Canada Free Press -- ARCHIVES

Because without America, there is no free world.

Return to Canada Free Press

Elections, Republicans, Democrats

The difference between then and now

By Henry Lamb

Monday, October 23, 2006

Twelve years ago, a Republican tsunami swept across Washington, DC. Democrats are convinced that tremors across the political landscape foretell another tsunami, one that will leave them in power.

There are big differences between then and now. Then, Democrats had been in control of one or both houses of Congress, for nearly 40 years. Then, election after election, Republican strength had been growing. Then, Republicans, developed a written "Contract with america," that spelled out exactly what it proposed to do to make america better. Then, the voters rewarded the Republicans with an overwhelming victory.

Now, Republicans have been in control for only 12 years. Now, in election after election, Democrats have been losing ground. Now, the only thing Democrats offer to make america better is to get out of Iraq, and to repeal every tax cut the Republicans have enacted.

This Democratic offering is not likely to produce a tsunami, but it may create enough of a political ripple to change Congressional leadership.

Republican leadership is not in jeopardy because the Democrats offer a compelling alternative; it is because the Republicans have forgotten why they were sent to Washington in the first place.

The Contract with america was based on solid conservative principles. Implementation of those principles - over the screams and howls of the Democrats - is precisely why Republicans won the White House in 2000, and expanded their majority in 2002. It was the war on terrorism that influenced the 2004 elections, much more than anything the Republicans or the Democrats did. Now, voters need clear reasons for deciding how to cast their ballots.

Democrats, with much help from major media, have succeeded in dividing the national will to win the war against terrorism by declaring Iraq to be Bush's unnecessary war of revenge. Democrats, with much help from major media, have succeeded in obscuring their own historic culture of corruption by spotlighting the perversions of Mark Foley.

Interestingly, when one of their own gay representatives actually had sexual relations with a Congressional page during their 40-year rule, Democrats did not call for the resignation of their Speaker. In fact, they refused to expel the member, even though the Republicans demanded it. Instead, they issued a slap-on-the-wrist censure, and allowed him to serve another decade.

When Bill Clinton had sexual relations with a young intern - and lied about it under oath - Democrats did not call for his resignation, they stood with him, claiming that everyone lied about sex. But when a Republican's perverse fantasy is exposed, Democrats are quick to paint the entire party as perverse.

Even if the Democratic leadership were not duplicitous demagogues, the Republicans would still be in trouble. Why? Because they lost their way. Consequently, they lost the respect and support of many of the people who sent them to Washington.

When a voter sends a letter to a Congressman - Democrat or Republican - asking for his position on an issue, the voter expects a straightforward answer. When the reply is a wishy-washy, staff-written, off-the-shelf letter, that always ends with "...I'll keep your concerns in mind...," the Congressman deserves neither support nor respect.

When a Congressman - Democrat or Republican - forgets that his election is for a term of "voluntary servitude," and assumes the attitude of beltway incumbency, he deserves neither support nor respect. This is the attitude that prevailed during the last years of the Democratic reign. Sadly, it is an attitude that began to reappear during the last few years of the Republican reign.

Whatever the outcome of the November 7 election, it will be little more than the launchpad for the 2008 Presidential campaign. Domestic issues will be superseded by political "gotcha" opportunities. Both will be superseded by events initiated by neither Democrats nor Republicans.

america's future will be determined by our reaction to our enemies: North Korea, Iran, and the Islamic jihad. Our enemies are praying for, indeed, expecting, a Democratic sweep in November. They listen to the language of the Democrat leadership, and know that their agendas will be undisturbed should the Democrats win. They pine for a return to the Democrat years when their goals went undiscovered, and their atrocities were met with only token retaliation.

The cold hard truth is that our Congressional politicians are no better, or worse, than the people who put them there. If we are to have a strong nation, with the will and resolve to protect or freedom, then we have to elect representatives who share this vision. There are far too many americans who do not share this vision. They are working feverishly to elect representatives who are eager to cut and run from Iraq, appease Kim Jong-il, and let Iran continue processing its nuclear fuel.

November 7 will not simply determine the future of Congress, it will reflect the will of the american people.


Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement