Democrats: States, not D.C., helping Americans

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says that "most people don't see the Republican-led federal government doing anything to give you, your business or your family a helping hand."

Oh, if only.

On the contrary, domestic spending under George W. Bush and the Republican Congress has skyrocketed over the past 5 years. Just take a look around - there is more federal money going into education today than ever, federal funding for the arts is up substantially, seniors have been given a new and costly prescription drug benefit, and federal highway dollars continue to flow unabated into pet projects that often have nothing to do with transportation. Industries continue to win protection against foreign (and, in some cases, even domestic) competition, pension plans get government bailouts, and farmers continue to benefit from massive subsidies and price supports.

It seems that wherever you look, the federal government is there - all too willing extend a "helping hand." I don't know what world Gov. Richardson is living in, but it might be nice to check it out sometime.