110th Congress - Signaling a New Age in America?
History was made today in the halls of the Capitol here in Washington D.C. With the swearing in of the new members elect of the House of Representitives, the Democratic Party is now holding majority status and Nancy Pelosi has become the first woman to ever hold that post in the 200+ year history of the United States. I think that it is great that a woman has finally achieved that honor, but I am not a supporter of Pelosi - I wish it were someone on my side of the asile.
Does this groundbreaking event signal a new age in politics in America?
Speaker Pelosi has said that under her leadership the 110th Congress will be the "most ethical Congress ever". I question the Truth of such a statement because of the fact that one of her commitee chairs is none other than Mr. John Conyers, the Cogressman who, over the new years weekend admitted that he "accecpts responsibility" for possible ethics violations. Add to this that until recently, Speaker Pelosi wanted Alcee Hastings, a former impeached judge and now member of Congress, to chair the Inteligence Committee; the comittee that is intimately involved in the Global War on Terror.
Another facet of this incoming Congress that catches my attention is yesterday's events concerning Cindy Sheehan and the shortcutting of a Democratic Leadership Press Confrence. Yesterday, Sheehan and her fellow anti-war protesters inturrupted a press confrence and once the leadership walked away from the mic, Sheehan siezed the opportunity to express to the Democrats and the Media that it is the Anti-War Left that got the new majority elected, and thus this new majority had a obligation to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home.
That said the new majority faces the following crisis: do they govern to the center and work to keep their new majority in 2008 and beyond? Or do they bow to the demands of Sheehan and others on the Left, bringing their majority further to the left and in greater danger of being rejected by the center-right electorate of the United States in 2008?
I do know that the Democratic agenda includes sweeping legislation changes within the first 100 hours of Congress; legislation on issues such as ethics and lobying reform, raising the minimum wage, and increased funding for stem cell research (be aware that this means embryonic stem cell research, research that extinguishes life - the distinction between adult and embryonic is hardly ever stressed).
Does all of this signal a new age in American politics? In some ways yes - a woman has achieved one of the highest offices in the land. In other ways no - politicians continue to break their promises made on the campaign trail.
Look for legislation to be brought forth that sounds good, but in truth is weak (or has loop holes that exonerate the majority and punish the minority). Look for the new majority to bow to the anti-war left while looking like they are not going to do so.
Stay tuned...
Does this groundbreaking event signal a new age in politics in America?
Speaker Pelosi has said that under her leadership the 110th Congress will be the "most ethical Congress ever". I question the Truth of such a statement because of the fact that one of her commitee chairs is none other than Mr. John Conyers, the Cogressman who, over the new years weekend admitted that he "accecpts responsibility" for possible ethics violations. Add to this that until recently, Speaker Pelosi wanted Alcee Hastings, a former impeached judge and now member of Congress, to chair the Inteligence Committee; the comittee that is intimately involved in the Global War on Terror.
Another facet of this incoming Congress that catches my attention is yesterday's events concerning Cindy Sheehan and the shortcutting of a Democratic Leadership Press Confrence. Yesterday, Sheehan and her fellow anti-war protesters inturrupted a press confrence and once the leadership walked away from the mic, Sheehan siezed the opportunity to express to the Democrats and the Media that it is the Anti-War Left that got the new majority elected, and thus this new majority had a obligation to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home.
That said the new majority faces the following crisis: do they govern to the center and work to keep their new majority in 2008 and beyond? Or do they bow to the demands of Sheehan and others on the Left, bringing their majority further to the left and in greater danger of being rejected by the center-right electorate of the United States in 2008?
I do know that the Democratic agenda includes sweeping legislation changes within the first 100 hours of Congress; legislation on issues such as ethics and lobying reform, raising the minimum wage, and increased funding for stem cell research (be aware that this means embryonic stem cell research, research that extinguishes life - the distinction between adult and embryonic is hardly ever stressed).
Does all of this signal a new age in American politics? In some ways yes - a woman has achieved one of the highest offices in the land. In other ways no - politicians continue to break their promises made on the campaign trail.
Look for legislation to be brought forth that sounds good, but in truth is weak (or has loop holes that exonerate the majority and punish the minority). Look for the new majority to bow to the anti-war left while looking like they are not going to do so.
Stay tuned...
posted by A. R. Welty at 10:28 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home