Connecticut: The Practice of Politics Over Patriotism
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
What state wouldn’t want to celebrate the heroes, innovators, and traditions that define it?
Apparently, the Democratic leadership of Connecticut.
From June 25 to July 10, Washington, D.C., is hosting the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall to mark America’s 250th birthday. Rows of massive exhibits showcase the unique spirit of each state. New Jersey even trucked in 7,000 pounds of sand from the shore to build a giant sandcastle.
But Connecticut's booth sits dark and unstaffed.
Governor Ned Lamont chose to skip the national celebration entirely, pointing to “political overtones” and budget constraints. He even turned down a local businessman’s last-minute offer to bundle $100,000 in private donations to cover the exhibition costs. By opting out, Connecticut joins a handful of other blue states—including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Washington—that have snubbed the historic semiquincentennial fair.
It's a bizarre choice for a state with history so deeply woven into the fabric of American liberty. As Kristi Talmadge recently detailed in this editorial from The Connecticut Centinal, the Constitution State has plenty to brag about:
The Foundation of Liberty: In 1639, Connecticut birthed the Fundamental Orders, creating the very idea of a constitutional government and serving as the forerunner to the U.S. Constitution. We are the home of Nathan Hale, the schoolteacher-turned-spy for George Washington who famously declared at his execution: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The Cradle of Innovation: Eli Whitney pioneered the system of interchangeable parts that birthed modern mass production. Samuel Colt revolutionized firearms. Igor Sikorsky built the world’s first practical helicopter, and Groton’s Electric Boat engineered the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine.
A Champion for Civil Rights: Long before the national movement took hold, Prudence Crandall fought for integrated education by opening a school for Black girls in 1833. A young Martin Luther King Jr., working a summer job in Connecticut's tobacco fields, wrote that experiencing unsegregated churches and restaurants deeply influenced his decision to enter the ministry. And in 1974, Ella Grasso made history as the first woman in America elected governor in her own right.
And, of course, there’s that legendary New Haven pizza that can only be found here.
Between the Lines: While our state of Connecticut punches above its weight, our leaders certainly don't.