy and soft drinks passed.. which again i thought was a good thing, sales taxes being regressive and economically enervating. Unfortunately an initiative to impose progressive income taxes on those earning over $200m also failed, which means a big shortfall looms in balancing their budget.
California voters took the sensible step of NOT approving the legalization of marijuana, meaning that the state won't have to deal with a plague of zombies on the road and in the workplace, or at least less so. Unfortunately a ballot initiative to repeal completely unnecessary anti AGW legislation also failed, even in the wake of increasing evidence as to the fraudulent nature of the whole Anthropogenic Global Warming fiasco.
Iowa voters tossed out of office 3 of their High Court Justices, the first such rebellion since 1962, for arrogantly imposing the abomination of homosexual marriage on the state, in direct contravention of the popular sentiments on the issue.
So at this level i think it is a mixed bag. The libertarian nonsense of the Tea Party has not established any kind of hegemony in the offices of the land. They just appeal, like many shortlived political phenomena, to voter anger and confusion.
In Washington State, initiatives to privatize liquor sales failed, as did one to privatize Workmen's Compensation. Good outcomes imho. A move to remove Sales Taxes on some items like candy and soft drinks passed.. which again i thought was a good thing, sales taxes being regressive and economically enervating. Unfortunately an initiative to impose progressive income taxes on those earning over $200m also failed, which means a big shortfall looms in balancing their budget.
California voters took the sensible step of NOT approving the legalization of marijuana, meaning that the state won't have to deal with a plague of zombies on the road and in the workplace, or at least less so. Unfortunately a ballot initiative to repeal completely unnecessary anti AGW legislation also failed, even in the wake of increasing evidence as to the fraudulent nature of the whole Anthropogenic Global Warming fiasco.
Iowa voters tossed out of office 3 of their High Court Justices, the first such rebellion since 1962, for arrogantly imposing the abomination of homosexual marriage on the state, in direct contravention of the popular sentiments on the issue.
So at this level i think it is a mixed bag. The libertarian nonsense of the Tea Party has not established any kind of hegemony in the offices of the land. They just appeal, like many shortlived political phenomena, to voter anger and confusion.
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