On Tue, 09 Nov 2004 13:57:32 -0500, thunder
wrote:

On Tue, 09 Nov 2004 12:43:23 -0500, Harry Krause wrote:


Our action alone will have no impact on the Red States, of course,
but...if upwards of 10 million Americans turned thumbs-down to
Jesusville...it would have an impact.

Harry, you really are going overboard on this. I think you need to put
this election into perspective. The reality is, what happens in
Washington, has very little impact on our lives. While you may be
distressed about the perceived shift to the right, the other reality is
that this country has *always* been governed by the center. It's a
fundamental property of democracy. That the DeLays, the Roves, the Bushs,
haven't grasped this concept, is setting them up for another failed
administration.

I tend to look at it as a tug of war. There is give and take on both
sides, and the result of which tends to be more centrist.

The problem now is that both sides have become so polarized, there is
little room left for compromise. The republicans control most of the
government, but that won't stop the democrats from using every dirty
trick in the book to throw a wrench into the works, to prevent any
workable legislation out of congress.

Then they will turn around and have the unmitigated gaul to blame the
"failure" of the government to get anything done, on the
republicans.....

Nancy Pelosi has practically said as much..


Dave

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 07:08:18 -0500, Dave Hall wrote:


I tend to look at it as a tug of war. There is give and take on both
sides, and the result of which tends to be more centrist.

The problem now is that both sides have become so polarized, there is
little room left for compromise. The republicans control most of the
government, but that won't stop the democrats from using every dirty trick
in the book to throw a wrench into the works, to prevent any workable
legislation out of congress.

Aside from the polarization, I would argue this is as it should be. It
tends to keep policies centrist. If the DeLays think there is a mandate
for a sharp turn to the right, they will not only find democrats
obstructionist, but also the many Republican moderates. It's fundamental
to a democracy, majority rules, and rules from the center.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:25:55 -0500, thunder
wrote:

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 07:08:18 -0500, Dave Hall wrote:


I tend to look at it as a tug of war. There is give and take on both
sides, and the result of which tends to be more centrist.

The problem now is that both sides have become so polarized, there is
little room left for compromise. The republicans control most of the
government, but that won't stop the democrats from using every dirty trick
in the book to throw a wrench into the works, to prevent any workable
legislation out of congress.

Aside from the polarization, I would argue this is as it should be. It
tends to keep policies centrist. If the DeLays think there is a mandate
for a sharp turn to the right, they will not only find democrats
obstructionist, but also the many Republican moderates. It's fundamental
to a democracy, majority rules, and rules from the center.

Yeah, but what about the tug of war?

I mean, I want to see somebody get down and dirty, 'ya know?

I know - Maureen Dowd and Mary Matilin in bikini's mud wrasslin' for
the fate of the country.

Hey, at least it would be entertaining.

Later,

Tom

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:25:12 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I know - Maureen Dowd and Mary Matilin in bikini's mud wrasslin' for the
fate of the country.

Ohh, now that's an image. Hopefully, one I can forget.

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 14:53:52 -0500, thunder
wrote:

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:25:12 +0000, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I know - Maureen Dowd and Mary Matilin in bikini's mud wrasslin' for the
fate of the country.

Ohh, now that's an image. Hopefully, one I can forget.

You would prefer Laura Bush and Tah-ray-zah Heinz? :)

Later,

Tom