Now I guess we'll see what the fallout is. I'm reserving judgment for a couple of days.
Won't stop me from having a stiff bracer, but I'm reserving judgment.
Let me note that I don't consider Bush a Republican. *I* am a Republican. Going into debt over $500 Billion dollars in a single year while shepherding the largest expansion of government in 40 years even as the Constitution is thrashed by introducing religion in to politics is NOT a Republican ideal.
In Colorado, local state election information is interesting. We voted for a Republican president, have a Rep. Gov, but will likely have a Democrat State Senate & House.
Colorado passed a $4 Billion light-rail and public transit measure, very cool. Helps: the poor, environment, sprawl, smog, long-term infrastructure costs.
Colorado passed an 80 cent a pack tobacco tax to improve our health ($160 Million a year will be generated for smoking-related education, etc.). Helps: health of individuals, healthcare costs for everyone else, the poor.
Colorado renewed a tax to fund the Scientific & Culturual Facilities District again, a great way to dole out cash to museums and whatnot around town. Helps: wealthy, children, and everyone who bothers to take advantage of these facilities (Zoo, railroad museum in Golden, Art Museum, etc.), and the poor since it makes great culture inexpensive.
Colorado also passed a 10% Renewable Energy requirement for the public utilities, which is very far-sighted and I expect to actually save us money down the road along with being environmentally friendly. Helps: war on terrorism (reduces energy needs and payments to foreign countries), poor since it will lower costs locally, and the environment.
So, it's interesting.
On a personal and local level (pretty much all education bonds and taxes also passed in each county) we're very giving, progressive, environmentally aware, care about our health and the whole bit.
On a national level, we want hard-nosed, death-penalty approving security nuts.
Go figure. Are we a bunch of psychotics or what? That's what I'll be spending a couple days to think about.
Posted by BilFish at November 3, 2004 08:15 AM