What a Friend We Have

As voters in the USA marched to the polls yesterday, those singing "What a friend we have in Georgie" were drowned out by a loud chorus declaring "It ain't necessarily so". Derailing the KGB (King George Bush) agenda was crucial for Democrats, but also for the true conservatives wishing to restore the soul of the Republican party. The senate is still up for grabs, but establishing a clear Democratic majority in the House may be marginally sufficient.

Of course, it's really not that simple. Until the power of lobbyists is curtailed, democracy remains short circuited. Because the Republicans had the power, they also received the most attention from the lobbies. The Republican corruption was consequently the most evident. Corruption among the Democrats also existed, but will now flourish under renewed corrosive attention from the lobbyists.

Further, the Democrats followed KGB just as consistently as the Republicans. When the folly of the Iraq war became evident, the Democrats showed some pseudo backbone, but so did some Republicans. Had the illegal, immoral, and deceitfully 'justified' war been more successfully conducted, both political parties and the public would have been supportive of the administration. The erosion of constitutional rights must still be rectified.

The Progressives include a fringe who expected the election to be stolen by the Republican apparatus. Those from both political parties should be relieved that voting fraud seems to have been, at most, a minor problem. Like those who see the 9/11 attack as a Neocon conspiracy, such nuts deserve being discredited.

Although pleased with the election results, I see this as a small first step. At the next national election, it may again be a time to throw the party in power out - unless significant reform occurs.

Richard
2006.11.08