SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

The Pendulum Is Swinging

My Heart Is Sad – there is little difference between Republicans and Democrats as power has now corrupted us.

Republicans have been the party of Optimism and Self Reliance.

Democrats are Negative; they prey on problems and use them for political advantage. Democrats offer solutions of more government.

Congressional Republicans have become little different than the Democrats were in the Rebellion of 1994 when the Republicans overturned 40 years of Democrat autocracy in the U. S. House of Representatives.

With the unveiling of facts and allegations culminating in the resignation of Representative Mark Foley – Republicans are in Meltdown. What looked like would be a close battle to maintain their Majority Status, House Republicans in the last six months look little different than Democrats in the early nineties. DeLay, Cunningham, Abramoff (lobbyist not a Congressman), Ney, and now Foley, there are pending investigations by the House Ethics Committee that may take this Page Scandal right to the feet of Speaker Hastert. Hastert, the longest serving Republican Speaker of the House has accepted responsibility (for obvious political reasons to quiet the dirge) for it happening on his watch but disclaims knowledge of specifics.

What is similar to 1994 is that Republicans now like the Democrats before seem only to be interested in maintaining Power and/or in some cases abusing their Power.

What is different is that in 1994 the Republicans had a positive agenda – The Contract With America .

Most of the Contract was adopted. Unfortunately good behavior can not be legislated. Now bad behavior and Democrat like arrogance has come home to haunt us.

It is now likely that the Democrats will win the Majority as the GOP is rocking on its heals. Unlike 1994 the Democrats have not had any agenda other than hating the President. The Republicans have abandoned the claim of legitimacy on the ability to govern. Polling shows Citizens seem to have little faith in the Government and the current scandal reinforces the sense that they are not getting anything done except for themselves personally.

Americans want solutions to real problems, protecting America , affordable health care, solutions to the energy crisis, retirement security, quality education, and good jobs. Congress has for the most part ignored some of these problems while focusing on divisive social issues and other issues that have little chance of being enacted but play to the electoral base.

The current scandal further leaves the impression that if they can not protect their wards, the Pages, how can they protect the Country (their first responsibility).

Assuming the Democrats take the Majority, will they get the message that the Country wants change? There are no clues to suggest that Democrats will make any difference. The 110th Congress, no matter which Party is in control, needs to start making a difference.

In the next two years expect the nation to be in limbo preparing for what will perhaps be a Sea Change in the 2008 Presidential Election. Hillary Clinton is running to the Center, will Republicans select a nominee that swings that way as well.