Yet even those tiny increases, between 0.1 and 0.2 percentage point from 2009 to 2011, have created a backlash in some countries.

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Then, in 2009, he was seen by some as one of the first casualties of a national electoral backlash against Democrats when he lost to Mr. Mangano.

WSJ: Rematch Eyed in Nassau Vote

The incident will likely encourage the deepending backlash against smart meters in California, which resulted in the filing of a class-action lawsuit in 2009 alleging bills up to 300% higher than normal in Bakersfield.

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