Bizarre how some gulf states leaders are demanding a robust federal response to the oil spill while they maintain their rock-solid opposition to federal government "interference" (not to mention, taxes.) Others have taken note of this, but few have followed up.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and other states are being treated, with some cause and sensitivity, as if they were a cousin who smoked all his life, and now has lung cancer. It's just not seemly to ask about their regrets and how they can justify continuing to smoke between chemo sessions.
And yet, some questions need to be brought to the surface. To date, with all the country's fascination for surveys and polls, I haven't seen where gulf states residents are asked: Has your view of government regulation changed? Which political party do you believe would be more disposed to exerting appropriate oversight to protecting your state's resources? Would you accept marginally higher income taxes across the country so the government could better respond to disasters such as this?
If you find these polls or have additional questions, I'd like to see them.