More importantly, Nicholas Kristof highlights a program in Oklahoma developed in a bipartisian manner over the last 20 years that promotes preschool for all 3 and 4 year olds. I know there is a train of thought in parts of the conservative blogosphere that says Head Start is a waste of money, but Oklahoma is as Red as you can get politically, and they believe that the only sure way to address the cycle of poverty is early childhood education. And they believe that is an appropriate role for state government. Worth a read in the following link.
In a continuation of titles that I have used on how the world is a complicated place and why that creates a necessity for capitalistic solutions, not socialistic solutions, but also creates a need for government solutions when public welfare is not priced appropriately in the private economy (pollution, safety, transportation infrastructure), Thomas Friedman lays out the capitalistic rationale (support for job creation) for HeritageFoundation/Romney/Obamacare. The world is a complicated place and I leave it to you to click on the link to read Friedman's column.
And finally, Ross Douthat hits the nail on the head with the problems the GOP has winning national elections while discussing what Chris Christie cannot do if he wants the 2016 nomination. He states: "As a would be nominee, you have to woo base voters, not run against them, and make them feel respected even when they disagree with you."
Yes, and then you have to run a general campaign where you show respect for the values of the middle of the political spectrum. It is that lack of respect for compromise and solutions that respect that balance is needed in matters of government that has driven this centrist voter (I am a Scoop Jackson Democrat/Rockefeller Republican) into a straight Democratic voter for any office above the County level. I am not alone. Calling people like me RINO's is disrespectful when people in the middle's votes might help you win an election.
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