Spitzer: Right Wing's 'Power to States' Just a Facade

[barbaraann]

Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic New York attorney general whose investigations of Wall Street conflicts of interest and other topics often make headlines, does not inspire bland descriptions. He's either a take-charge dynamo stepping into a federal void to protect consumers from the greedy big boys - or a self-aggrandizing crusader far overstepping the bounds of the office he has held for five years. In a meeting with USA TODAY's editorial board this week, Spitzer explained why he treads where others do not. His remarks were edited for length and clarity:

Why are you so involved in issues some say aren't your bailiwick?

Answer: We are seeing the revenge of the new federalism that the Republican Party's conservative wing thrust upon the nation 20 years ago. President Reagan articulated the 'too much power in Washington, send it back to the states' notion. At the time, I said, 'balkanization of enforcement is bad; we need centralized decision-making. You can agree or disagree with the decisions being made at the Justice Department (news - web sites), the EPA, the Department of Labor, but recognize that the federal government is where the epicenter of decision-making should be, because if you send this decision-making power out to the many states, we will have chaos.'
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/spitzerrightwingspowertostatesjustafacade


Elliott Spitzer is a genuine hero, IMHO.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. He's going to be our next governor!

He's my hero, too!

[HootieMcBoob]

5. I hope so too

Unless he's in the new federal administration as Attorney General or something like that.

[blm]

8. He and Kerry are tight. I think he may be the next Atty. General.

.

[wryter2000]

10. Is he running for Governor?

I'll bet you my family in Syracuse will vote for him.

[Cooley Hurd]

12. His name is mentioned the most as a challenger...

...to Pataki in 2006.

[bif]

2. Oh but they do believe in "States Rights"

Unless a state passes some legislation they don't like. Like legalizing pot in California. Or Euthenasia in Oregon. Fucking hypocrites! They always want it both ways.

[central scrutinizer]

7. or liability lawsuits

This is why they are pushing the whole tort reform stuff - to make sure that their corporate cronies can't be taken to court in a state known for big verdicts.

[thingfish]

3. Elliott Spitzer will play a major part in drafting a NEW New Deal.

Psychic prediction alert!

[dennis4868]

4. Next US Attorney General?

:-)

[tkulesa]

6. Governor, US Attorney General,

Just as long as he stays in public service and keeps kicking corrupt asses I'm happy.

US Attorney General would be SO Awesome.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. How about Chairman of the SEC?

:evilgrin:

[wryter2000]

11. Oooh

I like the way you think.