With Democrats now in unfettered control of 14 state governments, advocates of political reform are wondering how the party plans to flex its muscle in those statehouses, where more of their goals may safely be expected to blossom than in the divided Congress.
Richard Pildes of The American Prospect offers a detailed analysis, which begins with this cautionary note: "The more challenging issues for Democrats concern reforms that require political incumbents to relinquish some of the immediate political advantage they enjoy for the purpose of upholding democratic values and strengthening public confidence in the integrity of elections."












Samantha Shepherd, a child care director in Savannah, Georgia, and a single mom of two girls, said rising gas prices are affecting families at her center, including one mother who may not be able to take her children to school. (Courtesy of Samantha Shepherd)







