A Democratically Controlled Federal Gvoernment

Over the last few weeks one of the main talking points for the McCain campaign and republicans in general is the danger of having the democrats in charge of the White House and the Congress. Personnally I find this new found devotion to divided government a bit humerous mainly because I don't recall a republican aversion to single party government in 2000. What do you think? Personally I prefer divided government but in these days of hyper partisanship I can swallow my misgivings and give the Democrats the benefit of the doubt for now, how about you?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Cherlow on October 28, 2008 at 5:19pm: I think this is a critical point. Not so much about changing the direction of the country, that can change all the time witht he whims of people in power. Court apointments are for ever and as a result are ultra critical. As far as movement, I think that the biggest things that have ever been accomplished in US government history are the things that both parties can sign onto. Unfortunately the political will to change usually comes at the last minute. Right now we are very close to many last minutes and I think the congress and who ever is president will have to respond quickly.

That being said I am getting extremely excited for an obama victory and the great sigh of relief that we and the world will let out. I was listening today to the radio and found myself just smiling and feeling like I/We can do anything and very soon we will have done a great and wonderful thing. I hope that this moment is a time for our country to heal it's great divide, a divide worse than the split that caused the civil war (my humble opinion), and in that healing take a hard look at ourselves and the way we run our country and fix what we see that we dont like.

Jeff Howe said:
I couldn't agree with you more. I find it scary to think about having another Scalia, Thomas or Alito on the Supreme Court so it would be nice to have a couple of easy Democratic confirmations (if Obama wins) to balance it out. It would be good to see some movement on health care as well - or anything for that matter since it seems like Congress seems to get less and less done with the partisanship that you mentioned.

Permalink Reply by Rita M. Carey on October 30, 2008 at 10:12am: I agree, Mike. I prefer a divided government as well. Unfortunately, in the recent past, too many of the proposed bills got caught in filibusters. And, it seems to me that in a divided house and senate, bills that start out with what I consider good intentions, must assume special interest "add-ons" in order to pass. I don't want an unbridled movement toward one ideology or another and so I am counting on what I have interpreted to be thoughtful, insightful judgmental abilities displayed by Obama. If he can get Congress to act in that way, I will be pleased. I suspect that is not likely, but I'm counting on the belief that there are those in government who would be happy to engage in more authentic discussions.

Permalink Reply by Caryl on October 30, 2008 at 2:58pm: Seemingly everyone agrees a change is in the air, but why limit it to just change, why not a shake-up? We need to let Congress know we are paying attention. All this money---17 Billion is it, that is being spent on this election. What does that money intend to buy? We can't watch this stuff happening, we have to participate. It is time for A Third Party, there is not a twit of difference most years between one party as we have it and another.

Call it Green, call it Independent, call it A New Third Party. We need to participate in our government. If one or the other party doesn't respond, then let's form a new party---one that spends less money to elect somebody would be nice.

Congress has to be a bit worried---the flak they got over the bailout was like no other. Now that We the People have a pen in the hand, let's make them respond to other things on the list of things that they are supposed to be doing.

Senator Unlce Ted actually getting convicted must have sent a chill down the spine of a couple of people....bet there have been a few people who have walked around the house--was that a gift, do you remember honey?

Permalink Reply by Mike Cherlow on October 30, 2008 at 3:52pm: I kinda hope for something close to a super majority that will require a few like (5 or 6) republicans to get things past a filibuster. that will really show a consensus on some important things that will help this country.

Rita M. Carey said:
I agree, Mike. I prefer a divided government as well. Unfortunately, in the recent past, too many of the proposed bills got caught in filibusters. And, it seems to me that in a divided house and senate, bills that start out with what I consider good intentions, must assume special interest "add-ons" in order to pass. I don't want an unbridled movement toward one ideology or another and so I am counting on what I have interpreted to be thoughtful, insightful judgmental abilities displayed by Obama. If he can get Congress to act in that way, I will be pleased. I suspect that is not likely, but I'm counting on the belief that there are those in government who would be happy to engage in more authentic discussions.

Permalink Reply by Mike Cherlow on October 30, 2008 at 3:54pm: on that shake up issue, I have long had a very complicated and crazy idea to shake up how we make and pass laws in this country. I dont think this is the spot to let it out but I will start a new one to discuss it. If you dont see it in the next few days nudge me to do it.

Caryl said:
Seemingly everyone agrees a change is in the air, but why limit it to just change, why not a shake-up? We need to let Congress know we are paying attention. All this money---17 Billion is it, that is being spent on this election. What does that money intend to buy? We can't watch this stuff happening, we have to participate. It is time for A Third Party, there is not a twit of difference most years between one party as we have it and another.

Call it Green, call it Independent, call it A New Third Party. We need to participate in our government. If one or the other party doesn't respond, then let's form a new party---one that spends less money to elect somebody would be nice.

Congress has to be a bit worried---the flak they got over the bailout was like no other. Now that We the People have a pen in the hand, let's make them respond to other things on the list of things that they are supposed to be doing.

Senator Unlce Ted actually getting convicted must have sent a chill down the spine of a couple of people....bet there have been a few people who have walked around the house--was that a gift, do you remember honey?

Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on October 30, 2008 at 4:17pm: Good luck folks. To start a new party costs a lot of money and a lot of time and a lot of people power.