Divisive Troubles

As the political party currently in power, one would think that the Democrats could pass just about any legislation they desired. But, even with a Democrat sitting in the White House (well… maybe in Hawaii), and a democratic majority in both the Senate and House, it appears that an already difficult situation is getting worse as the 2010 political season begins. Four House Democrats have recently announced they would not seek re-election, bringing to 11 the retirements that leave Democratic-held seats vulnerable to Republicans, and even more are expected according to analysts. In the Senate, at least four Democrats, including Harry Reid and Chris Dodd are in serious trouble. The party could also lose its grip on the seats Obama held in Illinois and that Joe Biden occupied in Delaware. Over the holiday break, Democratic freshman Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama defected to the GOP as well, stating that "I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt." At present the Democrats hold a 257-178 majority in the House and an effective 60-40 majority in the Senate, including Independents who generally side with the Democrat line. The one thing that that cheers the Democrats is that most voters don't think much of the GOP either, which lacks money, an effective leader, and is facing a conservative revolt. Both parties should be concerned about a hostile electorate worried about the unemployment rate, the economy, who are weary of wars, and who are genuinely angry at nearly all politicians.

The Democrats will likely lose a lot of support (and power in Congress), because they have enraged much of the public with their refusal to listen when the voters say no to health care. The “Trillion Dollar President” can see his approval rating going by the wayside, and its decline is due to his insistence on an unpopular health care program, along with his program of printing a few trillion essentially worthless dollars, shipping them off to Wall Street, and shrugging at a skyrocketing deficit. Every initiative that the Democrats care about is now seriously threatened by the situation the far left “Crusaders” have put their fellow Democrats in.

Perhaps Mr. Obama should study a bit of history before he insists on even more socialist government. Harold L. Cole and Lee E. Ohanian conclude in a recent study that New Deal policies stymied economic recovery for seven years! "Why the Great Depression lasted so long has always been a great mystery, and because we never really knew the reason, we have always worried whether we would have another 10- to 15-year economic slump," said Ohanian, vice chairman of UCLA's Department of Economics. "We found that a relapse isn't likely unless lawmakers gum up a recovery with ill-conceived stimulus policies." Our political Right, and the Moderate center, have clearly said “NO” to the health care reform, just as they did to President Clinton’s health care plan.

But Crusaders won’t listen to words of caution or of warning. They are after all, on a mission from God. And the leaders of those Crusaders tell their followers to ignore the political cost, as this is a moral battle after all! But just maybe the mainstream Republicans are finally waking up to the facts of today’s political life. Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, is admitting where they've gone wrong in the past. Apparently recognizing that Regan and Goldwater haven’t gone away, he recently said that "Republicans gave in to big government, and we paid the price. It wasn't the fault of our ideals. It was the failure of our leaders to live up to them." Now, “we must return to the principles of the Founders, principles of small government, economic freedom, lower taxes and renewed commitment to personal responsibility for oneself and one's family.” The American people don't want socialized health care, invasive "green" initiatives, or burdensome new taxes, says Steele, and Republicans in Washington have to start listening.

We can only hope…