Essential Cover

The Web
Mr. Reid’s evolution from a proponent of gun rights to the shepherd of legislation that would expand background checks, among other gun control measures, emerges from a complex web of political calculations that have come to define his leadership style over the last decade....With guns, as with gay rights and immigration, Washington has observed in Mr. Reid an evolution — less flip-flops than slow dances to the left — that reflects shifting attitudes not only in his Democratic conference but also in Nevada, where Democrats have gained an edge in the last decade.  (NYT, 3/31/2013)

Another Liberal evolves!

From the New York Times stylebook: When a Republican changes positions, it is a "flip-flop" driven by crass political considerations. However, as we all know, when a Democrat changes positions he or she evolves. Often such evolution is captured in a long and reflective article describing the journey of said politician from the wasteland to the Promised Land. Such is Harry Reid's story.


Lifestyles of the Liberal Politician
Public cynicism deepens further when taxpayers see what becomes of the revenues earned by lifestyle taxes. Last year, an organization called Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids ran the numbers on 14 years of tobacco-related taxes. The report estimates that, in fiscal year 2013, states will collect a record $25.7 billion in revenue from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes. But states are expected to pay less than 2% of it on tobacco-smoking prevention and cessation—even though the 1998 settlement was sold to fund such programs. People notice when promises go unfulfilled and tax revenues are diverted from their intended purposes. (Michael L. Marlow, Wall Street Journal, 3/31/2013)

Loyal readers know that RedStateVT hates taxes. 

The reason? 

We do not trust politicians to spend our money wisely. 

The reason? 

They have proven time and time again that they do not spend our money wisely. We have been especially cynical about the Liberal sleight-of-hand wherein taxes levied on X will be used to pay for Y.  Of course, we never have believed that it works out that way and now Marlow validates us.