Start a revolution at the state level

[yvr girl]

Most of the social policies that we enjoy in Canada have their roots in the NDP party. The NDP has never been more than a third party on the federal level. Yet, still they have had great influence.

Why. Tommy Douglas transformed Saskatchewan. He brought in all sorts of social measures AND balanced the budget. I don't personally remember this time, but I can attest to the fact that the idea has spread. The rest of Canada saw what Saskatchewan had, and we wanted it. The fight was not without struggle, but it was won.

Could this happen in the States? Can democrats target some blue states and show the rest of the country how it can be?

[prodigal_green]

1. I'm thinking that all this talk of secession could lead to

a confederation of blue states to do just what you suggest. Since we don't seem to have as big a problem understanding that paying taxes actually does stuff like pay for roads, education, etc, we could consolidate our cash and live in a Canadian eden, without all the snow.

[demnan]

2. Dean - Vermont - Health Care

It was tried, and it lost.

[htuttle]

4. Thompson - Wisconsin - Badgercare

Believe it or not, under Repub Gov Thompson, we started a state health program for low-income children. It was at least a start. Now under Democratic Gov Doyle, we hope to make it stronger and better.

California passed it's own stem-cell research funding initiative. I hope we can do the same in other states with bio-tech expertise.

No reason to nay-say the idea unless you don't even want us to try. It IS possible.

[yvr girl]

5. So you stop trying?

[TexasSissy]

3. The evangelicals now have a hold on the country. They are not

a logical group. They are extremists, some are fanatical. They are not swayed by others' opinions (since God has given them the truth). I don't know if you have any people like that in Canada, but nothing can sway such people.

There are some on the fringe, the Dems, some Independents. All these people will listen to reason (well, even the Dem. Party has its own extremists who will not be swayed easily, but they are nothing compared to the evangelicals).

If you don't have evangelicals, maybe I could move there. Does Canada use paralegals?

[Nite Owl]

6. I think that the time has come

for the blue states to form their own coaliton. Not all have Dem governors so that has to be worked on. I think the time for waiting for the feds to work something out is over. If the red states don't care that shouldn't stop us from trying.

[Strawman]

7. Why not pool the risk among blue states

and have universal health care in the blue states for example? Of course first we need to make the blue states bluer. MI, for example is barely a blue state, and has a Repub state legislature even though we have a Dem. governor. But the bluest of the blue can start.