THE FUTURE OF PROGRESSIVISM IS EVIL CONSERVATISM:

It seems preposterous to argue that an obscure primary in a state with a million people could alter the debate inside the Democratic Party -- much less to claim that the race could transform the broader national conversation about how to achieve progressive goals in an aging America. But that's exactly what's in store after Tuesday's election in Rhode Island, when state treasurer Gina Raimondo won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination over her union-backed foes. [...]

Usually those out to trim future pension costs are cast as evil conservatives bent on decimating a dignified retirement (and sometimes they are). Raimondo reframed the debate from the left. She told Rhode Islanders that if they didn't come together to tackle these unfunded promises, not only would public employees counting on secure pensions be left high and dry, but before long there also would be no public money available for schools, transportation, job training and other critical investments on which future prosperity depends. [...]

She built a coalition that tweaked benefits not only for future retirees, but for current workers and retirees as well. The retirement age has been lifted from 62 to 67. Cost-of-living adjustments for current pension recipients have been put on hold until the pension funds are judged 80 percent solvent. In the end, these measures passed with overwhelming support. Hundreds of millions of dollars are already being freed up for other public purposes. Polls on the eve of the election showed that, despite union court challenges, Raimondo's fix retains broad support.

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