Barry Buehler: N.C. should learn from ‘leftward’ states

One benefit of our system of federal government is that individual states can serve as laboratories for policy and other states can then adopt what succeeds. I am a refugee from two, of many states, where social policies have demonstrably failed (New York and Connecticut).

It is with considerable amazement and dismay that I see so many well-educated North Carolinians (friends) ignore the lessons learned elsewhere.

My most recent state of residence, Connecticut, is in debt, has high taxes and unsustainable pension programs for public employees. Young people and retirees are fleeing the state in droves. Connecticut is losing its middle class. I am particularly troubled by the urban plantations created by liberal policies, wherein failed schools and lack of opportunity in the inner cities have been institutionalized at great monetary and human cost.

Here in North Carolina, we have problems with upward mobility and poor schools (I am told) especially in urban areas. The solution is not in adopting already failed approaches. Hopefully, we will find a better way, but right now I do not see any “great awakening” on the horizon as our state leans evermore leftward and down the slippery slope to where other states have failed.

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Barry Buehler: N.C. should learn from ‘leftward’ states."