Allow me to correct myself in a way that renders us both correct, in-context:
The American populace generally seems to be further to the left on economic issues but further to the right on cultural/social issues than the government they elect. The simplest explanation has already been given: a unitary government over extremely heterogeneous regions.
The American populace generally seems to be further to the left on economic issues but further to the right on cultural/social issues than the government they elect.
The phenomenon I describe isn’t limited to social issues, most notably it applies to tax rates.
The again, in states that have them ballot initiatives frequently produce results to the right of what the legislature is willing to pass.
Allow me to correct myself in a way that renders us both correct, in-context:
The American populace generally seems to be further to the left on economic issues but further to the right on cultural/social issues than the government they elect. The simplest explanation has already been given: a unitary government over extremely heterogeneous regions.
The phenomenon I describe isn’t limited to social issues, most notably it applies to tax rates.