Skip to main content

Blue on Blue

The Republican captured the statehouses in Maryland and Massachusetts last night.  This is good and bad.  It is of course good for the Republicans, for obvious reasons.  It is not good for the Republicans, as well.  Even these, the bluest of the blue states can say enough is enough.  We are being taxed to the max, but things are not getting better.  Time for a switch. 

Okay, the switch is in.  But the problems in these two states are serious and not surmountable in the short four year gubernatorial term.  Repairing the problems could take a generation, not just a term.  So, the Democrats will be undiminished, already fueling their next campaigns with slogans such as "We gave them a chance, and see there is no real change."  Blue states such as these will heed the lesson, and revert to their natural rather blue roots.

The Republicans probably think they can affect the culture of their states with well intended and maybe stringent programs about fiscal responsibility, not realizing the future disaster ahead.  The Democrats will suggest their (Democratic) programs and ideas are the proper course.  They will prevail, as the culture of the traditional mandates.   And so it goes... 

If Republicans can understand all this, as perhaps Scott Walker in Wisconsin does, they will understand the first necessity is to change the culture in advance of a change in programs. Such thinking is really not within their domain, much less strategic thinking.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...

Problem Solving? Then Find Those Gaps

  Problem Solving - Finding Gaps 12/28/2024 Introduction. Solving complex problems often arises from the presence of gaps in knowledge, resources, understanding, or perspectives. These gaps introduce uncertainty, ambiguity, or constraints, making solutions difficult to achieve. Below, we explore the primary types of gaps that complicate problem-solving and their implications. Many are of the technical, informational, theoretical, and social nature. You may discover some of these gaps are also sources of uncertainty in problem-solving, in that they supply us with another list of things that can go wrong based on something missing. Gaps also form a type of impossible problem, that will be discussed in a later chapter. Finally, this essay is about all problems and solutions, not just those of science. Contents Comprehension Gaps Consistency Gaps Solution-Type Gaps Invisible Gaps   Knowledge and Evidence Gaps   Methodological and Technological Gaps Ethical and Cult...

CERTAINTY IS ALSO AN EMOTION

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...