General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI need some help with a general political question..
So, I am in the middle of writing a blog about various political issues that are being actively tested right now. The basic point of the blog is how we are capable of experimenting, and more importantly, SETTLING a certain issue. Marijuana being legalized in Colorado is a prime example. The minimum wage increase in Seattle is another. While we will obviously have to wait and see how the minimum wage increase affects things in Seattle, we are at least testing the concept. So, my question to all you smart people on DU would be...what other wedge issues or concepts are being tested right now in America? The "guns everywhere" bill is relevant, I think, but what other test beds exist out there? Any help or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.
PS. I understand that these issues have been tested already either in the US, or around the world to some degree or another. I also understand that there are always people that will think of marijuana or whatever as evil, and no issue will ever be 100% settled.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)& looking at various related demographics?
There will of course be a confounding overlap between liberalism, income, safety nets, etc. & abortion accessibility, but so what? and I actually LIKE that fact. For example, if one were to find that choice-friendly states actually have fewer abortions or healthier children or whatever, you leave the anti-choice freaks in the uncomfortable position of having to argue that it's the OTHER aspects of blue-statism, not the abortion factor, that explains the findings. So ya can't lose.
As for the general idea, I very much like the idea of an experimental society. Wisconsin once was exactly that, when it was under the guidance of Bob LaFollette and the old Progressives. The University of Wisconsin had a defined role in doing intellectual work (including research of all sorts) for the betterment of society, with the results of the academic work being directly translated into law. It was called the Wisconsin Idea. "The boundaries of the University are the boundaries of the State."
That whole idea was very much intact when I was an undergrad there in the early 60's, although by the late 60's the reactionaries in the legislature had declared war on the university.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)They are employing a variety of ordinances: Rights-based; zoning law/land use changes; direct bans; perpetual moratoriums; & temporary moratoriums. They are opposed by individual landowners who have leased their lands to frackers and by the Big Frackers themselves. Although Big Frackers have spread plenty of bribe money (campaign donations) around to all levels of state and federal politicians, they haven't yet succeeded in buying off the judges. So battles are raging in many state courts.
http://earthjustice.org/features/the-story-of-dryden-the-town-that-fought-fracking-and-is-winning
An upstate New York town is fighting to preserve its way of life in a lawsuit pitting a small town's rights against an out-of-state oil and gas companys wishes.
More than a hundred towns in New York have enacted local bans or moratoriums on gas drilling, including the controversial process known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," in which drillers blast millions of gallons of chemically treated water into the ground to extract gas from hard-to-reach deposits deep in the earth.
Among those municipalities is the Town of Drydenwhich is now being sued.
The following link refers to local governments fighting off fracking in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado
http://baldwinhillsoilwatch.org/action-center/municipality-fracking-bans/
The following Cities and Municipalities have effected Bans on Hydraulic Fracturing ( fracking) and or oil drilling. They have opted for a local ban on fracking or oil and gas activities. In general, state law does not supercede local governments rights to regulate the use of the lands within their jurisdiction, or protect the health and safety of its citizens. Legally, municipalities that that can effect local fracking bans are those that have been given, or adopted, local democratic control. Charter Cities within Home Rule states have broad powers of governmental control. General law Cities anywhere, or those within States where Dillons Rule is effected, are restricted to the laws the state passes to them.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Becoming 2 America's, from education to healthcare to economics. Good luck.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Three off the top of my head. Also, union certification and worker rights.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)Use North Carolina as the "fucked up" state in comparison to a sane state. Any sane state.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Also, fracking is allowed in certain places but not in others.
ClarkJonathanKent
(91 posts)All good suggestions. Thanks so much for the constructive advice.