The States Verses The Feds

Gary Bauer, Contributing Author:  Like the Arizona immigration law, the Gulf Coast oil spill is highlighting a major split in public opinion regarding the role of the federal government. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that just 24% of Gulf Coast residents approved of President Obama’s handling of the spill, while 73% disapproved. Asked about the federal government’s response to the oil spill, 27% of Gulf Coast residents approved, while 72% disapproved. President Obama can at least be thankful that he’s not president of BP, which earned a dismal 17% approval rating.

In stark contrast to the negative assessment of the federal government’s actions, 62% of Gulf Coast residents approved of how local and state officials have reacted to the spill. Conservatives have long argued that the government closest to the people is most responsive to the people. This poll seems to confirm that belief.

Our Founding Fathers understood that principle and very clearly limited the role of the federal government. They wisely reserved all else to the states. Whether it’s running car companies or taking over health care for all Americans, today’s federal government is simply doing too much. That’s not just a talking point – it is a fact borne out by yet another trillion-dollar budget deficit.
Gary Bauer is is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families. He submitted the above in an email to the ARRA News Service Editor. Bauer was a former Republican presidential candidate and served as President Ronald Reagan’s domestic policy adviser.

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Tags: Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, Barack Obama, State Government, Federal Government, Founding Fathers, Arizona, Immigration law, Gulf of Mexico, oil spill, Gulf states, deficit To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!