On my FuzzyMath.com site I'm consolidating 4 nonpartisan tracking polls into a single polling value for Bush and Gore every day -- this is much less volatile than following an individual tracking poll, because the consolidated picture represents the opinions of over 5000 people.
Personally -- I think it's over, barring some major catastrophe or error by Bush. Before the second debate, the logic still held that voters agreed with Gore on individual positions, but they liked Bush better. After Debate #2 we see that more voters now agree with Bush on positions.
What Bush did was brilliant: he clearly defined the Republican vision, and in doing so he expressed the moderately conservative view that restraint should and must be a key element in the relationship between government and the people, and between our nation and the rest of the world. We will lead by example, not try to force our vision onto other peoples. The government will always give the benefit of the doubt to the people, rather than assume it (government) knows what's best.
The people agreed to have the Federal government collect the current tax rates, but they only approved the current spending. Bush says, "Oh, it turns out you're overpaying for what you wanted Government to provide. Here's your change." It's running Government as any good business would be run.
If in the future the cost of services approved by the people rises, the Government can say to the people "Either pay more (raise taxes) or be content with fewer Government services." And the people will make their decision at that time.
Right now, the right answer is to return some of the overpayment to the people. It tells people that the Federal Government can be trusted, that it knows who its "customers" are, it knows who it is meant to serve.
Kevin/fuzzymath |
