Historical Perspective: US State Leadership And Innovation

The US States Matter

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:10:35 +0100

The US states have been essential to our democracy from the start. The creative variation they promote can be the best we have to offer (Wyoming and a woman's right to vote) and the worst (southern racial segregation). The sorting out of best from worst is an arduous process, but strengthens our nation without imposing solutions from the federal level which, if bad, can lock us into a destructive pattern. The proven best solutions open a door to universal progress. We at TS-Si believe that long-term progress depends on approaching all levels of government. The objective case for Harry Benjamin Syndrome (HBS) is a case in point. Very view people are HBS-born - really, a tiny minority - but the potential benefits to society are enormous. Our situation informs science, medicine, law, and so much more. Scientists have already started to notice us and some of our elected decision makers have started on a path toward understanding. In time, more will join them until we pass the threashold of public awareness that leads to genuine support. - Sharon S. Gaughan

All Politics is Local

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:04:22 +0100

... In the United States, under our republic's federated system of government, we win our arguments at the local level, piece by piece slowly building towards an inevitable national consensus: slavery is evil, racism is wrong, women and men are different but equal, all humanity should be treated equally under the law no matter what their sexual preference, sexual identity, or gender presentation may be. If we do not lay down a strong foundation, even the most carefully articulated artifice will crumble to the ground. - Lisa Thompson

Awakening political consciousness, I rub my sleep-weary eyes

Sun, 18 May 2008 13:07:54 +0100

I've never been attracted to politics regardless of its influence in my everyday life and the welfare of our nation as a whole. Perhaps I just grew up learning the negative side of politics while not having the wherewithal to discover its meaning and purpose on my own. Civics class in High School was nap time. This article helps sharpen my insights toward the many benefits that state governors impart and their impact on the nation's political health as a whole. Many thanks for this well-written historical narrative. It tugs at my apathy; maybe I will finally replace it with knowledge instead. For sure I will view the political arena with a fresh perspective. - Kelly