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Wonder what Washington might look like if it were less polarized? Just look to Rhode Island. The political scientists Boris Shor and Nolan McCarty analyzed state legislative voting records from 1996 to 2013 and found Rhode Island had the least ideological difference between the typical Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
“Lots of Democrats here would be Republicans somewhere else, but they don’t feel they can win without a ‘D’ next to their name,” says Representative Brian Newberry, the minority leader of the six Republican members of the state’s 75-seat House of Representatives. Observers on the left agree. “In Rhode Island, the Democratic Party not only has a big tent, it has a circus tent,” says Robert Walsh, who leads the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Education Association.
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Most Democrats in Rhode Island's legislature are a bunch of gutless, corrupt DINOs. Very disappointing in what is supposed to be a "librul" state. How the heck did they get elected?
Most Democrats in Rhode Island's legislature are a bunch of gutless, corrupt DINOs. Very disappointing in what is supposed to be a "librul" state. How the heck did they get elected?
After 6 years in RI, you're wondering that?
Could also be that RIers aren't as "librul" as you think and want them to be.
But, perhaps you're right. How can one explain a librul state electing a hideous, amoral, right wing extremist monster like Republican Carcieri, who fleeced this state and left his mess for his successors, with "Democratic" support?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NY Times
One of the top political issues in the state over the last three years has been a decision to provide a $75 million loan guarantee to a video game company, 38 Studios, which filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving the state on the hook to pay its bills. Former Gov. Don Carcieri, a Republican, advanced the guarantee as a high-tech job creation measure in 2010 with strong support from the Democratic legislature, but nearly everyone agrees it was a boneheaded move in retrospect. “Horribly foolish,” as Mr. Walsh puts it.
This state has utterly inept, low-wattage politicians and the dismal economic conditions of this place reflect the God awful choices that voters have made over many, many years. It doesn't have to be this way. You see, we change change EVERYTHING by electing Smiley, the Water Commissioner, as mayor! (Oh, that's right, you can't vote in Rhode Island as you don't live here.) Water Commissioner!
This state has utterly inept, low-wattage politicians and the dismal economic conditions of this place reflect the God awful choices that voters have made over many, many years. It doesn't have to be this way. You see, we change change EVERYTHING by electing Smiley, the Water Commissioner, as mayor! (Oh, that's right, you can't vote in Rhode Island as you don't live here.) Water Commissioner!
So exactly what is your suggestion? Where do we find these guiding lights you envision to run for office?
So exactly what is your suggestion? Where do we find these guiding lights you envision to run for office?
I have no idea. As stated, the problem of bad government and poor selection of leaders by voters enabled this dysfunctional clown-car act started long ago. I mean, no one could possibly construct a less competent assembly of stooges and ganifs in mere years: it took decades to select this crop of rotten apples. Bad government is now part of Rhode Island's DNA. Congratulations, long-timers, you've well-served your state's state of affairs. Now fix this state that you claim to love. I wouldn't even know where to begin, it's so hosed. But doing the same things over and over and expecting different results is a pretty darned brilliant strategy, huh?
But, perhaps you're right. How can one explain a librul state electing a hideous, amoral, right wing extremist monster like Republican Carcieri, who fleeced this state and left his mess for his successors, with "Democratic" support?
Carcieri was a pretty good governor. Had he an effective GA that could actually get out of their own way, I'm sure he could have accomplished a lot more.
Now look at that RINO turned leftist-dolt in office now, doing nothing to lift the state from it's 50 out of 50 ranking in Unemployment.
Oddly enough, it seems most RIers align more with the Republicans in their views (or at least a Fung type Republican); yet consistently pull the lever for the D because "that's what their papa always did". Or they vote for selfish reasons. What can change that I don't know.
Seems to me that good people running for office will result in better government. We can only vote for those who run. (Write- ins are generally useless in terms of actually electing someone).
So, what's the point of complaining that the democratic system is flawed unless you have a better system to put in its place? And again, RI is not the only state where this phenomenon takes place. Look at Maine's governor- just to pick one small example.
Seems to me that good people running for office will result in better government. We can only vote for those who run. (Write- ins are generally useless in terms of actually electing someone).
So, what's the point of complaining that the democratic system is flawed unless you have a better system to put in its place? And again, RI is not the only state where this phenomenon takes place. Look at Maine's governor- just to pick one small example.
I'm in the discovery phase: first, one has to identify there is a problem, then define the problem, and then work toward a solution. I'm in phase four of the Kübler-Ross model: depression. I used to wave-off people who complained about bad government in Rhode Island, but they were right.
And, so far as I know, it's still okay (and completely legal) to complain. But I'd agree, Holly, endless whining without a prescription for improvement is pointless, but I haven't whined that much and indeed have been largely positive.
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