During one of the most intense presidential elections in U.S. history media attention has been focused solely on the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama and has failed to give due attention to congressional and Senate races across the country.
On Tuesday Republicans gave up 26 seats in the House to the Democrats and nine in the Senate. With Barack Obama as president and Democrats with such a wide margin of control over Congress the Democratic Party will not have to compromise on any issue and Obama will not face pressure to moderate his views.
Political centrism is a necessity in our country today. After eight years of failed policies enacted under the Bush administration we undoubtedly need change in our political system. However productive change is unlikely with the three most liberal politicians in the country controlling major national positions.
Obama will serve as president Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader – we are surely in for radical change. Without Republicans’ ability to filibuster or even make close votes on bills in Congress a single party now controls the entire political system.
Historically having divided congressional and executive branches has provided the most reasonable political balance. Americans remain split regarding their opinions about a divided government with a small majority in support of a Republican Congress under Obama according to a recent Gallup poll.
Opposition must play a vital role in our political system. As Benjamin Franklin once said “It is not enough that your Legislature should be numerous; it should also be divided.”Obama clearly appeals to voters across the political spectrum and he has the potential to work alongside conservative politicians to clean up the mess the Bush legacy has left behind.
Bill Clinton for instance faced a Republican-controlled House and Senate during his presidency which contributed greatly to his transition toward centrist policies later in his presidency.
But without pressure from a conservative legislature and unprecedented support from the leftist media Obama will have no need to compromise on his plan to transform America into the ultimate wealth-spreading socialist regime.
Additionally this election has been characterized by a call for change in the current system. However Democrats have controlled Congress since 2006 and have failed to challenge the Bush administration on any issue significant to voters.
What happened to ending the war? The Democratic Party ran on the premise that the war would end if it took control of Congress in 2006 yet we are still nowhere near a withdrawal and have actually seen a surge in troop levels since it took office.
What happened to restoring the economy? The Democrat-controlled Congress wrote a $750 billion check to Wall Street without concern for millions of American families left bankrupt and without homes.
On social issues like health care and education Democrats have also failed to take strong initiative to reform the current system.Democrats continue to talk out of both sides of their mouths calling for real change in the system and yet doing the opposite whenever given the chance.
Despite its failure to act the Democratic Party has been given great power to do something productive with this country. Only time will tell if it will take advantage of the opportunity it has been afforded.
Every politician runs on the platform of change. Even Bush said he would reform Washington if elected in 2000. Americans must realize that politicians in Washington are not the answer to our problems at home.
But if change will come it is unlikely to be the change Americans need in these troubled times. We do not need more government – we need a more responsible government. We do not need higher taxes and bigger bailouts for corporations – we need fiscal responsibility. We do not need more war and troops overseas – we need a safe and vibrant democracy at home.
Americans must remain hopeful that change is possible but also critical of a government and party that has failed to act on behalf of the people for years.