Marc Comtois
Mark Krikorian makes a couple interesting points related to the current illegal immigration debate, which both touch on the “wisdom” of the so-called “elite.” First: …our elite has so completely erased the distinction between citizens and foreigners, devaluing the meaning of Americanness to merely working and paying taxes on American territory, that the illegals (and…
In Sunday’s ProJo, education columnist Julia Steiny explained how Rhode Island has attempted to use a theory of “equity” education funding. In this model, money from higher income districts goes to the poorer districts in the hope that the academic levels of poor students would improve to that of the better-off kids in rich and…
Here’s some more background on the new apparent GOP candidate for governor, Dennis Michaud. (And here’s the audio link of Dan Yorke breaking of the story). First is an academic article he co-wrote with Kaitlyn A. Murphy about the Quonset Development Corporation. (The article is available for a fee). Michaud made reference to his work…
Dan Yorke is reporting that Brown Adjunct Professor Dennis Michaud–who has testified on behalf of Beacon Mutual and has been on their payroll–has put forth the idea that he will run for Governor on the GOP ticket against incumbent Donald Carcieri. Michaud purportedly gives three main reasons for such a run: 1) Lack of economic…
As today’s ProJo story said, the Senate Committee on Constitutions and Gaming Issues voted 6 to 4 against bringing Voter Initiative to the voters “after almost four hours of discussion and debate — much of it familiar — at a well-attended hearing at the State House.” Those of us who have followed the VI debate…
I don’t think that there have been many posts on gun issues hereabouts, but Michael Barone–commenting on David Kopel’s analysis of the spread of concealed carry laws–remarks that the spread of such laws is a good sign for federalism. Nebraska recently became the 40th state to approve a concealed carry (“shall-issue“) law. According to Barone:…
Here’s a historical addendum to Andrew’s point about Voter Initiative and it’s purported incompatibility with Representative government. Tocqueville’s observations concerning the functions of each House of the bicameral state legislature’s of the early 19th century seem to imply that they already were getting a bit redundant. The legislative power of the state is vested in…
Peggy Noonan digs in and thinks she’s found what is bothering American’s about immigration: There are a variety of things driving American anxiety about illegal immigration and we all know them–economic arguments, the danger of porous borders in the age of terrorism, with anyone able to come in. But there’s another thing. And it’s not…
Another day, another letter to the ProJo on Voter Initiative, but this time arguing in favor. Joseph H. Weaver’s argument echoes that given here and elsewhere, but he brought up two interesting points that warrant attention. Weaver believes that the two issues at the heart of the debate are “the role of special interests and…
John Roskelly, a former Washington state politician, thinks that RI should steer clear of the Voter Initiative: There are some Washington State initiatives I have personally promoted, such as I-901, which passed by 66 percent of the vote, and eliminated smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars. But in general, the initiative process…