I have a short-term goal, one that will either have success or failure within the next 6-1/2 months. I'm announcing that goal now, so that you may keep it in the back of your mind, and possibly consider it, as you read whatever posts I make between now and then.
It's a goal that's directed at everyone, those who share my philosophies as well as those who don't. For those who share my political leanings, I want to simply remind you of what is important and try to make sure you don't stray from the goal. For those of you who "lean" the other way, I'm going to try to make as much sense as I can, in the hope that it might have some small effect on you.
The goal is to consider the possible results of the Fall Congressional elections, and consider whether it would be better to leave both houses of Congress in Republican hands, or change the majority of at least one of the houses to Democratic.
Now, for those died-in-the wool far-right wingers who think the GOP can do no wrong and Bush can walk on water, and that one-sided control of almost all of the government is the next best thing to sliced bread, you can be certain that I have no hope of converting you. It will be enough if I can occasionally make you think.
But, there are many others of you who have strong convictions, but also have level heads and genuinely want what is best for the nation. I don't expect to reach all of you, but I believe there are enough of you to make a difference.
The premise is simple. It is not a good idea to have all branches of government in the same hands. It really doesn't matter which hands; Democratic control of all branches of government can be as bad as Republican control, as can be witnessed by several decades in the last 70 years where that has been the case. I'm not concerned with debating which was worse; it's my position that 100% control by EITHER party is not a Good Thing.
At present, we are almost at 100%. The Executive branch is Republican, the Senate is Republican, the House of Representatives is Republican, the Supreme Court is about 1/2 of a Justice away from a Conservative majority, and the majority of the states' governors are Republican.
For those of you who like it that way, you can stop reading, now. I probably won't reach you.
But, there must be some of you who helped to bring about this situation, and who now have doubts about whether it was a wise thing.
Our nation was conceived as a system of checks and balances. The executive and legislative branches are supposed to balance each other, and the judicial branch is supposed to be a check on both. Those checks and balances are what has made us a great nation over the years. But, when a particular party gets control of all of the branches, and when they begin to work together to make radical changes in government, it is not necessarily a good thing.
Whether or not you put any credence in polls, there comes a point when the evidence from the polls is so unanimous and so overwhelming that it becomes almost self-evident. We have reached that point with this government. By overwhelming and unprecedented numbers, most of the people no longer approve of the administration's work. The numbers have been worse for Congress for some time; people just don't trust them to do the right thing, and the coverups and brushoffs of ethical lapses and scandals doesn't help.
The solution I propose is to vote in such a way that at least one house of Congress is no longer controlled by the Republicans. It's not so much that I expect the Democrats to do a better job; it's simply that I expect them to take a different approach, and that will create more of a balance that we have, now.
I've argued and debated many points for so long on this forum that I hae convinced most of you that I'm a died-in-the-wool, carved-in-stone Liberal. The truth is that I am a social Liberal, but I'm also a fiscal (monetary) conservative. And, I've become convinced that many New Democrats are closer to the standard of sound fiscal policy that many Republicans.
For the next several months, all I'm asking is that you keep this in mind as you participate here on the forum, as you read and watch political news, and as you consider for whom you will vote in the November Congressional elections. If you already lean towards the Democrats, don't waver. If you normally lean to the Republicans, honor me with a small bit of respect and keep an open mind. Listen carefully to the news reports and consider whether either side may be lying to you. I know that if you're conservative you automatically assume that the Democrats are lying, but take a moment to consider whether your own side is lying, and whether there might be a politician out there, somewhere, who might be telling the truth. If you find one, vote for him or her, even if you don't totally agree with their positions.
That tiny grain of truth, and the checks and balances of our system, are more important than the planks of the candidate's platform.
In return, and if at least one house of Congress is overturned, I promise to carefully consider the GOP candidates for President, and support any that are smarter than George W. Bush. I can live with a Republican executive branch as long as there is a balance on the legislative side.
If this doesn't work, and the GOP retains control of both houses of Congress, I will do my damndest to make certain a Democrat wins the Presidency. I'd rather do it this way; I think the sooner some balance is restored in DC the better it will be for the nation.
So, there you have it. A simple request to keep an open mind and consider all candidates for the offices open in your district. As I understand it, all members of the House are up for election, along with approximately 1/3 of the Senators.
In my own district, I will fight to keep Bill Nelson as a Democratic Senator. I think the worst thing that Florida could ever do is elect Katherine Harris as a Senator from any party. Her own party wishes she would go away.
My Representative, Republican Mark Foley, has done a good job for our district as long as he was able to stay away from being forced to support the party line. But, he served as a deputy whip to Tom DeLay and marched in lockstep with the GOP often enough that I think he has to go. He has a serious Democratic opponent, Tim Mahoney, a Florida rancher and venture capitalist and conservative Democrat. Unless something bad turns up in the next 199 days, I will be voting for Mahoney.
It's a goal that's directed at everyone, those who share my philosophies as well as those who don't. For those who share my political leanings, I want to simply remind you of what is important and try to make sure you don't stray from the goal. For those of you who "lean" the other way, I'm going to try to make as much sense as I can, in the hope that it might have some small effect on you.
The goal is to consider the possible results of the Fall Congressional elections, and consider whether it would be better to leave both houses of Congress in Republican hands, or change the majority of at least one of the houses to Democratic.
Now, for those died-in-the wool far-right wingers who think the GOP can do no wrong and Bush can walk on water, and that one-sided control of almost all of the government is the next best thing to sliced bread, you can be certain that I have no hope of converting you. It will be enough if I can occasionally make you think.
But, there are many others of you who have strong convictions, but also have level heads and genuinely want what is best for the nation. I don't expect to reach all of you, but I believe there are enough of you to make a difference.
The premise is simple. It is not a good idea to have all branches of government in the same hands. It really doesn't matter which hands; Democratic control of all branches of government can be as bad as Republican control, as can be witnessed by several decades in the last 70 years where that has been the case. I'm not concerned with debating which was worse; it's my position that 100% control by EITHER party is not a Good Thing.
At present, we are almost at 100%. The Executive branch is Republican, the Senate is Republican, the House of Representatives is Republican, the Supreme Court is about 1/2 of a Justice away from a Conservative majority, and the majority of the states' governors are Republican.
For those of you who like it that way, you can stop reading, now. I probably won't reach you.
But, there must be some of you who helped to bring about this situation, and who now have doubts about whether it was a wise thing.
Our nation was conceived as a system of checks and balances. The executive and legislative branches are supposed to balance each other, and the judicial branch is supposed to be a check on both. Those checks and balances are what has made us a great nation over the years. But, when a particular party gets control of all of the branches, and when they begin to work together to make radical changes in government, it is not necessarily a good thing.
Whether or not you put any credence in polls, there comes a point when the evidence from the polls is so unanimous and so overwhelming that it becomes almost self-evident. We have reached that point with this government. By overwhelming and unprecedented numbers, most of the people no longer approve of the administration's work. The numbers have been worse for Congress for some time; people just don't trust them to do the right thing, and the coverups and brushoffs of ethical lapses and scandals doesn't help.
The solution I propose is to vote in such a way that at least one house of Congress is no longer controlled by the Republicans. It's not so much that I expect the Democrats to do a better job; it's simply that I expect them to take a different approach, and that will create more of a balance that we have, now.
I've argued and debated many points for so long on this forum that I hae convinced most of you that I'm a died-in-the-wool, carved-in-stone Liberal. The truth is that I am a social Liberal, but I'm also a fiscal (monetary) conservative. And, I've become convinced that many New Democrats are closer to the standard of sound fiscal policy that many Republicans.
For the next several months, all I'm asking is that you keep this in mind as you participate here on the forum, as you read and watch political news, and as you consider for whom you will vote in the November Congressional elections. If you already lean towards the Democrats, don't waver. If you normally lean to the Republicans, honor me with a small bit of respect and keep an open mind. Listen carefully to the news reports and consider whether either side may be lying to you. I know that if you're conservative you automatically assume that the Democrats are lying, but take a moment to consider whether your own side is lying, and whether there might be a politician out there, somewhere, who might be telling the truth. If you find one, vote for him or her, even if you don't totally agree with their positions.
That tiny grain of truth, and the checks and balances of our system, are more important than the planks of the candidate's platform.
In return, and if at least one house of Congress is overturned, I promise to carefully consider the GOP candidates for President, and support any that are smarter than George W. Bush. I can live with a Republican executive branch as long as there is a balance on the legislative side.
If this doesn't work, and the GOP retains control of both houses of Congress, I will do my damndest to make certain a Democrat wins the Presidency. I'd rather do it this way; I think the sooner some balance is restored in DC the better it will be for the nation.
So, there you have it. A simple request to keep an open mind and consider all candidates for the offices open in your district. As I understand it, all members of the House are up for election, along with approximately 1/3 of the Senators.
In my own district, I will fight to keep Bill Nelson as a Democratic Senator. I think the worst thing that Florida could ever do is elect Katherine Harris as a Senator from any party. Her own party wishes she would go away.
My Representative, Republican Mark Foley, has done a good job for our district as long as he was able to stay away from being forced to support the party line. But, he served as a deputy whip to Tom DeLay and marched in lockstep with the GOP often enough that I think he has to go. He has a serious Democratic opponent, Tim Mahoney, a Florida rancher and venture capitalist and conservative Democrat. Unless something bad turns up in the next 199 days, I will be voting for Mahoney.
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