WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
The 2006 elections have passed into history and, as is the beauty in a nation where freedom is allowed to flourish, the Democrats emerged victorious by virtue of providing both the more appealing message and the better ability to galvanize their base. To be sure, they were aided immeasurably by the Republicans who found themselves in disarray for not only abandoning their long standing principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility but also for their feckless desertion of the President in pandering to perceived public opinion against his Iraq war policy.
It should not require the application of a two by four to the head for the leadership of the Republican Party to realize that inconsistency, spendthrift and disloyalty do not exactly generate a high degree of optimism among the Independent voter whose support is so crucial to winning elections. Nevertheless, the Democrats won fair and square by virtue of superior campaign organization and execution and are to be congratulated for that success.
Hand in hand with victory comes responsibility; however, a factor the Democrats have not been forced to face in the Congress for the past 12 years. No longer do they have the luxury of sideline box seats from which to complain, point fingers, obstruct legislation and generally engage in second guessing, criticism and advice, a particular advantage which accrues to those who bear no responsibility for the success or failure of their recommended courses of action or inaction.
The primary campaign themes of the Democratic Party included the unpopularity of both the war and the President, the economy, the need for a change and the ubiquitous "culture of corruption." While the charges of corruption are ever present, it is axiomatic that neither party has a monopoly on criminal behavior and that the party in power enjoys the somewhat dubious distinction of increased visibility. Corruption is overblown as an overriding election issue, a fact made more obvious by Speaker of the House Elect Pelosi's advancing John Murtha as her choice for Majority Leader and Alcee Hastings for the Intelligence Committee Chair—neither Member being noted for sterling repute nor character.
The war and the economy as well may prove to be tenuous matters for Democratic leadership for different reasons. The Democrats have long advised pulling out of Iraq with the courses of action ranging from immediate redeployment to timed or phased withdrawal. Admittedly, while seeing an end to the Iraq War is embraced by virtually every American, the consequences obtaining from an abrupt change of direction could easily result in unmitigated disaster. The recent appearance of Generals Abizaid and Casey before Congress recommending no immediate reduction of troop strength hands the party now in power a dilemma hitherto not faced----whether to heed or to override the military's recommendations.
With the stock market at record level and the nation enjoying essentially full employment, the Democrats could be riding the proverbial tiger inasmuch as a drop in either would be viewed as a failure. Their embracement of raising the minimum wage as a panacea to lift income levels across the board is speculative at best and dangerous at worst as those earning at or near minimum wage comprise but two percent of the population, 85 percent of whom are single and still live at home. Most serious economists subscribe to the theory that hiking the entry level wage will cost jobs, particularly among the young and unskilled.
The Democratic Party planned and executed its victory over both Houses of Congress with skill and precision and most of us, regardless of party affiliation, wish them every success and hope for a spirit of cooperation to prevail in those issues of national importance. However, the transition to the position of power will cause them to realize that it is much easier to criticize than to create and that a winner should eschew exacting revenge if for no other reason than that payback can be....well.....it purports to be an interesting two years.
J Karl Colonel USMC Retired
If I may, I'd like to make a recommendation for a Christmas gift. If there is a young child that you are looking to purchase a gift for, might you consider a book instead of a toy? And might you consider this book called "The Sneeches" by Dr. Seuss?
