by Brian Weberg
State legislatures...the laboratories of democracy. How many times have you heard it? Well, it's as true today as ever. The Christian Science Monitor, in an article titled "Want to Beat Partisan Politics? Ask Your State Government," offers up a laundry list of examples of current actions being taken across the country by state lawmakers to solve difficult problems...all while Congress seems unable to cure its chronic political gridlock.
The article goes on to comment that "state lawmakers are shaping the legislative landscape of American life more than at any time in the past half century." The article adds additional praise for state lawmakers:
States often are described as legislative “laboratories of innovation.” Their willingness to experiment and cooperate, say experts, has become especially critical as the country seeks a way out of the economic crisis and as the public mood toward government has soured.
Many who observe state legislatures believe that state lawmakers and staff are tiring and growing increasingly frustrated in their work due to the pressures of economic recession, the weight of growing public cynicism toward government and the polarization of politics. In this article we have a reminder that great things continue to happen, and happen first, in the states. I recommend that everyone who works for a state government send a copy of the CSM article to one of their colleagues. It isn't often that the good news gets reported. Find a way to share it.
Good article, just one thing which I see so many writes guilty of the US is a Republic,
"For the Republic for which it stands" It is extremely bothersome to see the word democracy being misused over and over again by good and important writers! There is a huge difference.
Posted by: d.. | March 13, 2010 at 06:26 PM