I'm truly hoping the Republicans take one, if not both, of the houses. This isn't simply republican homerism...though I can't deny part of it I'm sure is that. Its more to do with the idea that I think government, in general, does better with split control when reality is actually taken into account. Either there will be legitimate and honest compromise on the part of the President and Congress and we'll hopefully get some decent legislation out of it or it will be deadlock which at this point I think would be good as well.
The 2010 election was about fiscal and governmental responsability. The Health Care Plan, taxes, stimulus, bailouts, government spending, government growth, etc were the focuses. The Republicans won not by running moderates in Democratic strongholds. On the contrary, they primaried out many of those moderates and ran staunch conservatives.
They are now at a situation akin to the Democrats of 2006, either read the message correctly and possibly see longevity or misread it and see defeat in short order. I think the message is relatively clear, work towards fiscally and governmentally conservative goals, finding compromise where you can, but don't compromise on principle. If the Republicans capitulate immedietely and start compromising on the things that swept them into election they're going to be doomed in 2 to 4 years. Additionally if they over reach and take this as a mandate to push a staunch SOCIAL conservative agenda, again they will be doomed in about 2 to 4 years.
I gotta agree with Zyph. The economy, the budget, the debt, those where the main issues in this election, but to lump health care in with non-issues like gay marriage or abortion would be a mistake. Many Republican campaigns did emphasize repeal of Obamacare. What I'd like to know is what do the left wingers here want and expect the Democrats to do for the next two years? What measures do you think the Democrats can take to strengthen their position come 2012?
I think we need to try and work with the republicans, to reduce the deficit, and reduce spending. But we need to hold firm on thing's like healthcare, because while the healthcare bill was not ideal, I do think it is a good piece of legislation, and will improve conditions in America in the long run. I think welfare reform would help with the democrats image, promoting legislation similar to Workcare that Reagan wanted to implement in the 80's. But the biggest thing I think that will help the democrats image is the economy improving, and if the republicans try to put socially conservative policy's into place, and/or fail on their promise to reduce spending.
What Republican backed reductions in spending would you find acceptable?
And do you want Democrats to hold 100% firm on health care even if it means risking losing the Senate and/or the White House in 2012? Or would you accept minor roll backs in the name of political pragmatism?
Unfortunately a lof of Republican candidates have been very vague about spending cuts. One of the reasons I'll be watching them closely to see if they follow through. So I don't have anything to link to you, but I was wondering if you had any cuts in mind or thought of ones you could at least accept given the current political climate.
I do agree that the key to the healthcare bill's short term survival is going to be Obama's re-election. Which I think is only is going to happen if he moves somewhat to the center and embraces at least some parts of the Republican fiscal agenda.
That's gonna be the damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of situation. If he moves to the center part of what will be needed to make that look legitimate is likely some compromise on rolling back part of the health care bill. However, one of the main reasons to move to the middle is to get reelected to enusure the longevity of the Health Care bill.
I would agree with cuts in defense spending, although that's probably unrealistic. I would accept major cuts in the DEA, but also probably unrealistic. I would accept some cutbacks in welfare, and thing's like that, if, and it's a major if we can reform them, so we can pay less into them, while making them better for the people who need them.
Perhaps its something for another thread at a later time but I liked a generalized idea that I think it was either Huckabee or McCain put forth during the primaries of the presidential election. The short of it was using welfare money to invest in training environments where basic trades and skills are taught in hopes of helping people transition into a job, even if its relatively menial, by giving them actual skills rather than simply giving them money. Its something that struck me as an interesting third way rather than simply staying the course or cutting completely.
Perhaps its something for another thread at a later time but I liked a generalized idea that I think it was either Huckabee or McCain put forth during the primaries of the presidential election. The short of it was using welfare money to invest in training environments where basic trades and skills are taught in hopes of helping people transition into a job, even if its relatively menial, by giving them actual skills rather than simply giving them money. Its something that struck me as an interesting third way rather than simply staying the course or cutting completely.
I agree with everything you said Mega, EXCEPT for health care. Look at the blue dogs that voted for Health Care and how that was a main tool in bludgeoning them out of office. The repeal and replacement of the Health Care law was a primary point of the vast majority of republican campaigns. While I think 1a and 1b is the budget and the deficiet, I think certain issues like Health Care are a close number 2. I don't think it's fair to put it on the same plane as Gay Marriage or Abortion, as those things were mostly a non-factor in a national sense. That simply wasn't the case with regards to Health Care.
I gotta agree with Zyph. The economy, the budget, the debt, those where the main issues in this election, but to lump health care in with non-issues like gay marriage or abortion would be a mistake. Many Republican campaigns did emphasize repeal of Obamacare. What I'd like to know is what do the left wingers here want and expect the Democrats to do for the next two years? What measures do you think the Democrats can take to strengthen their position come 2012?
I can't even express how much I agree with this. We saw what a disaster unchecked Republican rule was during the Bush years. The first two years of the Obama administration haven't been much better. Both parties have had their turn at nearly unchallenged rule and neither party has produced a positive major piece of legislation. Compare that to the accomplishments we saw in the 90's when Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich were butting heads. Welfare reform. A balanced budget. We almost got the line item veto and term limits too!
Plus the worse case scenario is we get gridlock and the government isn't able to screw things up even more. Please return us to the sweet days of partisan gridlock!