As Republicans gain power, enthusiasm for states' rights wanes

[Judi Lynn]

Saturday, January 3, 2004


As Republicans gain power, enthusiasm for states' rights wanes


By Jim Abrams / Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Traditionally the champions of small government and states’ rights, President Bush and his allies in Congress have aggressively pursued policies that expand the powers of Washington in the schoolroom, the courthouse, the home and the doctor’s office.

Sometimes over the objections of states -- and often at the behest of business -- Republicans have passed or are promoting legislation and regulations that make Washington the final arbiter on environmental standards, class-action lawsuits, medical malpractice cases and Internet taxes.

The extent to which this administration has subordinated states’ rights in carrying out its political agenda is “somewhat breathtaking,” said Michael Greve, who heads the Federalism Project at the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

Federal power has always been associated with Democrats, creators of the New Deal and supporters of the 1937 Supreme Court decision that gave Congress, with its authority to regulate interstate commerce, wide berth in entering areas that normally are the prerogative of states.
(snip/...)

http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0401/03/politics-25195.htm

[jamesinca]

1. So did balanced budgets

Well so did morality. I guess now that they are running and ruining the country they don't have to care anymore.

[Born Free]

2. They never cared about states rights...

This was just another code word to promote racism

[thinkingwoman]

14. I agree but disagree

Like you expressed with your post, I think the term "states rights" has been used by national republicans as code for racism and racist policies.

BUT, this is not what the term means to common man republicans, especially in the midwest. To defeat the stranglehold the republican party has on such voters, it is crucial that Dems understand the difference and how precious these beliefs are to the common man.

The common man (at least here in the midwest) that votes republican wants smaller government overall and a weaker federal government vs state government. The belief in local power and the feds staying out of the individual's private life is paramount and deeprooted.

[okieinpain]

21. sorry, but white repug males are only interested in state rights

to help them keep the n*****s and qu***s out of their schools, and neighborhoods. they are not interested in smaller government.

[izzie]

3. Interesting I must say. Did not Bush run on states rights?

This seems to be in line with this Leo Struass and his beliefs. The father figure running things under the name of God. I have not had time to read and study all his stuff but I am thinking these people sort of think like him. I had trouble finding any books at library and in inter-library loan. Have had to go to INTERNET and I just can not buy a lot of books, so it is slow going. I really had never heard of this man until at some of these town meeting people would yell out his name. It got my interest up. I guess he was at Univ. of Chicago and Ashcroft and others come from that school. I am really thinking we have a president that does not know what is going on around him and as he does not read and takes the news from lackeys he is snowed under. I read he was shocked on the trip to Asia people did not like him!!!!

[david_vincent]

15. Remember his trip to Brazil?

"Oh, do you have black people here too?"
Try used book stores for Leo Strauss, especially stores near universities or colleges. And you can shop for used books online at
www.abebooks.com

[RobertSeattle]

4. Sarcasm: This is Breaking News?

Republicans believe in personal responsibility, except when it applies to themselves.

Republicans believe in the "Rule of Law", unless the Rule of Law gets in their way.

Republican believe in limited Judicial Power ("Judicial Activism"), unless it is Judicial Activism for something they support.

Republicans believe in "States Rights", unless they have Federal Power to overrule something in a State they don't like.

Republicans believe in limited Presidential Executive Privilege, except when a Republican is the President.

Republicans believe in Privacy, except when it comes to a woman's body, sex between consenting adults, and what you read in a library.

Republicans believe that extramarital sex is bad, unless you are a Republican and get caught, then it is a youthful indiscretion.

Republicans believe the abortion should be banned, except for wealthy Republicans who can fly to a country that allows abortions to have one.

Republicans believe Homosexuals are OK, but homosexuals acts are bad.

Republicans believe that lying is bad, unless it is about going to War, the Budget, or what you are going to do as President.

Republicans believe lawsuits are bad, unless they need to file a lawsuit, especially in regards to vote counting.

Republicans believe in limited government spending, unless it is in their district, State, or for a big campaign contributor.

Republicans believe illegal immigration is bad, except for illegal immigrants who work in their industry for low wages and no benefits.

Republicans believe in supporting the military, except during their youth when they would have to serve.

Republicans believe in a balanced budget, except when they have to do the balancing.

Republicans believe in swift Senate Judicial confirmations, except when a Democrat is President.

Republicans believe criticism of the President is OK, unless the President is a Republican, then it's unpatriotic.

Republicans believe in separation of church and state, unless the church is fundamentalist Christian.

Republicans believe that it is technologically feasible to build a missile shield around the United States but not make an SUV that gets 30 MPG.

Republicans believe in phasing out social programs unless it's school vouchers, faith-based initiatives, and corporate handouts.

Republicans believe that government surveillance of private citizens is bad, unless you are a Democrat or Mid East ancestry

Republicans believe that Billionaire's are geniuses, except when they are against your Republican economic/tax policies - then they are fools.

Republicans believe in opposing preferential treatment in college admissions unless you're rich or a child of an alumnus.

Republicans believe drugs should be illegal unless it's nicotine, alcohol, or prescription drugs from your pharmaceutical contributors

Republicans believe in free trade unless other countries benefit from it.

Republicans believe in fighting terrorism unless it limits a person's ability to buy assault rifles.

Republicans believe the tax code shouldn't pick "winners and losers" unless you a "rich" winner.

Republicans believe Presidents don't have any impact on the economy - unless they can somehow attribute a good economy to a Republican President

Republicans believe "Nation Building" is bad, unless they do it.

Republicans believe in Trickle Down Economics, even though there is no proof it works.

[0007]

9. I knew deep down that I could never be a republican,

and you Robert just stated all those reasons, LOL!!

[lostnfound]

11. Impressive list -- was that yours?!! If so, incredible.

If not, thanks for sharing.

[RobertSeattle]

17. Just been tabulating it over the years

Some DU'ers offered some of their own.

[young_at_heart]

23. Thanks.....I've sent this to friends and family

VERY impressive list.......good work!

[dbt]

5. Any Repug credibility on 'States' Rights' vanished on 12/12/2000!

That was the dark day when the Extreme Court decided that Democracy could not be left up to the states!

It was such an IMPORTANT decision that the Five Traitors could not bring themselves to sign off on it.

Moreover, they felt led to declare that it could not be used as precedent in future cases.

Yeah, right!

:grr:
dbt

[indypaul]

16. And the "waning" of the

Bill Of Rights followed in January 2001 when these
zealots took and commenced to neglect their oaths of office.

[Robbien]

6. And this highlights the breakdown of the Repub party

More of those conservative guys should be raising up in anger just about now. This is definitely an issue. Candidates should take note. The oppressed media is trying to send subtle clues from under the right wing blanket thrust upon them (or one for which they were paid handsomely).

[lostnfound]

12. Interesting that this is coming out of the AEI, though

I can just imagine, the guy was likely given charge of 'the Federalism project' during the Clinton administration, and being a true believer in what he was doing, he published it anyway, despite the fact that it's now counterproductive for the neocons.

I can imagine there's some rifts going on there now -- good!

[xchrom]

7. smoke and mirrors

this was/is the goal all along.
it started with reagan.
as long as they are in control they will set the extreme agenda that they have in mind.
much of the agenda is decided outside of the direct political arena in right wing think tanks and corporate board rooms.
well it's in fact all corporate -- except for those parts meant to appeal to the religous right.

[ClintonTyree]

8. The religous right..................

is just as corporate. Pat Robertson's empire is a shining example of that. Gold mines, diamond mines, corporate jets and a host of other corporate endeavors, all in the Lord's name, and all exempt from Satan's own messenger; the IRS.

[xchrom]

10. agreed -- up to a point

there's a machieavellian twist though.
the dis-believing ruling elite{regard as corporate america} is manipulating the ''believing, virtuous'' masses.
they encourage the mindlessness that accompanies the so called religous right.
to some limited extent the religous right is aware of this unholy union and believes they can mitigate and use corporations. but much to their chagrin, they won't be laughing last if things continue as they are.

[bluestateguy]

13. They don't support states rights

When states decide to legalize gay marriage, medicinal marijuana, asissted suicide or abortion suddenly Republicans demand that Washington D.C. intervene and trample on the states.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

18. Great post! I hope it gets read by the swing voters. n/t

[young_at_heart]

19. States' rights, individual rights......none matter to these "leaders"

It would be nice if we could get a few corporate heads to recognize the dangers of a corporate-owned country!

[SayitAintSo]

20. Great article ... Sent it to my repub family...

With the note ... Be careful what you vote for ....

[Gman]

22. They GOP abandoned states rights for good with Bush v Gore

The SCOTUS stuck its nose into Florida's business and voided FL's right to conduct an election as it sees fit.

[IndianaGreen]

24. Conservatism is a fraud

Conservatist are always preaching about keeping government off people's backs and away from their wallots, a favorite phrase of Ronald Reagan. The truth is that conservatives are only opposed to big liberal government. They love bigger conservative governments.

Conservatives have increased the power of the executive with PATRIOT Act, destroying the Bill of Rights and the Constitutional checks and balances.

Conservatives have turn the Presidency into a new American Caesar. Like the Roman Caesars, Bush can go to war against any country under the flimsiest of pretexts knowing that there is no one in the rubber-stamp Congress to challenge him.

Conservatives have expanded the role of the federal government in what had been hitherto private family matters: Partial birth abortion ban, morning after pill ban, DOMA, etc.