I just read in the NYT that Fred Thompson supports "states' rights"

[uberllama42]

What does that mean exactly? I don't think I've ever heard that term used in the context of contemporary politics. As far as I know, the last time any political group advocated states' rights, it was the people on the wrong side of the Civil Rights movement.

My guess is that they mean he supports devolution of power from the federal government to the state governments. Abolish the Department of Education, overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to ban abortion, probably slash federal entitlement programs.

All I know is that a lot of Republicans are really excited about Thompson getting into the race, because their top tier is really disappointing.

[wakeme2008]

1. States rights used to be a Repug Rule until Bush and

states started doing things against his beliefs, then the hand of the Feds slapped the states down. See NCLB

[eShirl]

2. state medical marijuana laws? n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. A long time ago, in a land far, far away, it used to stand for slavery

I strongly recommend that you read the great, (and extremely readable) book entitled "1787" - about the compromises and effort that went into drafting the actual constitution. (replacing the unworkable articles of confederation).

It means that states have greater control than the federal government on all sorts of issues, and has been hijacked by the religious reicht in recent times, to reflect anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-education, and anti-democracy and representation of minorities.

[uberllama42]

12. Right, naturally he does not support slavery

But as you say there is a list of regressive policies that could fall under the banner of states' rights.

With regards to the Constitution, I happen to fall into the camp of the late historian Charles Beard, who pointed out that the Constitution was written by wealthy landowners for their own benefit. When people complain that our government has been taken over by wealthy interests, I like to remind them that the U.S. government has always been partial to the wealthy elite at the expense of the masses, and the only peculiar thing about our current arrangement is that corporate lobbyists are now literally ensconced in high-level government positions.

There is always a great deal of rhetoric about freedom and democracy, but when it comes down to it money always has a disproportionate say in how things actually happen. Thus we all vote for politicians who promise to end the war, and because our corporate owners want the war to continue, it happens.

[Lint Head]

4. I live in TN. Don't forget. Fred Thompson has supported

an administration that is responsible for killing thousands of human beings. He thinks it is OK to commit treason and release the name of a CIA agent. He supports Scooter Liar-Bee. He is the member of a party that covers up pedophiles and supports corporate rights over individual rights. He thinks global warming is a lie. Al Gore, also a Tennessean, is his exact opposite.:dem:

[tanyev]

5. States' rights are a Republican mantra when Democrats are in the White House

or have a majority in Congress. But the rhetoric quickly disappears when they have the White House and/or a majority.

[Gman]

6. If Thompson allegedly supports "states' rights"

he will agree Bush v Gore was the greatest crime against states' rights in the history of the country.

[bunkerbuster1]

8. Unless by "states' rights" you really mean "States' RATS"

which is to say, you think the Confederates were right to secede, and that extending slavery to the Western Territories should've been left up to the genocidal occupiers to do determine through free and fair elections where only white men could vote.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Cool! Then segregation by race and sex is okay again! Good grief. Join the 21st Fred. nt

[Flatulo]

9. States' Rights is code for allowing the states to ban abortion. n/t

[MemphisTiger]

10. They like the idea of states rights but don't really mean it

The idea is neat but unrealistic, it's really more of a cop out. Rather take a stance on an issue the will claim it's an issue for the states. If it weren't for federal Brown vs. Board of Education would have never happened. Ask them about that...

[GeorgeGist]

11. The Consitution is only useful ...

when it serves your interests.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved for the States respectively, or to the people.