3/28/2009. Minority Party, the Republicans are Impotent to Slow the Big Government led by the Majority Democrats
For the week ending 3/27/2009
The Weekend Opinion:
As I have written in the past, our Government was designed on checks and balances. The purpose of course is to ensure that no one group attains too much power and forces our country into a direction not widely supported. In the past, when Republicans were a veto-proof majority, many voices were not heard and legislation led us down a path of deregulation, lower taxes and a greater conservative social agenda. We are now dealing with the the consequences of significant deregulation and deficits. During this period of time the minority party, the Democrats, became know as the party of "no", because they routinely stood together voting against the majorities legislative proposals.
Slightly longer ago, the Democrats led a veto-proof agenda of "The Great Society" and War on Poverty. These led to rapid government spending and programs that took away the incentive to work.
We are now entering a period where just one vote will ensure the the new majority party, the Democrats, will be able to drive the agenda for the next few years. The outcome resides in the courts of Minnesota as the judicial system will decide if Al Franken (Comedian turned Politician) will seal the deal for the Democrats by filling that 60th seat providing a filibuster-proof Congress, IF THEY ALL BAND TOGETHER AND VOTE TOGETHER.
This is very dangerous for our country. A filibuster-proof Congress was not good in the 60's, 80's, 2000's and it certainly is not good now. The tension between legislative agendas and priorities provides the checks and balances that our country relies upon. The minority may not be able to drive the agenda, but they should certainly provide a viable alternative.
Even when the Democrats were in the minority, prior to the 2006 elections, they were providing alternative solutions and pressing the majority to balance proposals. Unfortunately for the American people, the current Republican minority has proven so impotent that Viagra couldn't help. They are becoming the party of NO. No to proposed legislation by the majority with NO alternatives to offer the American people. The proposals that have come forward are weak.
The vast majority of Americans do not understand the implications of the changes that are occurring in Washington today. These are complex issues with longer term implications that are significant. This isn't a matter of the winds of change blowing in a new direction, but rather a gale force storm has hit the Capitol which will lead to huge changes in every aspect of our lives.
Republicans can no longer yell about the "tax and spend" Democrats and offer tax cuts as their only solution. There is a much bigger agenda at stake. Our financial future, our societal values, our role in the world are about to be transformed. "Change we can count on" has definitely occurring. Is it the change that we need???? Is it change that will improve our country???? And most importantly, is it a change that can be managed without overwhelming our political, social and economic infrastructure????
Too much, too fast will result in failure. Going one direction without a credible alternative represents not just a risk for our nation, but Russian Roulette with our country. It is up to the Republicans to offer strong alternatives. It is up to the people to band together and make their voices heard.
The Weekend Opinion:
As I have written in the past, our Government was designed on checks and balances. The purpose of course is to ensure that no one group attains too much power and forces our country into a direction not widely supported. In the past, when Republicans were a veto-proof majority, many voices were not heard and legislation led us down a path of deregulation, lower taxes and a greater conservative social agenda. We are now dealing with the the consequences of significant deregulation and deficits. During this period of time the minority party, the Democrats, became know as the party of "no", because they routinely stood together voting against the majorities legislative proposals.
Slightly longer ago, the Democrats led a veto-proof agenda of "The Great Society" and War on Poverty. These led to rapid government spending and programs that took away the incentive to work.
We are now entering a period where just one vote will ensure the the new majority party, the Democrats, will be able to drive the agenda for the next few years. The outcome resides in the courts of Minnesota as the judicial system will decide if Al Franken (Comedian turned Politician) will seal the deal for the Democrats by filling that 60th seat providing a filibuster-proof Congress, IF THEY ALL BAND TOGETHER AND VOTE TOGETHER.
This is very dangerous for our country. A filibuster-proof Congress was not good in the 60's, 80's, 2000's and it certainly is not good now. The tension between legislative agendas and priorities provides the checks and balances that our country relies upon. The minority may not be able to drive the agenda, but they should certainly provide a viable alternative.
Even when the Democrats were in the minority, prior to the 2006 elections, they were providing alternative solutions and pressing the majority to balance proposals. Unfortunately for the American people, the current Republican minority has proven so impotent that Viagra couldn't help. They are becoming the party of NO. No to proposed legislation by the majority with NO alternatives to offer the American people. The proposals that have come forward are weak.
The vast majority of Americans do not understand the implications of the changes that are occurring in Washington today. These are complex issues with longer term implications that are significant. This isn't a matter of the winds of change blowing in a new direction, but rather a gale force storm has hit the Capitol which will lead to huge changes in every aspect of our lives.
Republicans can no longer yell about the "tax and spend" Democrats and offer tax cuts as their only solution. There is a much bigger agenda at stake. Our financial future, our societal values, our role in the world are about to be transformed. "Change we can count on" has definitely occurring. Is it the change that we need???? Is it change that will improve our country???? And most importantly, is it a change that can be managed without overwhelming our political, social and economic infrastructure????
Too much, too fast will result in failure. Going one direction without a credible alternative represents not just a risk for our nation, but Russian Roulette with our country. It is up to the Republicans to offer strong alternatives. It is up to the people to band together and make their voices heard.
In addition to the filibuster, isn't all of this governmental "bailout" taking us down the path of a socialist society?
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