If the latest New York Times/CBS News poll is correct then a majority of voters approve of collective bargaining rights for public employees, and a plurality favor raising taxes to balance their state's budget. I am always skeptical of polls of adults, rather than of registered voters or likely voters. In this poll 25% indicated there was a public employee in the household and 20% said there was a union member. If Democrats on the state level want to believe in this poll, then they should prepare their tax increase proposals for the next campaign.

On the other hand, Michael Barone says Middle America is rejecting big government.

Liberal columnist Brent Budowsky thinks average Americans, battered by the poor economy, are being poorly served by both the Democrats and the Republicans. Of course, Budowsky thinks some good, old-fashioned government jobs programs would do the trick.

Charlie Gasparino explains why not financial executive has gone to jail in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse, despite the protestations of a Hollywood filmmaker.